Graham Howe

Food

A culinary collaboration, named after owner chefs Leigh Trout and Kevin Mink (in case you were wondering), who formerly ran Birds in this grand old heritage building. Inspired by fresh seasonal ingredients, the short tapas, lunch and dinner menu tempts with a checklist of continental classics, well-prepared and attractively presented with robust, wholesome flavours.

Simplicity, good technique with a serious gourmet twist and good value are a winning formula. The office regulars come for the standout pork belly with smoked pork broth, ginger, soy and rice noodles. For starters, share tasty tapas infused with local flavour, from buttery West Coast mussels poached in a Cape Malay broth to crispy white bait with aioli.

Staying in the comfort zone, for mains enjoy crusty signature chicken pie enhanced by a divine mushroom and truffle sauce, spicy Indian butter chicken and cauliflower curry with all the trimmings, or tender pepper-crusted beef fillet with duck fat-roasted potatoes. Vegetarians should opt for the ethereal gnocchi with wilted spinach, mushroom, poached egg and parmesan.

For dessert, you can’t go wrong with the oozy dark chocolate fondant, or a retro treat of sweet pear and apple crumble with custard.

Drinks

Well-chosen, if expensive list of the Cape’s top wine labels by the glass and bottle.

Service

Smart and polished from beginning to end. 

Ambience

Chic and intimate in a gorgeous old building that has led many lives behind the exposed brick walls and giant windows. A showpiece is the magnificent new mural of Cape Town in the seventeenth century where the open kitchen used to be.

Best for…

A smart business lunch or intimate dinner downtown.

(August 2019)

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