The interior at Mulberry & Prince. Photo supplied.

Mulberry & Prince is the brainchild of chefs Cornel Mostert and Cynthia Rivera, who met while studying at The Culinary Institute of America. The menu at this stylish kitchen and bar draws on their travels and experiences working at some of the world’s top restaurants in New York, Chicago and Copenhagen. Eat Out critic Sandiso Ngubane goes to Mulberry & Prince to investigate.

Best for: Dinner dates or a night out with friends

Food type: ‘New’ American cuisine

Average price main course: R120

Parking situation: Rather take an Uber

Star rating: food 4, service 5, ambience 4

Food

The menu is not very extensive, but it will have your mouth watering as you read through dishes that include cod with ajo-blanco-inspired sauce and butter beans, ricotta dumplings, shimeji with grana padano, and pork with burnt cucumbers, leeks and brodo.

Mulberry & Prince’s bacalhau fritters. Photo supplied.

The bacalhao fritters go down very well as a light, flavourful starter, but I must admit I am completely underwhelmed when the main – lamb ribs with spices and honey – arrives for me and my dinner date to share. We ask ourselves if this is a tapas bar rather than a place that serves full portions, but the disappointment fizzes into excitement the moment we start on the lamb. I’m not sure what heaven tastes like, but I imagine it would be something like these tender, moist lamb ribs. Quite blissful! By the time we are done, we realise the portion is, in fact, perfect. Zero complaints.

Our second serving is perfectly textured octopus tentacles with chickpeas, preserved lemon and cured roe. While it doesn’t come close to the amazingly delicious lamb, there’s very little doubt that the rest of the menu offerings, like oysters with yuzu mignonette and cucumber and beef tartare with anchovy, walnut, pecorino, stracciatella, lovage and charred bread will be something to write home about. I’m most certainly going back to try them out.

Drinks

Mulberry & Prince is waiting on their liquor licence, so for the time being, BYOB is encouraged.

Another dish at Mulberry & Prince. Photo supplied.

Service

Exceptional service from attentive staff, who are very helpful with the menu and quite generous with their smiles.

Ambience

The small, modern and inviting space features artist Kurt Pio’s works on the walls, alongside modern furniture, making for a contemporary, minimalist feel. The stylish interior was designed by Atelier Interiors and features blush pink, exposed brickwork and beams, along with lush velvet and glossy metal. It could work for a date-night, or a meal with friends.

Dessert at Mulberry & Prince. Photo supplied.

And…

While it can get loud, it’s still definitely worth a visit.

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Eat Out critics dine anonymously and pay for their meals in full. Read our editorial policy here.