Here’s a place that bends the inverse relationship rule (the prettier the setting the poorer and more cynical the food offering). A lovely deck showcases the Sentinel and Hout Bay, the interior is simple but with interesting textures to the walls and small mosaic tiles decorating the bar. It’s a bistro, in a light and cheerful style, with a comfortable feel. Tables include a few cosy corners for tete-à-tete as well as bigger tables for groups. The menus, both wine and food, are printed on A4 paper; wines are well-priced and interesting in selection, refreshingly not your obvious options. Also good beer picks, beyond our national sponsor.
The menu’s also remarkable as regards the right hand column: when last did you see mains that nearly all come in under R100? The food is four-square in the comfort category, the plates wysiwyg; featuring mussels, marrow bones, jamon; as well as fish and chips, pork belly, sirloin with café de Paris butter, hangar steak, etc – the food often with interesting sides and sauces that give the plates a lift.
My ricotta and spinach ravioli was a generous portion, the dressing bursting with flavour but the pasta underdone. Jamon with rocket and nectarine is as good as the ham (this pretty close to Spanish, but not quite). Mains were led by the meats, notably the slow-cooked cuts like the brisket on mash and the pork belly, ideally crisped. On the other hand, the hake plate was let down by the mealy soft fish, though the polenta crust was damn tasty. The least interesting main was the chicken and mushroom pie, a pot pie with a thin filling and little ballast and a hard, dry crust.
Desserts were good, my grappa pannacota a great counterpoint to the espresso; which unfortunately was not good; crema-less, the cappuccino bitter. Service was young and fresh, and owners, chef Pete and wife Elise Goffe-Wood are in the house to make good on their vision to make this a spot where locals and regulars find that element of reassuring ‘”local” warmth, and food that feels like it’s home-cooked. On this night there was some inconsistency, but promise there sure is – and great value – and I look forward to returning.
At Chapman’s Peak Hotel, Main Rd. 021791 1166. Tues-Sun dinner; lunch Sat and Sun (“Slow Food Sunday” where the idea is communal eating from bowls and big plates).
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9 Comments
Overall something of a hotch potch, but at the end of the day a very enjoyable experience particularly at the price point! The Jamon, rocket, peach and shaved parmesan did not look particularly great on the plate but the flavour was good even if the ham was rather (over) dry and the cheese chunky and the whole lacking any form of dressing – oil provided on request. The deep fried hake and chips however was excellent, fabulous succulent glistening white flesh, well judged batter, good chips and tartar sauce – great! Prices are very reasonable as are those on the short but thoughtfully chosen wine list (with vintages) . Service agreeable and personable if at times a little erratic.
Was so looking forward to trying with my wife, but when we arrived for table reserved a few days before, found the only option to be at the very back of the restaurant on a lower level, all alone, and absolutely lacking any vibe or warmth. Needless to say we left.
Hein; this is ridiculous….. Why did you leave, sure enough there was a reason why the table was there, did you bother to ask???? Why do you think that because you reserved table you deserved the best seat in the house, a Table is a table. Were you there to try the seats or to enjoy the food
I have to agree with Hein that the tables at the back of the restaurant are just dismal, especially on a chilly night. The noise level – especially the thump-thump background music – is also unacceptable. I’ve had one brilliant meal here – on the patio – and another that was just so average.
We visited Wild Woods for dinner on Friday night and thought the food was excellent. Seriously delicious pork belly, amazing Marsala mussels, delicious baked aubergine and yummy slow-cooked Moroccan lamb. It was however a rather chilly evening and I found the interior too cold for comfort. The atmosphere was also distinctly lacking – the restaurant was half empty and the décor rather austere. I was expecting a cosy and inviting space and didn’t find that at all.
We enjoyed a fantastic Sunday lunch at Wild Woods this weekend. Mussel starters were delicious (standard cream, garlic, white wine). I had the “Sunday Roast” for mains. Wow. Really good medium rare cuts of roast beef served with Yorkshire pudding, potatoes and turnips served with a rich meaty gravy and a superb mustard/horseradish based creamy sauce on the side. I will give PGW one thing, the man knows his meat! Saying that the better half raved about the tuna mains as well!
ONE OF THE MOST TERRIBLE RESTAURANT EXPERIENCES WE’VE HAD EVER
We will never go back to wild woods. It was memorably one of the most terrible restaurant experiences we’ve ever had.
On arrival some horrible camp manager? owner? was the rudest person ever – he eyed our children like they were the devil incarnate – I have never felt so unwelcome anywhere, ever (we had our very well behaved 1 year old and 11 year old with us). Despite misgivings, we ordered…
The chicken was undercooked, service terrible and almost every dish they brought wrong. The chicken came smothered in bernaise sauce (we had asked for it on the side) so they took the plate away, scraped/washed off the sauce and served it straight back to us – it was disgusting.
I have never been made to feel so unwelcome anywhere ever with children – they had just opened and there was 1 other table occupied in the whole place so it wasn’t as if they were busy. Anyway I told that owner creature how uncomfortable he’d made us feel and if they didn’t want children they should simply put up a notice, no children under 12 or whatever. He just eyed us with disgust.
We also said how appalling the food was and it was disgusting what the kitchen had done with the chicken and that we noted that even though they had got pretty much ALL the orders wrong there was not a penny off the bill (but because we’re English we always pay our bills so we paid) so i guess we’re the mugs.
Had an awful experience here so will not go back. Food was average but service cold and poor. Hopefully Hout Bay can produce something better???
I think the negative comments posted here are unfair. We have visited several times and the food has been excellent. Service has always been friendly and efficient, and they have been very accommodating with our (fairly active) young children.