Capetown Eating....??
Sep 8th, 2007, 03:35 AM
#21
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Thanks for all the tips so far. I will check out eGullet and post reviews when I return in October.
I love northern Indian food. There are places by that name in NYC and in Delhi..sounds as if they are not related, though..
Definitely do not want to waste all those calories on something boring and mediocre so keep the ideas coming, please!! I have a week to eat in the city!
I love northern Indian food. There are places by that name in NYC and in Delhi..sounds as if they are not related, though..
Definitely do not want to waste all those calories on something boring and mediocre so keep the ideas coming, please!! I have a week to eat in the city!
Sep 8th, 2007, 04:05 AM
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The posts on eGullet appear to be several years old..but more googling turned up another mention of Jardine, whose chef apparently won Chef of the Year in a local magazine recently..any comments on Jardine on Bree Street?
Sep 8th, 2007, 07:20 AM
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For Cape Malay, the place to go in CT according to Frommer's is Biesmiellah - we went and the food was great - family restaurant right in the middle of Bo Kap - lots of food, very reasonably priced- great neighbourhood to wander in afterwards, where you can admire the pale pink, blue, purple and green houses
Also, I second the recommendation from Hari S - Africa Cafe is wonderful - great atmosphere and wonderful food - was a favourite! - also in Frommer's
Also, I second the recommendation from Hari S - Africa Cafe is wonderful - great atmosphere and wonderful food - was a favourite! - also in Frommer's
Sep 8th, 2007, 12:35 PM
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Thanks! Africa Cafe is in many guidebooks; I got the impression that it catered mainly to tourists ..would this be more or less the case?? Is the food wonderful?
Thanks for all the helpful comments and opinions!!
From Capetown we will travel to Franschoek and spend a few days there so tips on that area are most welcome!
Thanks for all the helpful comments and opinions!!
From Capetown we will travel to Franschoek and spend a few days there so tips on that area are most welcome!
Sep 8th, 2007, 12:54 PM
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As most establishments in the service indusrty in CT and SA, it does cater to tourists (and the local whites) but that does not, in my opinion, take away from the atmosphere. The rooms are beautifully decorated, the colourful china is made for the restaurant, and the staff are dressed in beautiful zulu and xhosa clothing. The service is very professional and the food, from all over Africa, is excellent. One of the co-owners (with her husband), who is also the main cook, Portia, has collected her recipes for over 10 years - some are her "Mum's" and others she has collected or have "happened in her head" - yes, she does come out and mingle with her guests. She and her husband began the restaurant in their home and it has grown for there. It is a fascinating story! We spent a year in Cape Town in 2004-2005 and visited the restaurant several times - it became our "occasion" restaurant. We also took our numerous Canadian visitors there - we were never disappointed. When we were in CT this past July/August, the Africa Cafe was one of our first stops - it was great to be back! I would highly recommend it! Have a look at their website www.africacafe.co.za
Sep 8th, 2007, 01:01 PM
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Hills, didn't realize Chicago's Indian pop. was that big. Big in L.A. too, though that doesn't translate into good restaurants, at least on the West Side. Much of the population is in 'burbs, in Norwalk. That may be where to eat Indian here, but it's a long way from us.
The New York Times staff reviewer last year liked both Savoy Cabbage and Madame Zingara.
CanadianRobin, I'm always skeptical of guidebook recommendations. Because research can be, literally, years in advance, information is instantly old upon publication, and in restaurants even a year can be a lifetime. Also, many of the writers do this work for a pittance, and often take free meals and accommodation, so the reviews aren't "pure." And I always am suspect of anything on food web sites because the posters can so easily be the restaurants themselves, or their friends. Any information is good, but to be met with a healthy dose of skepticism.
Leslie
The New York Times staff reviewer last year liked both Savoy Cabbage and Madame Zingara.
CanadianRobin, I'm always skeptical of guidebook recommendations. Because research can be, literally, years in advance, information is instantly old upon publication, and in restaurants even a year can be a lifetime. Also, many of the writers do this work for a pittance, and often take free meals and accommodation, so the reviews aren't "pure." And I always am suspect of anything on food web sites because the posters can so easily be the restaurants themselves, or their friends. Any information is good, but to be met with a healthy dose of skepticism.
Leslie
Sep 8th, 2007, 01:06 PM
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Hi LA Leslie! I can assure you that my recommendations here are based on experience - I myself might try a restaurant based solely on a guide book's recommendation, but I would never recommend a restaurant to a friend or on a forum without trying it first! Robin
Sep 8th, 2007, 02:07 PM
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Here is the link to the Frank Bruni New York Times article; not sure if you can access it if you are not a subscriber. The date is January 1, 2006.
http://travel.nytimes.com/2006/01/01...l?pagewanted=2
http://travel.nytimes.com/2006/01/01...l?pagewanted=2
Sep 8th, 2007, 06:08 PM
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1. Whoever recommended or complimented Madame Zingara will have one hell of a job eating at the venue (or its partner business Cara Luzuli) as it burnt down 9 months ago and does not exist in Cape Town anymore. The owners started up a travelling circus type restaurant with a Circe de Soleil type act however this is also a travelling restaurant and it left Cape Town about 4 weeks ago.
2. Somewhere in this thread somebody said the food at the <b>Africa Cafe</b> is dumbed down African food. Here is my opinion relative to this statement. I eat in townships twice a week and also frequent the Africa Cafe the best part of at least 40 times a year. Just as an example the imfino patties (spinach patties) cant be beaten at the Africa Cafe and this is quite something imo as imfino is part of a staple diet in the townships.
My wife and I were one of the very first people to ever visit Portia and Jason at their house in the late 80's when their African Kitchen (as they then called it) was an illegal business in that they are a mixed race couple and the SA Government at the time was very intolerant of this during those horrid Apartheid years. Man those were bad times! In those days it was invited guests only as P & J had to trust those who ate at their house to be the kind of people who would not report them. Portia originates from Ghana and Jason from Rhodesia (Zimbabwe today). Both of them travel extensively all over Africa at least once a year looking for recipes, ingredients and foods that will work in their cafe. The result is that they hand select recipes that will also suit a Western palate and as difficult a job as this is Portia always comes up with the right formula. So the food is very far from dumb downed African food; Its the real mckoy that is carefully selected to suit their clients palates!
Yes the Africa Cafe IS touristy. There is no doubt about this but even so its Africaness comes through with shining colours via its food and all else that it offers.
The Africa Cafe is unquestionably unique. One has to ask oneself a question as to why the Africa Café, which seats 216 people in 7 different rooms, is close to full house every night and why one has to book well in advance or you simply wont get in? This also brings me to a point Escrunchy and that is that my suggestion is pre-book the Café or you wont obtain a reservation
I must also add that the Africa Cafe has to be one of the best and most original decorated places on the continent of Africa. The Africa Cafe shop, even though I think it is expensive by SA standards, is one the most unique shops in Cape Town. You cannot buy what you see in the Africa Cafe shop anywhere else in Cape Town. If you visit the café I will guarantee you that your cameras wont stop flashing at the decor of the Africa Cafe.,
Laugh at me when I say the following but you WILL come out of the Africa Café saying “wow I just had a wonderful 16 course meal where I never knew any of the flavours that I enjoyed beforehand even though the ingredients used in all the courses were known to me and the funny things is all the courses were so good that I cannot remember what I ate barring three or four courses.
If you come to Africa to want to enjoy local African food then come to Cape Town and visit to the Africa Café!
With the above all said I just cant see how you can give this venue a miss when you visit Cape Town especially if you have so many days on your hands and you love to try good different foods.
Jardines – They can keep their awards – We ate their 6 months ago and I thought the restaurant was overrated and very, very expensive. Amongst our friends who joined us during the evening was an architect who also worked as a gourmet chef at one stage of his life. His verdict of the restaurant was similar to mine. All a lot of hype for which you certainly pay. With that said rest assured if you don’t book you wont get in because well published hype works BUT that does not mean that the food at the venue works too.
If you want to spend the money that you will be spending at Jardines then rather go to “<b>The Chef table</b>” at the Mount Nelson Hotel (http://www.luxuryweb.com/html/cape_town.html) and spend your big bucks there as the place is a lot more interesting but I say again very expensive.
<b>Ginjas </b>– have to agree – Wonderful restaurant. Only complain is that tables are awfully close to one another when they are full. Food is wonderful and imaginative. Ingredients are always of the best. Highly recommended however one small point (which wont affect you Escrucnhy) there is talk in town that the building husing Ginjas is up for sale so who knows whether Ginja will be around for long.
<b>Savoy Cabbage. </b> – Absolutely fabulous and one of my favourites at the moment. I had dinner there two weeks ago and my visitors from LA raved about everything in the restaurant. The ingredients used are fresh, fresh, fresh and the menu is truly very imaginative. Not cheap by local standards but this is the sort of venue that I am happy to pay the price for the quality of food on offer.
If you are looking for a quality dining type restaurant take a look at <b>95 Keerom Street. </b> (021-4220765) Been around for about 2-3 years and definitely excellent dining at slightly higher than normal prices. Nice atmosphere too.
Bukharra – Used to be wonderful but certainly has gone off the boil. I was with Hills when she visited Bukharra and the service wasn’t poor it was downright shocking. I complained fiercely to the restaurant two days later about this poor service. The food also is not as good as it used to be.
The hidden secret for Indian food in Cape Town is <b>Bibis. </b> (021-7618635) This is the restaurant I would recommend most of all when it comes to Indian cooking. The bad news is that the venue is about 25 minutes out of the city centre and is situated in lower Kenilworth which makes it rather difficult to find BUT I promise you it is worthy the drive. This is where our local Hindu community eat and the food is simply out of this world. Fair warning, no alcohol is served or allowed in this establishment.
When it comes to Cape Malay food there is nothing wrong with Biesmillah other than find it to have no flair. The little hole in the wall secret place that I took Hills too is <b>Zorinas Cafe </b>(021 4249301) at 172 Loop Street. This is a little hidden gem. One of my visitors from New York once labeled the food at this eaterie as “food for the soul” It is actually a take-out venue with a little hidden restaurant behind it. No bookings, just arrive. Unquestionably the best samoosas and curry in town. The formula you should follow in the restaurant is sit down, ask for a waitress by name of Monica and tell her to give you the food that Selwyn always orders. She will know what you are talking about. Then sit back and enjoy the rest. That’s what Hills did and you have seen her response in this thread already. You will more than likely return to the establishment. VERY IMPORTANT: ONLY open at lunch times.
As a sideline an interesting website where you can see some whacky Cape Town restaurant reviews is at http://brianberkman.com/? t Go read the site and have Brian Berkman entertain you with his foodie writings.
OK that should keep your tummy rumbling!
Very proudly part of the wonderful
nation of South Africa
2. Somewhere in this thread somebody said the food at the <b>Africa Cafe</b> is dumbed down African food. Here is my opinion relative to this statement. I eat in townships twice a week and also frequent the Africa Cafe the best part of at least 40 times a year. Just as an example the imfino patties (spinach patties) cant be beaten at the Africa Cafe and this is quite something imo as imfino is part of a staple diet in the townships.
My wife and I were one of the very first people to ever visit Portia and Jason at their house in the late 80's when their African Kitchen (as they then called it) was an illegal business in that they are a mixed race couple and the SA Government at the time was very intolerant of this during those horrid Apartheid years. Man those were bad times! In those days it was invited guests only as P & J had to trust those who ate at their house to be the kind of people who would not report them. Portia originates from Ghana and Jason from Rhodesia (Zimbabwe today). Both of them travel extensively all over Africa at least once a year looking for recipes, ingredients and foods that will work in their cafe. The result is that they hand select recipes that will also suit a Western palate and as difficult a job as this is Portia always comes up with the right formula. So the food is very far from dumb downed African food; Its the real mckoy that is carefully selected to suit their clients palates!
Yes the Africa Cafe IS touristy. There is no doubt about this but even so its Africaness comes through with shining colours via its food and all else that it offers.
The Africa Cafe is unquestionably unique. One has to ask oneself a question as to why the Africa Café, which seats 216 people in 7 different rooms, is close to full house every night and why one has to book well in advance or you simply wont get in? This also brings me to a point Escrunchy and that is that my suggestion is pre-book the Café or you wont obtain a reservation
I must also add that the Africa Cafe has to be one of the best and most original decorated places on the continent of Africa. The Africa Cafe shop, even though I think it is expensive by SA standards, is one the most unique shops in Cape Town. You cannot buy what you see in the Africa Cafe shop anywhere else in Cape Town. If you visit the café I will guarantee you that your cameras wont stop flashing at the decor of the Africa Cafe.,
Laugh at me when I say the following but you WILL come out of the Africa Café saying “wow I just had a wonderful 16 course meal where I never knew any of the flavours that I enjoyed beforehand even though the ingredients used in all the courses were known to me and the funny things is all the courses were so good that I cannot remember what I ate barring three or four courses.
If you come to Africa to want to enjoy local African food then come to Cape Town and visit to the Africa Café!
With the above all said I just cant see how you can give this venue a miss when you visit Cape Town especially if you have so many days on your hands and you love to try good different foods.
Jardines – They can keep their awards – We ate their 6 months ago and I thought the restaurant was overrated and very, very expensive. Amongst our friends who joined us during the evening was an architect who also worked as a gourmet chef at one stage of his life. His verdict of the restaurant was similar to mine. All a lot of hype for which you certainly pay. With that said rest assured if you don’t book you wont get in because well published hype works BUT that does not mean that the food at the venue works too.
If you want to spend the money that you will be spending at Jardines then rather go to “<b>The Chef table</b>” at the Mount Nelson Hotel (http://www.luxuryweb.com/html/cape_town.html) and spend your big bucks there as the place is a lot more interesting but I say again very expensive.
<b>Ginjas </b>– have to agree – Wonderful restaurant. Only complain is that tables are awfully close to one another when they are full. Food is wonderful and imaginative. Ingredients are always of the best. Highly recommended however one small point (which wont affect you Escrucnhy) there is talk in town that the building husing Ginjas is up for sale so who knows whether Ginja will be around for long.
<b>Savoy Cabbage. </b> – Absolutely fabulous and one of my favourites at the moment. I had dinner there two weeks ago and my visitors from LA raved about everything in the restaurant. The ingredients used are fresh, fresh, fresh and the menu is truly very imaginative. Not cheap by local standards but this is the sort of venue that I am happy to pay the price for the quality of food on offer.
If you are looking for a quality dining type restaurant take a look at <b>95 Keerom Street. </b> (021-4220765) Been around for about 2-3 years and definitely excellent dining at slightly higher than normal prices. Nice atmosphere too.
Bukharra – Used to be wonderful but certainly has gone off the boil. I was with Hills when she visited Bukharra and the service wasn’t poor it was downright shocking. I complained fiercely to the restaurant two days later about this poor service. The food also is not as good as it used to be.
The hidden secret for Indian food in Cape Town is <b>Bibis. </b> (021-7618635) This is the restaurant I would recommend most of all when it comes to Indian cooking. The bad news is that the venue is about 25 minutes out of the city centre and is situated in lower Kenilworth which makes it rather difficult to find BUT I promise you it is worthy the drive. This is where our local Hindu community eat and the food is simply out of this world. Fair warning, no alcohol is served or allowed in this establishment.
When it comes to Cape Malay food there is nothing wrong with Biesmillah other than find it to have no flair. The little hole in the wall secret place that I took Hills too is <b>Zorinas Cafe </b>(021 4249301) at 172 Loop Street. This is a little hidden gem. One of my visitors from New York once labeled the food at this eaterie as “food for the soul” It is actually a take-out venue with a little hidden restaurant behind it. No bookings, just arrive. Unquestionably the best samoosas and curry in town. The formula you should follow in the restaurant is sit down, ask for a waitress by name of Monica and tell her to give you the food that Selwyn always orders. She will know what you are talking about. Then sit back and enjoy the rest. That’s what Hills did and you have seen her response in this thread already. You will more than likely return to the establishment. VERY IMPORTANT: ONLY open at lunch times.
As a sideline an interesting website where you can see some whacky Cape Town restaurant reviews is at http://brianberkman.com/? t Go read the site and have Brian Berkman entertain you with his foodie writings.
OK that should keep your tummy rumbling!
Very proudly part of the wonderful
nation of South Africa
Sep 8th, 2007, 06:43 PM
#34
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ekscruchy,
The Bhukara restaurant in Delhi is at the Maurya Sheraton Hotel. Sets the bar for 5 star dining in the city (for north Indian food)..... hyped up a little more by the media after President Clinton's visit a few years ago ... He loved the food there! and yes, it is BRILLIANT!!!
The Bhukara restaurant in Delhi is at the Maurya Sheraton Hotel. Sets the bar for 5 star dining in the city (for north Indian food)..... hyped up a little more by the media after President Clinton's visit a few years ago ... He loved the food there! and yes, it is BRILLIANT!!!
Sep 8th, 2007, 07:54 PM
#35
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I can attest to the fact that Selwyn knows his food, and obviously he will have the freshest experience with Cape Town restaurants.
Selwyn, thanks for spilling the beans.
I think I sent at least 10 people we met during our safari (along with the appropriate instructions). Btw, I know I owe you a reply email. As you can imagine, it's been crazy since I returned. I promise I will email you tomorrow.
Selwyn, thanks for spilling the beans.
I think I sent at least 10 people we met during our safari (along with the appropriate instructions). Btw, I know I owe you a reply email. As you can imagine, it's been crazy since I returned. I promise I will email you tomorrow.
Sep 9th, 2007, 04:45 AM
#38
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Selwyn, We have never "met" but you certainly have made a lasting impression with your exhaustive and informative post! Many thanks. I WILL be trying the Africa Cafe, along with Ginjas, Savory Cabbage, Zorinas, and a few others on your list. But when you advise me to book ahead, do you mean that I should book before arrival in SA? Or would a few days in advance be all right?
Eagerly awaiting my arrival in the wonderful nation of Ssoouth Africa (I cannot make the rainbow..)
Hari: I thought that it was in the Sheraton, which was NEW when I was last in Delhi!! NOW you are tallking about some great food! You are probably too young to remember this, but there was also a great "Northern frontier" restaurant in the wonderful Ashoka Hotel... I cannot remember the name..
Eagerly awaiting my arrival in the wonderful nation of Ssoouth Africa (I cannot make the rainbow..)
Hari: I thought that it was in the Sheraton, which was NEW when I was last in Delhi!! NOW you are tallking about some great food! You are probably too young to remember this, but there was also a great "Northern frontier" restaurant in the wonderful Ashoka Hotel... I cannot remember the name..
Sep 9th, 2007, 06:10 AM
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ekscrunchy: Oh my!!! The Maurya Sheraton has been around since atleast the late 80's. If you haven't been back here since then, you will not recognize our country ..... too much growth, development and yes way too many people!
Cheers,
Hari
Cheers,
Hari
