La Mouette

Food:

With a menu that changes with the seasons, Chef Henry Vigar takes solid flavour combinations and reinvents them. In his trademark style, individual elements of a classic meal are picked out, highlighted and given a twist. The end product is beautiful food. A gin and tonic dessert, comprising tonic jelly, gin syrup and lime ice cream, is a great example. Bouillabaisse also has a deconstructed element to it: expertly cooked seafood arrives in an otherwise bare bowl, and the velvety broth is poured over it at the table. The cheese and truffle croquettes have built up a cult following.

Wine:

A great collection, with more than a sprinkling of boutique estates getting some good exposure.

Service:

Chef Henry’s wife, Mari, runs the front of house and is the epitome of a warm hostess. Genuine greetings and big smiles ensure that plenty of the diners become regulars.

Ambience:

A gorgeous building that once belonged to the Mayor of Cape Town is La Mouette’s home. Besides boasting an airy courtyard – perfect for alfresco dinners by candlelight – the double-storey interior is made up of exposed wooden beams, creaking stairs and no less than five fireplaces. One of the few venues that is equally appealing in winter or summer.

And...:

R240 for a six-course tasting menu might well be the best value-for-money offering of its kind for this standard of cooking. (AF, October 2011)

Frans Kies
30-Jan-2012

The courtyard magically lit by candles and featuring a fountain as a centerpiece was our setting for the evening as we were seated for a late supper. The space and ambience conjured up images of a street cafe in Rome, rather than a (relatively new) restaurant in Seapoint.



As a party of 5, we opted to try both the Summer Gourmand tasting menu as well as the Vegetarian Gourmand tasting menu and we were not disappointed by a single dish although there were a few firm favourites such as the Assiette of duck, Lamb 3 ways and the cheese croquettes that were served with the Chilled tomato gazpacho.



Chef, Henry Vigar, paid a personal visit to our table while his wife, Mari was the perfect hostess for a delightful evening. We stayed late into the evening and even though we were the last table to leave, we never felt rushed or unwelcome.



In short, the service (by Richard) was effortless, the food combinations tantalizing, and the atmosphere warm and welcoming. We look forward to a return visit to one of our newfound favourite restaurants.

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Murielle
14-Jan-2012

Good vibes, decent wine list at a good price and best of all amazing food. The croquette starter just melts in the mouth with flavours and the 3 way lamb was faultless. Strange service as our waiter only served us the bread and then disappeard for the rest of the evening, but another staff member came to our rescue and took care of us with lots of charm.

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