Restaurant Review

While in Cape Town over the festive season – we made sure that we grasped every opportunity to enjoy every single ray of sunshine before we headed back to a somewhat colder & darker climate in Brussels… so when Dad suggested dinner at a restaurant in Mouille Point with a view of the ocean… we jumped at the chance!

Pepenero is really just a stone throw from the ocean (by this – it depends on whether or not you can throw a stone across a road AND a sidewalk… but yes, terminology aside – it really was “JUST THERE”) and most of the restaurant has views of the Atlantic.

Offering both seating inside as well as on a large deck – the decor is plush and fabulous (and you can easily see why people come here to be seen… and heard…)

sourced: from their website

The place was packed… but I wouldn’t expect anything less for the week between Christmas & New Year – especially with THOSE views! And we were lucky enough to have a table on the deck (thanks to Dads reservation)

Bulent & I both ordered the Grilled Calamari (with chilli, parsley & paprika dressing – served with a homemade tartare sauce R65) as a starter & it was excellent.

Dad & HIM ordered the Prawn cocktail (with avocado & Marie Rose dressing R85) – again, we noticed that portion sizes were on the generous front (I mean – half an avo per person?? Wow…)

For Mains – I got the Chicken & Avocado Salad (served with fresh apple & feta R95) – really crisp & tasty… and so much that I couldn’t finish it! (Again – half an avocado)

HIM originally had asked for the Aubergine & Butternut tortellini – which was unfortunately sold out – so he opted for the Cashew Nut Chicken Pasta (according to their menu – served with fresh basil, mint & garlic, plus mange tout R125) – he didn’t rave about it as the pesto was quite heavy for him.

Bulent got the Norwegion Salmon (served with an orange & rocket salad as well as a side of his choice (he chose the green vegetables) for R180) – and it looked (and tasted) like a winner!

And Dad used their Summer specials menu to order Rump Steak (served with chips R89) – He also asked for a side portion of green vegetables (R35) ~ as it was not possible to swap out the chips for veggies…. (at this point – I think I might have exceeded our tables patience with taking photos before they were allowed to start eating – so I don’t have a visual to share of the steak)

All in all – it was a lovely experience. Service wise – a friendly waiter (nothing negative or exceptional to add) & food wise – a definite recommendation.

Would I return? a resounding yes…. it was a comfortable and happy evening.

PEPENERO

address: No 1 Two Oceans Beach, Bay Road, Mouille Point, Cape Town 8001 SOUTH AFRICA

Telephone: +27 21 439 9027

website: http://www.pepenero.co.za

email: info@pepenero.co.za

A few years ago – we had a supper club on a Sunday night… meeting & eating at 5/6pm at each others homes… Sadly, this died as people’s lives changed & getting a regular sunday night get together into our diaries became a bit difficult (especially when someone actually had to spend most of the day in the kitchen whipping something together)

Recently – we started a new “supper club” which we have aptly named “TEAM EAT“…. with 6 of us trying out NEW (for us) restaurants in Brussels. Our first get together was for a birthday – at SOUL, which is a bio restaurant (and promised no cream or butter – be still my heart!!!!!!) – and we had so much fun, that the concept was “re-born”.

This time – we all clapped our hands in glee to try out the well-known “Mushroom” restaurant called Cafe Des Spores!

Situated in Saint-Gilles near the beautiful commune building (and very near the Lombardie stop for tram 81 users – like me :)) – it falls into the “easy to access” category for me (an Ixelles dweller).

A small, cosy feel inside with a direct line of sight into the kitchen, (and trust me when I tell you that I love being able to see into a Kitchen…) it also offers more intimate dining space upstairs (mezzanine balcony space that overlooks the centre of the restaurant) – but we sat at a table of 6 directly opposite the open-kitchen.

Amazingly friendly staff – really…..

The concept is pretty simple – there are 4 courses (Entrée; Main/Plat; Cheese/Fromage & Dessert) and depending on the combination you choose, determines the price

Entrée & Main or Entrée & Dessert = 25€
Main & Cheese = 27€
Entrée, Main & Dessert = 30€
Entrée, Main & Cheese = 32€
All 4 = 37€

Now, thankfully you don’t need to decide straight away how many courses you plan to eat… as they come around between each course to see how many people are ordering the next offering…. (obviously entrée & main courses are placed at the start). Another important note to remember is that the menu changes based on seasonality, etc… and what was seen on their website did not reflect the menu on the actual night.

Once the drinks have been ordered (without trying to sound negative – I do want to point out that their drinks list is on the expensive side – with the most reasonably priced decent red wine costing 44€ a bottle) & our entrée/main courses documented… we were served a little amuse bouche (taster)… DELICIOUS (but was also served without any information about it…. so I am unable to explain the contents… other than mushrooms 🙂 with a creamy type froth)

Entrée choices included “Pieds de moutons, gnocchi & brocoli” or “Chanterelles, oeuf, salsifis et huile de truffe blanche” – I opted for the first choice – which uses “Pieds de moutons” mushrooms or “muttons foot” / “hedgehog mushroom” served with gnocchi & a broccoli purée… YUM!

Main/Plat choices included “Pleurotes, saumon, céleri et cresson” or “Shiitake, coucou de Maline, créme de butternut” or “Poêlée de champignons, lentilles vertes, petits légumes” – I went for the 3rd option – Green lentils with mini veggies & stir fried mix of mushrooms…. which was the really & truly AMAZING!

my lentils….

Salmon main…

Cheese/Fromage only had 1 choice: “Pecorino sarde á la truffe noire, pruneaux au thé fumé” – and let’s be honest… they had me at the word “truffe” (truffle)…. this was probably the highlight dish around the table – as the black truffle strong flavour in the pecorino cheese is softened but also enhanced by the prune jam… *sigh*

Dessert choices were “Trompettes de la mort, clémentines & panna cota” or “Le cheesecépe”… at which point we were all pretty full…. we decided that we would only get 1 dessert and many spoons. The waitron informed us that the Cheesecépe is on the menu all year round but the clementine option was seasonal – so that sealed the deal & we went for the “limited” time only offer. Sadly – the flavours did not work for me at all – the panna cota was more cheesy than sweet & the “Trompettes de la mort” (black chanterelle) a bit bitter.

Overall – a restaurant that I would really recommend & definitely return to! Menu pricing is very reasonable, portion sizes are perfect and the taste combinations are phenomenal!

Cafe des Spores

address: Chaussee d’Alsemberg 103, 1060, Saint-Gilles, Brussels, BELGIUM

telephone: +32 2 534 13 03

http://www.cafedesspores.be