Winter in Cape Town brings with it plenty of restaurant specials (you can get an updated list at Roussow’s Restaurants), and The Roundhouse is offering six courses for R180. Well, except that the amuse-bouche and the pre-dessert sorbet each count as a course, as does the post-dinner popcorn and marshmallows, so it’s really three courses maybe four.
I was there for dinner on a packed Wednesday evening – Capetonians do love a good winter special. As far as I can recall, the staff working in the restaurant are still in training as part of Let’s Sell Lobster, but I might be wrong. They’re all friendly and chatty (although we did have to top up our own glasses – really nice glasses and decanter, by the way). Fasie was on the floor as well, and helped us choose a very tasty wine (if I could only remember what it was!).
I did enjoy all the courses, except for the post-dinner popcorn and marshmallows. The bouillabaisse was particularly satisfying, and the pork belly very winter-comfy-tasty. But I don’t think they stuck their neck out with any of the dishes, and altogether, it would have been good if at least one of the courses had been a little lighter, more delicate. Still, The Roundhouse is a hunting lodge, so I guess robust dinners make sense on a cold Cape Town evening.
Blakey’s subjective (and probably overly critical) verdict:
- Service: friendly, but no replenishing of wine glasses, tut tut!
- Ambience: very picturesque, chairs were comfy (yay!) and very nice glasses (I like glasses)
- Food: bold. Possibly too bold. But tasty. But what was up with the popcorn and marshmallows?
There you have it.
