It would seem that Luke Dale Roberts has the Midas touch. First La Colombe, Constantia Uitsig’s famed restaurant; then Test Kitchen, Luke’s first solo attempt; and now, Pot Luck Club, which is both restaurant and gallery, with the husband-and-wife-team Luke and Sandalene at the helm. Each project, each concept has been a roaring success.

Having followed his career for a while with keen interest, the That’s Cape Town team were thrilled when it came time to visit Pot Luck Club. Situated adjacent to the Test Kitchen, separated by screens, but not walls, the two restaurants run side-by-side, with completely separate kitchens and staff. It’s interesting that the Pot Luck space was created so close-by to Luke’s first solo restaurant. It would definitely help it to feed off some of the overflow of some of Test Kitchen’s success, where it is sometimes impossible to book a table less than a month in advance!

The space itself, at Pot Luck Club, is beautiful: with natural, woody tones being brought to life by shape and texture. The oversized ‘chinese lantern’ style light fittings are reflected in similar shaped candle holders on the tables.

An example of the emotive artwork hanging in the restaurant.

On the evening that we visited, the place was full, and lively. It felt like everyone was excited to be there. And the food lived up to every expectation we had of a kitchen under Luke’s guidance. Luke is known to push creative boundaries in the preparation and presentation of meals. His flavour combinations and unusual ingredients add to the whole experience of Pot Luck Club.

We started with the light shaved parsnips, which is really like parsnip crisps. Light and perfect for while we looked through the menu further. The duck spring roll was light and crispy, without the over-oiliness of many a springroll. The crispy pork belly came recommended, and Luke’s accompanying XO sauce should be bottled and sold! I admit to using my finger to mop up the last of it… trying desperately to decipher the alchemy of flavours. The smoked quail was delicious. Something you wouldn’t often get the opportunity to try. And the fillet with truffle cafe au lait sauce stopped all conversation at the table! It sounds like we ate a lot. But the meals are made to share and come in smaller, tapas style servings.

For dessert (we couldn’t say no) we ordered and devoured the Spanish style Churros with chocolate dipping sauce and ginger ice-cream topped with nut-brittle. We didn’t think anything could top what we had already tasted that evening, but the dessert was sublime!

At Pot Luck Club attention to detail in every sensory sphere as created a place where it’s easy to linger. It’s easy to lose yourself in. And, when you eventually have to tear yourself away, it’s a place that has created an unforgettable experience. To Luke – we want more!

The bustling kitchen creating pure delights

Images from the Pot Luck Club website - http://www.thepotluckclub.co.za/

Cape Town has shone this year – being awarded recognition in so many different spheres. On the last day of the year, That’s Cape Town thought it fitting to reminisce, as so many people do, on a Golden Year for the Mother City.

Beginning with being awarded the TripAdvisor Traveler’s Choice best destination of the year, we saw Cape Town’s stature in the travel and tourism industry really grow. Cape Town was also announced as the Leading Destination in Africa for the seventh time! We’ve now won the award four years in a row. Eight of the nineteen South African properties making the Conde Nast Traveller’s Gold List this year were from Cape Town and surrounds. That’s half of the South African properties on the list! And the Cape Town International Airport won Best Airport in Africa (ACI award) in March this year.

Of course, it’s now common knowledge that the city was awarded the World Design Capital for 2014, adding to the list of accolades Cape Town has received this year. And there is evidence that everyone has been working at making our City better and more beautiful – with even the Cape Town Roads and Stormwater Department being acknowledged for the work they’ve done this year in improving the roads and traffic problems.

In the food world, Cape Town came out tops in the Eat Out 2011 Awards. Acknowledging restaurants across South Africa for quality and overall dining experience, a whopping nine of the Top Ten list were Mother City establishments. With Chef of the Year; Restaurant of the Year; and the Service Excellence Award all being scooped by local restaurants, too.

Cape Town is wine country – and the wines produced on the farms in and around the Mother City have shone both locally and internationally this year at Award Ceremonies.

On the whole, it’s safe to say that a visit to Cape Town will never leave one disappointed. And with a year like 2011, one can only wonder how much better things in 2012 can get. Have a great time today, remembering this past year, and welcoming in the new one.

Image - Food24.com

I used to hang out in Obz, some many years ago, when I was more ‘youthful’. Not that I’m not youthful anymore, I’m just no longer a youth, sigh. So I hadn’t been into Obz for a while, until two weeks ago, when a friend and I, on a whim, went to Hello Sailor Bistro for a drink after work. We stayed for dinner. And then went again last week.

It used to be down the end of Lower Main Road, toward Salt River, but has now moved into half of what used to be Obz institution, Diva’s. It’s a beautiful, old, wooden-shop-window-framed shop. Small, with about eight tables inside, and two on the pot-plant bedecked pavement outside. White walls decorated with sailor-themed pictures make it unfussy, but cosy.

Being Obz, it was filled with a mish-mash of youth (me, 15 years ago), artsy types, and surprisingly, some businessmen. There’s Wi-Fi access I think, making this the prefect office away from the office, especially because they have delicious coffee.

The staff are unfussy too. Both times we went they were pretty, youthful, relaxed, but really good. Tables cleaned, ice brought with white wine, without a need to ask for it. I like those little things. They inspire good tipping in me.

The menu comes on a piece of paper – plain, simple, yummy – with changing specials written on a blackboard on the wall. The breakfasts look good, but it was dinner time, damn. Luckily their main meal options are equally good-looking. Three or four sandwiches options, beef or chicken burgers served with ‘disco fries’, four salads and five pastas. Nothing fancy, but all delicious- aounding.

I picked one of the specials – Cottage Pie with salad. I’m a big fan of mince, so was surprised to get what was more like a stew with mashed potato on top. It was delicious, none-the-less, if a little too filled with whole peppercorns.

On our second visit I was tempted by the specials again with ribs and salad but chose to go with my mince desire and ordered the polpette. My friend ordered a burger, which she proclaimed was good. The ‘disco fries’ were chips of the thin-style and piping hot which always earns points in my book. My polpette were good, served with a tasty tomato sauce. Again, however, the chef had been a little heavy-handed with the cracked black pepper. Next time I’ll ask for less pepper.

Overall, a friendly little spot, great for people-watching, a spot of work and a cup of coffee, or some delicious, home-cooked food and a glass of wine on an autumnal evening. We’ll certainly be going back.

122b Lower Main Rd, Observatory, Cape Town, Western Cape

076 401 6953

Review by I eat

Today, I’d like to talk to you about a restaurant that has been a popular chain throughout South Africa for years, and is now spreading to other countries. The first restaurant was opened in 1967 by Allen Ambor in Newlands, Cape Town, and has roared to success ever since.

Some friends and I began a weekly routine in late 2008. It “just happened” for a while and then became automatic. Breakfast on Saturday mornings. Rugby on Saturday afternoons. Formula 1 on Sundays. Coffee of Sundays. And Wednesday night was always… Spur night.

Now, before you turn up your nose in disgust at the mere mention of the word, Spur Steakranches are an institution in South Africa. How many times have you poured into a Spur after watching a hectic rugby game at Newlands, or wanted a budget dinner at the end of the month (that was decent), or  wanted to drink too much beer with your buddies and eat well-priced food? Quite a few, if you’re a regular “S’African”! And was the food terrible? No! The food is never terrible at a Spur! I have been to Spur enough times to see that most plates are empty and finished when they go back to the kitchen.

My main point behind writing this article is because I have seen this gem of a steakhouse raked across the coals for poor hygiene and recycling their garnishes. Granted, it was a rule growing up that you NEVER ate the garnish on a Spur burger, and that there is good reason why you will never see waiters from Spur eating food from Spur. But that was years ago. A lot has changed; the law for one. These days, a restaurant can’t get away with things like that, and most don’t even try.

This weekend I went to the newly-renovated Spur in Kenilworth Centre for a burger. The price was good, the burger was great (I had a cheeseburger, but with cheese sauce, not a slice) and a Coke Zero. The food took a little longer than normal at Spur, but it was a great evening and opportunity to catch up. Our traditional get-togethers have fallen along the wayside now we’re a lot busier. So don’t go to Spur expecting to find a lobster bisque, but go expecting to find basic foods like burgers, steaks, chicken dishes, seafood, some Mexican foods and if you want an awesome dessert – their ice cream and hot-chocolate sauce is to die for. We’re firm believers that fancy food is great, but simple, plain old fashioned food can be equally as good. There is a reason why such food is the most commonly produced food in the world – because everyone loves it.

Take a look at their website HERE, you can find the closest branch to you on the site. In Cape Town, we love the Kenilworth Centre, Wynberg, and especially the Newlands branches.

Review by Rosie Brooks

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