As you can see, the weather in Cape Town
was somewhat gloomy yesterday,
which was not really lending itself
to sitting anywhere outside for lunch.
So we decided to go find somewhere
cosy and warm to enjoy our munchies.
We headed towards toward Kloof Street,
in the City Centre.
Kloof Street is always a hive of activity,
from the bottom of the road stretching all the way up
towards our glorious mountains.
There is absolutely NO shortage of restaurants to choose from,
but with the help of trusty Trip Advisor,
we selected a spot very quickly
and headed off to
KLOOF STREET HOUSE
......
To be honest, prior to yesterday,
I had no idea that this GEM of an establishment even existed...
and the second we walked through the front gate,
I was in my "HAPPY PLACE" lol!
I was in truly in LOVE!
It was absolutely EXQUISITE!!!
Every direction I looked, there was so much character,
detail and eye candy!!!! (Well for my eyes anyway lol)
as I LOVE this style of decor and aesthetics.
It was like being transported into another world!
In fact, I think their website really says it best...
Beneath the pressed ceilings of this twentieth century Victorian house is a reservoir of design passion. From beautiful chandeliers to a suitcase-stacked bar, the restaurant is a visual feast for the diner with a curious mind and a wandering eye. Every inch of the house is archival, a memoir of a time or place that escapes the modern city around us. On balmy summer evenings, our garden is a retreat where travellers and locals meet to share tales over dishes. As the chill of winter sets in, curl up on the chesterfield couches of our library lounge or savour the glow of the dining room fireplaces.
Source
Once you have crossed the threshold of Kloof Street House,
you instantaneously forget about the chaotic
hustle and bustle just metres away!
I was absolutely blown away by its complete unique individuality
and I got "snapping" with my camera VERY quickly!
hahaha!
I have already bombarded you with photos
and we haven't even stepped inside
the restaurant yet... haha!
I literally spent about 20 minutes
wandering around outside
like a child lost in wonderland!
and when I did eventually get inside,
I was in for an even bigger surprise...
This place just got better and better!
The restaurant is an old Victorian style house
and every single room in the house caters for guests,
each holding its own unique charm...
and SO much to absorb and photograph...
I literally could have abandoned Dave for the entire afternoon
to snap up all the amazing intricacy of this place!
The atmosphere is warm and inviting,
and we were exceptionally warmly greeted on arrival.
They had only just opened their doors,
so we were one of the first patrons to arrive,
but within 30 minutes,
plenty more started to stream in one after the other,
and that didn't stop for the entire time of our visit.
We really could not have picked a more ideal place
for the weather that was on the menu.
We were initially going to attempt to sit outside,
but the wind picked up and it started to drizzle...
So we ended up sitting on what I assume
was the original veranda of this majestic old beauty,
which is now closed in with sliding glass windows,
so you still get to enjoy the full visual experience
of what lies in front of you,
without having to endure the weather along with it...
The veranda where we were sitting,
was scattered with the most beautiful little
mosaic bistro style tables,
which was perfect for the two of us.
It was time to order drinks, (obviously haha)
and we were blessed with what I can only describe,
as THE best waiter I have EVER had in a restaurant.
Rufus, I think his name was...
He was absolutely SUPERB!
It was time to kick back,
enjoy the wine and browse the menu.
They have their traditional menu
as well as a two or three course lunch special menu.
Dave ordered off the main menu and had the
Butter chicken curry served with roti, cucumber raita, tomato sambal and cailiflower mango atchar
and I decided to go with the two course special on offer.
The two courses I settled on were,
Chimichurri chalmar beef ribeye with pico de gallo, baby spinach and rustic fries
as my main, and then for dessert...
Vanilla crème brûlée, homemade shortbread
I have to say that this was the TASTIEST steak dish
I have had in years!
Dave's chicken curry was also absolutely divine!
(yes, yes, I had a sample of that too haha)
The main was more than enough for me,
so Dave got lucky and I donated my dessert to him... hehe
Although I had a teeny tiny taste and that too,
was simply delicious and the perfect completion
to an amazing meal!
It truly was a fantastic afternoon
at a really wonderful spot!
I am SUPER thrilled to have discovered it,
and am already contemplating having my birthday dinner there....
hehehe!
I think what amazed me most of all,
was that the bill was approx. R500!!!
Here in Cape Town,
you can go to a very regular steakhouse or pizza joint,
and rack up a bill of R500 VERY easily -
and there really wouldn't be ANYTHING unique
about the experience AT ALL!
We got a fine dining experience,
with 5 star service,
food which was nothing short of artistry and
complete sensory heaven -
in an atmosphere and environment
never to be forgotten.
TOTALLY WORTH IT!!!
haha!
We will DEFINITELY be visiting again!
But it was time to head home...
I was attempting to wave goodbye to all you lovelies...
Dave on the other hand was attempting
to say something else entirely...
(lucky crop that one ;) )
haha!!
BYEEEEEE!!!!!!
Until next time...
Much Love from Cape Town, South Africa xxx