The Cape Colony at The Mount Nelson

 

This is the first in a series of guest blogging. Today our special guest blogger is Niel who runs the blog over at We Like Texture. He also happens to be a good friend and all-round cool guy.

Yes. Reviewing the Mount Nelson is like dusting off your old copy of Oliver Twist or War and Peace for a fireside reread. The Cape Colony, after all, is an establishment with history.

Anyway, that matters fuck-all to us, what with all the newer, mouth-watering eating destinations in Cape Town. Uh huh, the restaurant is geared just the slightest bit towards the tourist crowd, as you can tell from the huge colonial mural (complete with very un-PC black servant boys in the foreground) and get this, leopard print upholstery on the large benched seating in the middle of the restaurant. But everyone can appreciate a bit of show, some silver cutlery, and huge, huge glasses for your red vine juice.

And everyone likes a good meal.

We had a Franschoek Merlot to drink – one that I would recommend to anyone who has a passing interest in mine (passing being the most sophistication I can self-attach here). I commited the unforgivable faux pas of not bothering to taste the wine before allowing the waitress to pour. How arrogant is it for me to taste the wine for corkage or imperfections on the palate when I probably couldn’t taste the difference anyway.

Still, Le Manoir de Brendal, Merlot 2003, is some seriously ass-kicking red, for what it’s worth. My company agreed.

The food. Ah, that. The Mount Nelson is pretty dependable to deliver fine meat dishes, and so on. You will not, however, have screaming tongue orgasms from their kitchen works, as you might when in Haiku, or Ginja. (Editors note: Haiku is crap)

I ordered the seared tuna, and was surprised to receive it moulded, in the Nouveau tradition, I presume, like canned dog food. Yup, it was a solid meat cylinder, with sauce on the side. Hilarious. Anyway, with the little sauce provided it was enjoyable enough, though that soon run out and then I found it a bit salty and… plain. In any event, The Cape Colony’s seared tuna can’t hold up a fin to that of Ginja, but it is a solid main course, not a train smash by any standards.

Dessert was extremely decadent sundae, which I couldn’t finish for its richness. I’m quite a glutton, so perhaps the sweet-chef hadn’t gotten it quite right this time.

What is there to be said about this Cape Classic, the old Champ? Perhaps a bit slow on its feet. The Mount Nelson’s Cape Colony might have to explore some new flavours if it wants to keep up with the new kids on the block.

And oh ja: it’s fucken expensive.