A bit underwhelmed We’ve been coming here for the last 5-6 years. The last 4 years we’ve been here twice and we’ve been a bit underwhelmed with the food. 4/10: Sardines on Toast w/ Broccoli, Chilli Anchovy Dressing & a Fried Egg: was sent to our table without the sardines. Balance and complexity of the dish was not there. 7/10: Smoked Angelfish Pate w/ Pickles & Toast 2/10: Slow roast pork shoulder (black board menu only) Pork was EXTREMELY dry and we couldn’t eat it without swallowing it down with water, no jokes. We couldn’t finish the pork. Waiter cleared table with most of the dry pork still on plate. No one checked or came to ask. 5/10: Roast Carpenter w/ Courgettes, Sauteed Potatoes & Tomato Saffron Cream. Balance and complexity of dish wasn’t there. Fish was grilled nicely but a bit soggy. Maybe wasn’t fresh! 7/10 Desserts were good. Pavlova and sticky date pudding.

Ghbh

Have you ever had maggots in your food? After tonight, I have. I've eaten at the Black Sheep before and it was not amazing, but very good. Tonight, however makes me wonder if it was just a bad night, or really what standards they are setting for their food safety and customer service. I went with a friend for an early dinner. We ordered a couple of beers, three starters and two mains. The starters came out: seared tuna salad, marinated sardines and an heirloom tomato salad. All very tasty, especially the tomato salad. As my friend was picking at the last few tomatoes and cheese, he balked when part of the salad started moving. A small maggot, squirming and probably wondering why we had interrupted his dinner. The waiter noted our concern, the maggot and then took the dish away. Instead of the manager coming over, he sent back the original waiter who offered that "the head chef would like to make it up to you. What can we make you?" We asked for him to make us a quick exit because...why do I have to explain this? He genuinely insisted that the presence of a maggot was an indication "of how fresh the salad was." We asked for the manager. Louie came over and said he had "heard of an issue with our meal." Speaking of maggots, Louie said that it was unfortunate that "they had not cleaned properly this time and had missed one." We want to leave, I told him. I would leave it up to him as to what he thought was the correct course of action to remedy the situation. He said he would take the salad off of the bill, but insisted nothing else. As someone who eats out a lot, but really as a person who has just previously been to any other restaurant, I said that was really a poor response. However, I said he could do whatever he wanted to do, but after 5 minutes I was leaving. Gravely, he insisted that he would be forced to call the police if we didn't pay. Now, I'm not sure what restaurants you eat at, but while I am prepared for a number of things, I certainly don't expect to be served a maggot and then be purposely misunderstood and threatened. Any of those things--individually or together. Maybe Louie, the manager just started at Black Sheep and thought his reaction and treatment was reasonable? Maybe Black Sheep makes it a habit to hire incompetent staff? Maybe maggots are the new super food? Maybe I'll never find out, because I'm not going back.

We dared dinner on Valentines Day at this Cape Town institution. What a treat it was! The restaurant was packed, even at our 20:45pm booking. The wine list is extensive and balanced. We found an easy drinking merlot at a palatable price tag. The idea of European room temperatures for red wine is a little lost on most restaurants in SA but at least the waitress didnt obviously roll her eyes at our request for ice. The food menu is written on a black board as it changes daily based on ingredient seasonability and availability. I love this about a restaurant. We did feel a bit sorry for the couple seated by the black board as everyone was staring in their general direction for most of their valentines dinner. We started with the asparagus rolls and chilli squid. Another thing I love is a seriously thought out dish, perfectly executed with balance and delicacy - from a bustling kitchen. Both dishes were sensational, with great respect shown to the ingredients. The chilli on the squid was a little on the light side, but all the flavours were perfectly balanced and worked in harmony. For mains we ordered the kingklip and Vietnamese chicken legs. After a short discussion with the chef re the spice level of the “crying tiger” dressing, I was not disappointed. Both dishes, again balanced and executed perfectly, were spectacular! We didnt have space for dessert, but passing plates looked amazing. Service was flawless. From arriving at the door until you leave, a host of staff pay close and careful attention to your comfort and enjoyment. We felt like “regulars”, even though it was our first time there. The place was bustling with people and the atmosphere welcoming and comfortable. It is not hard to see why this place has been successful over many years. It was our first visit but definitey not our last.

The food was great . Simple and tastey. Daily menu changing depending on what the chef can buy fresh . I sm not a vegetarian bur had a lentil coconut curry with halomi and butternut as main loved it ! Almond tart for pud mmmmm