I haven’t been to Arnold’s on Kloof in years. Years and years and years. And everytime I have been, I’ve only ever had a (hungover) breakfast. So, I have never thought of it as anything more than a (hungover) breakfast joint for students. But, and I am happy to admit it, I was wrong. Thanks to The Entertainer app – which invites me to go to different places to use the 2-for-1 discount vouchers – I have seen Arnold’s in a whole new light.
Picture the scene. It’s a balmy Cape Town afternoon. I am hungry, nay, ravenous. I walk in through the doors. A fresh spritz of water from the patio water spray’ey air cooling devices lands gently on my face. I panic as I cover my perfectly straightened hair, only to remember it wasn’t straight at all – then casually walk on, hoping no one noticed. (They did.)
We sat down, opened the menu, and I while I was expecting a limited variety, I was stunned to see that they offer breakfast… Pizza, pastas, burgers, meat, game, sandwiches, salads and seafood. Each style had just a few options, which doesn’t bother me, as too many options does not a good kitchen make.
I was starving and felt like something different, so immediately opened to the game menu, while Marvin dabbled in seafood.
Ostrich Fillets // 155
A lot of restaurants are scared of bringing very rare meat to the table, even when it’s been requested. Often, I think it’s because they overcooked it, other times because they worry that they left it too rare. Anyway, I told the waiter I liked my meat so rare, it was trying to run away and that’s exactly how I got it. Perfect, tender, RARE fillets of meaty ostrich, served with roasted potato wedges, veg and an unbelievable Madagascan Green Peppercorn sauce. I wasn’t a big fan of the veg, especially because it seems to make an appearance on every dish, including…
Calamari Steaks // 115
These were such juicy, thick steaks, they didn’t look like calamari at all. At a glance they could’ve been pieces of fish.! Marinated in a simple lemon and salt vinaigrette, they were grilled lightly and weren’t chewy at all. The couscous lacked flavour and could have done with a sauce. While the stirfried veg went a lot better with the seafood than my ostrich, it’s still not my favourite.
Baked Camembert // 49
Oozy, oozy cheese has to be one of the best things in the world, especially when it’s Camembert. I’m used to this dish being served as a single round of cheese, but they’d cut it into bite sized chucks and drizzled them with a berry compote. The only problem? I wanted MOREEEE.
Deep-fried Bar One // 35
No stop, stop this madness. I don’t really like sweet dessert, but I have the biggest soft spot for anything to do with Bar Ones. And this certainly didn’t let me down. Crisp pastry, gently melted centre (not the kind that burns your mouth, lips, cheek and chin when you bite into it and it goes all over your face) and vanilla ice cream, for just R35, this was an absolute dream.
I’m glad I went to Arnold’s on Kloof with The Entertainer, because to be honest, I wouldn’t have otherwise. With the cheaper meal being free, whacking R115 off the bill – it was a great Sunday lunch out.
PS: Don’t forget to enter our Entertainer 2015 competition, which closes on the 28 Feb. You could win over 900 buy-one-get-one specials worth R800,000!
