Lunch at Pier on the V & A waterfront in Cape City

July 9, 2023

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Depressing, moist, chilly, and gray – an ideal Cape City winter’s day. The place would the best place be to whereas away a cold Saturday? An extended lazy lunch at Pier on the V&A Waterfront.

Whereas locals a lot malign the V&A it stays one of the crucial picturesque and iconic harbour locations on the earth and should be visited. We determined to lunch at Pier, at present vying to be certainly one of, if not the, finest restaurant in South Africa. As a part of the La Colombe group competitors is even fierce internally.

Arriving in an elegant sheltered passageway we had been warmly welcomed, our coats taken and ushered up the steps to a contemporary all-white Scandi-inspired house the place the gorgeous linen, tableware and menu solely emphasise the backdrop of this busy working harbour crammed with vibrant boats.

The restaurant solely takes round thirty individuals so this can be a very intimate eating expertise. The supervisor Aaron Farquhar instantly seated us and launched us to our waiter. The extent of heat, data, and real ardour for the meals, wine and produce was a benchmark of the service at Pier.

A collection of 12 dishes paired with essentially the most unbelievable wines made for a day to not be forgotten.

The menu is primarily seafood pushed and though it’s a superb eating idea the emphasis is on flavour, substances, and produce somewhat than sheer visible impact.

A couple of table-side theatrics and plating of dishes might be anticipated as with all restaurant within the La Colombe secure. This can be a nice method to discuss concerning the dishes and the wine in additional depth with the group.

A gorgeous salmon, ham and pumpkin Amuse-bouche set the tone with an oyster poached in a velouté to observe.

We opted to have the caviar on a cauliflower puree which was a style explosion and was paired with the Fryers Cove ‘Bamboes Bay’ Sauvignon Blanc. A tiny winery on the ocean on the barren West Coast – you style the ocean. The Oscietra caviar is a large spoil and this dish was perfection.

Curried hake was poached alongside our desk and accompanied by the smoked mussel, Chorizo and toasted yeast for a scrumptious bread course. The chef finishes the fish and serves the dish whereas explaining and chatting concerning the substances and the idea.

This was adopted by Szechuan tuna after which a Langoustine and pork jowl dish that may have been our favorite.

Scallops with bacon dashi preceded an interactive expertise the place we met one of many cooks exterior the kitchen and had a nitrogen-poached Kalamansi palate cleanser.

A dish of Petit Poussin with sweetbread and truffle was our ‘foremost’ course and was simply merely scrumptious and impressed.

A cheese trolley showcasing a number of the nice cheeses from South Africa, home made preserves and accompaniments, was a showstopper, and set the way in which for a mind-boggling honey, lavender and pistachio dessert that was so advanced and balanced. We had been mesmerised. The truth that it was accompanied with a 2015 Klein Constantia Vin de Constance made it all of the extra particular.

Lastly, home made goodies impressed by the ocean had been served with a Van Rhyns 20-year-old single pot nonetheless brandy. The right ending to probably the greatest meals possible.

Pier is undoubtedly worthy of greatness and the situation, service and emphasis on flavour paired with the best wines South Africa has to supply makes this probably the greatest eating places within the nation. Definitely certainly one of our greatest meals of the yr, it will compete with any worldwide superb eating icon.

Pier is headed up by the vastly proficient chef John Norris-Rogers (previously of La Petite Colombe) who together with his group serves a multi-course tasting menu impressed by the ocean. They’re at present operating a winter lunch particular for R995 per individual (excluding the wine).

R995 – 8-course menu

Monday to Sunday Lunch solely. Till 31 August 2023

There are two wine pairing choices and each are extremely really useful.

Traditional pairing: R1295
Iconic Pairing: R2495

Location

Pier is positioned within the Pierhead Constructing (between the NSRI and Life Grand Café) within the V & A Waterfront. The best method to arrive is by Uber (drop off on the Victoria & Alfred Lodge) or alternatively by parking on the Ulundi parking storage.