Tag Archives: South Africa
Zenzero, Camps Bay
Zenzero used to be Bungalo – a modern, concept restaurant on the Camps bay beach strip. For any restaurant to falter in such a premium position (as Bungalo did) says a lot about its incompatibility with what the punters want to eat, among other issues. Zenzero will not have this problem: the menu is a very [...]
Glen Carlou, Paarl revisit
I learnt, after my recent lunch, that they are expanding the kitchen here, and will also offer dinners in the future. Which, based on this meal, would be a very welcome move – as it was very pleasant indeed. A previous meal showed promise, but this meal was better. Interestingly I ended up trying a [...]
The Greenhouse, Cellars-Hohenhort Hotel, Constantia
After some vacillations of fortune, and a relocation, I am happy to state that The Greenhouse at the Cellars is now back in its position as one of the Cape’s premier dining experiences. What they have done is relocate The Greenhouse from the main hotel to the space formerly occupied by the Cape Malay Restaurant (now [...]
Mange Tout, Mont Rochelle, Franschhoek
A single page menu with an introduction from the chef and team is promising, it speaks of their desire to cook seasonally and with free-range ingredients, but then, after speaking of “myself and the team” ends unsigned, with no name to attach these promises to. This moment is emblematic of the whole meal, where promise [...]
Country Kitchen at Mont Rochelle, Franschhoek, redux
Another visit here, on a lovely winter’s day. It’s never great to dine at any restaurant when they are quiet, but I somehow feel that this place is often quiet in the weekdays – although they are valiantly open daily from 10am till 7pm. Picnics are also on offer, and the patio is a fantastic [...]
Pastis, Constantia
Back to a neighbourhood spot: and here their credentials are sound – sealed with dogs on the patio and a local with a racoon-skin hat in atttendance… There have been a few ownership changes here, the latest seems to have brought a welcome return to some form, with the bistro-themed food now consistent and the [...]
Hilda’s Kitchen at Groote Post, Darling
Been meaning to get here ages ago, and well surprised by the happy throng of people that book the tables out for lunches on weekends – destination lunching at its most romantic and charming. This restaurant carries the name of one of the Cape’s historic farms, not least for its heritage as home to Hildagonda [...]
Bistro Sixteen82 again
A lunch on a beautifully still and warm winter’s day, perfect location for it too. The service was good, the menu sees continued tweaking and updates, and this day’s fish was mackerel – an unusual option and a welcome break from the Cape salmon/kingklip/yellowtail routine. We have such lovely quality in our fish, but such [...]
Wakame, Green Point
After all these years, and a fire in between, Wakame has become something of an old friend on the Cape scene. It has a superlative setting on the seafront, and deck plus an upstairs bar to really capitalises on it. Walking in for a recent lunch reminded me how uplifting such spaces can be – [...]
Soho, De Waterkant, Green Point