The Test Kitchen
Price guide: Expensive
Shop 104 A, The Old Biscuit Mill, 375 Albert Road, Woodstock, Cape Town, Western Cape
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expert-rated restaurants in Cape Town- Recommended for:
- Business travellers, Culture vultures, Foodies, Design and architecture, Special occasions
Best for Gourmets - Expert review of The Test Kitchen
Food loving travellers must be sure to visit this excellent fusion eatery.
What I absolutely love about award winning chef Luke Dale-Roberts' new eatery is that despite the incredible quality that is evident on every plate and the fact that this is a gourmet destination par excellence, the experience is like it's chef - laidback and unpretentious. There are guests in flip flops, straight off the beach and besuited business types too and everyone is welcomed and treated equally. Dale-Roberts left La Colombe, where he garnered award after award to get back to his first love - cooking and you'll see him in action in the open plan kitchen where his staff (dressed in shorts like he is) work quietly as he puts the fnishing touches to each dish.
Food and drink:
Luke follows the seasons religiously and is a master of playfullness - while there are suprises aplenty, it's also all about taste over fashionability factor. His years working in top Asian restaurants and rubbing shoulders with kaiseki masters plays a major role in his modern-South African-fusion cuisine - call it what you will - it's outstanding. Like the mneu that favours small producers, the wine list leans towards boutique offerings and some of the Constantia Valley wines he worked with for years at his previous establishment.
Recommended dishes:
Where to begin? The menu changes regularly but I am a sucker for his cult tartare starter - this time using local trout. The vegetarian tempura shiitake roll is already a signature and deservedly so.
Ambience:
Luke has called in the talents of a host of local creatives whose work features on everything from the giant felt ball light fittings overhead to the tableware. Even the waitrons outfits are designed and made by his talented fashion maven wife Sandalene.
Service:
Friendly and enthusiastic and not in the least bit stiff despite the heavyweight talent in the kitchen.
Location:
The Old Biscuit Mill in Woodstock.
Price advice:
The eight course gourmans menu (highly recommended) is R550 without and R850 with wine pairing.
Tables to book:
I like the look of the counter for an intimate meal a deaux, otherwise a view of the kitchen is a must.
More information on The Test Kitchen:
- Price guide:
- Type:
- Restaurant
- Food:
- Fusion, Modern
- Address:
- Shop 104 A, The Old Biscuit Mill, 375 Albert Road, Woodstock, Cape Town, Western Cape
- Telephone:
- 021 447 2337
- Website:
- http://www.thetestkitchen.co.za
- Serves:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Opening times:
- Tue-Sat 12.30pm-2.30pm; Tue-Sat 7pm-10pm.
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Reservations:
- Always essential
- Free tags / Keywords:
- luke dale-roberts
Community comments (1)
If you come to Cape Town and like fine dining you simply must try the test kitchen. This is imaginative and world class cuisine with combinations and flavours that you can't believe. Genius is an over used word these days, but chef Luke Dale-Roberts is a close as you can get.