Gold!
Thursday saw me return to Cape Town for a few days with my friend there. Cape Town is an amazing city full of culture and diversity. You can see or do just about anything you could imagine there and tonight, Kat had a treat in store for me.
Ingrid and I met Kat at her work which is near the Capetown waterfront. She had had a hectic day and was ready to get out of the office and enjoy her evening. And enjoy it we did.
Tonight’s adventure began in an converted warehouse not too far from Kat’s work. As we pulled up, I wasn’t too sure what we were in for as from the outside it didn’t look like much but once we walked through the front doors the magic began.
Gold is one of Cape Town’s finest dining experiences. You are met at the door by absolutely beautiful African women wearing traditional dress. The decor is stunning. Exposed brick, beautiful earth tones and the bright vibrant colours of the African people are everywhere. As you are shown to your table, a joyful waiter delights you with his sing-song banter as he brings you a sherry to begin your evening’s taste experience.
Gold offers you an amazing adventure in African and Cape Malay cooking. You do not order off the menu but rather enjoy very small samplings of traditional foods from around the continent. For starters, Spiced Tomato Soup (actually an Indian dish but remember there is a strong Indian influence here) accompanied by Xhosu Pot Bread. These dense, white rolls are delicious, particularly spread with the South African Billtong (dried meat) Dip they are served with.
Next, Moroccan Prawn Briquats and Cape Malay Pea and Potato Samoosas. Both pastry wrapped parcels are absolutely delicious!
A tasting of Kalahari Venison Pie (a venison stew made from Springbok smothered in a rich, spicy broth) followed. Absolutely to die for.
The main course of Moroccan Chicken Tagine, Creamy Pap (traditional corn meal) with corn, Manzanian Mchicha Wa’Nazi (spinach in a creamy peanut sauce – fab!) and Malay Lentil Dhal, was absolutely delicious. I was not particularly keen on the lentils but everything else was exceptional.
After all of this food it was hard to imagine that one could find room for dessert but once you have tried South African Mulva Pudding with custard you can never pass it up. This dark sweet treat is one that I will definitely be making at home!
Finally, Karamonk Biscuits. These light and sugary crisp cookies are flavoured with Cardamon and Orange Zest. A nice light nibble to end this feeding frenzy.
While it has taken me a little while to go over the menu, eating is only part of the experience at Gold. Before you begin your meal, you are taken to a large room where an African drum master teaches you to play the Djembe drum. These colourful drums rest on the floor and are held between your knees. Your instructor patiently leads you through a few quick lessons and then lays out rhythms and beats for you to follow. It is great fun and surprisingly exhausting. When you begin you are rigid and stiff but as fatigue sets in it actually helps to loosen up your hands and makes the drumming easier. We were all quite “chuffed” with ourselves by the end of the drumming session but we were soon reminded of our novice status as we were delighted with a display of real African drumming by the drum master.
Throughout your evening meal, ladies in traditional African attire circulate through the restaurant singing the stories of the African people and dancing as only the African’s can. It is absolutely riveting and you can’t help but marvel at the rhythm and grace these people are innately born with. I must have looked like I was enjoying the show (which I was) as one of the ladies grabbed me by the hand and pulled me up onto the dance floor, showing me how to follow her as she danced and sang. Great fun! I am sure it was quite a site to see a pasty, white, 50 year old trying to keep up to these lithe young things.
As the song says, “Oh what a night!” It was a fabulous evening shared with good friends and of course fine wine. An unforgettable experience.
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Morag