Right – for peasants like me who have no idea what Table d’hôte means – lets demystify it!!  It simply means opening ones home to people to pop in and have a meal with you.

This is a great new concept.  Take one top South African chef – Bruce Robertson – combine a beautiful wooden house overlooking the sea on the peninsula – add some very gorgeous decor (this boy has taste!) and two tables that seat a maximum of 12 people – plus a relaxed chef in his home environment who can cook barefoot…………… and you get a chef inspired to be creative, relaxed and able to interact and chat to his guests.  From the visitors side you get to be able to relax, interact with your charming host and chef, enjoy all of the touches down to the bread tile, sea view, table decor and of course, 5 courses paired with the most delicious Cederberg wine!

So, lets slow down and deconstruct my new favourite thing in Cape Town

Fab setting with the ocean in the background!

The oh so awesome bread tile next to each setting!

Love the bread tile - you have everything you need!

A fab bunch of ladies from Livingstone Safaris

The lunch table at the Boat House

Our relaxed barefoot chef getting the first course ready:

Chef Bruce plates the starter - Course 1

Course 1 - Calamari with chorizo - yummy!

2nd Course:  Too yummy for words! 

Mackerel with Marscapone - the yummiest dish of all!

My favourite course!! A complete flavour burst!

Main Course: Bruce sources Sassi green fish for his lunches – he aims to only use sustainable produce and to use as many local ingredients as possible.

Bruce prepping his fresh fish

Course 3 - Sustainable fish - Sassi - green!

Course 4 and 5:  Local Cheese plus Cape Malay inspired dessert – Melk kos plus stewed fruit stuffed samoosa

Bruce telling us about the upcoming cheese and dessert course! Yummm!

Seriously fab to have every course paired with Cederberg Wines!

Melk kos with a stewed fruit samoosa!

Bringing in the local flavours into the dessert

The dessert was interesting, creative and beautifully presented – I liked the fact that Bruce brought some of the local Cape Malay flavours into his creation.

The cheeses - a goat, a cow and a buchu infused cheeza!

I loved the cheeses – they were beautifully presented with a chilli bite which could be used as a bread substitute with the cheese.  Great cheeses – one was however a strong goat – not a favourite of mine – but I loved the matured cheddar!

THE VERDICT:

I loved it.  How wonderful to be able to visit Bruce in his own home, and what a home, it is on the sea and it is gorgeous.  Just visiting this space would be special to me.   Add to it spending time with a very relaxed and charismatic host, who is passionate and full of  energy, plus the opportunity to watch a top chef working in a relaxed and laid back environment – and then to sit back and enjoy five delicious courses paired with delicious wines.  This was my idea of paradise!  Book immediately and spoil yourself.  Current cost R490 for 5 courses including wine.  Bookings must be made in advance and must be pre-paid!

PLUS GOURMET PICNICS

Beautiful picnic baskets

You can call Bruce 24 hours in advance to book a gourmet picnic.  It has been so well thought through – he provides hats, kikoi’s (beautiful pieces of fabrics) to sit on, a basket with plates/cutlery/gourmet goodies – all for R300 per basket.   He recommends a protected areas in front of his house for picnics as it is often windy on the main beach.   This looks like a magical option and  I can’t wait to come through and try it!!

STAY THE NIGHT!

Stay the night with Bruce!

Chef Bruce has a spare room – so you can come and go through your own entrance at the front.  This makes great sense to book if you are there for a 5 course meal paired with wines as it is a long drive home!   The cost is around R800 for the room for the night.  Breakfast can also be booked at a nominal extra rate.

Contact details for Chef Bruce Robertson: 

chef@chefbrucerobertson.com

Telephone:  Mobile: +27 83 305 85 33 or landline: +27 21 7801789.

Website: www.chefbrucerobertson.com

Note: you need a minimum of two people to book.  It is currently only for lunch and it must be booked and paid in advance.  Do not just turn up at this home for lunch!  You will be given a list of other dining options on the peninsula if you do!

……………more of the Boat House: 

I fell in love with Bruce’s home – he has a really fantastic sense of style!  So if you have read this far – feel free to keep going and check out some awesome photos of his home below.