Cape Town announced the arrival of summer last weekend with surely the finest display of weather known to mankind. And of course with the onset of summer comes the stream of newly opened restaurants to get yourself to in order to knock back your favourite drink, enjoy a new and exciting dish and then rush off and spread the gospel.
The winelands
Well… Bertus Basson will be the talk of the winelands again with a new venture
with his long-time business partner Craig Cormack. They’re going to
take Morgenster to new heights with Sofia’s. Named for Sophia Loren, but spelled the Italian way. Richard Carstens has taken
up at Tokara – he’s always an interesting guy to follow and he’ll toning down on the molecular gastronomy and focusing on local and fresh. Babel at Babylonstoren has already got the eco-eating foodies atwitter… but you’re going to have to wait until the 10th November when they officially open.
The Common Room in Franschhoek is keeping Le Quartier chef Margot Janse very busy of late, and the Asian-inspired Indochine at Delaire Graff wine estate is meant to be UNBELIEVABLE.
Hipster hangouts
Sascha Boralsky of Royale and The Assembly fame has gone Mexican and El Burro has opened in Greenpoint – authentic Mexican, so you won’t find any nachos lurking on the menu. Hudsons is extending from its popular Kloof Street base to a very cool spot on Somerset Rd, where Bravado had a brief stint. They’re going to be doing burgers AND ribs… save me now…
The Caveau boys (Jean, Marc and Brendon) are going to revive the old Bravo in Mouille Point. I’ve always fancied that venue for a kick-ass restaurant and Sótano sounds like the ticket. They are collaborating with well known foodie Andy Fenner aka JamieWho?. They’re clearly not messing about – not that they ever do. Watch this space for a tapas-inspired hipster hang-out.
Other Cape Town newbies include French Toast on Bree Street and Reuben’s at the One&Only. Not to mention the awesome little tidbit of Luke Dale-Roberts’ new Test Kitchen
coming soon to the Old Biscuit Mill, and he will apparently be joined
at the trendy premises in Woodstock by Saucisse Deli. A Slug & Lettuce is
also due to open in Durbanville.
So, please let us know if you’ve been to any of these shit-hot new venues and tell us about them in the comment box below – or review them on food24. This is just the tip of the iceberg, so if we’ve missed anything – let us know.
Closures
It’s also astounding how many restaurants did not make it through the dreaded off season, in spite of the World Cup injection.
Ginja did not survive the move to the new premises. Maze at One&Only racked up another failure for Gordon Ramsay and good old breakfast and lunch venue in Vredehoek, YUM, has called it a day. To name a few.
There must be others that have closed down – so let us know below.
Joburg, Durban, PE, Pretoria et al… please let us know if a great new spot has opened up near you. Drop us an email with the name and area of the restaurant and we’ll list it on Food24.
And if somewhere has closed down – please give us a heads up.
Bon appetit.