22013 South African Restaurant Review 2012

7/28/2019 22013 South African Restaurant Review 2012

1/43

South African Restaurant Review

FO DSpring 2012

Learnings, lessons and best practice


2/43

1

SouthAfricanrestaurantreviewElliottMarketing&PR.Spring2012

Learnings,lessonsandbestpractice

InJanuary2011HestonBlumenthal,writinginTheTelegraph,said;ThereisaculinaryexplosioninSouth

Africaatthemomentwithanamazingnewenergy.ItistestamenttotheperseveranceofSouthAfricas

chefs20yearsagoyoucouldntevenimportbasicssuchasgelatin.Theyhavesomuchpassionanddrive

andnowSouthAfricaisagreatlocationforaculinaryholiday.Thisisevenmoretruetodaybasedonmy

ownrecentexperience.

TheeatingoutmarketinSouthAfricaspansthefullspectrumoffoodofferingfromQSRtorestaurantsincludedinTheWorlds50BestRestaurantslist.PatentlytherearecasualrestaurantchainsinSouth

AfricaincludingSpur(theofficialrestaurantoftheSouthAfricanfamily"),Panarottis(ownedbythesame

people),SteersandOceanBasket,aswellasaplethoraofindependents.Idothinkthereareopportunities

hereforanumberofUKrestaurantbrandsincludingYo!Sushi,Carluccios,WagamamaandPizzaExpress.

IntermsofrestaurantcompaniesoperatinginSouthAfrica,FamousBrandsLimitedisAfrica'sleadingquick

serviceandcasualdiningrestaurantfranchisor.Asof2010,thecompany'sglobalfootprintstoodat1,764

franchisedrestaurantsspreadacrossSouthAfrica,17Africancountries(andtheUnitedKingdom

interestingly).ThegroupconsistsofSteers(consideredthe"MotherBrand"),Wimpy(SouthAfrica),Wimpy

(UK),DebonairsPizza,FishAways,Mugg&Bean,HouseofCoffees,BrazilianCafe,BlackSteer,Tasha's,TruFruitandBaltimore.Ambitiousgrowthplanscallforthechaintodoubleitsrevenueandlocationsby

2013.In2010alonetheyopened125newrestaurantsandpresenteda17percentprofitgrowthontopof

veryimpressivenewunitgrowth(boastingnearly1,800locationsin2010)andcomp-unitsales.

Thereisarealsenseofoptimisminthecountryandthiswasreflectedintherestaurantswevisited.As

AaronAllensaid;

SouthAfricaisanemergingrestaurantmarketwithanumberofverystrongplayersandanoptimisticview

ofitsfuture.SouthAfricahasapproximately85,000restaurantsoperatingwithinthecountry(althougha

whopping57,000orsoarestreetstallsandonly9,000orsoarefullservicerestaurants).ThecountryhasexperiencedGDPgrowthofroughly5percentandinflationofroughly7percenteachyearforthepast

severalyears.

Itcertainlywasthemostamazingcountryintermsoffoodtrendsandseemstobecreatingafoodstoryof

itsownwithoutmimickingormirroringtrendsintheUSAortheUK.Wemostlyvisitedindependent

restaurantsbasedontherecommendationsofthosewestayedwith.Thefullreportbelowdetails

interestinglessonsandbestpracticefromsomeofthegreatrestaurantswevisitedthoughsomeofthe

poorrestaurantswouldhavemadeforanequallyentertainingreport.ThroughoutR=Randandthe

exchangeratewas12tothe.


3/43

2

Insummary..

1)Food

Onthewhole,thefoodwewereservedwasextremelyfreshandpreparedfromscratchwithlimited

(perceived)usageofboughtinfinishedproduct-manyrestaurantsbakingtheirownbreadforinstance.

Therewas,though,littlementionofprovenance(apartfromChalmarbeef),organic,localorregional

sourcingorsustainabilitycredentialsonanymenu.

Perhapsitsjusttakenforgrantedinacountrywherefreshfoodissoabundant.Linefishwasmentioned

onmostmenusandthefishspeciesvariedaswetravelledalongthecoast.Needlesstosaythefishwasexceptional(Angelfish,kop,yellowtailandKingclip),thesteakwassuperbandmenusfeaturedawide

rangeofSouthAfricanmeatsincludingOstrich,Springbok,Kodu,Impala,CrocodileandWarthog.Whilst

thenumberoftimespizzaappearedonamenuwasntasurprise,theappearanceofsushitackedonin

physicalunitsinsiderestaurants(andhenceonthemenu)appearedalittleodd.

SouthAfricanfoodthoughisnothingifnoteclectic.ASouthAfricanmenumightincludeGreeksalad,

Patagoniancalamari,halfadozensnails,Moroccanchickpeasoup,Indonesianvegetablecurry,Persian

chicken,Norwegiansesamecrustedsalmonandbeef&lentilkorma.

Intopendrestaurantschefsusedabroadspectrumofingredients-notfrightenedofblending10ormoredifferenttastesononeplatetoexciteandchallengecustomers.Oftenthismixofingredientscreated

exceptionaltastingfoodwhichcausedustoreallystopinourtracks,particularlywhenouraveragespend

perhead,includingwine,wasaround25-30.

2)Tablelayoutandplatepresentation

WhatwasstunningandsurprisinginSouthAfricawastheattentionpaidtoplatepresentationeveninthe

mostobscureoflocations.Therewasamuchfulleruseofcrockeryvariantsanddifferenttypes/sizesof

bowlsthanintheUKandwhilstthecrockerywasmainlywhite,itvariedintermsofsizeandshapetosuit

thecreativityofthechef.Usually,detailedattentionhadbeenpaidtothelookoffoodontheplatewithrealconsiderationbeinggiventotexture,colour,portionsizeandaesthetics.

Garnish(includinglavenderandrosemary)wasusedtogreateffectgivingdepthandcolourtothefood

presentation.Someplatepresentationslookedlikeworksofartyetstillaccessible.Similarly,inmost

restaurants,hugeattentionhadbeenpaidtotablelayoutasawholeensuringitreflectedthedesired

imageryofthebrand.


4/43

3

3)Service

Service,moreoftenthannot,wasfriendly,professional,attentiveandknowledgeable.Itwasnever

obsequiousnorfalse.Foodwasgenerallyservedcorrectlytothepersonthatordereditwithoutbeing

auctionedfirstasinWhosthesteak?(WhydoesthatstillhappenintheUK?IevenhadthatinBrasserie

Blanctheotherdaywithonly3ofusatthetable).Checkbackswerequickandunobtrusiveandmost

serversseemedtoowntheirtable.Thereisnodoubtthat,inSouthAfrica,theverylowcostofcasual

labourhelpskeepkitchencostslow,helpsrestaurantsspendtimeonwonderfulplatepresentationand

helpsfrontofhousespeedofservice.

Yestherewereinstancesofslowornaveservicebutthesewererare.Wealsofoundmanyownersonlytoowillingtotellustheirstorywhichjustaddedtothewholeenjoymentoftheexperience.

4)Ambiance

Thereweremanyinstancesofstunningnaturallocationswithownersreflectingthisexternalbeautywith

fabulousandeclecticinteriors(andinsomecases,exteriors).Uniformstendedtobesimpleand

unobtrusive.Eventhemosthumbleofrestaurantsusedartwork,sculpture,ornamentsanddistinctive

lightingtocreatearealusp.InteriordesigntendedtobeamixofEuropeanandAfricangivinghugescope

forfunandcreativity.

5)Marketing

Externalsignagewasoftenpoorandnon-descriptgivingabsolutelynoclueastotherestaurantsidentity,

differentiationoroffer.Therewaslittleevidenceofdatabasemarketing,CRMactivityoronlinemarketing

activity.Websitesdidntalwaysincludeonlinebooking,uptodateguidementionsorcustomerreviews.

Thereisamassivetouristmarketsothismaynotbenecessary.Itdidhoweverreinforcetheimportanceof

buildingrelationshipswiththosewhoofferaccommodation.Thosewordofmouthrecommendationsare

criticalinthistouristmarket.

Insummary,SouthAfricasfoodofferingwasrefreshing,excitinganddifferent.Itsamarketoffewchainrestaurantsandlotsofinterestingindividualofferings.Thefoodstartsfromthebasisthatitsfresh,locally

sourcedandcookedfromscratch.Platepresentationwasarevelation.Servicewasconsistentlygoodand

notadifferentiator.Hereculinaryskillsreallydocreatedifferentiation.

Itookawaymanyideasthatwe,asanagency,canuseintermsofinsight,strategyandmarketingactivity

thatwecan,andwill,usetohelpourclientsincreasetheirsalesoffoodanddrink.

Ifyouhaveanyquestionsorwanttodiscussthereportinanydetail,Iamreallyhappytomeetupfora

chatoveracoffeeIfoundlotstotalkaboutintheSouthAfricanrestaurantmarketforoperatorsand

suppliersalikeandwouldjustlovetoshareitwithyou.


5/43

E

gshE hS oPo Ahui Af hc g2

A hsf t t h

yHe, l nJBJBHkl eml n1oJ 0 i BHBe1JolJeH, nJ2Bl s eeoJBHel t mJll nl s eeo5ml

, n Bmn Bmos oJBJHI 2i 2JI nl 1m2ws oJHl noJI l nl l nemI nl , em2Bno

Jl b0 JHI 2i Jl kBBe0 l nJHI e1 s eBJlJhBmos oJB1eo 1, s es 22eeyJHI l Jl BohJ, BeH

l nHl b

no, oBe0 2eh2i l emnBeHl n0 HmJH2mJHI v

xH nmooi By1eoi emoJ22, nHi emeooH s i l i emo2JBmobnl , i i emH I l I eJHI , nHi emHl ebk

x l y s oJJHemo1eebbbnl kB, ni , eH2i mB1ooH I I I BH oBseHBJ2i Bemo1JBnH B1 eeJHemoeeyJHI b 2 Bes oehJI ol hI l o JH 0 2 BH 2JI nl oes l JeHBk4

hI l o JH es l JeHb

42JI nl oes l JeHb 4I eBI ol , Jlnb

n0 Hm, B wl o0 2i e0 s onHBJh, Jln! YBl JeHBJH2mJHI v

0 2 2s 2l B" 2JI nl JlB qes l JeHBvOCb' Fl eOLb7F5 J" BJ0 s 2 qes l JeHBvO' b' Fl eO! Eb7F5 2 B Ees l JeHBvO' b7Fl eO! YbEF5 oJI 1h emoJl B ! z es l JeHBvO7bEFl eO! Fb7F5 moI oB L es l JeHBvOqb' Fl eO! Yb7F5 H , JnB, os B" 2mB Les l JeHBvOLb7Fl eO! Yb7F5 JeooB L es l JeHBvOCbCFl eOz b7F5 , l l ol B ' es l JeHBvOz bEFl eOFb7F5

no, o2 BeBe0 o2 2i JHloBl JHI 0 HmJl0 B, nJn, oBemHws l JHH J os eol 2el JeHv

emoemI nomBnl l oJI o oel n Be2ml 2i 2JJemB5 o JHBeHl eB l , Jl ns o B2i 20 eHI o 2JH nJ22J0 o JH oJI xs e, onemBkhI I JB2 JH2mJHI 0 Jw2h B i Bs JH nl e0 l emm0 oI oH

H BoeHJeH0 Jws s s oBBnoo oel l oeel oeB l ml l oHml Bt mB nnJys B

H s m0 s yJHBB, Jl nnemBoBBJHI

oJI o omHnv2B BJeohI l o JH yJHHi 1moI ovHeo rmBlmoI o


6/43

F

n H Be2ml 2i oJ22JH l Bohol ee, neo2 2i 0 l n, ne2ws oJHBmnI ee1mHR 1H l B lJBl o l l eemol oJs bk2Jyl el nJHyl n, ne2l 0 nB Hl oJ Hl eI Jhl nJomBl e0 oBl nBls eBBJ2

Bl o l l el nJone2Ji RJlol J H2i 12l 2Jyl nl l emB2 2b

, B ws l JHI Jls o l 1oe0 l n eo5l eomHi oeHJ0 eml JH1 l Jl, B s mbl kB, 22

, eol n hJBJlJ1l oh 22JHI bmos oJBJHI 2i I ee1ee, Jl neml BlH JHI BohJb

&s host ui o AhhuoA

f ocg0A

hsf o

nJB, B emo1JoBll oJs eml H l n1JoBl oBl m oH l , 0 l eeHl n l o1oeHlRHel s o l Jm2o 2i hHl moemBe1mBJl nB l eBJ ml

l nH, nHi emkhrmBlI el e11 12JI nl eHkl yHe, , noi emo

I eJHI nh H qCQi o Qe2, Jl ni emH o Bl o hJHI nmHI oi i em

eHkl , H l l eI el oJ s BJHI o emH2eeyJHI 1eo l noBl o Jn2JH

I 1 1b

2 , i Bo0 0 o0 i 1JoBl

ws oJHe1l JHI eml eH

l oJs hoi 1eH2i s o l Jm2o 2i , nH0 Bl JHl nBmHBnJH, Jl noH 1eeeho2eeyJHI no emoRhoi l nJHI 2eeyBH l B lB

Be0 mnHJol nH JHl nBHmI e10 i 2e2 s mbn J2oH , B

rei 1m2s 2 l eBl o l b

0 o2 Bmyo1eo I ol Bl eoi H n J2oH nB eHJHBs Bv

i , P Pw u i T Tui ns rxnni Tl t s yi uTl yunl s ruTnl ns T as uns s u

Trui 8 s i s s rnl ns s ynuTgl s ao l s ai nnns as urt nungyl Ti l l nuTpi i y us t ul rnuwn s pui s u i urvl o TwuTi l l rTs nrsi wl yl nnn

nt l upyas Tul n2uns i Tl yTns us s rnns i s yuanus i g

t , 7) nInus s vs nruuauns nyl Ti l l i s yl ( 7nrl i rTnnreTni g

yurTn rl o uput as ay rul aTrrt l o o unTul nTi as o i ns Ti nus y TSl rl g

s unnwl rTl yl yrrt s i l Tl ns rnnyrpl wo l rTl s ns ns i nus s nnno l

rrg Trui l rl si l Tl ns P2, 5puTnTl s pnrl i uyTno Tns t s i i Tl

aunnTrtuui gc yrrt as ay ruo unTl l i s l ns rrwnarsl nui rsrl s s g

Trui nuTpTi ns o i gggi o l o rr2ei s o i pi ys uyl Ti l l ryi l i Ti i ui l ggg

s o ul ni s nTnTl ggggn8 nuus i no l Ti T ar i ni l nTrrTi Tnl Ti i t g


7/43

L

no l Tgggns s pn Trui Ti ns Tnl yuui nyTrTi zs i o To l s yi ns pi c yrrt s rsyuyrTl ns ut l n Trui g

s r us yuyTrTi o l Ti nyTrnTi , 5, wi o l Ti as o i auTs uns nuAs i Ti nn

s yuuo i n8 nuus i nSai l Ts i ns s eargyTrTi o l nrsnTs i s as o i vl Tul n

as l ns Twi o l i Tul l l yl t ns t r pt wns un rnyns uTnt yTrTi l o rrl

ns unanTi l Tl gno l rl s npi ys nT i l rt as ay ru us yus uTn

auns n8 nuus i nprs a i ng

yl n Trui s pns Tnl yuui ns Ti , ) wi l Trrni o pi yo Tnnl o u

Ti i nuTnTs i s nrTi i l s s yTl Ti Tnl s l t i s i t s yl o Tns punrl n, , ( t ul g

nJoBHBe1s oJ0 l noemI nHel eH2i JHl nJoBleoi ml 2 BeJHl nJo0 HmBJI HH l nJol l Hl JeH

l el J 2b

, oe11ol , el i s Be11H l B l Jxne0 0 o kH H2BBo1J22B5H xoH kml l o

m l J1m22i s oBHlb


8/43

7

ItwasthefirsttimeIhadtriedKingclip;afishwhichisslightlybetterlookingaftercookingithastobesaid.

Itsafirmfleshyfishwithfewbonesreallydelicious.AswastheSlowroastedSpringbokShankinwhite

wine,freshherbsandgarlic,servedwithyourchoiceofpastaormash,androastvegetables.R120

AsweweretofindinSouthAfricaasawhole,awhitetableclothpresentationdoesnotmeanwhite

tableclothstuffinessorformality.Theservicewasfriendly,attentive,speedyenoughandengaging.

Whilstthiswasatouristrestaurantdestination,itdidntseemtocompromiseitsfoodpresentationorits

servicetotryandhurrytouriststhrough,maximisetableturnsorensureexceptionalcapacity

management.Quiterefreshingreally.

ThiswasthefirsttimeweexperiencedSouthAfricanhospitality,attentiontodetailandwonderfuldish

presentation.Itcertainlywouldntbeourlast.


9/43

8

3.SanMarcos.CapeTownWaterfrontMonday19

thMarch.Breakfast

AbeautifulrestaurantsetrightbytheWaterfront(wewerenotgettingmuchmoreadventurousonour

seconddayhere)andoverlookingtheharbourbustlingwithtouristboatsandtrips.

ThestraplineforSanMarcoisEAT.DRINK.SOCIALIZEanditseasy

toseehowonecoulddojustthat.IlovedthesignthatsaidLifeis

short.EatdessertfirstnotthatIdid,havingalreadytuckedinto

myHealthbreakfastbeforelookingaroundmeandreadinganyof

thesignsnoteatingsince3pmthedaybeforetendstohavethateffectonme.

Againanicestory.Italyhasasmell.Yougetittheminuteyoure

offthetrainandontothestreet.Itisofmotorbikes,coffee,

restaurants,food,roastedchestnutsandatouchofsweetness.At

SanMarcowebringacornerofItalytooneofAfricaslegendaryplaygrounds,theV&AWaterfront.Like

theItalianssaylavitaebella(lifeisbeautiful).SopleaseforgetyourworriesandenjoytheItalian

experienceofdolcefarniente(sweetmomentsofdoingnothing)whilepeoplewatchinganddowning

anotherespresso.

ThebreakfastmenuwascomprehensiveandservedquicklynotthatIneededspeedwhenIfeltasifIhad

allthetimeintheworldtospare.ThisisCapeTownsequivalenttoaseasidecafreally(moreSalcombe

thanScarboroughithastobesaid)yetthepresentationoffoodwasreallyimpressive.

Ilikedtheuseofthesmallerservingdishesfromaconsumerperspectivewhilstappreciatingtheyare

anathematomanyachainrestaurantoperator.Bakedbeansareprettyprosaicbuttheycanbeliftedout

oftheordinarywhenservedinaseparatedish.

Italiano:Prosciuttodi

Parma,scrambledegg,

basilpesto,mozzarella

cheeseandtomato

Healthbreakfast:fresh

fruit,muesli,yoghurt

andhoney(R49)

Piccolo:Egg,bacon,

grilledtomatowith

parmesan,beansin

tomatosauce,toast

andjam(R45)


10/43

9

SinceworkingwithSteeliteIhaveneverlostthehabitofturningovercrockerytoseewhichbranditis.Ididseesomefantasticcrockery,butgotsomeprettystrangelooksfromwaitersandwaitresses,perhaps

thinkingIwasgoingtopocketandthenrunlikemad(asif).

Iwasgiventhebillinsomethingwhichisprobablyabittackylookingback(andcertainlynotpolitically

correct)butitmademesmile(andremembertherestaurant).Itaskscustomerstotickanoptionwhilst

payingthebillwhichincluded:

Thesummerspecialsarentthatspecial Thewaitresseshavenicelegs Theducklookslikechicken Thetablesmellslikeoldpeople Thehostesshasagammyeye Thecheflookslikeapirate Myhamburgerlooksdepressed Thewaiterishittingonmydog Theplacelookslikemygrandmashouse

AllsponsoredbyHallsFreeyourvoicethissummer.Iliketheideatheexecutionmayneedabitofwork

though.

Aprettyordinaryrestaurantoverall(really)butwithsomeasenseofpurposeamongstastringofsimilar

lookingrestaurantsandoneofthefewopenforbreakfastabitofanobrainerIwouldhavethoughtina

touristareaoverlookingtheharbour.


11/43

10

4.TheKirstenboschcafinKirstenboschMonday20

thMarch.Lunch

Kirstenboschitselfwasarealdelightandweweretherearoundlunchtime.Iwasexpectingtoseethe

SouthAfricanequivalentofhowNationalTrustcafsusedtoberunbyenthusiasticvolunteerswithlittle

foodinnovation,serviceexpertiseoroperationalexcellence.

Itwasntthough.Itwasprofessionallyrun(albeitwithfew

customersthere)withanicelookingmenu.Ihadadelicious

Silvertreesaladmadewithmixedlettuce,rocketandparmesan

tossedinbalsamic,presentedwithtomatoes,feta,olives,croutonsandsproutswithmixednutsandservedwithgarlic

bread.Itwastrulywonderfulfullofflavourandbeautifully

presented.IamsuretheUKcouldmakesaladsinrestaurants

morelikethis.NationalTrusteatyourheartout.

5.LaColombe.Constantia.CapeTown

Monday20th

March.Dinner

Notanauspiciousstart.Ihadforgottenthetimingofthebookingandthetaxitook20minuteslongerthan

weexpectedsowearrivedat8.30fora7pmreservationbuttheteamdidntbataneyelid.Ithoughtthis

wasgreatfromarestaurantthatwasvotedtwelfthintheworldin2010andcouldhavebeenstrict(and

quiterightlyso)aboutthewholebooking.Isatdownwithaconsiderableamountofrelief.

Therestaurantitselfisbeautifulandinformal(whitetableclothsandwhite

crockeryagain)withanopenkitchenandaprettyfullcomplementofchefs

(20+)operatinginafairlytightspace.

Themenuwaspresentedonablackboardwitheightstarters,twosorbetsand

sixmainmeals.Thewaitresskneweverysingleingredientofeverysingledish

(andsomedisheshadmorethan10ingredients)speakingwithconfidenceand

panache.Nothingwastoomuchtroubleforanyone.

Thefoodwassublimeintermsoftastesandingredients.The

amuseboucheincludedahollowedouteggfilledwithsoupand

thentoppedwithasmallpieceoftoast.


12/43

11

Ourstartersincluded:Carpaccio:Searedmedallionsofsalmon/tunarolledincorianderandBlackForesthamcrumbleand

tartare,avocado,pickledgingerandredonion,misocrema,dikonmousseandlimeandyuzupuree.

ScallopsandPorkBelly:Pansearedscallopsandconfitporkbellywithalangoustineglaze,BlackForest

hamvelout,lemon,tomatoandpeadressing.

CrabSalad:Alaskancrabsaladdressedinyuzuandorangedressingservedonmisoandorangecrema,

corianderandBlackForesthamcrumblewithmirinanddashijelliesanddaikonradishmouseandsweet

potatocrisps.

FormainswehadSpringbok(medallions

ofpan-searedspringbok,wiltedbabyspinach,poachedfig,potatofondant,

trufflejus,panfriedfoiegras,shimeji

mushrooms,roastedgarlic)andgrilled

filletofChalmarbeef(grilledfilletofbeef,

butteredfinebeanswithcrisppotato

basketfilledwithbraisedoxtailtopped

withbakedpotatoandhorseradishfoam,

wildgarlicpureeandablackpepperandtrufflecafeaulait).

Thedessertswereaworkofartontheirownandwereabsolutelydelightful.


13/43

12

Coffeewasaccompaniedbyhandmadechocolatesbroughtbythewaitressonatrayyoucouldchoose

fourofanytypeandtheywereallplacedononeplateforthetableasawholetoshare.Areallywonderful

experienceandafantasticwaytoendthemeal.Notacheapoccasion,atR3500,butatrulymemorable

one.

Thiswasareallytopnotchfivestarexperiencebutwithouttheformality.Nicetouchesincludedablackboardmenu(notusuallyassociatedwiththislevelofdining),awaitresswhokneweverysingle

ingredientwithoutlookingatanynotes,exceptionalplatepresentationandanengagingservingof

chocolatesattheendofthemeal.Wealllovedit.

6.TheOneandOnlyHotel

Tuesday20th

March.Breakfast

ThehotelisverywellknowninCapeTowndiningcirclesforReubensanditsinventivechef.Ihopedhis

experiencehadtransferredtobreakfast.Itprobablyhad,butatacostofR225perbreakfastitwastoohigh

apricetopayfortheoffchance.


14/43

13

Itwasasuperbbuffettobehonestandmaybetheotherhotelguestsmanagedtomakesandwichesfortheirlunchwhilsttheywerethere,

slippingthemintotheir(nodoubtveryexpensive)handbagsandthen

leggingit,butsomehowIdontthinkso.

Weshouldhavecheckedthepricebeforeeatingwereallyshouldhave,

butheyho,wedidntneedtoeatagainforatleastsixhours.

Theeggswerecookedtoorder,thereweresixdifferentcereals,four

differenttypesofbreadandmorejuicesthanIcouldname.TheGuest

RelationsManagercameoverwhilstwewereeatingandintroducedherselfwhichwasgreat.Maybeshewasjustkeepingabeadyeyeonmyhandbag.

7.TheHarbourHouse

Tuesday20th

March.Somewherebetweenlunchanddinner

BacktotheWaterfrontagaininthehopeoffindingagreatfishrestaurant.Whichwedid.TheHarbour

HousewhichhasasisterrestaurantinKalkBayandonlyopenedafewmonthsago.

Verysimpleinteriordesign,unpretentioustablesettingswithwhitecrockeryandtablecloths,whiteseatingandlotsofcolourfulcushionsinsideandout(noworriesaboutsoftfurnishingthefthereobviously)all

reflectedingreatartworkinternally.Ithelpsthatitwasbathedinglorioussunlightandlookedoutovera

selectionofratherwonderfulyachts.


15/43

14

Wehadawonderful,entertainingandutterlyindiscreetwaiterwhocouldntwaittogetbacktoworkinEngland

havingworkedhereoncewithAntonMossiman.

Oncewehadhisattention(notdifficultwitha20-year-old

sonwithus)wehadsuperbandattentiveservice,though

TripAdvisorreviewssuggestthisisntalwaysthecase.In

factifyoutooknoticeofthereviewsyouwouldignorethis

placeliketheplague.Itseemstohavetakensometimeto

getitsacttogetheranditslocation(andthereputationof

theoriginalrestaurant)reallymitigatesagainstitbeinggiventhechance/spacetodoso.

Themenuwasrelativelyshortandfocusedonfreshfishsevenstarters,fivesaladsandlightmealsand

sevenmains.TheHarbourHousethough,likemanyrestaurantswecameacross,alsoincludedaspecialist

sushisectionsomerestaurantsevenhaveaseparate,opensushikitchenwhichIfoundabitweirdbut

mustwork.

Ithoughtthefoodwasyetagain,beautifullyandimaginativelypresentedusingcolourandtexturetoits

bestadvantage.Thefoodwasfresh,localandseasonal.Itwasnttooexpensive(oncewegotusedtothe

factthateatingoutwasnotgoingtobeanycheaperinSouthAfricathanintheUK)forthelocationwiththetotalbillcomingtoR1500forfivethreecoursemeals.Wewerepleasedthoughthatwehadstuckto

thebeerandhadnthitthewineinabigway.

Onceagaingreatuseofsimplewhitecrockery(Steeliteshouldbeinthismarketbigtime)anddifferent

sizesdishesfordifferentingredients.Massiveuseofcolourinpresentationandhugethoughtgivento

creativepresentationofprettysimpledishes.

TheirsignagemadetheirfocusandUSPveryclearfreshfish.As

theirwebsitesays..withthebountyofthedeepavailabledailyon

ourdoorstep,seafoodandthefreshestpossiblelinefishiswhatweloveanddobest.Ourownfishingboat,LiveBait,suppliesitscatch

exclusivelytoourrestaurants.Thisguaranteesthefreshestlinefish

inCapeTown.

GenerallysignagethoughforrestaurantsinSouthAfricawasnt

particularlyimpressive(theHarbourHouseAboarddoesnt

mentiontherestaurantname/website/number),websitesarenot

alwaysupdatedregularly(thelastmentionforthissiteonthe

HarbourHousewebsitewasfromJuly2011thoughthesitedid

haveTripAdvisorreviewsontherighthandside)andexternal

marketingisprettypoor.


16/43

! F

0soahusS t cs o c &g

A hsh A

hoi eHBJ , n l eI el e0 s Bi Be, m2i J

Bl es s JHI 1eooy 1B l l l nHJBl2eeyJHI oBl m oH l eH

l n1oeHlBl oJs b

eo0 l noJBBe0 l nJHI hoi s s 2 JHI eml e0 1i

Be1B JHoBlm oH l Bs mBH o BRs ons B, ni l n

B l 2eHs l o2 2i , eH0 eho, nHJl 1JoBl2m Hnb

yHe, l ni o Hkl I ol JHl o0 Be1s Jl i 0 H I 0 HlH eho0 w J0 JBl JeHml l ni en2s 0 y s 2 12

o2w H JH1eo0 2 Rs o1l 2i 1Jl l JHI BB J2el JeHb

B2m0 s JHl eemoBe1B H , os oBHl, Jln

e0 s onHBJhoy 1B l 0 HmH Bm11JJHl 0 2 es l JeHB

1oe0 n2 l ni l noemI nl e 1m22HI 2JBnJBl nJB o2J1oe0

oJl JBnom2no5bn, eooi , B Hel l eneeBml ne, l e

I l ms , nHoy 1B l , B 1JHJBnb

I J H11eol n Hs ml JHl es oBHll JeH, Jl n

I eemBe1e2emos el BH I o HJBnbnoHn

l eB l J , B BJ0 s 2ml l B l i Rs o BH2m

nB1eol nBh emoi l oBH ooi e0 s el

H nee2l 0 JHlBm 1eol neB, Jln B, l o

l eel nb ehJHe11ees oehHH eoBmBlJ H J2Jli

noHeoJH0 H i el nos 2 B5H I oJ H1I I Bl n

eH2i JHJl JeHe1BemoJHI o b


17/43

16

9.TableMountainCafWednesday21

stMarch.Lunch

AnotherNationalTrustlookalikeopportunitybutinsteadacafwhich

hadtheopportunitytobearchitecturallyalignedwithitssetting.We

wereluckynottobevisitingalongsidequeuesandqueuesofpeople

partsoftheselfservecafwerelongandthinpresentingapotential

bottleneckofdisastrousproportionsonabusyday.

Thecafhadaninteresting

menurangeincludingahot

selection,acoldselection,apizzaslicebarandacoffeebar

option.Theyalsoservedfree

poursoftdrinks.

Themerchandisingoftheirsnacksthoughwasunfocussedwhousesa

displaystandwiththreeshelvesonlydisplayingthesamepacketof

wasabinuts?Labellingwaspooranddifficulttoreadwhenyouhavetheluxuryoftime,nevermindwhenyouarebeingharassedbyaqueueof

impatientpeoplebehindyouwaitingtomovetothecoffeestation.Lots

ofwastedspace,missedopportunitiestosellproductandconfusedshelflayout.

Thecafitselfthoughwas

lightandairymakingthemost

ofitsspectacularviews

enjoyedbybothmanandhis

featheredfriends.


18/43

17

10.Blues.CampsBayWednesday21

stMarch.Dinner

Thisrestaurantcertainlydoeshaveastory(inmorewaysthanone)andwashighlyrecommendedtous

notonlyforitshistorybutalsoforitsinteriordesign,havingonlyjustbeenrefurbishedlastOctober.Its

website(worthalook-www.blues.co.za)says;

THEICONOFCAMPSBAY

BluesRestaurant&Baropeneditsdoorsin1987andhasbecometheiconoftheultra-trendyCampsBay.

Blueshasbeenrecentlyrenovatedtoadaptitsiconiclocationintoonethatencompassesthelegacyon

whichtheBluesBrandwascreated,whiletailoringtheexperiencetobeintunewiththelatest21stcentury

restauranttrends.25yearsonyetbuiltonthesameprinciplesoffoodandserviceonwhichwebegan,Blues

hastailoredanenvironmentfordiningthatglorifiesthecasualmagnificenceofourBeachfrontlocation,

withthenewdcorsuchthatguestsfeelasthoughtheyarediningonthebeachasopposedtonexttoit.

Serviceisenergized,withthebuzzingtheatreoftheopenkitchenresonatingthroughtherestaurant,asthe

freshestingredientsarepreparedtoorder.Thedelectablecuisineandworld-classwinelist,alongwiththe

stunningviewandslickservicehashelpedBluescreaterestauranthistoryfor25years.Fromthisexperience

weuseourpassiontocontinuetocreateanexperiencetolast25more...


19/43

18

Itwas,indeed,beautifulandhadlovelytouches

liketheshellcandle

holders,handwritten

andappropriatequotes

onthewallsand

intriguingsculptures.It

hadacalmingand

peacefulfeelandhad

successfullyavoided

utilisingtheubiquitousseasidetatoften

deployedbybeachside

restaurants.

IhadHAND-ROLLEDCAPRESER65.fiordilattemozzarellabalsamictomatoesgazpachobasilasa

starter.ItwasabsolutelywonderfullypresentedandtasteddeliciousitseemedashametoeatitbutIhad

toforthesakeofcompleteness.

ThiswasreasonablyswiftlyfollowedbyaBLUESGOURMETBURGERR84.filletsirloinmaturecheddar

mustardmayocaramelisedonionchips.Wonderful,simplywonderfulintermsofingredientsandburgerpresentationafewmorechipsandsomethingonthesidewouldnthavegoneamissthough.

Sogoodfoodinagloriousenvironment(mustbestunningduringtheday)atreasonableprices.Theservice

howeverwasntoverimpressivetheteamweretwiceaskedaboutdifferentingredientsinthedishesand

werentabletoanswer(anddidntgoandfindtheanswereither).Friendlyenoughbutnotsufficiently

knowledgeableorenthusiasticreallyinamarketgenerallywherewaitersknewtheirstuffbackwards.


20/43

19

11.CamelRockrestaurant.ScarboroughThursday22ndMarch.Coffeestop

Therewassomethingratherappealingaboutthisplacethoughitfeltthoughasifwehadstumbledinto

somewherewhichhadbeenusedasbackgroundforthefilmDeliverance.

1)Itwastheonlyplacetoeatinthisvillage.Thiswasasurpriseasthebeachwassimplystunning.

2)Itwaslocatedrightnexttoashopwith,potentially,limitedpartnershipopportunities.

3)Itstablepresentationwassomewhatunderstated(andsticky).


21/43

20

4)Itwasunequivocalaboutitschargesforaservicewhichwastrickytoquantify.

5)Twoofushadgreat(wellreallynice)cakesandtwolefttheirs.Operationalconsistencynotahighpoint.

Theremustberoomforamarketingconsultanthere

12.TheCommonRoom.Franschhoek

Thursday22nd

March.Dinner

TheTastingRoomatLeQuatreFrancais,whichis

oneoftheplacestoeatinFranschhoek,wasfull

sowehadtosettleforitsbabyrestaurant,TheCommonRoom,butChefMargotJaneisin

chargeofboth.Franschhoekitselfisheavenfor

foodiesandworthatripthereforaweeksoyou

caneatineveryrestauranttherewasevena

bookpublishedin2009calledFranschhoek

FoodbyMyrnaRobinswhichisajoytoleaf

through.

Ilovedthesimplicityofthemenuincludingthe

sparsemenudescriptions

saldanhabaymussels/chardonnay/fiveherbs bakeddalewoodcamembert/soldiers panfriedprawncroquettes/roughtartaresauce springbokbitterballen/applemustard babygoat&smokedhamcrumble lambfrikadelletjies/flatroek/raita wholewoodroastedpasturefedchicken/gravy woodroastedsweetcorn/smokedbutter stickbunicecream/sugaredalmonds


22/43

C!

n1ees oBHll JeHB, oI 2eoJemBmBJHI H o oi e1s H BB2l Beo Be, 2BH s 2l Bl eHBmol nl l n1ee2eeyJlB Be2ml Bl b

nJB, B 2eh2i 0 Hmm l J1m22i s oBHl H s os o Bohi ws l JeH2 2i yHe, 2I 2H

1oJH2i Bl1 1b

no, B l nemI n2Jl l 20 JH H l nJHl oJeoBJI H, B , 22 Jl 2Jye1 e0 0 eHoee0 bl em2Hkl

o2 2i B0 l eJ, nl noJl, B o eo oBl m oH l eoBe0 , no1eoBl mHl Bl eBJll , H

2l moBHel Be0 l nJHI 2eey yeH, JlnH i 1 1l JeH5b, Hl yl nHwl i l es nel eI os nJlI J H

H BlJ22em2Hkll 22bl , B Hkl 1m22ml l n0 J HoBl m oH l , B R1eoeH20 JHloJeoBJI HoB2l

2eeBb

y 2 , ee0 0 ol o 0 BH oHnl eB l fsH JBn

mon0 fs oBoh2J0 f o JBn

eeoeB l oi 1JBnf 20 eHml l o


23/43

22

13.GableManor.FranschhoekFriday23

rdMarch.Breakfast

IknowthatluxuryB&BaccommodationdoesexistintheUKbutIhavent

reallytriedittoanyextent.Iwillnow,havingexperienceditinamajorway

inSouthAfrica.GableManorroomshad:

Crispwhitecottonpercalebedlinen

SatelliteTV

Airconditioning/heating

SafesTea/coffeemakingfacilitiesandicedwater

Achoiceoftwin/king-sizebeds:with/withoutextralength

Achoiceofviews

En-suitebathroomswithheatedtowelrailsandseparatepowershowers

AnexclusiverangeofCharlotteRhysRooibosbathproducts

Ageneroussupplyofplumptowelsandsoftbathrobes

Achoiceoftraditionalorgenerouscornerbaths

AstheysayColoursaremutedandtheatmosphereisoneofunderstatedelegancewithclevertouchesofthoughtfulluxury.

Weonlyatebreakfasttherebutitjustfeltsoluxuriouswithreal

attentiontodetailinthetablesettingsalone.Therewasanextensivebuffetwithawidechoiceofhomemade

breads,cerealsandjams.Justwhenwehadstuffedourselvessilly

andthinkingwedidntneedtoeatlunch,theyaskedifwewanteda

cookedbreakfast.AsIammoreNigellaLawsonthanSophieDahlin

termsofgluttony,IimmediatelysaidyesandthenwonderedwhereonearthIwasgoingtoputitall.Onmyhipsistheobviousanswer

butwhencookedbreakfastarriveslookinglikethis,whoreally

cares?


24/43

23

14.WaverleyHillsRestaurant.WolseleyFriday23

rdMarch.Lunch

IpatentlyliedwhenIsaidI

wouldntneedtoeatlunch

asbythetimewearrived

atWaverleyHillswinery,I

couldntwaittoeatagain.

Thiswasthemostwonderful

placesuperblocation,great

viewsandabeautifulinteriorandoutsidedeck.

Thefoodwasajoytoowithfreshingredientsanddelightfulplatepresentation-againusingarangeof

smalldishesforseparatemenuitems.Everydishwasatreattolookatandtoeat.EventhehumblePanini.

Aboveleft.BaconwithfetaPanini,

avo,sweetchilly(sic)androcketleaves

Aboveright.WaverleyHillschicken

saladwithbaconandboiledegg,

drizzledwithhomemadevinaigrette

Right.AsabovebutwithFranschhoek

smokedrainbowtrout


25/43

24

15.LeBonVivant.FranschhoekFriday23

rdMarch.Dinner

Externalsignagehere,aswithmostoftherestaurantswefound,wasalmostnon-existentsurprisingin

suchatouristledlocation.Theyaresimplynotmaximisingpotentialbusinessfrompassingtradeandmust

bedependentonwordofmouthrecommendationandfeaturesintheusualrestaurantguides.Neither

doestheLeBonVivantappeartoofferonlinebookinganditswebsiteintroductionfromthechef,Pierre

Hendricks,issimilarlysparse.

Welcome

Thereisachoiceofeithermycarefullydesignedfivecourse

surprisemenu,oraninterestingalacartemenu.Bothare

complementedbyawell-chosenwinelist.

Welookforwardtohelpingyoumakeyourchoice.Wealsocater

forvegetarians.Enjoyyourlunchanddinnerwithus.

Ithink,certainlyinFranschhoek,itsallaboutthefoodandtheexperience.Inthisrestaurant,thechef

createsstunninglybeautifulartworkontheplateandleavesthefoodtodohismarketingforhimIsuspect.Thereareover40restaurantsinthissmalltownandLeBonVivantisratedsixthinTripadvisorso

itsastrategywhichwouldseemtoworkforhim(albeithewasntfullonaFridaynightwhilstsomeofhis

competitorswere).

Thefoodpresentation,andtaste,wasquiteglorious.ThisistheSoupextravanganzawithcarrot,broth

andcelerysoupandaccompaniments.R65


26/43

25

ThisisGoatscheese&beetroot:dumpling/beetrootcannelloni/oatcrumble/summervegetables.R80

ThisisNorwegiansalmon:searedandpoachedsalmon/peppersalsa/lemonbutter/parsleypotato.R125

AndthisisStrawberrytextures:ganache/sorbet/curd/parfait/saladjelly.R80

Thisisfoodwhich,inEngland,wouldeasilycosttwiceasmuchasitdidinLeBonVivant.Thesewereplates

whichbroughtgaspsofawewhencarried(somewhatcarefully)tothetable.Simplydelightful.


27/43

CL

gpsS ou hS As uoAf Af hc&.

A hsf o

n l e1JHBe0 , nol el eHl n, i 1oe0 l n, JH2H Bl eemoBl es 1eol , ei B, 22H0

ml Jl, B Hkl s o l Jm2o 2i B i bnoo t mJl 2el e11o 0 Bl2 2Bo emHml Hel 0 H i l nl Boh1eemHl J2

, 0 l el n0 2JHI eBb

ni Bi s purrs s aus as l TnTs i Tl nnt s yl s yrnrps yu

Trrwo s rl s i yi s aus Tl Ti s s l gry nnuwyrr

u Trewul ul i l aTl o uas l l Trwul pnrl

i aul s i rrtl rnTn l nnrurts uTTi nus nrsru l i l yaarTul gs unTs i l uuTyrnyurwruwuyuri

TrrTi gul i nnTs i Tl s rs yuyrwi unTl nTwo Tns ynTi yrri

s rrs o Ti nnt aTrrs raul i nnTs i g s o puputrTnnrTl

l nut s unnt wl ni nTl s i nul l nas l l TrTi uTi nl g

rl wo s i s ns ITnvs s wl s Tt s yus i Tnwunual l yl

t g

l , B BoJJHH el no, BJlB SynrTnnrus l Ts l s ai al nrbu l nrrko Tni T

s ul s s ns urauTwrTi l g

l i hoi ml JHBJ, Jl n I J1l Bnes B22JHI 2e2 I eeBl eeH

BJQI ol l e, Hoo emHb ml BJl ni n nmI ol no

I I oBBJhl moyi nm2mBeHel t mJl BeI ol l e, H oo emHb

n1ee, B 1oBnmHs ol Hl JemBH s ol l i BJ0 s 2l nemI nhH

no11eol n Hl y Hl e2JhoBe0 l nJHI 2Jll 2J11oHl

JHl o0 Be1s 2l s oBHll JeHb

2Jyl nJBs 2 boJH2i H B i l emB, Jlnl B l i 2e2 1eeb

g2su Asi oS

Af hc&.A

hs ooh

nJBnemB, B mJ2l JH! qz qJH l i sJ2 ! 7l nHl moi ml no nJll mo2 Bl i 2

H , B oHl2i oBl eoJHle eBl b nems 2, neomH eBl 0 l e1oJ eml 1Jhi o BI e1oe0 J2H , no JH HJ, B H es l JJH H

noJBl JH , eoyJH H ybnn 2 , i B, H l l e2JhJH1oJH 2 Bel e

BJ1Bnem2o H 2JhJHI 1oe0 noeeyJHI b


28/43

C'

ni 2ehJl JH, 22H0 nh JHI emI nl l nJBs 2 1JoBl B I mBlnemB, JlneH2i l nooee0 BH rmBleeyJHI oy 1B l H JHHo1eol neBl nl Bl i , Jlnl n0 bni l nHeHhol l nJooy 1B l

oee0 JHle oBl m oH l H hHlm2 2i 1l o0 mnws oJ0 Hll JeHBl l 2eH! qehoBB l n0 w J0 m0

l ni em2Boh, JlneH0 J l ok JHHJ5eHn1H l , eBb

, os Jyms i l noJho1oe0 l noBl m oH l l noJBHes m2Jl oH Bs eol JH, 22H0 H He

1eo0 e1l w JBohJ5H l y HBl oJ I nl l el n1oeHleeoR, nl l ol b

nH, o oJhl noBlm oH l , B 0 s l i , nJnJB2 , i BB2JI nl 2i mHHohJHI b J22, nh l e, nJBs ol e

emoB2hB2 2HJI nl J22l n1emBe1l l Hl JeHl ee0 mn1eomBHl nH2 2BhHl 2B, o

ems JH , em2o2w , nJn, B I eereB l n1oBn2e2 1ee, B Bl mHHJHI , Jl neHI J HJHl oBl JHI s 2l s oBHll JeHBb

l , B rei H eHkl l nJHyl nl l JHI eml I l B0 mnl l ol nH l nJBboJH2i Hl nmBJB l JH

s B BJeHl e, HoB, neeeyl n1eeH Bohi em1oBn2e2 JHI oJHl BH o2 o H l l Hl JeH

s J l es 2l s oBHll JeHbl kB o2 JHBs Jol JeHl el neB, ne, H l l e2h l nol o H JHm2I JH

l nJos B BJeH1eo1eeH eeyJHI b

, ol y H yl eemoI mBl nemB, Jl nl noJhoRns s i 1m22H hoi eHlHl , Jlnl n, eo2b

g0suAS o ouhsi oS

f oc &pA

hsh A

1, l nemI nl l nl 2 H eo, B , eHo1m2JHoH Bnney, , oJH1eo 1H l B l JBmos oJBl

eln0 H H eob, 22H0 JlB21, B es l J0 JBl J2 2i BoJJHemol oh 2em0 HlBB SH

0 g JHI 2Jl l 2l e, Hl eBl es eho1eo HJI nl eol , eAb mJl 1oH y2i Jl JBHkl bl kBhoi HeHQBoJs l ml

eln0 H H eo0 Jl l el 2 2i , eol n, nJ2bl kBHel rmBl H el noeml Jt m" .JlkBJH J11oHl 2B B2 2

l eI l nob

o l o Joel 2 0 eHl

Hl h e e2 2koH JJe

ml JHJ2 2k0 l oJJH JH B I Hl l Jomo

eggo 22 Bl eHJel l

B I H


29/43

28

Therooms,thegardens,theJacuzzi(andtheviewofthezebraandimpalawhilstsatinthehottub)the

swimmingpool,theoutsidebreakfasts,thehospitality(theyhadbookedourrestaurantsaheadofus

arrivingthinkingwemightwanttoeat),thefreebookexchange,thegenerousbeautyproductsandthe

plentifulsupplyoftowelsandbathrobesreallydomakethisplaceoneinamillion.


30/43

29

19.Koornlands.SwellendamSunday26

thMarch.Dinner

NotmuchseemstobeopenonaSundaybutKoornlandswasandineasydrivingdistance(notaxiswewere

told,remember).Aprettyrestaurantinsideandoutbutwewerereallyeatingonourownonthisoccasion

astherewasabsolutelyno-oneelsethere.Thechef/ownercameoutattheendofthemealtothankus

andaskuswhatwethoughtlovelytouchwhenhecouldjusthaveslunkbackhomeandwewouldhave

beennonethewiser.

Thesimpleblackboardmenu

focussedverymuchonlocalfood

includingcrocodilesashimiand

springboksamosas.Again

beautifullypresentedfoodwithfresh,localingredients.

Ithinkwewouldhavelikedthis

restaurantevenmorehadthere

beenothersdiningtooandsomethingofanatmospheredifficult

tocreatewhentherearejustfiveofyouandoneofthepartycant

hearverywell.


31/43

z Y

&kshi ousAAohcf c&2

A hsh A

Hel no1 m2emB" l nJBl J0 eho2eeyJHI l ni l 2l l HoI b

eoBH kl BoJne, , eHo1m2l nJBI ol h2 m1eo0 eHi s 2 JBRnh JHI 1 l oHeeHl , nJ2Bl

, l nJHI e2s nJHBJHl nBmo1JB2eBl enh Hbms ooy 1B l Bo2 2i Bl mBms 1eol ni b1i em, o

hoI eJHI l eBl ms i emoe, H" i em, H l Jl l enormBl2Jyl nJBb

&gshS uo o AAsAAohf c&2

A hsf o

nJB, B 1 m2emBbmBl 1 m2emBH o2 2i , eol n hJBJlbn, ne2eHs l , B oJ22JH l 1oe0 Bl o l l e1JHJBn

H l nBJI HBo2 2i o s o l e1l nm2l moH l nBl eoi 5b


32/43

31

Theinteriordesignwascleanandcrispwithoutbeingintimidatingorcold.


33/43

32

Weateoutsidebetweenthevinesunderneathanumbrella(helpfulasitwasraining)andchoseourfoodfromafundamentallytapas/mezze

menu.

Thefoodwasfresh,colourfuland

wellpresented.Portionswere

generousandinteresting.Amealofpurepleasure.


34/43

33

22.Lemongrass.PlettenbergBayTuesday27

thMarch.Dinner

WewentatnighttoLemongrassbutIexpectitsaplacebestsuitedto

lunchtimesbecauseofthewonderfulbeachsideviews.TheysayEachdishis

carefullypreparedbyoneoftherestaurantschefs,makingsureyouresmiling

fromthefirstbitetothelast.Certainlyitwasfullwhenwewentthereand

camehighlyrecommended.ThestartermenuIfeltwasslightlydejavu

reminiscentofmanyoftherestaurantswehadseeninSouthAfrica.

GreekSalad(Iamnotsurewhythisissuchafirmfavouritebutitis) SmokedostrichCarpaccio(SouthAfricanrestaurantsfeatureCarpaccioalot) Halfadozensnails(why?) Chefssoupoftheday(butternutsquash) Deepfriedcalamari(againverypopular)

TobehonesttherewasnothingonthislistthatinspiredmeandIwasbeginningtofeelabitdisheartened.

Themainmenuwassimilarlystraightforward.

Fishoftheday Lemongrassseafoodplatter Solealmandine Grilledprawns Chalmarsirloin Triooffilletostrich,beef&venison Capelambcurry Filletsteak Ostrichsteak

IntheendIhadsoupandsteaksomewhatreminiscentof

myfirstdiningexperiencesinaBerniinthe70s.Thesoup

wasgoodbutnotexceptionalbutthefilletsteakwassimply

thebestIhaveevereaten.Verysimplypresented-nofussor

frillsandservedwithsuperbsautpotatoes.Itwassublime

andleftthoseofuswhohadchosenit,totallyspeechless.So

greatlocation,lovelyserviceandthebestpossiblesteakand

afabulousstoryaboutthestormof2005anditseffectonthe

restaurant.Go!


35/43

z E

&Ps o Asoc o o c &0

A hsf o

emyHe, l nl 12JHI , nHi emBJl e, HJH oBl m oH l l ni nH i eml n0 HmH i emrmBl, H l l e

omH 22l nl kB, nl , H l l eel H B yl bl 2eeyBHJHemI nl 1 h2 mJlBhJ, JBI ee

H Jl BmI I BlB1oBn2i emI nl 1JBnml Jl , B rmBl l ee0 H m1 l moH l eel , 1eo0 i 2JyJHI b

em2B20 Hl Be1l nJB, eoyJHI JHH t mJh2 Hl nJ HbnoH JHI nmHI l eI l noH , B , 22wml , nJ2Bl Be0 e1l n , B l eHI mJHnyH s s 2 JHI b


36/43

35

Thefoodwasattractivelyanddistinctlyservednofrillsorfuss.Greatifyoulikefish(andchips).Thefishwasquicklyservedandbeautifullycooked.Thefriedhalloumi,bottomleft,wasreasonablytastythough

foursticksareprobablyenoughforeventhemostardentofhalloumifans.

IfyouregoingtoeatlikeatouristthenOceanBasketwillprobablyserveyouaswellasanywhereIjust

didntwanttofeellikeatouristatthatpointonthatday.


37/43

z L

&RsS c uuo sAAohc o c &0

A hs ooh

urySy ut i auns s yi Ti l o aTi uTpuprrt g unpTo l i s al l o nri w

o Ti Ti uTpui Tl ni n s yi nTi l i o unrrs nTl ro Trrs upuu Ti t s ys npl n

l eTl s uTg uTi nl s ynui i es nTns yTpuTi rnni ut w Trt s s i Tpus

Tl l rrwSryl Tps o Tns s nTs i s uhyl n, Gyrny l nl i no s Trui g

emH Bne, 2eh2i l nBl l JHI JB, nHi em2eeyl l ns Jlmo ehbl o2 2i , B l n0 eBl Bms o2el JeHbmBl, eHo1m2b oJHyB, on2eml BJeHl nl oo , nol no, B H es H1JoHwl l e

B, J0 0 JHI s ee2b el e0 JHl JeH1emHJH0 H i s 2 Bb


38/43

37

Themenuwassimpleandpromising:

coconutchickenandprawnsoup smokedspringbokCarpaccio tempuraprawns spicylambandcouscoussamosas(sic) plumtomato,crouton,basilandmozzarellasalad

herbmarinatedgrilledcapesalmon filletbarnaise searedimpalaloin grilledfreerangechicken freshNorwegiansalmon beef&lentilkorma

classicvanillacrmebrulee chocolatefondant berry,crmeanglaise&chocolatepavlova yoghurt&amarettopannacotta trioofsorbet

Servicewascompetentandoccasionallyveryfriendlyandpersonable.Thefoodpresentationwaswell

consideredwithgooduseofgarnishandcolour.Withafewexceptions(drychickenandverydryPavlova)

thefoodwastastyandwell-cookedandtherestofthegroupreallyenjoyedit.


39/43

38

EmilyMoonsisabitofalegendinCapeTownanditsthefirstrestaurantmostlocalsrecommend.BramonisvotednumberoneonTripAdvisorinPlett,whilstZinzi(seebelow)isnumbertwo,Lemongrassisnumber

threeandEmilyMoonsisnumbersevenwhichisprobablyaboutright.Thesettingisstupendousbutfor

methefooddidntliveuptoexpectations.

Idothinkthatrestaurantsshouldbeinterestedwhencustomersleavefoodontheirplateandwantto

knowwhythisdidnthappenwitheitherthechickenorthePavlova.Itsuggestsacomplacencyorendof

seasonweariness,orboth.

25.Enricos.MainBeach,KeurboomsStrand,PlettenbergBay

Thursday29thMarch.Lunch

Ohbutthiswasbeautifuljustbeautiful.Oneofthoseplacesthatyouthinkabouttimeandtimeagain

whenyouarebackatyourdeskworking.Idolikemyviewfrommyofficebutitsnotquitethesameasthe

IndianOcean.

Ithadmassesofoutsideseating,abitlikeatypicalEnglishpub.Themenuwasextensivecovering11

starters,fivefishdishes,sevenmeatdishes,20pizzasand13pastas.ItwasprintedonalargetablematsoI

cantimagineitchangesverymuchorthereprintbillwouldbeenormous.

Thefoodwasokbutmorethancompensatedforbythe

view.Ididntchoosewellthepizzaswereprobablybetter

thanthepasta.Thiswasmaybetheoneplacewhereplate

presentationwasntthatfantastic.Justpublikebasicpub

atthatbutIreallydidntcare.And,asiftheviewwasnt

enoughtomakeEnricosmemorable,therestauranthad

placedamassivechairattheentrancemusthavebeen

capturedonthecamerasofthousandsoftourists.


40/43

39

26.Zinzi.PlettenbergBayThursday29thMarch.Dinner

ItwasabitoftrekoutofPlettenbergtogettoZinzibutitwassoworthit.Itisthemostextraordinaryplace

intermsoflocation,interiordesignandmenu.Theirwebsitesays...

Thefurnitureisallcustommadeallslightlyoversizedas

comfortiskeyatZINZI.Whethersittingaroundalowtable

onottomansandcushionssharingamezeplatterorona

wingbackchairatanantiquetablewithturnedlegsanda

pewterchandelierabsoluterelaxationisguaranteed.

Thetablesprovideforamplespace,withfabulousdishes

beautifullydisplayedduringeachcourse.Uniquelydesigned

cutlerycuriouslyhiddeninaclothbagandbeautiful

glasswareaddtotheimaginativediningexperience.Ideal

forsundownersatthebar,orforarelaxeddining

experience,ZINZIembracesthespiritofhonestcuisineandzestyingredientswithachoiceselectionofala

cartemenuitems.

Thetablesettingswereabsolutelybeautiful(notdonejusticebymynighttimephotographs)withan

interiordesignwhichwasAfricaninitssubtletheming,givingasenseofoccasionwithoutformality.

Themenuwaspresentedinabook,whichIcouldntbringaway,includingasuperbwinelisttheykindly

gavemeacopyofthemenubutcouldntletmehavethewinelistastheyareabouttoenteran

internationalcompetitionwithit.Itsdifficulttodescribewithouthavingtheexactcopywithmebut

fundamentallythewinelistfeaturedwineswhichaimedtomakeacontributiontothesurvivalofanumber

ofendangeredanimalspecies.


41/43

40

Soforinstance,CapePointVineyardsgivemoneyforeverybottleofSplatteredToadtheyselltotheWesternLeopardToadconservationfund.TheHamiltonRussellWineEstateproducesSouthernRightwine

andgivesmoneyonthesamebasistotheSouthernRightWhaleConservation.LeopardsLeapgivesmoney

totheCapeLeonardtrustwhilsttheJordanfamilysupporttheCapeDwarfChameleon.Whatafantastic

idea!

Theservicecouldnothavebeenmoreattentiveorcaringthroughoutthemealitwastrulyoneofthose

occasionswheretheteamweretrulyoutstanding.

Asforthefood,ourstartersincluded;

ChalmarCarpaccio Gardenroutemussels Patagoniancalamari Easygrilledprawns Caldoverde Moroccanchickpeasoup Chickenandtheegg(below)


42/43

41

Whilstmainsincluded

Sesamecrustedsalmon Freshlinefish Chalmarbeeffillet Chalmarbeefsirloin Lambshank Persianchicken Indonesianchickencurry Porkbelly(below)

Thiswasabsolutelymyfavouriterestaurantofthetrip.Ithadeverythingwehadbeenseeingthroughout

thetwoweeks,allinonerestaurant:

Averyspeciallocation Wonderfulinteriordesignmodernyetwarmandwelcoming Greattablesettings Outstanding,caringandattentiveservice Freshfoodwithfantasticwellbalancedflavours Exceptionalplatepresentation AuniquewinelistwithagreatUSP

WhatawaytoendasuperblearningexperienceinSouthAfrica.


43/43

ott ar et ng

Spring Cottage Ofces

28 Spring Lane

Great Horwood. Bucks

MK17 0QW

01296 714745 (o)

07831 269032 (m)

www.elliottmarketingpr.com

[email protected]

ww.uk.linkedin.com/in/annempr

www.twitter.com/elliott_mpr

22013 South African Restaurant Review 2012

Documents

Transcript of 22013 South African Restaurant Review 2012