The Roundhouse Restaurant

Overall Impression Set on 42 hectares of forest minutes away from the heart of the city what first impressed us about The Roundhouse Restaurant was its amazing view of Camps Bay and the 12 Apostles Mountains on the outskirts of Cape Town. From where we sat we could even see Table Mountain and its cable car. We felt like VIPs, dining under the shade of a tree just outside the restaurant entrance, basking in the summer breeze and our bird’s eye view of Camps Bay. From our table, we could almost see forever.

Fasie Maleherbe, one of the owners of the new restaurant, was on site the day of our visit and we had a chance to meet him and hear first hand about the property, the rumors of its haunting, and the owners’ exciting expansion plans (they were about to open an informal restaurant next door). We also had a chance to briefly chat with the charming couple behind the success of the kitchen, PJ Vadas and Vanessa Quellec, who had recently relocated from New York City.

What most impressed us about The Roundhouse, named for its historic 250-year old round building, was the harmony of the four courses, and overall meal as well as the polished wine pairing. We were delighted by the wonderful dishes, including pastry compliments. We look forward to a return visit to this gourmet gem with a million dollar view!

About The Executive Chef Prior to joining The Roundhouse, PJ Vadas worked in the following kitchens: Roger Verge in France, Connaught Hotel in London under Angela Hartnett, The Cape Grace in Cape Town, Gordon Ramsay in New York and The Vineyard in Newbury.

Established Although the restaurant was in a historic building dating back to 1786, it opened as a restaurant June 2008.

Executive Chef (also chef de cuisine) PJ Vadas

Handicapped Access The restaurant had handicapped restrooms and a ramp was under construction.

Head Sommelier Fasie Malherbe

Manager Russel Dunkley

Owned In 2007, Let’s Sell Lobster acquired the concession. Fasie Maleherbe, Dale Den Dulk, Paul Rowett, PJ Vadas, Vanessa Quellec and Nicholas More are the owners.

Pastry Chef Vanessa Quellec, who could whip up magic in the new kitchen.

Size The 296 square meter restaurant, situated on a 42-hectare lot, could accommodate 70 guests and employed 67 staff.

Type Of Restaurant Seasonal Modern European

DÉCor-Ambiance The restaurant had a casual elegant atmosphere. Some of the touches that stood out included Peter Steger Crystal Glasses, Zimbabwean Royal Sable Copperware, Zimbabwean Winsor Silverware and Phillip Starke Nguni chairs. The Roundhouse was built in 1786 (World Heritage Site). The owners set out to create an ambiance of “Historical Preservation meets African Chic.” There was original artwork by Fiona Rowett and the design was conducted in collaboration with Ian Hannay Robertson Keith Design.

Special Menus There were Three-Course (R330, R480 with Wine Pairing or R780 with Reserve Wine Pairing), Four-Course (R440, R640 with wine pairing or R1,040 with Reserve Wine Pairing) and Five -Course (R550, R800 with Wine Pairing or R1,300with Reserve Wine Pairing) options in which guests were able to selected any three, four or five dishes from the menu (eg. they could have three entrees, or two entrees and a desert, or two starters and a fish course, etc.)

Wine And Alcoholic Beverages The restaurant stocked a large range (10-pages) of alcoholic beverages other than wine including vodka, gin, rum, beer, cachaca, tequila, brandy, cognac, armagnac, calvados, a diverse selection of international whiskies and malts, grappa, digestifs and liqueurs. There were rare spirits and wines including Kauffman and Snow Queen vodkas, Patron Gran Burdeos, Pappy Van Winkel Whiskey, Compass Box Flaming Heart, and Compass Box Canto as well as De Toren Fusion V 2000 Directors Reserve, De Trafford Elevation 2001 and Chateau Haut-Brion wines. The 14-page wine list emphasized South African wines and listed international wines from France (Champagne, Bordeaux, Burgundy, Loire, Rhone and Alsace), Spain, Italy, Germany, Australia and Lebanon. At R5,625 the 1997 Penfolds Grange from Australia was by far the most expensive wine of on the menu.

Meal We had the Four-Course Summer Menu with Reserve Wine Pairing beginning with Chilled Watermelon Consommé, Pickled Summer Melons and Parma Ham and a 2007 Glen Carlou Quartz stone Chardonnay; and a Terrine of Foie Gras with Smoked Eel, Bergamot Jelly and Toasted Brioche served with a 2004 Paul Cluver Weisser Riesling. There was also Potato Gnocchi with Braised Ox Tongue, Spring Vegetables and Mustard Broth served with 2006 Steenberg Magna Carta; Linefish, Crushed New Potatoes and Sardine Vinaigrette served with 2007 Eben Sadie Sequilo; and Whiskey and Vanilla Cured Salmon “Mi Cuit,”Apple Puree and Hamilton Russel Olive Oil served with 2006 Rustenberg Five Soldiers Chardonnay.

Then we were served Baby Squid stuffed with Braised Oxtail, Popped Wild Rice & Cauliflower Puree with 2006 Paul Cluver Seven Flags Pinot Noir; Roasted Quail, Pancetta and Smoked Corn Stuffing, Corn Puree and Sherry Vinegar Jus served with 1999 Cordoba Crescendo; and

Roast New Season Lamb Loin, Confit Lamb Shoulder, Polenta and Olive Jus served with 2002 De Toren Fusion V.

For dessert there was Apricot Soufflé with Amaretto Ice Cream served with 2004 Klein Constantia vin de constance; and Chocolate Daquoise Cake and Chocolate Sorbet served with 15 year old

niepoort colheita port.

Other In 1786, The Roundhouse was built as a small round guard house that served to protect against enemies entering Cape Town from the Camps Bay side. Later on, it became a farm and between 1817 and 1823 Lord Charles Somerset used The Roundhouse as a hunting lodge where he would take his friends to shoot lion, leopard and buck on the slopes of Lions Head. The original house consisted of a hall, a saloon, six bedrooms, a kitchen and pantry, slave rooms, a store room, and a garden house.

Some believe the building is haunted and point to the legend of James Barry, a doctor. One of the friends that Lord Charles Somerset invited to the Roundhouse often was the doctor. A small man with red hair, Barry was known for his aggressive nature and high-pitched voice. Apparently he was thought a brilliant doctor and was liked by his patients. Somerset and Barry would spend time together at Somerset’s hunting lodge (The Roundhouse), and their relationship was sometimes ridiculed.

When Barry died a nursemaid who laid the body out discovered James Barry was actually a woman, masquerading for her entire life as a man. This explains Barry’s middle name,

Miranda. Upon further examination locals found out that the body showed signs that it had carried and given birth to a child. No ones knows today what happened to the child, if it survived childbirth. Legend has it that the anguished soul of Dr. James Miranda Barry roams The Roundhouse and the Glen, and many claim to have seen the slight frail figure dressed in British military uniform, or on a horse with his parasol and tilted hat. According to the stories, numerous unsuspecting victims have heard her shrill cries echoing around the property. Some believe her sorrowful spirit wanders the land and surrounding mountains.

Date Of Review November 2008 March 2012

Number Of Visits One

Reviewers Article by Elena del Valle

Photos by Gary Cox

Would You Dine Eat There Again-Recommend It? Yes