Since I can remember, I have wanted to go to Savoy Cabbage. I have no idea why I always had this fascination with the place. I also don’t know why I never just went. Needless to say I was over the moon when I was told that we had been invited to dinner there with my partner’s boss.
The entrance to the restaurant is hidden away in some little side alley, but as soon as you enter the door it feels like you are in a different world. The gentleman who met us at the door was very friendly and escorted us to our table.
I was so busy taking in the surroundings that I had not decided on what to order by the time the waiter came around. So I asked him to recommend a starter and a main meal. For starters he recommended the Tomato Tart and for mains the Roast Rack of Lamb with Viennoise Crust, Puy Lentils, Garlic Flan and Fennel Jus. I was concerned that the Tomato Tarts sounded so plain but our waiter informed me that it has been rated by the New York Times as one of the 10 things to eat before you die. I also love tomatoes so I figured I’ll give it a try. The first thing that struck me as I took my first bite was how extremely juicy it was. It was tasty but definitely not one of the 10 things I would rush to go eat if I was dying.
My main meal on the other hand was way more enjoyable and interesting than the tarts. It wasn’t as rich as some of my friend’s meals which I was extremely happy about. The lamb was cooked to perfection, nice and medium-rare. Although it was a bit sinewy when cutting into it, it didn’t spoil the taste. My partner had the Pan-fried Beef Fillet with Foie Gras, Parsnip Puree and Truffle Sauce. The steak was brilliant and the foie gras was so soft it literally melted in my mouth. The parsnip puree tasted like sweet custard flavoured mash but was enjoyable. The overall taste of the meal reminded me of smokey Bovril, which overpowered the taste of the fillet slightly. Another friend had the Grilled Rice-crusted Santer with Quinoa, Leek Puree and Saffron Butter Sauce. The Santer was enjoyable but the butter sauce with which the meal was rounded off was a bit too overpowering. When one thinks of linefish you are expecting a healthy meal and not such a rich meal.
For dessert we had the Amarula Crème Brulee and the Soft Centred Chocolate Pudding with Vanilla Ice Cream! The Crème Brulee was a disapointment. The texture was way too runny. The chocolate pudding, on the other hand, oooh my word!!! As soon as you crack open the crusty exterior the soft, thick melted chocolate oozes out like a chocanic eruption! It was so good I wanted to stick my face in it and lick the plate afterwards. A certain comment was passed around the table after I said that, which I won’t repeat! :-)
So overall it was a good experience, but only because I (or shall I say the waiter) made the right food selections for me. The service was good although not extremely friendly. I wouldn’t have been so happy if my meal was extremely rich with overpowering flavours. Would I go back? Probably not. I feel that it is one of those once off restaurants. One of those places you have to try but it won’t become one of your regulars.
Yours in fun & food,
Elly D
Elly D
101 Hout Street
Cape Town
021-424 2626
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