Posted on: July 29th, 2009 RLJardine

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Posted on: July 29th, 2009 THJ: Jardine: Just Right

TH: ****½
GS: ****
RL: ****½
BH: ****

Average Rating: ****¼

About halfway through our meal at Jardine, I was struck with an exciting realisation. It wasn’t because the food was fantastic (which it was) or the waitors particularly good (which they were), or even because of the lively and sophisticated atmosphere. I was excited because finally, after almost a year of Eating Alphabetically, we had found a restaurant that we could give an unreservedly positive review. If there is one restaurant in Cape Town you should eat at, Jardine is it.

Situated on Bree Street opposite Boss Models (sadly quite deserted at night) Jardine’s evening vista is not particularly picturesque. Their interiors and ambiance, however, make up for this initial downside more than adequately, with a warm, chic and trendy design, suited to young sophisticates and more mature diners alike. The downstairs lounge and bar is perfect for a pre-dinner drink, with comfortable leather couches, and clean-lined bar, but the real dining experience begins when you ascend the stairs to the restaurant above.

The main dining area is simple and elegant, with nothing over-the-top or flashy. Tables are arranged in front of the open-plan kitchen, and on what was once a wrap-around balcony. The busy kitchen adds sound, movement and life to the room, which filled up remarkably from when we arrived to a nearly empty room at 7pm. A note on this topic: the kitchen is small, and bookings are staggered to avoid long waits for food. It is advisable to book in advance.

Speaking of food…let’s.Lacking the customary amuse bouche of similar establishments, diners are offered a selection of freshly baked breads from the in-house bakery while perusing the menu. Our table tried the mini baguettes and the butternut and garlic loaf, and enjoyed both. Several times. The menu itself is a single printed page. Not a huge amount of choice, but something for most tastes. Payment is calculated on a 2 course (R240) or 3 course (R280) rate, with a 3 course set menu Winter Special (R180) running until September.

Wanting to try a variety of meals to give a fair review, we declined the Winter Special in favour of the A la Carte menu. 3 courses, naturally. For starters BH had freshly steamed Saldanha Mussels, presented in a white paper bag, smothered in a delicate coconut milk, ginger and lemongrass sauce, perfectly complimenting the natural mussel flavour that is so often overpowered with cream and white wine. RL tried the Pork Belly Terrine, which she declared deliciously chunky, while still melt-in-the-mouth-y, and a great change from the smooth texture of your standard terrine. GS chose the breaded Foie Gras, which was exquisitely presented, rich, creamy and subtly flavourful. Our waiter was knowledgeable enough to suggest a selection of sweet wines to compliment the Foie Gras, and the Mulderbosch Sauvignon Blanc Noble Late Harvest paired beautifully. I went for the Cured Salmon Carpaccio, with baby beets and nettle purée, which lent a surprisingly earthy flavour to the buttery fish: unique and delicious.

Mains courses were no less exciting, with my Yellowtail on a bed of Squid Ink Risotto being possibly the tastiest fish dish I have ever eaten. RL’s Butternut Gnocchi was fresh, light and tasty, presented almost like a salad, rather than in the traditional sauce. BH’s Rib-eye Steaks were seared to perfection resting their bed of barley. Our only complaint would be that GS’s Trio of Pork left a little to be desired, being on the ordinary/bland side by comparison.

Now maybe I’m just a typical girl in this matter, but to me dessert is the climax of the meal: the grand finale of an evening of gastronomic indulgence. Jardine’s desserts could not have been more fitting. I would have their Belgian Chocolate Hot Pot every day if my waistline wouldn’t expand like a foie gras duck. Throw away your skinny jeans, because this rich, dark, bitter, chocolate dessert of the Gods served with a dollop of hazelnut ice-cream, should be on every self-respecting woman’s to-do list, at least once a week. Before I drift off in to dreams of chocolate past, I should also tell you that the other desserts are fantastic too. The Grand Marnier Soufflé Flambé is impressively flamed at your table, and is light, airy and delicious, in true soufflé style. The Blood Orange and Liqueur Jelly made RL weak at the knees, and BH’s Cheese Platter with walnut toast and quince paste was definitely worth savouring. All in all a worthy ending to an outstanding meal.

I can’t end off without mentioning a few of the small things that can (and in this case did) make a good restaurant great. The service was impeccable: the waiters at ease, discreet, and well informed in both food and wine. Plates were brought together and cleared together with minimal fuss, and our wine glasses were never left empty (the wine list is pricey – be warned). Presentation was unique to each meal, with individually chosen plates used to compliment the dishes in shape and colour. Menus, while simply printed on white paper, were fresh, clean and well-written - something that is often overlooked. The decor was nothing spectacularly eye-catching (apart from the very red bathroom), but was intimate, comfortable and classy.

All told, Jardine is now my personal favourite Cape Town restaurant. It’s not cheap – don’t be fooled – but it is, at long last, somewhere to get real value.

Ambiance: ***
Service: ****½
Food: ****
Wine: ***½
Bathrooms: ****

Jardine Restaurant / 185 Bree Street (Corner of Bloem Street) / Cape Town / Tel: 021 424 5640 / Email: reservations@jardineonbree.co.za / www.jardineonbree.co.za

Posted on: July 27th, 2009 RLMore Winter Specials

Here are a few more Winter Specials you may want to try out before the weather starts warming up.

Buzz Cafe (Kloof St)
25% off their new dinner menu
Everyday after 7pm
021 426 2796

Chenin (ex Nose Bar)
Two meals with wine for R99
021 425 2200

Fiesta (Cape Quarter)
Any two tapas for R40 and any three for R50,
free glass of wine or beer with any burger, wrap or burrito for R45
Everyday
021 418 5121

Hildebrand
Three course set menu, with four choices per course for R120
Lunch & dinner everyday until end of August
021 425 3385

Hussar Grill (Greenpoint & Camps Bay)
Three course meal for R89
Sunday lunch only
021 433 2081

Jardine
Three course set menu for R180
Everyday
021 424 5640

Reuben’s
Set menu with several choices, two courses R130, three courses R150
Lunch & dinner, Monday to Friday
021 876 3772

Wakame/Wafu
25% off sushi on Mondays and 25% off selects Dim Sum on Thursdays. As well as a discounted ‘Chef’s meal’ each day.
021 433 2377

Posted on: July 24th, 2009 RLBloody Mary Buffet at Tank

This just in, Tank is bringing Cape Town it’s first Bloody Mary Buffet. Every day from 12 - 6pm you can now enjoy half price sushi and cocktails. Wait…that sounds familiar.

They are also doing Decadent Sunday Breakfasts from 9:30am on, you guessed it, Sundays.

Tank / Cape Quarter / 72 Waterkant Street / De Waterkant / Cape Town / Tel: 021 419 0007 / www.the-tank.co.za

Posted on: July 22nd, 2009 BHGreek Fisherman

The Greek Fisherman is another popular Waterfront Restaurant along the strip of popular restaurants we never seem to review. You’ll find it along the same strip as Belthazar, Karibu and Tasca…

Situated in the middle of the strip, you do need to weather a number of over eager hostesses inviting you to dine with their establishment but the Greek Fisherman is worth fighting the tide of faux cheerfulness.

RL & I have always been sceptical of restaurants in “the gauntlet”, having assumed their target market to be largely tourists with prices to match. Recently we’ve ventured into a number of these restaurants and while the prices are on the higher side by Cape Town standards, they’re no more expensive than any other upper or even upper middle end restaurants in the V&A, plus as an added bonus, the restaurant owners clearly attempt to put some effort into the quality of service.

Anyway, back onto the Greek Fisherman…

As the name suggests, the cuisine is largely Greek/ Mediterranean in nature, specialising in seafood. Their menu is full of interesting choices, suited to most pockets, although they do seem to be suffering from the same “SQ” syndrome that was evident at Balthazar but to lesser degree.

Not being particularly hungry but determined to get a full-ish experience, RL & I shared the Crab Cake starter, which was really good… to be honest, probably the best Crab Cake I’ve ever had. For mains, we had the Fisherman’s Soup and the Mediterranean Chicken Schnitzel. The soup was full of seafood and favour to match. the schnitzel came with Rocket, cherry tomatoes and drizzled in EVO (extra virgin olive oil) and balsamic vinegar, which turns a fairly ordinary meal into a meal worth going out for. For dessert, we had the platter for two that comes with small portions of the rest of the dessert menu and if you like calorie laden pastries coated in honey, this is the dessert for you.

If I had to make a few not-so-positive comments, which I do, I’d say that the decor is a little chaotic, the bathrooms are a bit odd and the Long Island Ice Tea had only enough Coke in it to give it a bit of colour. Other than that, I quite enjoyed my Greek Fisherman experience.

Greek Fisherman Seafood and Mediterranean Cuisine / Shop 157 / Victoria Wharf / V&A Waterfront / Cape Town / Tel: 021 418 5411 / Email: info@greekfisherman.co.za / www.greekfisherman.co.za

Posted on: July 17th, 2009 RLChristmas in July at Harvey’s

Harvey’s asks; “Why wait until December?” with their Christmas in July Special. On the 25th July 2009 at 7pm you and your family or friends could be enjoying a four course set menu to the sounds of live piano music. (Ok, I stole that last bit from the flyer.)

The menu includes Split Pea, Mint and Grilled Ham Soup, Turkey Breast Roulade, Honey Glazed Gammon, so much more and a variety of vegetables. All this is finished off with a Brandy and Raspberry Pudding with Eggnog Vanilla Angliase (how good does that sound?) or Traditional English Trifle, followed by coffee and mince pies. Hmm… I’m starting to feel tempted. It was the desserts that did it.

The cost you ask? R250 will provide the above, as well as a glass of bubbly on arrival. Space is limited, as they say, so booking essential.

Harvey’s at the Mansions / Winchester Mansions Hotel / 221 Beach Road / Sea Point / Tel: 021 434 2351 / Email: banqueting@winchester.co.za / www.winchester.co.za

Posted on: July 17th, 2009 RLHarvey’s

We love Harvey’s at the Winchester Mansions Hotel. Despite the fact that it has the usual hushed atmosphere of many other upmarket hotel restaurants, it somehow still manages to feel welcoming, rather than austere. Perhaps it’s the beautiful view of the ocean, or the comfy bar area which offers great bar snacks while you wait for your table.

The restaurant itself makes you feel special with it’s carefully folded napkins, amuse bouche, palate cleansers (keep an eye out for this dry ice decorated sorbet) and excellent service. The interiors are sedate and elegant, as one might expect from a hotel while the food itself is far more exciting. You’ll find some of the usual favourites, such as lamb cutlets and linefish, but also a few more adventurous options, depending on the season. Although the menu is small, you’re sure to find something to suit any mood or taste.

While the menu may be short, the wine list is certainly not! This extensive document reads far more like a book and features some excellent South African wines, as well as a few Garagiste choices well worth looking into.

Harvey’s at the Mansions / Winchester Mansions Hotel / 221 Beach Road / Sea Point / Tel: 021 434 2351 / www.winchester.co.za

Posted on: July 16th, 2009 BHDon Pedro’s

Your dedicated EA team found themselves hungry in Woodstock the other night and decided to sample the local options.

Don Pedros, an institution in the area, situated just below Eastern Boulevard, at the top of Roodebloem Road. Strangely, this section of Roodebloem is also home to Frangipanis and Jamaica Me Crazy, and serves a selection of casual meals at very reasonable prices.

The relaxed atmosphere is reinforced with the art clad walls and informal but fitting plastic chairs. You can’t help but feel the calm Woodstock vibe as you step through the doors.

This is a great spot to kick back with a beer, order a pizza and relax with a couple friends. If you heard bad things about this place, it’s probably the locals trying to keep it all to themselves.

Don Pedro’s / 113 Roodebloem Road / Woodstock / Cape Town / Tel: 021447 4493

Posted on: July 13th, 2009 BHIl Leone

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Posted on: July 13th, 2009 BHI: Il Leone: I’d go again…

TH: ***
GS: ***
RL: ***
BH: ***½

Average Rating: ***

Il Leone (”the lion”) is one of those places you drive past and say “we should try that place one day”. It’s situated just down the road from the Foundry, near the Rockwell building in Green Point, which translates to “a little of the beaten track”.

Il Leone is housed in a historic (apparently dating back to 1711) double storey Georgian house, kitted out with oregan timber floors, sweeping staircase and large cottage pane windows, the perfect location for a traditional Italian restaurant. trown into the mix are a bar and small lounge to relax before the meal and a walk-in wine cellar halfway up the stairs. In case you’re wondering what the “M” stands for on all the aprons and menus, the full name is “Il Leone Mastrantonio”, as it is part of the Mastrantonio group.

The atmosphere is warm and inviting, smart casual without being pretentious. This follows through into the food, all good hearty Italian dishes, full of flavour and home-cooked goodness. That said, don’t think you’re better off heading to the nearest Panarotti’s.

The menu is filled with RL’s favorites; Mussels, Gnocchi & Risotto so her selection was easy… “um, to start with the Mussels, then have the Risotto, no wait… make that the Gnocchi… no wait, which one is better…ah, the Prawn Risotto it is then!”. Sadly they’d run out of Porcini Mushrooms so that knocked a few interesting choices of the list. TH’s complicated-Italian-name-here (smoked salmon carppacio) and GS’s aubergine baked thingy seemed nice but didn’t win too many browny points but my Bruchetta good enough not to share. Before I continue, I mean no disrespect by not calling the dishes by their names, being in Italian I simply can’t remember them. I chose my main, the linefish with steamed veg and mash, because of it was Red Roman. I have no idea where Red Roman stands on the heirarchy of linefish but it was something a little different so I thought I’d give it a go. As it turns out, it was pretty good and I’d probably have it again if it was on offer. Similarly, RL enjoyed her Prawn and Saffron Risotto but said it wasn’t the best she’d ever had.

Before you assume we judging yet another restaurant harshly, this topic came up at the table and after some thought we can to this conclusion. We eat a lot of pasta, risotto and gnocchi at home… I mean a lot, and we’ve gotten quite good at it. So, for us to say it was okay, means that it is good solid Italian food being served at Il Leone.

So, if you’re looking for a good meal and a nice night out with a couple friends then this is the spot. As a bonus, you’ll find that the Wine List is pretty reasonable, compared to most Cape Town establishments. So much so that GS and I decided tuck into a bottle of the Idiom Zinfandel. Be warned though, the service is very attentive, so much so that you may find your wine glass whisked away along with the final sip, as GS found out (don’t worry, it was brought back with much apologising so all was well)

Ambiance: ***
Service: ***½
Food: ***
Wine: ****
Bathrooms: ***

Il Leone Mastrantonio / 22 Cobern Street / Green Point / Cape Town / Tel: 021 421 0071/ illeone@mastrantonio.com / www.mastrantonio.com