Tag: Horny Grazer Restaurant Reviews

The Hornygrazer Goes Mexican at San Julian

Cape Town,General,South Africa
1 comment
By Tamlin Wightman on

The Horny Grazer Review

Tequila, Tacos & Table Mountain – Mexico Meets Cape Town

I’ve always wanted to go to Mexico. I think I share the sentiments of many young, middle-class South Africans. It’s a sheltered view. I’m sure I’d die if I actually went.

I’d be overly trusting of their hairy bronze bodies and Speedy Gonzales accents and end up hostage to a drug cartel in a place like Ciudad Juarez. Surely. Especially as a journalist.

Or I’d get a little too happy on tequila in a local pub, lose my footing under my giant sombrero and shoot myself in the femur.

This is the place to go for real Mexican food made and served by real Mexicans

What I can tell you is that Mexican food is hot. Not just spicy, but smokin’ – in flavour, aroma, character and feel good factor. Tex Mex restaurants have become a popular trend in Cape Town but last week I found myself at one joint that didn’t make me feel like I was in some rip-off Mexican soapie.

“Tequila – It’s like beer”

Its name is San Julian. Make your way through Cape Town’s Bo Kaap, down narrow cobbled streets past colourful houses, dogs in the alleyways and people drinking and playing on their verandas – and things feel decidedly more genuine, even though this is the more Malay part of town.

I like this location on the outskirts of the city centre, away from the trendy, more pretentious spots. This genuineness is carried through with the restaurant’s rust-coloured walls adorned by Mexican crosses and mirrors, wooden furniture, traditional Mexican cloths and sombreros that I’m sure you could don for the night.

Welcome!

Sometimes the owner comes out to play guitar and serenade guests with original Mexican folk music. It’s like being in a local home in Mérida, the cultural capital of the Mexican peninsula. Plus, there are big-screen TVs for game nights.

San Julian is touted as the place to go for real Mexican food made and served by real Mexicans. It’s owned and run by a Mexican family that are fairly new to the shores of South Africa. Mexican chef Ricardo Garcia-Aispuro grew up making corn tortillas alongside his madre, so you can be sure of quality.

My Spanish is rusty. All I know are a few lines picked up from watching Gloria in Modern Family. In fact I’m one of those people who until I Googled it just now thought they spoke Mexican in Mexico. So finding my way around the menu is tough. Take a streetwise friend if you’re like me, because our waiter’s accent did nothing to clarify things, only entertain, charm and fulfill my fantasies of visiting his country.

Savour authentic Mexican fare

San Julian is an authentic taquería (a taco shop), so tacos are big here, such as the taco de carne asada – with fresh guacamole, barbecued meat and chopped onion, and served with soup beans, fresh chilli sauce and salsa. I can also recommend the crunchy deep-fried chicken flauta, with salsa verde and red rice and the chargrilled quesadillas (a flour or corn tortilla with a savoury filling folded in half), which ooze chicken and cheese.

We started with a plate of nachos and guacamole, washed down with whiskey and Coronas. And then tortillas. Soft, homemade corn tortillas. Spread with guacamole and minced beef. Topped with roasted chilli sauce and green salsa. Just the sound of the words together, like the Spanish language itself, make it entirely fathomable why the world has fallen in love with all things Mexican over the years. It’s sexy, fiery land, passionate, and it shows in the food.

Can you handle it?

San Julian has a warm, family feel to it, with Mother Patricia welcoming diners and one Arturo Jr taking orders with charm.

It’s less hootin’ tootin’, gun shootin’ Mexican craziness, but I imagine Friday nights when the tequila flows and the Mexican wrestling masks they have in the back come out, it shape-shifts into some other kind of animal.

If it’s not a week night, go straight for the imported tequilas, the Don Julio and Sauzo, and the cocktails. Chef Ricardo’s father, Arturo heads up the bar, towering over the wooden counter, whipping up whatever poison you desire. The margaritas are available in two varieties: tradiçional – sharp and sour, served in a salt-rimmed glass, and flor – a sweeter, pink-coloured one in a sugar-rimmed glass.

San Julian is a welcome home for Little Mexico in Africa.

Don Julio Tequila, anyone?

Get there fast: San Julian, 3 Rose Street, Cape Town. Open Monday to Saturday for dinner only. Tel: 021 419 4233.

Read more Cape Town Restaurant reviews here.

24 Hrs Dining at The One&Only Hotel

Cape Town
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By Tamlin Wightman on

From the minute you enter the doors of the One&Only Hotel in Cape Town, you realise two things. One. You will be eating a lot. Two. You will still find space for more.

Besides the complimentary treats in your hotel room and the tidbits in corners like the Spa relaxation room, there’s the decadent Afternoon Tea as well as four superb restaurants on site. I spent a night with a friend and we wined and dined at three.

Complimentary Treats
Complimentary treats in your room

What’s On Offer

  • Japanese Nobu – Read the review below
  • Local flavoured Reuben’s – Read the review below
  • Isola – This more casual, contemporary restaurant next to the pool on the island offers island and classic Italian cuisine, including wood-fired pizza, seafood and local game. The One&Only is the only city centre hotel set on a private island.
  • Vista Bar & Lounge – We enjoyed sundowners and Afternoon Tea here in the centre of the hotel lobby with panoramic views of Table Mountain through floor-to-ceiling glass.

The One&Only Hotel in Cape Town is on a private quay in the famous V&A Waterfront, which is a working harbour and marina in Cape Town at the foot of Table Mountain. Watch our video of the V&A Waterfront here.

High Tea
Let them eat cake! Afternoon tea is quite the affair.

Nobu – Turning Japanese

Madonna has been quoted saying, “You can tell how much fun a city will be if Nobu has a restaurant in it.” Nobu touts itself as “the world’s most recognised Japanese restaurant, known for its innovative new style cuisine paired with a hip crowd and celebrity following”.

And they’re not blowing smoke. P Diddy, Paris Hilton and Justin Timberlake are big fans and Robert de Niro is even one of the partners in the New York Nobu.

Nobu dinner in the making

Nobu, from Japanese master-chef Nobuyuki Matsuhisa, is the first of its kind in Africa. If you find yourself in Cape Town, it’d be a travesty not to book a table here.

It was a Thursday evening and we were greeted at Nobu by a row of male models and a talent scout sitting at the upstairs bar; not people you really want to sit near to when the only thing on your mind is chopsticking as much into your mouth as possible. So we took a table in the downstairs area of the two-storey restaurant, near the sushi bar.

The restaurant’s high ceiling gives it a roomy feel, but the decor is not my style. It’s dark, adding intimacy to the atmosphere but you expect Count Dracula to fly out of the woodwork. The giant orange lights on the ceiling look like scales on a dinosaur’s back. Kitsch even in prehistoric times. Luckily, the food is amazing and the service good.

The Nobu Sushi Bar

Drinks

The way to start a Japanese dinner is with Sake. We sipped on a Japanese Margarita (Chili Infused Sake, Takara Shochu, Cointreau, lime juice and honey syrup) and a Saketini (Grey Goose & Hokusetsu Sake, Takara Plum Wine, Cointreau & cranberry juice), followed by Nobu Mojitos (Utkins White Organic Rum, Grand Marnier, lime juice, mint and gomme).

The world starts to get hazy after just one of these drinks. But a beautiful hazy, a let’s-strip-and-run-into-the-moat sort of hazy. There are also several wines on offer, by the bottle or glass. Be sure to eat up.

There are several wines on offer

Food

We ordered the Bento Box, a three course laquered black box with small portions of various dishes in separate compartments. While naive to its wonders at first, I’m fully sold on the Bento now. It’s a unique experience – sitting with friends, sharing different dishes together. It’s unifying and makes for a great dining experience. Unless you’re sharing with someone like me who finishes the chicken teriyaki before anyone else can have a stab and leaves only the, well, leaves.

The Winter Bento Box includes tuna sashimi salad, assorted sushi roll, Nobu sashimi jalapeno, white fish tempura, nasu miso and chicken teriyaki. You can watch the chefs creating the dishes by the sushi bar and pull up a chair and eat right there where the magic happens. There are many other dishes on offer that looked equally good – I’ll have to go back, I guess.

Dessert. Chocolate santandagi with almond ice cream and caramelised pistachio; berry soup and fruit with ginger and mint sorbet; and a suntory whiskey cappuccino. How do the likes of Madonna and Paris Hilton stay so scrawny?

Reuben’s

We dined at Reuben’s for both breakfast and lunch. The decor at Reuben’s is not much better than Nobu’s in my opinion, but it does have a warm, spacious feel about it. You might have heard about Reuben’s (from Chef Reuben Riffel) in the Cape Winelands village of Franschhoek. It offers something quite different and Provençal-esque, but city folk have the advantage of dining at this popular favourite too now on the grounds of the One&Only Hotel.

Breakfast at Reuben's

Breakfast at Reuben's

Reuben was offered the restaurant space after Gordon Ramsay’s Maze closed (failed) and hotel management decided to add a local flavour to the hotel. Reuben calls the restaurant “rustic in style, but the focus is on freshness. The menu is seasonal and all produce is sourced locally.” Emphasis is on simplicity and natural taste.

I recommend sitting outside if the weather is good. Breakfast is a buffet of almost everything you can think of – from cheese platters to oysters. Lunch we enjoyed outside, looking out over the moat that wraps around the hotel, the island in the near distance, connected to the hotel by a bridge, and Table Mountain towering above behind the city.

It’s easy to love Cape Town…

Lunch at Reubens, One&Only

We ordered salads – considering the mass of food already ingested, and washed it down with an ice cold Bombay Sapphire G&T. There’s an entire wall of wine bottles, so you’re bound to find something that suits your fancy.

I polished off the Cobb Salad (with shrimp, prawn, avocado, pancetta, red onion, egg, olive, croutons and tomato confit), while my dining partner opted for Reuben’s Caesar Crunch Salad (with Elgin chicken, butter lettuce, Spanish anchovy, ciabatta, poached hens egg and shaved Parmesan). Both were infallible, delicious and light.

Lunch at Reubens, One&Only

Verdict

With its great views from outside, Reuben’s lets you feel miles away from the city centre. If I had to throw it and Nobu in the ring, they’d trump with different punches. Nobu for sushi lovers and Reuben’s for everything else; Nobu for more evening intimacy – and male models – and Reuben’s for something more relaxed in the daytime.

Either way, the One&Only Hotel has everything you need when it comes to food and drink – it’s even down the road from takeaway fish and chips shops and pubs in the V&A Waterfront.

>> To visit the One&Only Hotel and dine at its restaurants, or to book your own tailor-made itinerary to the Mother City, contact one of our expert travel consultants.

>> For more Cape Town Restaurant reviews by our Hornygrazer, visit our website. Take a look at more photos of the hotel on the Rhino Africa Facebook Page.

>> Been to the One&Only and dined at one of its restaurants? Comment below and tell us what you thought!

The Horny Grazer Eats at Overture Restaurant in Stellenbosch

Cape Winelands,General
1 comment
By Matthew Sterne on

Overture (n. introduction to an Opera)

It’s hard to hide anything edible from the truffle hound that is the Horny Grazer. Overture restaurant on the Hidden Valley wine estate near Stellenbosch was no exception.

We’d visited a few weekends previously as part of a little wine tour of the Annandale Road. On that occasion it was a perfect late summer’s day and the view from Overture was breathtaking. As the Pinots started to flow, I ogled the view of the Cape Peninsula across the bay – from Lion’s Head right up to Cape Point. We had to make a reservation. Of course there is quite a waiting list for a restaurant consistently voted into South Africa’s Top 10.

Dine indoors

The wine tasting itself was rather disappointing – it was clear that everything at Hidden Valley is geared towards the restaurant. In anticipation, we checked out the restaurant wine list. Which isn’t really a wine list. It’s a selection of Hidden Vally wines (and Lands End, which is their second label – the vineyard is in Elim near Cape Aghulas. The Sauvignon Blanc is great – so great in fact that they ran out) with a few unusual cameos. But that’s fine. When in Rome…

And you really could be in Rome. Or in Italy at least. A Mediterranean eyrie presiding over vines and olive groves. Fresh orchids were being placed on each table, table cloths were being ironed (next to us), cutlery was meticulously placed and mist sprays came spluttering to life. We would be back.

Spectacular views of the Cape Peninsula

And so it was that we arrived a few weeks later on a far-from-perfect autumnal day. Drizzle had replaced the mist sprays and plastic drapes had replaced the view. The modern interior suddenly seemed rather stark (aside of course from the not so classy barrage of awards surrounding the reception). Outdoor tables were unlaid exposing the chipped formica – not quite the outlook  I was expecting. I think it’s safe to say that Overture is a fair weather venue.

Without the view, the orchids or the mist spray there was a lot riding on the food. A capella cuisine.

The menu itself is arranged into four courses, but there are several price permutations:

4 Course Chef’s Menu:  R350, with wine R490
5 Course Chef’s Menu:  R410, with wine R540
8 Course Tasting Menu:  R600, with wine R770 (only available if everyone at your table has it)

Chef Bertus Basson

Basically it’s intended to be flexible, but it’s just a bit odd. Why would you have 5 courses from a 4 course menu? The result is that your dining mates might have the same dish you’re about to have for your next course. Not a complete cadenza, but an irksome little quirk that defies my sensibilities and ruins the sense of anticipation.

My advice – have four courses – one from each section. A Goldilocks sonata.

The twice baked parmesan soufflé with parmesan cream and beetroot variations was sensational. A seriously enticing ensemble. There is a real emphasis on fresh local produce at Overture and so the menu changes frequently. Chef Bertus Basson is the maestro of texture and colour combinations.

You're in for a treat

Next up was the chicken and pork galette with gnocci, white bean puree, white beans and green beans. It arrived looking deceptively like a lightly crumbed I&J veggie burger on a bean cassoulet. It was indeed deceptive. The taste and texture were mind blowing. I had to stop myself ordering a second helping (perhaps that is why they offer the five course option).

The only flat note on my menu was the Yellowtail with squid, broccoli, pomme puree and a saffron vinaigrette. The fish looked as if it was sitting afloat an inversed fried egg with the yolk performing an all too vivace performance on the tongue.

Horny Grazer Eats at Overture

Not content with my own almond and apple tart with crème anglaise, raisin puree and cinnamon ice cream, the Horny Grazer went truffling around the table for a little vanilla soufflé with chocolate ice cream and caramel sauce. The ultimate crescendo that would have had the Cadburys’ board on their feet. I suspect that there is more than a glass and a half full in that chocolate ice cream.

While we gobbled and guzzled away, the service was slick and knowledgeable if a little stiff and aloof. In fact the whole interior and vibe could do with a glass and a half of character.

But these are minor quarrels. Overture is a very fine restaurant indeed, in one of the most spectacular parts of South Africa. I cannot wait to return. On a sunny day.

Overture Restaurant
Hidden Valley Wine Estate
Annandale Road
Stellenbosch

Tel: +27 21 880 2721
E-mail: info@dineatoverture.co.za

Hidden Valley Wine Estate

Why not make a day of it? Just outside of Stellenbosch, oenophiles will be in their element, with Uwe Mira, Guardian Peak, Dombeya and Haskell, Rust en Vrede and Peter Falke within stumbling distance of Overture. In fact you might want to plan your next holiday in the Cape Winelands, so contact one of the Rhino Africa travel experts today and let’s start planning your dream African holiday.

Il Leone – The Horny Grazer Goes Italian

Cape Town,General
0 comments
By Matthew Sterne on

The Horny Grazer Review

Four Rhino Rating

A tavola non si invecchia (You don’t age while seated for a meal) ~ Italian Proverb

It’s hard to find a good, consistent restaurant in Cape Town that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg. Il Leone is good and consistent.

It’s part of the Mastrantonio set up, but it’s more sophisticated than its siblings. In a renovated double-storey building in Green Point, white table cloths and plenty of pine set the scene for the classic Italian fare. We bundled in on a Sunday evening after the Argus. I was carbo-loading after the event that I didn’t do. One of the few evenings I’ve been able to get a table – you really do need to book so they are clearly doing something right.

Il Leone Mastrantonio

Probably one of the reasons for its popularity is that it’s an ‘appropriate’ restaurant. Appropriate for a business lunch, an intimate anniversary dinner or a boisterous dinner with friends. It has broad appeal. Summers are best spent on the vibey stoep but the tables outside are scarce and there’s not much to look at unless you’re a fan of bus depots and street parking.

The service was prompt and attentive from an attractive young African man with an unusually high pitched voice – captivating as he ran through the specials. He was very fond of the phrase ‘I won’t lie to you…’ as South African as ‘Shame’. Thankfully he didn’t lie to us – the prawn linguine was delicious.  It’s the house special. A simple dish made with a generous helping of plump prawns, rocket, pine nuts, cherry tomatoes, garlic and a little chilli, but the flavours are perfectly balanced.

Il Leone, Cape Town

To start I had the Caprese di Bufala. At R75 it was probably a little meagre but a nice, light starter if you’re going to have pasta for mains. Mozzarella is made by spinning and then cutting the curd (the Italian verb mozzare means “to cut”). Mozzarella di Bufala (buffalo mozzarella) is made from domesticated water buffalo milk, while Fior di Latte is made from fresh cow’s milk.

It’s probably a rather strange game to play now that I write it down, but ‘If you could marry a food stuff what would it be?’ has always been popular in the Bowers household (probably not a great affirmation of my parents’ marriage). As a precocious child my answer was always ‘buffalo mozzarella’. Fresh buffalo mozzarella. One Oompa Loompa’s fist sized ball will set you back R59 in Woolworths but what finer pleasure than to bite into it and taste the creamy centre as you burst through the more robust outer layer. The treat is in the texture. To be really fresh you need to eat it the same day as it is made – do you need another reason to travel to Italy?

Mmmmm, mozzarella

Our meal was washed down with a bottle of Mulderbosch Faithful Hound – I was as happy as a wild boar in truffles. The wine list is fantastic – they even have their own little cellar, but herein lies the rub – the wine is expensive. R205 for the Faithful Hound while a bottle of Kanonkop Kadette will set you back R145. A Southern Right Sauvignon Blanc will set you back R160. If money is no object and you want to try something different, then go for the Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand (R545 – not to be confused with the cost of an air ticket to New Zealand).

Dinner was rounded off with a Pannacotta ai Frutti di Bosca (R40) – as indulgent and delicious as only cooked cream can be.

Il Leone is a really good restaurant. It would be my regular if the wine list was more reasonably priced.

Il Leone Mastrantonio

Contact:

22 Cobern Street,  Corner of Prestwich
Green Point
Cape Town
South Africa
8001

+27 (0) 21 421 0071

Durban’s Hottest Restaurants

General
5 comments
By Matthew Sterne on

So you’re heading to the Zulu Kingdom for a holiday? The first thing you need to arm yourself with is this list of the Horny Grazer’s favourite Durban restaurants. There’s a little something for every occasion whether you’re after fine dining or a cheap and cheerful, authentic curry. We’ve also tried to spread the love geographically, so these 10 gems are not all, strictly speaking, in Durban, but stretch from the centre of town to the Midlands and North Coast.

Bel Punto
1 South Beach Road, Umdhloti Beach, Umhdloti Centre

A firm favourite for long, languid and inevitably boozy Sunday lunches. Stylish yet casual and classy, Bel Punto is a modern, family-run, authentic Italian restaurant. The service is top notch and the wine list is extensive. My favourite starters are the Calamari Riepieni and the Crab Soup. For mains, you might like to try the Prawns Padella or a delicious T-Bone Fiorentina. And don’t forget about Mamma’s Tiramisu. Certainly not the cheapest spot in Durban, but it really is a special treat and one of the few decent places with a great sea view.

Tel: 031 568 2407
Web: https://www.belpunto.co.za/

Bel Punto

Ile Maurice
9 McCausland Crescent, Umhlanga Rocks

Robert is a suave and sophisticated Mauritian (not Martian). The Silver Fox to beat all silver foxes. He and his attractive and knowledgeable team will charm you out of pocket with an array of delicately flavoured Creole dishes. First timers need to try the Crab Gratin to start. Top of the suggestions for mains are the aubergine based crayfish curry, the fillet en croute and the sweet and meaty langoustines. Sommelier Francois is one of the best in the business, so be sure to take some advice. His latest tips are the 2009 Fryer’s Cove Bamboes Bay Sauvignon Blanc and the Klein Constantia 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon. Charming, elegant and romantic, this is a place for special occasions – get a table on the covered deck if you can.

Tel: 031 561 7609

Marco Paulo
Shop 3 Accord House, 2 Golf Course Drive Mount Edgecombe

Marco Paulo

Marco and Paul (see what they’ve done there) run this treat of a restaurant on the outskirts of the exclusive Mount Edgecombe Golf Estate. After a leisurely 9 holes (or not), sit back and relax at one of Durban’s most consistent restaurants. It’s perhaps not the most picturesque of locations, but the vibe is fantastic, the service is friendly and efficient and the food is absolutely delicious. And it’s pretty reasonably priced as well. Yummy starters include the Brinjal Three Ways and the Crispy Phyllo Prawns with Asian Tartar. For mains I always recommend going with their specials – they do fantastic pork, prawns and steak as well as scrumptious line fish. The wine list is great and there’s a healthy selection of artisanal beers as well. The food is pretty rich on the whole, so it’s an excellent choice for a hearty winter’s eve feast.

Tel: 031 502 2221
Web: https://www.marcopaulo.co.za

Craft
35 Newport Avenue, Durban 4001

Craft

Think Swiss skiing chalet with splashes of Ru Paul lipstick colours and chalk boards. Writer and food fanatic Neil Roake has created a fun, modern Italian restaurant with his trademark artisanal flair. The wine list is pretty limited but the menu is interesting, with favourites including the oxtail ravioli and the risotto cakes with dipping sauce. Some of the seafood options are served steamed in the bag, while meat turns on the grill in the open-plan kitchen. The pizzas are all named after saints, and the pizza oven in the main ‘church’ of the restaurant adds warmth on a chilly winter’s night (although Durban doesn’t really do winter – when temperatures plummet to 18 degrees celsius the locals start scrambling for their furs and long johns).

Tel: 031 562 1951

Craft

For lunch you might want to try Neil Roake’s other restaurant, the Freedom Cafe, at the Concierge in town.

The Freedom Cafe

Cafe 1999
Silvervause Centre, 117 Silverton Road, 4001 Durban

Cafe 1999

Trendy, vibey and whole lot of fun. Owners Sean and Marcelle inject an infectious dose of energy into this longstanding Durban favourite, where contemporary Mediterranean cuisine is designed around sharing. Highlights of the starters/titbits include sesame and prawn lollies dipped in sweet chilli and served with coriander mayo and the signature calamatas, stuffed with ricotta, crumbed and deep-fried. Mains are available in titbit size or bigbit size so really you can approach this as a tapas style meal or a traditional 3 courser. Whatever floats your boat. For the herbivores, try the home-made gnocchi tossed in Gorgonzola and walnut sauce with caramelised butternut while the carnivores will enjoy the fillet of beef, grilled and layered with camembert, rocket and an onion marmalade and served over a chardonnay risotto. But wait. There’s more. Upstairs is a fantastic bar/brasserie called Unity managed by the indefatigable Guy Woods (of former Bean Bag Bohemia fame) – wooden floors, funky music and hip design. You may not leave the Silvervause Centre sober.

Tel: 031 202 3406
Web: www.cafe1999.co.za

Cafe 1999

The Prawn Shack
It’s complicated – just Google it: https://www.shak.co.za/maps

A unique experience best enjoyed slightly inebriated and with a big bunch of mates. It’s a rustic, flip-flop clad and drawn out affair and it’s pretty far off the beaten track, so best to plan a little in advance. Just over 110km North of Durban on the stunning Amatikulu beach, you can enjoy an 8 course meal among the sand dunes, next to the old prawn farm, far from the madding crowd… Prawns are served up in all shapes, sizes and guises from a large buffet and you’ll even get to try some Zulu Sushi (beef). Mill about upstairs and downstairs with a beer in hand while you avoid the tequilas that contain, well you guessed it… prawns.

Tel: 031 466 6100
Web: https://www.shak.co.za/

Prawn Shack

Impulse By The Sea
Tinley Manor Beach, KZN North Coast

It’s rather rough around the edges, but after 20 years, Impulse is the ultimate Indian restaurant. Subtly kitsch decor, soft and off-key Indian instrumentals, warm hospitality and – most – importantly – mouth-watering curries served in traditional brass and copper kadais create the complete Indian experience. The prawn curry is sensational so we suggest booking a table on the sun-deck, gazing out to sea… and getting curried away.

Tel: 032 554 4626

Hartford House
Hlatikulu Road, Mooi River

Hartford House Restaurant

The Gosses, owners of Hartford House, humbly refer to themselves as “custodians of one of Africa’s most treasured legacies”. While this restaurant is consistently in South Africa’s Top 10, I’d really recommend making a weekend of it. What better way to enjoy a fine meal than with a stay over so that you can simply amble home and roll into bed. And these are some pretty special beds. I had to scrape my jaw off the floor when inspecting the four Lakeside Suites – each freestanding building is unique in shape and design. The deputy Prime Minister, Colonel Richards, established the world-renowned Summerhill Stud on the property so you can witness the preparation of champion race horses and view the champion stallions going about their paces. Horse-back rides are arranged for experienced riders otherwise just kick back with a spot of trout-fishing, or unwind with a massage. One of my favourite spots in the country. Just go.

Tel: 033 – 263 2713
Web: www.hartford.co.za

Hartford House Restaurant

The Cooking Bear
55 Caversham Rd (15 minutes from Howick)

Ssssshhhhh. Nobody knows about the Cooking Bear – it’s our little secret ok? Expect contemporary country dishes, retro classics and flavours of the East in this charming and intimate restaurant set in a beautiful English-style garden in the heart of the KZN Midlands. It’s a bit of a drive from Durban so we suggest making a weekend of your trip to the Midlands where you can meander from chocolate shops to cheesemongers while quenching your thirst on some local beers and wines (the beers are better than the wines).

Tel: 083 326 4932
Web: https://www.cookingbear.co.za/

9th Avenue Bistro
2 Avonmore Centre, 9th Avenue, Morningside, Durban

9th Avenue Bistro

Consistently regarded as one of Durban’s best restaurants, 9th Avenue Bistro isn’t going to win any awards for views or location. Which means the food needs to be pretty damn special. And it is. So is the service.  Showcasing fresh seasonal cuisine, the menu is constantly evolving and the six course tasting menu is a highlight. The wine list changes regularly and concentrates on smaller boutique wineries offering some of SA’s finest, as well as many affordable options. It’s a good option if you’re looking to impress.

Tel: 031 312 9134
Web: https://www.9thavenuebistro.co.za/

 

9th Avenue Bistro

Fish
Shop 79 Protea Mall, Ridge Road, Umhlanga Rocks

Here’s another restaurant that I wasn’t going to share with you for fear of not getting a table there myself, but really Fish is too good not to share. ‘Cheap & Cheerful’ is its middle name. It’s the sort of restaurant that should be mandatory in every seaside town – a small, simple, laid-back diner come fishmonger where it’s all about the fish. Grab a table and order fresh Tuna, Dorado, Swordfish, Steenbras, Kingklip, Rockcod, Reds, Barracuda, Snoek or Hake – whatever has been freshly caught. Have it grilled or fried with chips or salad. Or have the fish filleted, seasoned and spiced for you to cook at home. The wine selection is limited, but what’s there is great – you’ll even find the Fryer’s Cove Sauvignon Blanc which is the perfect companion.  Remember – you heard it here first…

Tel: 031 561 2912
Web: https://www.fishumhlanga.co.za/

Dine at the Oyster Box Hotel

For an aperitif or post-prandial digestif, look no further then the Oyster Box Hotel (featured in the image above) and its Lighthouse Bar – the ultimate setting for a bottle of bubbly overlooking the Indian Ocean. Now if you’ll excuse me, all this talk has made me rather hungry…

Makaron Restaurant at Majeka House in Stellenbosch

Cape Winelands,General
2 comments
By Matthew Sterne on

The Horny Grazer Review
Five Rhino Rating

Floating on the heady prospect of a two week holiday, Daisy (my emasculated Jeep), Mark (my emasculated friend who kindly agreed to accompany me for the night) and I set off with the sort of vim that only a road trip to the Cape Winelands can muster.

It’s important to plan any trip to the winelands so as to arrive in time for the first tastings of the day. This is important for four reasons.

Firstly, if you’re thirsty like me, you will not have to wait for your wine.

Secondly your sommelier will not yet have exhausted his bonhomie and enthusiasm for amateur musings on the subject of tannins and terroir and will indulge the insights of your eager palate.

Thirdly, the human palate is at its most acute in the morning. I do hope there is some authority to back me up here, otherwise this will seem like a thinly veiled attempt to justify a tipple before noon. When not in the winelands one really should try and hold out until midday. Except of course on weekends and public holidays. And bad days.

Finally, you’ll be able to fit in as many wine estates as possible on your road trip.

On this particular occasion we were headed for the recently renovated Majeka House. A five star boutique hotel in Stellenbosch. With 22 rooms it achieves the Goldilocks balance between intimacy, service and facilities.

The Makaron restaurant and M-Lounge at Majeka won the Eat Out 2011 Boschendal Style Award and it’s easy to see why. Eclectic design combines modern and classical in ways that only the bravest of interior designers or most deluded of drag queens would imagine possible. But it works. A dark-leather, tufted Chesterfield sits cheek by jowl with a grand piano, an illuminated blue bar, golden pigs, a faux library and a model ship. The M-Lounge is the ideal spot for a pre-prandial margarita and a few wasabi nuts.

Across the hall is the Makaron restaurant which is an altogether less cluttered space incorporating lots of light wood and pastel colours. It’s a spectacular space which certainly enhances the sense of occasion. There’s also a gorgeous terrace for an al fresco lunch.

While the food itself was sensational, it was the presentation that really impressed. The attention to detail on the plating was magnificent with full marks for imagination and originality. The team must have spent an age sourcing the crockery and cutlery – from the ornate fine bone china to the modern interpretation of a tagine dish. Each vessel would be quite at home in the Tate Modern.

Novelty hot towels however would not go down so well in the Tate. I do hope they go out of fashion soon. You know those ones that start out as an innocent looking mint (this is the first flaw – if you eat it you will die) and which, with the cunning addition of hot water ‘magically’ expand into a teeny, tiny hot towel with all the absorptive enthusiasm of a maxi-pad?

Anyhow, where was I? Ah yes – the a la carte menu is excellent – each dish has an optional pairing of a wine or an artisanal beer from various local microbreweries. A rather novel pairing concept which allows you to mix and match as you go. Personally I find beer too filling with a large meal.

Chef Tanja Kruger is a talented winner of the Chaine de Rotisseurs Young Chef of the Year 2008, and a member of the South African Culinary Olympic Team. She moved to De Huguenot Restaurant early in 2011 from Hunter’s Country House in Plettenberg Bay, having previously worked at Lanzerac, the Radisson Hotel and Five Flies.

The highlight of my meal was the garden pea risotto with garlic froth and a smoked olive tapenade (this will set you back R80 and is recommended with a Dalla Cia Sauvignon Blanc ’10 at R36 or a Birkenhead Pilsener at R21). This is a starter that will gently rock your world.

The peppered beef carpaccio with parmesan mousse and a garden fennel salad was magnificent with a Morgenster ‘Caruso’ Rosé ’10. Mark had the duck confit, seared foie gras and a black berry vinaigrette served on a warm salad for R55 with a Johnny Gold Weiss Beer (R28). Taste bud tantalisingly soft and creamy foie gras. Part of the secret here is the fresh produce, much of which is grown on the property.

Pick of the main courses was Mark’s Asian pork belly (it’s odd that I have a friend with an Asian pork belly – very embarrassing by the poolside but beggars can’t be choosers) with scallops, pickled radish cucumber salad and a honey jus (R180). A work of art and seriously delicious. Recommended with a Middelvlei ‘Free Run’ Pinotage ’10 for R39 a glass. My duck egg ravioli with young artichoke, white asparagus and truffle (R95) was beautifully textured and delicate if a little light on flavour in comparison to the pork.

For pudding I went for the Valrhona chocolate tart with naartjie pears and grapefruit sorbet (R80). This was served with a fantastic Signal Hill ‘Straw Wine’ ’01 which I highly recommend. This was the only course I would have any real criticism about – the chocolate flavour was bang on, but the tart was a little undercooked and for me the cold grapefruit combination was as unnatural as a day without wine.

After dinner, you might want to head back to the M-Lounge, or better still, get stuck in to the cigars, Cognac and Armagnac in the glassed off cigar lounge before a short stumble back to your room (stay over if you can – definitely worth it).

I didn’t really know what to expect at Makaron but I can confidently say it was one of the best dining experiences I have had in South Africa. It needs a little time mature, but all the organic ingredients are in place. Slick service and one of those menus where every dish is an enticing contender. I’d be very surprised if it doesn’t find itself in the Top 20 for 2012.

Makaron Restaurant at Majeka House
26-32 Houtkapper Street, Paradyskloof,
Stellenbosch, 7600 Western Cape
Email: info@makaronrestaurant.co.za
Tel: +27 21 880 1549 | Fax: +27 21 880 1550

French Toast Wine & Tapas Bar

Cape Town,General
0 comments
By Matthew Sterne on

The Horny Grazer Review

Four Rhino Rating

I drink champagne when I’m happy and when I’m sad. Sometimes I drink it when I’m alone. When I have company I consider it obligatory. I trifle with it if I’m not hungry and drink it when I am. Otherwise I never touch it – unless I’m thirsty. ~ Madame Lilly Bollinger

South Africans do love their wine and with good reason. The Cape Winelands is home to arguably some of the best wines in the southern hemisphere! From chocolate pinotages to buttery chardonnays and super crisp sauvignon blancs, there is something for just about every palate.

French Toast Wine & Tapas Bar

French Toast Wine & Tapas Bar is a wonderful French-style wine bar in the heart of Cape Town  just shy of a year old and already becoming a firm favourite with the Cape Town set. Until a few months ago I was completely unaware that this little gem existed. One rather miserable winter’s day in Cape Town, severely congested traffic and a hankering for a great glass of red wine was all it took. My friend suggested we meet at French Toast and the rest is history!

French Toast Wine & Tapas Bar

French Toast Wine & Tapas Bar is the brainchild of John Harrison and Karin Visser and is located high on Bree Street in an old, two -level converted warehouse outfitted with plush leather couches, crisp linens and floor to ceiling windows. Despite the industrial feel the atmosphere is warm and welcoming, as is the service. Both ground and upper floors boast fireplaces, an absolute treat in winter, and large doors and windows that open up in summer to let in a cool breeze. A versatile venue with great attention to detail.

But the best is yet to come! French Toast offers more than 80 different local and international wines by bottle or by glass as they employ a preservation system called Le Verre de Vin, which reseals wines by removing any oxygen from the bottle. They also offer wine flights which consist of three 50ml glasses of wines selected to compare countries, regions, cultivars and vintages.

French Toast Wine & Tapas Bar

And what could be better to accompany this selection of fine wines than a comprehensive tapas menu or perhaps a selection of cheeses and charcuterie. My friend is particularly obsessed with the aubergine fries while I could happily order plate after plate of their sautéed calamari. For those looking for a more in-depth tasting experience, French Toast offers a regular food and wine pairing evening around once a month.

By local standards the French Toast Wine & Tapas Bar can be rather pricey, particularly when one orders several dishes off the tapas menu to compile a full meal. But the quality and freshness of ingredients and presentation of the dishes is more than worth it! I personally love this venue for an after work drink or a pre-dinner tipple, with a small plate of tapas to accompany. Wonderful too for a post show drink or an after dinner night cap. Wonderful all round, in fact!

French Toast Wine & Tapas Bar

Contact:

Address: 199 Bree Street, Cape Town

Tel: 021 422 4084

Tapas dishes range from R20 – R50 per plate; charcuterie and cheese platters start from R60

For more information about Cape Town restaurants, visit our website. And if you’re looking for a bed for the night, contact us and we’ll set you off on an exciting Cape Town rendezvous…

Galbi: A one-of-a-kind Horny Grazer experience

Cape Town
1 comment
By Matthew Sterne on

The Horny Grazer Review

“One of the very nicest things about life is the way we must regularly stop whatever it is we are doing and devote our attention to eating.” ~ Luciano Pavarotti

A Bubbly ‘n Braai Birthday

One of our lovely colleagues and a dear friend of mine celebrated her 30th birthday recently and I was fortunate enough to snag an invite to the celebrations! I’m ashamed to say I did not check the invite clearly or I would have known what the evening had in store. The first line read “bubbly & canapés at Mannabay”, and I read no further; I was already sold! Whatever else happened after that was simply icing on an already gorgeous cake.

If you have been fortunate enough to stay at the breathtaking MannaBay boutique guesthouse in Cape Town you will understand my delight. My friend Des and her hubby were booked in for the evening and had made a special request from the manageress, Madre, and her team to arrange sundowners and some light snacks for her birthday guests. Let it be said that it took immense self-control from all of us not to wolf down every delicious titbit on those platters. Despite our best efforts, however, those platters were all but cleared within the hour.

This is a one of a kind restaurant

As we watched the sun slip down behind Signal Hill and the city lights started to brighten, we all drained our glasses and hopped into waiting taxis to make our way into the city centre.

Tucked away off Bloem Street, spared from the noise and frenetic pace of Long Street at night, is Coenraad Groenewald and Louis Smit’s new Galbi Restaurant. After a few false starts I found my way to the little doorway marking the entrance to Galbi and walked down the passageway beneath the strings of fairy lights.

My first reaction to Galbi was one of curiosity. In between a profusion of colourful, round paper lanterns there is a network of copper pipes crisscrossing the roof and extending down over each dark wooden table. Again a reminder I had no idea what to expect!  I presumed these were extractors, but for what purpose I was unsure. Of course, this was revealed rather quickly. After we’d settled in, our waiter arrived at our table with a bowl of glowing hot coals. He removed the slim cover over the centre of our table and placed the coals in the secure pit beneath. This was then covered with a grill and an assortment of kitchen utensils was placed on our table.

The penny dropped: we were to grill our own food! I chastised myself for not taking the time to research the restaurant beforehand, but only for a moment. I was far too excited about the prospect of an interactive meal with some good friends and couldn’t wait to get stuck in.

Galbi is a must dining experience in Cape Town

As we were a large group we didn’t get the chance to order off the menu, but were presented with a very comprehensive set menu list that seemed to include the most popular items. Our starter plate arrived covered with skewers of bright cherry tomatoes and squares of haloumi cheese, raw stuffed mushrooms and a small garlic loaf wrapped in foil. After some instruction from our waiter, we began grilling away merrily!

South Africans are certainly no strangers to the concept of grilling over open coals, which we call braaing. It’s ingrained in our culture. The owners of Galbi have drawn their inspiration from both the Korean and South African grilling palates and created a menu that is brimming with flavour and character. From your Japanese miso-marinated fish to tender lamb and venison, there’s something for everyone! We sampled loin fillet wrapped in prosciutto, chicken satay skewers and tender pieces of rump. All served with a side order of fresh garden greens, zucchini with pine nuts and absolutely delicious sweet potato fries. The bowl of fries with its decadent jalapeno dipping sauce was definitely a winner and more portions were needed!

Galbi brings the interactive Korean barbeque experience to Cape Town

A last word

By the time we’d finished off the last morsels we were all relieved that dessert wasn’t included on the set menu. Between the canapés, starters and main courses it was a wonder we were able to stand! Declining another glass of wine it was time for me to go, but not before finally doing what I’d wanted to all night long… push the call button to request our waiter! Oh yes, on each table there is a little button fixed on the corner for that very purpose. (Un!)Fortunately our waiter was so attentive I did not get the opportunity to use it!

Galbi is a great concept restaurant that will appeal to locals and internationals alike. The food is wholesome, fresh ‘n tasty and the portions fairly generous. It could be a little daunting for those not used to cooking in such a manner, but the owners and staff are perfectly happy to assist. Remember to push those buttons! Based on the items available on the menu, I wouldn’t recommend Galbi for strict vegetarians. But if you like your steak, this is the place for you!

We visited Galbi on a fairly cold evening when the red wine and toasty coals were exceedingly welcome, however I may be a little hesitant in summer when temperatures soar. But having said that, we South Africans braai year round, come heat wave or rainstorm! I might need to make a quick stop in summer to experience Galbi again. And those sweet potato fries are just so delicious…

Average prices at for starters at Galbi are in the region of R45 per person and main dishes start from around R220 for two people sharing.

Contact

210 Long Street, Cape Town, South Africa
Tel: 0214243030
Email: info@galbi.co.za

For more Cape Town restaurants, click here.

The Horny Grazer reviews: Van Hunks

Cape Town
1 comment
By Tamlin Wightman on

The Horny Grazer Review

Four Rhino Rating

Van Hunks is the name of a local legend in Cape Town who had a smoking contest with the devil. He lost. But legend has it that the cloud of tobacco smoke the two left formed the “table-cloth” – the famous white cloud that spills over Table Mountain when the south-easter wind blows in summer. It is said that when that happens, Van Hunks and the Devil are at it again.

Van Hunks is also the name of a cool new-ish restaurant/bar on the Corner of Kloof and Upper Union Street in Gardens, Cape Town. Some friends and I headed there last Saturday afternoon, after a morning sojourn at the Bo-Kaap Community Market (see other Cape Town markets here). They don’t serve wine at said market, since, well, it’s in a Muslim area. But we could think of nothing else. So, all samoosa-ed up, we pulled up chairs in a corner on the balcony of Van Hunks.

We had a spectacular view of Table Mountain through the buildings, with its table cloth thickly laid out. We also had views of a homeless chap who parked himself opposite the restaurant and began to holler out loud opera tunes, much to the dismay of some French tourists seated near us. We tipped him though and he moved on. The music at Van Hunks is good enough without him. Expect a mixture of old and new tunes. One of my favourite things to do in this city is to sit back on a sunny day on Van Hunks’ balcony, wine in hand, friends by my side, and listen to Van Morrison or Bob Dylan crooning away on the CD player inside.

Chilli Chicken Nachos

One bottle of Pecan Stream Sauvignon Blanc was not enough between us three, so we knocked back another (R78 a bottle). The write up for this vintage on www.realtimewine.co.za, a blog that reviews wine in 140 characters, says it has “Serious zing. A bit like drinking orange juice after you’ve brushed your teeth. 4/10.” I disagree. It’s one of my favourite. Clearly.

We soaked up the booze with a big plate of chilli chicken nachos, topped with thick cream and guacamole, shared between us. Mexican style. Although a lot of the dishes on the menu are quite typically South African – like the traditional Cape Malay babotie, tandori chicken kebabs, Springbok shank and malva pudding. The grub here is undeniably great. You cannot go wrong.

We also recommend the Baby Patagonia Calamari (starter R40, main R78), and Wild Mushroom and Artichoke filled Ravioli (R68). There’s an indoor restaurant area, which is smart casual and cosy; an indoor bar area which gets a bit rowdier and an outdoor deck area – part of which is covered for colder days and evenings with gas heaters and part is exposed for those sunnier days and warmer nights.

Pull in when there’s a big rugby or other sport match on and you can watch the game on TV at Van Hunks with other supporters. Vibe, music, wine, food and views. Van Hunks has it all. Even an opera singer.

Image from elaineintherain.blogspot.com

Image from elaineintherain.blogspot.com.

For more Cape Town restaurants, visit our website. Feel free to contact us to find out more about this city and tours and accommodation in and around it.

Contact

Tel: 021-422-5422

Address: No.1 Upper Union Street, Corner of Kloof and Upper Union, Gardens, Cape Town

Food is served from 11:30 am – 10:00 pm, Monday to Sunday

 

Where to stay

After a meal at Van Hunks, rest your head at Cape Cadogan or More Quarters, two luxury boutique hotels just down the road.

What’s On Eatery – A Horny Grazer Review

Cape Town,South Africa
0 comments
By Matthew Sterne on

The Horny Grazer Review
Four Rhino Rating

“The belly rules the mind.“  ~Spanish Proverb

What’s on at the What’s on Eatery?!

When my friend first mentioned the name I thought he was saying “What’s on the tree?” in pidgin Zulu. Why was my friend banging on about this place? Was it a Christmas shop selling African baubles? In which case, er, no thanks.

Turns out, it is in fact a peculiarly named restaurant. On Watson Street. See what they’ve done there?

This restaurant-come-deli is sandwiched between Loop Street and Bree Street.  It’s not much to look at from the street and has dimly lit signage at night.

Despite this self-inflicted marketing adversity, the What’s On Eatery is a great little restaurant. What a treat to sit down and see a menu where every dish looks delicious and the prices are reasonable.

Behind the perse-coloured exterior lies an immaculately renovated Victorian town house. The deli is on the ground floor and offers all manner of lunchtime specials and a full English breakfast with toast and coffee for R25.

What's on Eatery

We were ushered upstairs to the main restaurant which rather took me by surprise – a gracious and elegant dining room with timber floors, white table cloths and ornate mirrors punctuating the pewter fleur-de-lis; a far cry from the ground floor deli.

Stylish cutlery is negated by branded and laminated place mats. The waitress will smugly invite you to turn your place mat over to reveal the menu on the flipside. I don’t think this is a particularly clever little trick. Not really ‘playful’ either. A little tacky.

Starters are all R39 and mains are all R98. Or select two courses for R125. Puddings are R40 or you can have 3 courses for R150. I subsequently found out that this is a ‘winter menu’ which comes to an end in early September. We’ve been assured though that the menu replacing it will still be great value.

Starters included a carpaccio of smoked kudu served with a red wine poached pear, parmesan shavings and rocket; tempura of snoek and prawn served with a lime, chilli and coriander dressing, stuffed calamari with feta and pepadews and a venison bobotie in a phyllo parcel. Nicely executed South African interpretations of some classics starters. Beautifully presented and most importantly – tasty. Very tasty.

Whats On Eatery - Time to eat

For mains there were two risottos – a wild mushroom and a slow braised oxtail; a seafood paella; duck a l’orange; lamb shank; a beef fillet served with pomme pure, black truffle and herb butter and a red wine jus; and the dish I can never resist – a beef wellington with pancetta and duck liver parfait served with a bordelaise jus. It was really good. If I have to be critical it could have been warmer.

The portions are pretty small, so reckon on 3 courses if you want to leave sated. And why not? The proof certainly was in the puddings.  A Cape brandy pudding with orange anglaise and vanilla pod ice cream was sensational as was the caramel apple and pear crumble.

Whats On Eatery - Food

So what’s the catch? A monstrously overpriced wine list?

Nope.  The wine list is also great value. We enjoyed a beautiful bottle (or six) of the Neil Ellis Groenekloof Sauvignon Blanc for R140.

Despite its slightly enigmatic/epileptic identity the What’s On eatery does begin to make sense. I had one of the best meals I’ve had in Cape Town, not least of all because I didn’t leave feeling completely bankrupt. Let’s hope that they keep the prices sensible over the summer months. Go with friends, or take a date. Great food and great value – still a winning recipe in my cook book.

Whats On Eatery - Food Preparation

What’s On Eatery
6 Watson Street
Tel: +27 (0) 21 422 5652

Have you dined at What’s On Eatery, what did you think? Let us know in the comments.

Head to Cape Town and try out What’s On Eatery for yourself, contact us now to start planning your tailor-made South Africa safari.

Brad’s Grill – Great Steakhouse

Cape Town
1 comment
By Matthew Sterne on

The Horny Grazer Review

Four Rhino Rating

“The way you cut your meat reflects the way you live.” ~ Confucius

Nom, nom, nom

I really do mean it when I say, I had the best steak I’ve ever tasted at Brad’s Grill. I can’t recall having ever indulged in a better one anywhere else… not even at the amazing 1800° in Greenpoint.

Now in his 35th year in the business, it’s easy to see why Brad has done so well. Brad’s Grill is located on a cosy little street in the southern suburb of Claremont that is always buzzing with quality restaurants. Excellent food + light-hearted atmosphere = perfect dining formula. In addition, the staff make you feel completely at home and the roaring fire warms you up quickly on a cold Cape Town evening. And it’s the perfect place for a little Sunday night family gathering, too – for when you need to pay the parentals a bit more attention.

Enjoy steak and great wines here at Brad's Grill

I opted for their “award-winning pepper steak fillet” and it blew me away… I was speechless – and not just because I had a mouth full of meat. It was cooked to perfection and had not an ounce of fat on it. It came with a healthy portion of your choice of chips or mash with tasty butternut and spinach. I also ordered onion rings that resembled doughnuts, but tasted even better.

Go hungry!

This is not a place to go if you’re trying to loose weight (if you have ever seen Brad, you’ll understand)! But it is so worth the break in the diet to treat yourself to a night here. By the end of meal I was so perfectly content that it just seemed gluttonous to order dessert… Should you still have space though, there are several puddings, such as malva tart, on offer.

At R140 for a meal it is not cheap, but not unreasonable after you taste what you are getting. I had a beer, but there is a good wine list, with well-priced wines to suit most tastes.

Booking is essential!

With a die-hard loyal group of followers that can’t get enough of Brad’s amazing, well-matured steaks, you had better book if you plan to get a table. My father, for instance, and his friend have been going, loyally, to Brad’s for 25 years… After so long my dad just lets it slide when Brad calls him by the wrong name.

They have an “In-by-6-out-by-8” Early Bird Special, from Monday to Saturday.

The atmosphere is lively here at Brad's Grill, Claremont

Contact

69 2nd Avenue, Harfield Village, Claremont

Brad’s Grill is open every evening from 6pm.

Tel (021) 671 2527

For more Cape Town restaurants, click here, and for more about this beautiful city itself, visit our website or contact us with any queries you might have, or to book accommodation/ tours in the region.

Salt Restaurant: A review

Cape Town
0 comments
By Tamlin Wightman on

The Horny Grazer Review

Four Rhino Rating

Worth its salt

“At sea a fellow comes out. Salt water is like wine, in that respect” – Herman Melville

One of my favourite dining spots in Cape Town is without a doubt the Salt Restaurant, on the coast in Bantry Bay. It’s expensive; so you know there shouldn’t be any, you know, slip-slop riff-raff. To be elitist, pour un moment. It’s got swank but not too much. And it’s in such a romantic setting that people dining in the restaurant keep to themselves. Which is great, because I don’t go out to eat at a restaurant to have Suzy and her work colleagues eavesdropping on my private banter. Yip, when you go to Salt, it’s quite ok to leave the cynicism at home.

We arrived one Monday evening with a birthday to celebrate and Champagne on the mind. We had no booking – a bad idea at Salt since it’s so popular. But the Manager pulled strings and set us up with a table for two near the floor-to-ceiling windows. Set high up on a cliff overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, Salt has a most perfect view. That whiff of the fresh sea air that drifted in through the open window on a summery Winter’s day in the Cape is one to bottle; it could make blind men see. Well, slight exaggeration… but you get the drift.

Enjoy sundowners with spectacular sea views from Salt

If you’re going to visit Salt, you must do so with someone who knows something about dining. Otherwise you just lose out on the magic. Someone who knows that wooded wine doesn’t mean wine made from a tree. Who knows that when the waitress places a napkin on your lap she is not making a move on you. Who pulls your chair out for you if you’re female and ignores the cellphone for the night – unless it’s your birthday. Luckily, my partner was as good as they come.

We clinked flutes of Veuve Cliquot (crisp and delicate, well balanced and elegant, dry finish) in birthday celebration and snacked tapas that included marinated olives and spicy potato samoosas with tomato chutney. It was just right, as Goldilocks said.

Somewhere in the dimly lit restaurant and by the bar were other cufflinked and heeled diners, hand to wine glass, wine glass to mouth, chattering away with each other, also in worlds of their own; but I only realised that when walking past them to leave.

Situated on the Atlantic coastline, you have great sea views for miles

Salt is great for just drinks and snacks but also for three course meals. Try their Winter Special, which is currently running. When ordering any 2 three course meals from our Winter Special Menu (lunch or dinner) they will give you a voucher to redeem on your next visit to Salt. This voucher will entitle you to receive a complimentary bottle of Hartenberg Weisser Riesling or Cabernet/Shiraz blend. This special is valid until 31st August 2011.

On their Winter Menu are starters like butternut veloute with butternut ravioli; mains like lamb gnocchi with baby tomatoes, parmesan and a salsa verdi or chicken breast with vanilla infused carrot puree, confit potato and jus gras; and desserts like lemon tart with almond biscuit crust and confit lemon and pudding with whiskey anglaise and chocolate ice cream.

There's an extensive menu at Salt, with a great winter special currently

Rhino Africa visited Salt many years ago and penned this about it, and while much might have changed in decor and staff, the feeling and food is still as great, if not better.

Accommodation

Salt forms part of the Ambassador Hotel. Standing in the restaurant car park looking down on it below – the blue blue pool, the blue blue ocean, the blue blue sky at day – makes it hard to not just hand over the credit card after a night out and pull in for a stay. Preferably with one of the cufflinked gentlemen…

It’s centrally located in Bantry Bay on the Atlantic coastline, surrounded by areas such as the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Clifton and Camps Bay, and within close proximity to Cape Point and the botanical gardens of Kirstenbosch.

For a list of other Bantry Bay hotels, click here.

Location

Salt Restaurant & The Ambassador Hotel
34 Victoria Road
Bantry Bay
Cape Town

Contact
Tel: +27 21 439 7258
Web: Salt

Opening Times:
Breakfast: 06h30 – 10h30 * Bookings essential
Lunch: 12h30 – 14h30
Dinner: 18h00 – 22h00

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