A restaurant can have the best food in the world, but if the staff and owners are arrogant, they may as well not exist to me. The entire eating experience needs to be warm and inviting, something that Cape Town restaurants aren’t always good at. There is one restaurant that has always had the same brilliant service and stunning food:
La Mouette, my home away from home.
The new Autumn Tasting menu is quite a treat. We shared the courses where you have to choose one or the other, so that we could try everything.
Sweet potato soup with tomato harissa (spicy Mediterranean paste), yoghurt, lavoche (fancy breadsticks), truffle and cheese croquettes.
A perfect opener for a chilly autumn evening, the creamy soup was balanced by the fresh yogurt and the spicy harissa hidden at the bottom of the bowl. One swirl of the spoon took it from off-white, to whimsy red. It was delicious as is, and taken above an beyond all forms of happiness with the bowl of Cheese and Truffle Croquettes dipped in. These oozy, cheesy mouthfuls of heaven always manage to astound me.
Served with Môreson ‘Miss Molly’ MCC
Butternut and Fontina (strong Italian cheese) ravioli with puy lentils, butternut purée, pickled apple, sage noisette (browned butter sauce).
The ravioli was cooked beautifully as it broke apart without falling apart, and the lentils were tender. The Fontina didn’t overpower the subtlety of the butternut or sage, and the sharp pickled apple added a much-needed zing.
Alvi’s Drift Viognier 2011
Pan-fried line fish with aubergine puree, crispy onions, braised beef croquettes and a fricassee (which means that the next few items are sautéed and braised together) of gnocchi, carrots and capers.
Let’s start with the beef croquette – this crispy little orb was a delicious, meaty counterpart to the delicate white fish. The fricassee was a delicious, but thankfully not too filling, accompaniment.
Villiera Merlot 2010
OR
Beetroot tartare with ash goat’s cheese, hazelnuts, parsnip puree and toast.
I love beetroot and goat’s cheese, so I was particularly looking forward to this course. Although the flavours were really delicious, it didn’t feel like a fish course alternative, but rather another starter.
Vondeling Petit Blanc (Chenin/Viognier/Chardonnay) 2012
Mushroom risotto with parmesan foam, mushroom ‘caviar’ and crispy mushrooms.
The main course had a stunning veg alternative (even though it had a foam, which I’ve mentioned in previous reviews is not my thang). This rich and fragrant risotto with just a hint of Parmesan was decadent and moreish, without being too heavy. The crispy mushroom gave contrast, while the caviar added pops of intense flavour.
Tokara Shiraz 2010
OR
Roasted chicken on a bed of mashed potato, caramelised onions, wilted spinach, and a thyme jus (gravy made using the cooked chicken juices)
Roast chicken, as simple as it is, is one of my favourite meals in the world. And the La Mouette version is no different. A succulent chicken breast with crispy skin, served on silky smooth mash, baby spinach and sweet onions. It was everything I wanted it to be. (Sorry guys, no pic of this one – you will have to go take a look yourself!)
Journey’s End ‘The Haystack’ Chardonnay 2011
“Waldorf salad”
In true La Mouette style, this isn’t a salad. At all. A generous piece of perfectly ripe gorgonzola with all the necessary trimmings: aromatic celeriac puree, sweetness from fresh half grapes, crunchy candied walnuts and smooth apple jelly.
Chocolate ganache orbs with orange sorbet, almond financiers (little cakes), orange puree and chocolate crunch.
After a very rich meal, this was a welcome dessert. Light and refreshing orange sorbet, and being dark chocolate, it wasn’t too sweet at all. I pretended that I was far to full to have dessert – and then finished the whole thing.
Delheim ‘Spatzendreck’ 2012
For only R185 (or R295 with the full wine pairing) the La Mouette Autumn Menu is sure to be a hit. The portions have gotten bigger since last year, and I left very full and very content. If you have been there before you’ll know what I mean when I say that it’s one of the most welcoming restaurants in Cape Town. If you haven’t been there – give them a try and let them make you feel as special as I do every time.
PS: I haven’t gone in to detail about the wine, because I don’t pretend to be a wine connoisseur. It would also make this review very long! I enjoyed every glass that was put down in front of me, and each was delicious with the course to which it was paired. If you want more of an opinion on a certain wine – leave a comment!
PPS: THIS MENU ENDS NEXT WEEK!!!! So, in other words…. GO GO GO GO GO!
