Do any of you know what a “Kwiz” is? A new blender? A cocktail? A cheese? A Kwiz – is a chef who performs magic in the kitchen. The World Fusion Café in trendy Musgrave is awash with Kwizzes. Shaun and Caz Smith whip up delicious little numbers in their kitchen and I was invited to sample some pure magic at a food pairing evening.
This dynamic duo – both members of the international Chaine des Rotisseurs have too many accolades and awards (Diners Club Platinum Award) to mention. The World Fusion Café is the logical extension of their Fusion Cooking School in Westville. The restaurant serves food with an Asian influence with a “molecular gastronomy twist.”
The Food
The menu is an exquisite collection of meats provided by the Wild Meats team of Keith and Elois Vienings. A Carpaccio tasting plate starter of “The Fusion Big 5 Wild Meats” sent my husband reeling in ecstasy off into heaven – Blue Wildebeest, Crocodile, Kudu, Springbok and Warthog – what a way to kick off a meal! Anyone who has read my blog will understand just what an aficionado I am of game meat and the qualities thereof. We are so blessed to live in a country that has such a delicious and varied bounty on offer.
The wild boar belly with braised red cabbage Kimchi and Asian Style noodles kept everyone very quiet for a moment … and then it struck me. Here I was in a packed restaurant, waitrons and patrons rushing around, food seemingly flying out of the tiny little open kitchen, wine flowing and lots of laughter and conversation – crunch time! That moment in a service when absolutely everyone is a-buzz on 100% go go go… I glanced up at the open kitchen and to my utter amazement everyone in there was smiling and calm. What a joy it is to go to a restaurant and find the chefs and waitrons in total harmonious synergy.
Our dessert was a joyous and fresh summer berry pudding with gastrique and bay leaf anglaise. It was the perfect full stop at the end of a food tale that was as poetic as it was delicious.
“Dishwasher” Beef Fillet
What I will say is that the very next day I was back at the Fusion World Food Café to sample their Classic Mediterranean Seared “Dishwasher” Beef Fillet – which is slow cooked for 4 hours at 48 degrees in a dishwasher with Caramelised Onion Mash with roasted vegetable and basil pesto and rocket and their Afrox Liquid Nitrogen Boiled Ice Cream – a table side creation at -196 degrees. People of South Africa I rest my case!
Price range
Starters – R35 – R60
Mains R68 – R125
Desserts R35 – R60
Perfect for
‘Smagic and Kwizzardry” I tell you!!
The World Fusion Café was reviewed by Janice Tripepi. Check out her fabulously droolworthy blog.