Review: Duchess of Wisbeach

Review: Duchess of Wisbeach

Me and my good friend were on a mission to ensure that we visited all the new restaurants that have popped up over the last year in Cape Town, one of them being the Duchess of Wisbeach in Sea Point, but could never get a reservation – which I think is normally a good thing.  For a restaurant to be fully booked from day one is quite a feather in ones hat!

We made an early booking for 7pm, so where the first to arrive.  We sat at the bar for a drink first, but there was no barman on duty, so the chef was called out of the kitchen to make our cocktails.  It was their signature cocktail (I’m assuming, with it being called the Duchess of Wisbeach Cocktail) and was so delicious it was consumed within a few sips!

While sitting at the quaint little bar staring into the stuffed cows head above us, the manager walked in from outside and greeted by the owner with “where the F*&$ have you been” on the top of her voice – I almost fell off my chair!  She continued with her abusive banter completely oblivious to the fact that we were sitting there.  We promptly decided to go to our table for our long awaited catch up and to see the much anticipated menu. 

The tables are really close together, so this is not the sort of place to go if you want to have a quiet and discreet evening.  The service was just the way I like it – friendly, confident and enthusiastic, without any pretences. 

The menu is far from interesting, with things like cottage pie (R90!!) and fish and chips (??) on offer on the very small menu.

We ordered the fish sticks and the gorgonzola stuffed baby onions wrapped in pancetta with fresh rocket for starters, which were both very average. 

For mains we had fillet with béarnaise and chips and the line fish of the day, sole with Dauphinoise potatoes.  Veggies are an optional extra, and come in the form of spinach with parmesan or gem squash.  The fillet was a little over cooked and very dry, which would have been compensated for by the béarnaise, had there been enough of it.  The sole was delicious, but a bit on the salty side, and the Dauphinoise potatoes were absolutely divine.

We decided to pass on the desserts, with home made ice cream being the waitresses recommendation.  I asked if they had an ice cream machine, which they didn’t, so not sure if it was “bought-in-home-made ice cream” or semifreddo – Ill forgive them for not knowing the difference.

The manager and service was the highlight of the evening, as well as the décor – the screaming owner and below average food their downfall.  I love dogs, so didn’t mind them floating around the restaurant, but do understand that some may find it a little strange.

If you wanting a Gordon Ramsay style evening of entertainment, the Duchess of Wisbeach is worth a visit (and I’m not referring to Gordons food).  If your looking for a quiet evening with a gourmet offering, then I would suggest somewhere else.

The Duchess of Wisbeach – 021 434 1525

http://www.eatout.co.za/restaurants/5960/cape-town/international/the-duchess-of-wisbeach%C2%A0