Odin

Oops that should read Pinotage.

ekscrunchy

Thanks to you both for the informative posts!

Kellee21: I, too, ate at Constantia Uitsig (lunch) and agree fully with your comment...beautiful space but I don't remember remember the food except that I was not wowed.

Another that has been recommended is Roundhouse in Camps Bay but food looks kind of fussy and reviews are mixed..any comments on that one?

Last time we had lunch at Codfather in Camps Bay and while it is not in the same league as the others, I am wondering if that might make good choice for Monday when others are closed (??)

kellyee21

We ate dinner at the Roundhouse 2 years ago and I really enjoyed that too (gosh such a good choice in Cape Town). The closest I can compare it to is Greenhouse, service really professional (flashlight escort out to the car etc), I wouldn't say stuffy but not casual relaxed like at Test Kitchen for example. Not sure about the food being fussy, I think the cuisine was also similiar to Greenhouse. My partner just left today for 3 weeks in Cape Town, maybe he will go back to Roundhouse and I can give you an update. Sorry can't help with Codfathers.

ekscrunchy

As it turms out, we are NOT in the city on Monday night.....I misread the itinerary! So now have one less meal to think about (or to enjoy!)!

Kellyee: Please keep me posted on where he eats and thanks again for your help! Still have one night free in addition to Sunday evening. Will consider The Roundhouse..

ekscrunchy

Kellyee21: Did your partner return with comments on any Capetown/Winelands restaurants?



Many thanks!

kellyee21

Hi ekscrunchy,

Sorry it took so long for me to check back. He did not eat at Roundhouse, but he did go to Pot Luck Club for the first time and really enjoyed it, he was very impressed. He didn't go to many top-rated places this time, but also said Terroir excellent. La Mouette he also liked as always.

How are your plans coming along ? We are actually in the process of moving to Johannesburg in less than 2 months, so I am already researching the dining there !

ekscrunchy

Thanks, Kellyee! I ended up booking at Put Luck club for my first night in the city. It was difficult to winnow down what looks like an amazing array of restaurants, but here is what I selected:

POT LUCK CLUB
THE TEST KITCHEN
THE GREENHOUSE
LA COLOMBE
BABEL (Sunday lunch in Winelands)

My last night is a Sunday, so will leave that free and perhaps pay a visit to the famous Nando's.

I will report back after I return in late October. Thanks again for your help!

Elizabeth_S

I'm so behind in getting names for you! We stayed in Simons Town for 4 weeks in 2010....so things might have changed but we enjoyed the following:

- couldn't get into La Colombe, but we ate at their other restaurant (River Cafe) and it was lovely
- in Simon's Town we ate often at the Boulder's Beach Club (the one right by the penguins.....we often had breakfast there because we were staying a few blocks away and breakfast was delicious and cheap)
- Bertha's in the Harbour (although the reviews aren't looking too good now) We had a couple of quite delicious dinners there (the seafood platter, which we never order but it was great) and it became "our" bar
-Olympia Cafe - Kalk Bar .... it was the real "it" restaurant when we were there (although based based on decor!)

Have a great trip!

Best

Liz

ekscrunchy

Liz thanks so much for your suggestions! I always enjoy your food comments and photos.

QUESTION:

We are staying at the Mt Nelson. We will not have our own car, but will have the services of a driver during the day for touring.

I'vve just looked at my restaurant list for dinners and realized that two of the venues are a bit of a distance from the hotel--La Colombe and The Greenhouse. Both in or near Constantia.

SO: How much will a taxi cost from the hotel and if it is as astronomical as I fear, are there any other reliable ways of getting to and from these two restaurants in the evening?

Elizabeth_S

This taxi fare calculator estimates it at about $20USD one way to La Colombe - maybe confirm that with their reservation people?

http://www.numbeo.com/taxi-fare/city...city=Cape+Town

kellyee21

Constantia isn't too far. We have always driven ourselves but my partner said it would be 200-300ZAR one way. Since you have a driver you could try and ask if he would be willing to do it for a bit extra. Rental car or taxi would be the only possibilities.

ekscrunchy

Just reporting back to answer my own questions: Taxi fare from our hotel in CapeTown to La Colombe was R260. Taxi fare from our hotel, Mt Nelson, to both The Test Kitchen and The Pot Luck Club, both located in the Biscuit Mill in Woodstock, was about R80.

Elizabeth_S

And the food...............???

ekscrunchy

Eliz...now at Londolozi and cannot bear to tear myself away from all of this to write much. That said, Test Kitchen and La Colombe both outstanding..if one had to choose only one of those, I would give the edge to TTK.

Will provide details as time permits!

barefootbeach

So glad you asked this question and I"ve copied all the responses to guide our April trip here. Can't wait to hear more based on your experiences. Hope you're having great viewing at Londolozi!

ekscrunchy

Londolozi was probably the richest game viewing and the best safari experince I have ever had...multiple cheetah, leopard, lion--all with cubs--honey badger, rhino, and on and on.

Now at Tswalu..just returned from quality time with meerkats, including four youngsters...will attempt full report upon return home..very sad to think of that right now...

343barbara

We just spent an amazing 3 weeks in S. Africa. Had some great meals: Aubergine, Codfather, and a place with more S. African inspired food called Emily's. If you go to wine country, we had a lovely and tasty lunch at Graff-Delaire. Amazing vista while you dine on very well prepared food delights. Have fun!

ekscrunchy

Thanks..we, too, had a lovely lunch at Graff near Stellenbosch...

Now that trip is almost over, I would grant top honors to Test Kitchen with La Colombe following a close second. Sorry I did not have a chance to return to Codfather..we were so tired on our last CT evening that we carried out Nando chicken..

Will do a report once I recover at home..

barefootbeach

Hi ekscrunchy, Hope you've recovered because I need your advice.
It'll be our first time in CapeTown mid-April 2014 and I've booked Four Rosmead, which is supposed to be a very nice B&B in the Oranjezicht (sp?) neighborhood....now I'm wondering if it would be better to be on the Waterfront at Cape Grace? I originally thought it would be nicer to be away from the crowds, but now I'm second guessing myself. We'll be there 4 nights, with one provided day tour to the Cape, one night at Steenberg Hotel, where we'll eat at La Colombe to celebrate my birthday, and another 2 nights in Franschoek. I've also booked Test Kitchen based on your review.
Just would like your thoughts on which area would be more atmospheric and convenient to stay at. Thanks much!

ekscrunchy

Hi! I stayed in that general area last time. (Kensington Place). It is very pretty. As I understand you, you have four nights in Cape Town. You will be pretty busy running around to see Robben Island (make sure to get advance tickets), Table Mountain, Botanical Gardens, District 6 and (maybe) Gold Museums, plus meandering along Long Street, Greenmarket Square, etc. My point here is that while you will certainly have time to spend a morning at V&A, I think your days will be so filled that you are not going to have enough down time to lament the fact that you are not close to the Waterfront.

Although the V&A is interesting for an hour or two, its core is really is a large commercial space with highpoints (for me) being the Nobel Prize winner statues, the views, the food stalls in separate building, the bookstore, and (for some) the Woolworth's supermarket. Unless I am forgetting something, you can cover all those in a couple of hours at most. If you have a desperate need to return there, it is easy enough to get there from your hotel in a taxi.

So those are my thoughts….

I just read that there is a new contemporary art museum planned for the Waterfront. THAT will make it more of a destination, but it will not be complete for a few years…

I have other restaurant reports on my Trip Report thread which I am plodding through now..

I hope that helps..if not, please ask away..I am happy to try to help!