Noop, Paarl

It’s a quirky bistro this, from the haphazard deli on entry to the multiple rooms of an old (wood floor and high ceiling) and rather worn house with the large photographic prints of proteas – fynbos pimped as pinups. The waiter thought I was joking when I told him I could not drink the glass of house red he offered me a taste of and proceeded to pour – I had to stop him: “No, I really mean that I cannot drink this!”. It was simply oxidised and he happily opened another bottle. The menu is truly eclectic. Want canapes? Sushi? A pasta? Or pizza? Grills? Pork neck stuffed with nuts and fig with an apple mash?

I tried an open ravioli of mussels cooked in a saffron and orange cream, it was tasty indeed (R46). Then the afore-mentioned pork neck, which was also wrapped in bacon and ended up tasty enough, with the added advantage of being available in full or smaller portion (like much on the menu, this R74 for smaller). The highlight was their variation on tiramisu – more a layered chocolate cake, but full of flavour and with a lovely texture, showing there’s a dab pastry hand in the kitchen. Good coffee too.

127 Main St, Paarl. 021 863 3925.

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