Roast & Co. - The new chick on the block

Roast & Co. is the new brainchild of the team that brought you HQ Restaurant. HQ is famous for their mono menu, specializing in steak, chips and salad. The only option you have is how you would like your steak done. Now hop on over to Roast & Co. A trendy spot set to showcase one of South Africa’s favourite meals, the roast chicken. Not only have they bought you a household favourite with Mzanzi flavour but have sourced the meat from Elgin, which makes it truly free-range and provides the ultimate fresh farm to fork experience in the city. The food is simple, healthy and tasty with classic favourites on the side such as deep-fried mac and cheese. I mean, who could resist that?

If you are looking for Roast & Co. you will find them in the iconic heritage square off Short Market Street in Cape Town CBD.

You can choose to dine inside or sit outside in the beautiful vibey courtyard that overlooks the oldest grapevine in the Southern Hemisphere. Partnering with Warwick wine estate, Stella Artois beer and Tanqueray Gin you are also left with a world-class selection of drinks and cocktails.

It is refreshing to find a spot that focuses on free-range meat. So many places simply have no clue where their meat comes from. If you ask, the manager would probably respond “I get it from the supplier” The question is where does the supplier get it? With 2017 being the year of the Rooster it seems fitting that a restaurant focusing on the perfect roast chicken also focuses on the ethics of its supply. The food is wholesome and inspired by French farming traditions with the perfect South African flare.

The interior is inspired by world-renowned Turkish Architect, Ali Kemali. The space has high-end design and welcoming finishes that create an ideal environment for a meal away from home shared with friends.

You can pop on over Monday to Saturday 12:00 – 00:00 to enjoy all that is on offer at Roast & Co.

The only question left to ask is, Chicken or Beef? 

-Melissa 

Homage 1862

Life is one of those crazy beautiful things. One day you think things are going to be a certain way and the next, everything has been turned upside down. 

A close friend of mine bought herself a lovely home here in Cape Town and was settled in with her partner playing house. 

Next thing you know; he gets an exciting job offer in Boston and within three months time, she will be off to go place house in the states. Wild to say the least. 

So when the opportunity came up to go for a sneaky week day lunch at the Homage 1862

 I couldn't resist. Time together is priceless and life is short. 

(that, plus I will find any excuse to go for lunch!)

Homage is located on Loop street in Cape Town CBD. It is a gorgeous building that has history flowing out of every corner. The beautiful old Victorian structure dates back to 1862. 

The decor is framed by natures greens complimented by the earthy tones of the exposed rough brick and raw wood. My favourite part, of course, is a number of lush plants scattered around to play off the teal velvet cushions. The interior designer did the space justice. There are well-placed textures giving it a rustic feel with subtle pops of colour. 

Homage has a lovely upstairs area that can accommodate cocktail-hour loving visitors on the balcony whilst they listen to the cool music selection for the night in the lounge. 

The main feature in the downstairs dining room is a large wood fire encased in glass. The wood fire flavours carry through into the dishes which mirror the earthiness of the interior. The fire is of course also very welcome on colder days here in Cape Town. 

This spot is wonderful for vegetarians and vegans who are looking for vegetables that are glorified in all the right ways and salads that aren't stuck in the 80's. 

I highly recommend the earth plate as I am a sucker for a charred sweet potato that has been left to caramelize within itself. Served with smoky eggplant and charred sweet corn you will be left wanting more! 

If you are in the mood for something meatier, then I can wholeheartedly vouch for the salmon.  Buttery, sweet and utterly delicious accompanied with charred broccoli for that extra crunch, it's definitely one that I will be returning for.

I finished off with a chocolate fondant and I can only say it delivered with all the gooeyness and chocolate feels. Your spend would be roughly R150 per head minus drinks. 

The service was laid back and friendly and the staff's

knowledge of dishes was good and their recommendations were spot on! 

I know that I'll miss my friend while she goes off to seek adventures with her partner, but there will be places like Homage here to fill any melancholy that is likely to arise when the distance feels too great.

To book here are the details:

+27 21 422 0900

-Melissa 

Dalliance - V & A waterfront

Tucked away in the V&A Waterfront on what they call the Golden Mile is a sweet spot called Dalliance. Owned by the Kove Collection this restaurant has the slogan “a little love affair” and that is exactly what it is.

The principle behind the urban eatery is that you order tapas and share. This concept might seem foreign to most people as we are used to ordering a meal to have for ourselves. Initially I had slight anxiety that a few tapas would not fill me, as I am not exactly your salad loving kind of girl. The Chef Junaid Patrick and his wonderful selection of tapas soon laid my fears to rest. The menu boasts several dishes that I can highly recommend - and that doesn’t often happen. 

 While working my way through the menu I was impressed by the outstanding service from the waiters and their knowledge on the food. I like it when I have several questions that I can fire at the waiter and he can answer me immediately. It shows the staff is well trained and that there is communication between the Chef and the waiters.  

The menu is divided into seafood, meat, vegetarian and sweets. It’s a simple layout with delicious options and I suggest ordering from all the varieties. I must say, the vegetarian spread is well thought out and the goat’s cheese salad is a must try!

The décor is classy and modern and left me impressed. You can view the staff working with your food, which is always a plus for me.  Dalliance also has a great selection of cocktails that I attempted to make my way through and everyone was as tasty as the last!

My top five dishes:

Garlic Prawns R105
Dukka spiced tuna R90
Fillet béarnaise R115
Goats Cheese R50
Chocolate beignet R60

This post is sponsored by Dalliance, opinions are my own.

If you want to make a booking here are the details:

Tel: +27 (0) 21 418 1037
Email: info@dalliancerestaurant.co.za

Shop 7216A, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town, South Africa

Opening Hours:
Monday to Sunday, 11am to 11pm

-Melissa