wine, food and (lots of) laughter
Here it is, the penultimate instalment of Saturday’s in Spring – part trois: Feast Like Queens.
After a drive by in Stellenbosch, replete with wine and a necessary pampering, Amy and I headed back to the City to meet Shelle and Cat for a decadent dinner at La Mouette (followed a late night of raucous dancing and seamen… but I digress - and you’ll have to wait for part four: decoDance, Long Street and the Engen garage)
But first – food! I’ve fond associations of freedom with La Mouette: I booked a romantic dinner for Dax and I (trying, as I was, to save our relationship stuck in a dizzying nose dive toward a very shallow puddle) only for us to breakup just as the reservation fell due. Since it was somewhere I’d wanted to try, I called Shelle and convinced her to come along. Which she did. And we had a lovely evening – arguably a damn side better than if I’d be in the company of His Royal Duke-e-ness.
{ aside }
I do, however, recall him getting home that same night (we spent the first few days in separate bedrooms – delusional enough to think we could still ‘live’ together), the alarm going off at 1am which forcing a midway meeting in the passage. Where he summarily insinuated I should join him in the master bedroom so he could “just hold me”. Drunk after a dinner with Dr Deek – the very friend I liked the least – and with good reason. Wise to his ploys, I smiled coolly, shaking my head as I headed to the guest room and firmly locked the door. You can never be too careful with creeps…
*
Cat: oh gods, can't believe he did that!
Anyhoo… I became a firm supporter of their fabulous special: a generous 6-course tasting menu at only R120 (a real recession saver). When Cat announced her trip to the Mother City, I knew exactly where the sista’s should eat.
on course, of course!
We started with an onion bhaji and potato samoosa, accompanied by a delightfully spicy tomato chutney and yogurt, followed by silken butternut soup with pecorino and mushroom foam. There’s something indulgent and decadent about tasting menus: multiple courses makes the meal feel more like a feast. The creative sophistication with which the dishes are plated creates an atmosphere of fine dining akin to a some plush Parisian Michelin Star-ed restaurant. One of the many reasons I love Cape Town – the veritable smorgasbord of world class establishments to choose from. May I keep discovering…
slaapstad slaai
By course #3, a light roasted tuna niçoise (half way marked), the wine was flowing (drinking the Sijnn Amy bought earlier at De Trafford), my tripod had already tripped an innocent diner while my photographic skill declined (in direct proportion to the red leaving my glass). Laughter coursed through the table like wild atomic energy – we were having a ball (I hope no one near us was trying for a quietly romantic evening) as the ‘main’ event arrived: a succulent, melt-in-mouth confit of lamb with gnocchi, aubergine puree and peas. A perfect plate of culinary poetry – chef Henry Vigar’s kitchen is worth it’s weight in salt for this dish alone.
shooters!
Dessert was a two part affair – sugar dusted mini vet koek with a beautifully light and subtle rhubarb custard, elegantly served in shot glasses. Audible sighs of pleasure issued from our table and although, usually a chocolate girl, I swooned. Finally (drummmmmm roll) the crowning glory, a delicately deconstructed strawberry cheese cake with a crème fraiche sorbet. Seriously sublime!
Sadly, October is the last month this amazing special runs so you’ve 7 days (dinner as well as lunch) to get there and indulge in a little culinary magic. If you’re into wine and have someone to drive you home, for an additional R160 you can enjoy a skilful pairing of some truly excellent vino. Book now – trust me, you’ll be thoroughly disappointed if you miss this exceptional special!
[note ] please exercise incredible leniency with this post’s less than fabulous photographs – I’m afraid drinking before getting behind the lens is no-no. Ma Nguni also strongly advises against playing with your food. I broke both rules *sigh* For much more elegant photos which do the food justice, click here.
