Review - March 2011

Reviews

Solms Delta - www.solms-delta.co.za

A couple of weekends back, Lewis (and family) went for a picnic at Solms Delta (just outside Franschhoek) and had a fantastic time. The food was very reasonably priced at R135 per head it also included a bottle of wine and mineral water for the 3 of us. While it was a picnic hamper – carried out to where you wanted to sit (under the trees, next to the lake, on the hill...the grounds are really superb) it was effectively 3 courses. Starters of smoked trout and spicy hummus, cheeses with bread and crackers; mains of green salad with lamb kofte and a tandoori chicken with dessert a lovely apple crumble with cream and fruit salad.

Friendly staff, service was amazing – I really can’t fault them on anything. I will certainly be going back for more.

Societi Bistro - www.societi.co.za

Oded also ate well and is probably putting a bit too much weight (he wrote this!). With the stream of visitors we lately had I have been eating out a lot.

We have a disabled friend from London who is a bit of a gourmet, loves to entertain in restaurants and is very particular about accessibility, ambiance, quality of the food and value for money. Last Wednesday he celebrated his birthday and on the last day in Cape Town he took us to Societi Bistro – his current favourite.

So, on the hottest day of the year we had a very cool and refreshing meal at this pleasant, unpretentious and very Capetonian establishment. I have tasted my partner’s ice cold watermelon with minted vodka and feta salad which was well chilled, fragrant and refreshing, while I had the roasted figs – topped with prosciutto. Figs are one of my most favourite summer fruit. They were very delicious, delicately spiced, soft and fragrant - a tantalizing contrast to the harsh saltines of the cured ham. Unfortunately, due to the great heat the cured meat was a bit wilted, dry and sweaty. My friend on the right had the summer salad which was also very delicious.

For main I had the chicken with grapes - an old favourite and beautifully roasted chicken with grape sauce which is light and delicious. Saul had the fish – a delicious, Mediterranean roast fish with capers and other goodies which I have enjoyed very much. I also tasted the steak, a tenderly aged sirloin with superb chips and a tasty vegetarian alternative.

The gorgonzola and fig Tart Tatin I had for dessert was extremely delicious –caramelized figs served on a gorgonzola melt and vanilla ice cream - a superb and exciting combination of hot and cold sweet and salty and the melting, . The melon water ice and the brûlé lemon tart where also delicious.

It was not the first time I have been here and definitely not the last – it is good to have a good bistro around the corner, with simple, delicious and well executed food.

As well as a lovely, contemporary set of inter connecting dining rooms, there is the front garden, nice when the weather is good. The Restaurant has a local community programmes in which patrons of the Labia, the Little, and Intimate, on certain days can have a pasta and a show for under R100.

This community awareness is also translated into a well trained, informative and welcoming staff.

As I was going on a lot about figs I will give you a superbly delicious and easy to make fig recipe.