Restaurant Showcase - Sunday Lunch at The Wild Fig
So much more than a homey, countryside feeling. Kim Crowie takes us through her experience. So much more than a homey, countryside feeling. Kim Crowie takes us through her experience.
A self-described ‘cosy, 18th-century farmhouse dishing-up pub lunches’, The Wild Fig in Observatory, Cape Town offers a sense of comfort coupled with the finer sensibilities that dining has to offer. It’s extensive, yet reasonably-priced menu has a little piece of heaven for everyone, complete with beautifully plated dishes and a warm, friendly atmosphere to boot.
I sat down to Sunday lunch with a rather rowdy and excited group of friends, and our welcoming server shared in our joy with playful remarks and useful recommendations. A glance around the venue revealed that we were not the only large group enjoying The Wild Fig’s homey surrounds on this grey afternoon. Rather there were three groups celebrating birthdays and several couples in deep conversation, unaware of the din around them. Camaraderie amongst the staff is apparent, and the dishes are served with impeccable timing and care for the individual.
Before long, our group of almost ten explored several favourites on the main lunch menu – Creamy Butter Chicken Curry, Pork Belly, and Lamb Shank, to name a few. Across the board, the meat was done to perfection and presented in a beautiful yet unassuming way [read: us plebs were not made to feel uncomfortable when digging into our food with gusto]. Although The Wild Fig’s curry is nowhere near spicy, they can be forgiven. After all, their target market of mainly seniors and those in search of a simple, prettily plated dish can barely have set foot in the likes of a real Indian eatery. An added bonus is that all main courses are served with a complimentary serving of roast potatoes and vegetables – quite a boon since the crispy potatoes are to die for (and you’re more than likely to order another serving or two).
Also worth exploring is their pasta menu. I opted for a healthy portion of Spicy Chorizo and Chicken Pasta. The dish comprises fettuccine pasta tossed in a piquant tomato sauce, peppered with slices of chorizo and diced chicken breast, and tossed with crumbled feta and salsa verde. It is both refreshing and filling, something my fast-food-laden taste buds could easily get on board with.
Despite its delectable and varied red meat options – think Karoo lamb, leg of rabbit, springbok and rib-eye steak – The Wild Fig’s coup de grace lies in its dessert menu. There’s the straightforward (baked white chocolate cheesecake served with vanilla ice cream), the opulent (warm chocolate fondant cake oozing with a Belgian chocolate centre, served with orange sorbet), the creative (layers of peppermint crisp mousse, caramel and crumbed biscuit served with salted caramel ice cream, meringue buttons and chocolate shards in a terrarium), and the naughty home pudding (vanilla and sultana scented Arborio rice pudding drizzled with dark rum and muscovado sugar). Not to mention the plain jane (vanilla ice cream served with delicious homemade chocolate sauce).
Overall, a great time was had by all that entered on that dull, Sunday afternoon – a testament to The Wild Fig’s ability to bring heart-warming nostalgia to the innermost parts of the soul. All with a well-prepared meal in a comfortable setting. Definitely a restaurant worth returning to, time and again.
Sidebar: Did You Know?
The Wild Fig has several set menus ranging between R300-R350 per person. They are a family-friendly venue and have a unique kiddie menu designed for the little ones to enjoy. Pub lunches for just R80 are also available, and The Wild Fig has partnered with Boston Breweries, CBC Brewery and Jack Black to bring some flavoursome craft beers to their offering. They accept The Entertainer, they host live music events regularly and have several options for special functions and conferences for between 45 and 120 pax.
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