TASTE OF CAPE TOWN

With the promise of good food and drink on our minds, we bundled up against the howling south easter wind last night and set off for the Green Point Cricket Club, host to this years Taste of Cape Town.

Lovely venue with our new stadium in the background

Popular tent that was in full party swing by the time we left at 10.30 pm

I'd done a bit of internet homework checking what was on offer in order to pace myself, which absolutely wasn't necessary, as this year, we were generously treated to the VIP experience, courtesy of  'The Renaissance couple'- unlimited premium bar and more 'crowns' than we could count out. So first stop- Nobu- of course..

I could go back today for more..

Loved peeking at the chefs in action

As you might have guessed from previous posts, I've got a soft spot for pork and Nobu's pork belly with spicy miso, was most definitely the best piece of pork belly I've ever put in my mouth... perfection, their sashimi- lovely.  Next up Societi Bistro, their squid-  super tender, flavour explosion, chilli, mint & rocket, best fish taster I had. Fanie had Savour's Honey chilli prawns with mango radish slaw, and declared them fantastic. We went back for Societi Bistro's legendary mushroom risotto- I would happily have had it for breakfast this morning again.

Societi's squid

Chef at Societi  Bistro and his vivacious girlfriend

Fyndraai restaurant  was a fantatsic surprise, their cape snoek veloute, bokkom mayonnaise and snoek fish cake with potato & onion crisps had us 'oohing and aahing' at the flavours, as did their venison with shaved parmeson & pumpkin seeds.

Presentation and taste perfection

I'm embarrassed to tell you that after all of the above,  I was still happily eating, so many more restaurants, smells and food passing before me- I hardly gave my diminishing capacity a thought!
Two more winners, The Taj, Bombay Brasserie- Punjab lamb curry, deliciously hot, spicy and big on flavour and lastly a unique salad from Pierneef a la Motte- Cape Bokkom salad with dried apricots, almonds and wild garlic dressing, although description doesn't do it justice, there was SO much more in it.

The Taj's front man- charismatic francois,  put on a great show

That Bokkom salad

Dessert had to be done and when something has to be done, leave it to the girls- we chose two, Planet Restaurant's, the 'nutty one'- ice-cream and choc mousse creation- yum! and Bistro Sixteen82's lemon meringue profiteroles served with meringue brulee- big delicious sigh here, it was light, airy and meltingly sublime and that was us finished! There was definitely more delicious food out there and sadly we missed George Jardines, Chalmar sirloin with foie gras bourguignon, it sold out at 9 pm!

The best dessert

Happy chefs having fun from il leone mastrantonio

Buzzing but not too crowded, probably due to the freezing weather

 We left satisfied and slightly weaving (we drank to keep warm!). Next year I need a better plan, too much was left untasted- perhaps a doggy bag or basket?
I also noticed how many beautiful young people were there- a whole new generation of  'foodies'.