Young, sassy and vibey, The Good Luck Club offers Illovo locals a hip new hangout with Asian fusion food.

The food
This is a place that caters for a younger crowd, as evidenced by the font-size on the menu, but the starters can all be heartily recommended: the vegetable spring roll is smartly layered with finely julienned vegetables, while the summer roll comes with a yummy peanut dipping sauce and the steamer of edamame beans is gobbled up in a flash. The Good Luck Club’s version of that old favourite, creamy chicken, sweet corn and egg soup, is delicious. The mains, mostly served as one-bowl dishes, lack a certain punch, but the spicy pork with lime leaves is a sure winner. End the night with banana and Nutella spring rolls with chocolate dipping sauce – they are piping hot and delicious.

The wine
Currently they list only two wines, Porcupine Ridge Sauvignon Blanc and Syrah, but make up for it by having lots of other interesting drinks to choose from: pineapple ginger rooibos ice tea, coconut juice, Darling Slow Brew, Bone Crusher, Native Ale and Black Mist beers, a selection of Brewers & Union beers, Jorgensen gin and more.

The service
A handful of competent young ladies manage a very busy inside and outside area with aplomb. It is a rather informal place, so don’t expect linen and flowers. It’s modern and sparse, which makes service much more efficient.

The mood
Admire the wallpaper featuring cats in bow-ties, the TGLC-logo adorning one wall of the long narrow room, and the smart muted grey and white colour scheme combined with wooden tables and modern metal chairs. The outside area allows people to spill out onto the road; there is constant activity with people dropping and collecting friends. A large service counter at the back of the room serves as take-out central.  

And…
If you get bored with the company at your table, one of the adjacent restaurants is bound to have a party or live music, so pop out and join the fun. If you are in the mood for shopping you can buy all manner of goodies – books, jewellery, art, clothing – at Wolves next door.

By Hennie Fisher

Have you been to The Good Luck Club? Tell us what you think.