South Africa is by all accounts going through an economic wobble. Higher interest rates, higher petrol prices, higher food costs – and the restaurants on a Sunday public holiday, are packed full. So are things not really that bad? Or will people eat cake nevertheless?
Sunday was instructive. On our way to Noordhoek, we tried making a reservation for late lunch at Foodbarn (full) and Cafe Roux (full). We finally snagged a res at Catharina’s, Steenberg, but then they called back to say it was buffet, and by 2pm the display may look a little ragged (no thanks). So we thought we’d take our chances, and stopped at Foodbarn (still full) and Roux (ditto). So we moved on to Hout Bay to try Chapman’s Peak Hotel for calamari (no joy). Surely that emporium of eating and knick-knacks for tourists, Mariner’s Wharf? A half-hour wait. Back to Chapman’s as it was now 3pm. “Still a half-hour wait” we’re told. So we finally found succour at Trattoria Luigi in Hout Bay and were well treated and pretty well fed.
The spontaneous Cape lunch on a Sunday, notably a holiday… be warned.
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Hi
Had lunch at Just Sushi with my grandfather and co. Yvonne was there, she mentioned your lunch at Luigi’s, apparently not bad.
I must just mention that Catharina’s buffet is the best buffet I have experienced in my entire life. If you haven’t been before, try it sometime.
As for Q’s, I think in the current economic climate, when people spend money they want to know they are not wasting it on an average experience. So I think the full places are the good ones and the average ones are empty?
I think you are quite right about people wanting to get it right. Our Luigi’s lunch was decent, but now I think the fact that they had free tables subtracts a few points from quality…
Thanks for news about Catharina’s buffet. I am thinking of dropping all restaurants in mainstream hotels from the guide though. There are so few that really offer a unique and stand-alone experience. Does Catharina’s qualify?
And should Just Sushi be in the guide?
Catharina’s doen’t feel like a hotel restaurant at all. We sat outside in the lovely garden with wonderful big, old trees all around. Every item on offer at the buffet was exquisitely prepared. How many buffet’s offer seared tuna as a meat option?
Just Sushi is definitely one of the top sushi places in Cape Town.
I just read this commentary, or was it a write-up.
Im a regular at Trattoria Luigi.Every Sunday, and you guys clearly don’t know what you’re talking about. Empty seats reflects substandard?! What a load of absolute bollocks! I have NEVER had a bad meal there. The staff are so unbelievably friendly.Compared to Chapman’s Peak and some other restaurants I won’t mention, the service in general is apalling with sour faces. You clearly have not experienced Luigi’s
We quite like Luigi’s.
We went there twice in a week when we spent some time in Houtbay, that was in November.
The food was really good.
Caprese salad with proper buffallo mozarella, not the rubbery yellow one.
One of the best dishes I have ever had is Luigi’s lobster pasta, at an affordable price. That’s what kept me going back. All dishes were fantastic, atmosphere great, cosy, warm.
Can only recommend it.