This jaw-droppingly gorgeous restaurant is going to be controversial because it is going to be so very busy. Fact.
I’m talking about The Bungalow in Clifton. The what? The old La Med. Revamped.
The decor
It’s a sensory delight. The huge outside area has been done in nautical blues and whites, the décor is fresh and simple and a neat pool in the middle of everything lends it a casual, but cool air. The view from anywhere you choose to sit outside is something else.
Inside is done very tastefully with lovely (and comfortable looking) chairs and tables and they have a rather unique lounging section, literally no chairs, just couches with tables set into them. Apparently very popular in winter time.
The menu
The menu is large and varied with a definite seafood slant. Starters range from R60 grilled calamari to R100 Namibian crab claw tempura. There is also a sushi menu with an 8 piece salmon California roll coming in at R60.
Sandwiches from R60 to R100 are offered until 6pm.
The mains offer pastas (from R80), burgers (R80), fillet steak (R150), lamb cutlets (R150) and venison (R160).
The seafood section is populated with the usual suspects priced from Fish & Chips (R110) to sole (R150) and of course a seafood platter (SQ)
A couple of interesting desserts like Eton Mess on the list with the Bugalow Sundae taking centre stage for R60.
The wine list
A good solid list with all the favourites featured and not outrageously priced. We enjoyed a lovely Southern Right Sauvignon Blanc for R210 and you can quaff Graham Beck bubbles for R250.
The service
The service we received was cracking. Attentive, friendly and helpful, and I know you’re thinking they invited us there so of course we were looked after. True, but when I looked around me there seemed to be a number of uniformed waiters deftly maneuvering the busy tables with ease and customers looking very happy at every table.
The vibe
Look, it’s not cheap – but it’s also not hideously expensive. It’s no more expensive than many places I have eaten out in Cape Town – and it has a hell of a lot more to offer in terms of venue.
Fine dining it is not, but it doesn’t pretend to be, if you look at the
menu most of the items are familiar and pronounceable. It’s also far too busy for fine dining and the music
that is playing in the background is most certainly not Mozart. But the food is good and there is something for everyone.
I would suggest going there for a hot date – kick off with a funky cocktail (roughly 40 bucks) and dangle your legs in the pool. Then head out to a table on the deck and enjoy a bottle of wine with a cracking view and some decent food.
If you want to show someone the best of Cape Town. Bring them to The Bungalow. It’s new and beautiful. Your wallet won’t thank you because it’s not cheap, but then neither is cooling off on a yacht in the Med.