I'm a sucker for good deals. It takes all my critical faculties to pass by a two-for-one special and I often - like at La Romantica in Tyger Valley leave disappointed. Perhaps there is something in my psychological makeup about getting more out of a situation than most people do that drives me to find the next good deal? Durbanville folks seem to fall in the same category. For all the reports about there being more wealth in Durbanville per capita than elsewhere, locals throng to La Romantica (021 914-7063) in High Street on Monday's for the half-price pasta. I ordered the Tuscan (R28.50) but found that the chicken breast was tough-as-old-takkie, they used Vienna instead of chorizo sausage, the shrimp was tasty but the flavours didn't meld at all. I wanted to send it back but couldn't bare to wait while JP finished eating his.
At Harbour Lights (021- 856-1830) in Gordon's Bay Harbour I ordered the Kingklip Neptune (R85) off the Specials board. Grant, our over-keen waiter, made it sound delicious. There was a power cut while we were there and confusion in the kitchen over my order and I was served the regular Kingklip (R65) instead which I promptly returned. Mistakes happen and I don't want to me like those arseholes who scream down a restaurant when something isn't to their satisfaction. I'm am especially pleased though when compensation is offered. I was only charged for the regular Kingklip which was R20 less than the Neptune - with prawns, aubergine, baby potato and a delicious tomato sauce - and we were offered coffee on the house.
There's a special at The Hussar Grill, Rosebank (021-689-9516) they don't seem to know about. If you order the 250g fillet and Béarnaise sauce separately you'll pay R11 more than if you order the Fillet Béarnaise off the menu. Of course it is only special if they get the Prince of Sauces right - start with reduced tarragon vinegar before continuing with a butter and egg yolk Hollandaise recipe. I like my Béarnaise to be thick enough to coat the back of a wooden spoon. The first time they served it, it looked like creamed butter - congealed enough to spread with a knife. The next attempt wasn't much better. The third offering was a little too thin and needed more egg but it was tasty none the less. I'd almost finished my steak by this point but enjoyed the sauce over the potatoes and crispy onion rings that I demanded from the kitchen as compensation for the sauce debacle.
I attended the launch of The Chili Fiesta at Waterblometjie Restaurant at The Castle. As a Cape Town Partnership (CID) sponsored event, it aims to get us back into the inner city. Good idea. Mayor Helen Zille was there. Although I didn't get to speak to her, I listened to her short presentation and chats with other guests. I'm impressed. She seems natural, passionate and she loves chilli! What follows is taken from their press release: "The heat turns up from Monday, 31 July to Saturday, 5 August, when participating Central City restaurants and coffee shops will tantalise taste buds with sizzling hot specials and innovative new recipes – all delicious fare, served hot with décor and ambience. They will never know when to expect the judges, so the fun, excitement and intrigue will keep coming! Loads of hot fun stuff will be on the menu during the hottest part of the Fiesta – the Community Family Day! Enjoy cook-offs, chilli chomping challenges, a kids play area, prizes, giveaways, arts and crafts and other stands, food and drinks, entertainment – a full-on chilli champs celebration at Riebeeck Square on 5 August from 09:00 to 17:00. www.chillifiesta.co.za."
A city full of special things! Lemme know of any specials you can recommend.
Hi Brian,
I read about the “blog” recently and went to your web site.
What a wonderful idea for us foodies, to be able to share our travels along the journey of pleasures that we experience and more so to let other foodies experience and add to the trip.
I missed your Sunday dinner in Sea Point and hope that we can share dining experiences in the future.
A totally underrated restaurant which is run by David & Marlene in Sea Point is the Cedar Café which serves Lebanese food a refreshing meze platter which would suffice the needs of even the most critical Middle Eastern gourmet and there main courses could be described in the vernacular of the area in which it is in as~~ to die for doll.
Keep up this great web page and if you would like a truly authentic Moroccan dinner cooked by a nice South African Jewish boy, please phone.
Hello Brian,
In comment to your request for recommendations: A special which I can recommend is a new concept restaurant in Stellenbosch called SOSATI. During July/ August SOSATI is offering a free bottle of house wine with every 2 main courses ordered per table. SOSATI is best described as a romantic African Renaissance styled restaurant with great attention to detail. Live music adds charm and atmosphere making SOSATI a must to experience.
Regards
David