With this year’s wild winter finally easing its grip on the city, in Cape Town’s Old Biscuit Mill precinct, SALON is set to be the hottest place in town over the coming summer season as locals and visitors tap into the globe-trotting fine dining experience created by award-winning restaurateur Luke Dale Roberts and Executive Chef for SALON, Carla Schulze.
Since opening in April 2023 SALON has made its mark on the city’s fine-dining scene with an inventive multi-course menu that takes inspiration from Dale Roberts’ global culinary career.
And the SALON experience is now even more nuanced, with luxurious white tablecloths dressing the tables and an extension of the signature Journey menu to 11 courses, taking in culinary landscapes from Dale Roberts’ roots in England and formative years cooking in Asia, before swinging back through Europe and Latin America to South Africa, the country he has called home for nearly two decades.
“Chef Luke and I just have too many ideas,” explains Schulze with a laugh. “We did a few special event menus in the summer, and we realised some of the dishes were so good we had to put them on the menu!”
The standout of the extended menu is the plate of proudly South African ‘Padkos’; a fitting beginning to the multi-course Journey menu. Here Dale Roberts and Schulze bring plenty of playful flair to the traditional, celebrating local flavours in an entirely novel manner, whether it’s their unique take on a classic Snoek Tart or tiny bites of flavour-packed ‘Slangetjies’ and ‘Roti’.
“These are our snacks before you begin our Journey,” explains Schulze. “They set the scene and get you settled before we set off. And it’s been wonderful to expand the menu to now include South Africa, in our own way.”
The new menu also includes an inspired Bread course that evolves with the seasons and the whims of the kitchen. Think olive twists with whipped ricotta and caper salsa, or Dale Roberts’ creative homage to the English countryside with a ‘Cheese & Pickle Sandwich’. Reimagined, of course, as only Luke could do.
Award-winning ‘Somm’ joins SALON
Wine and cocktail pairings are an integral part of the SALON experience, and SALON is thrilled to welcome a new sommelier to the team, as Tadiswa Chikwanha takes charge of the beverage experience.
Born in Zimbabwe, but raised in Cape Town, Chikwanha cut his teeth at one of the city’s leading wine bars and restaurants, honing the skills that landed him the title of top-performing Zimbabwean sommelier at the Stellenbosch Wine Routes Ubuntu Trophy 2023. With many of the Cape’s top sommeliers hailing from Zimbabwe, Chikwanha is certainly in good company!
With extensive hospitality experience, qualifications from the UK-based Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET), and certification through the South African Sommeliers Association, SALON marks Chikwanha’s first foray into the world of fine dining.
“I am on my journey with wine, and this is an exciting new chapter,” says Chikwanha, who exudes a quiet maturity. “In my previous roles I enjoyed incredible exposure to both local and international wines, and I look forward to bringing that experience to the guests at SALON.”
In his new role at SALON Chikwanha will work alongside Schulze and Dale Roberts in refining the Pioneer and Iconic pairings for each dish, as the Journey menu evolves.
“I believe that the perfect food and wine pairing takes a few palates, and I’m excited to work with some of the most respected chefs in the industry,” he says. “I’m really hoping to be able to grow the wine offering to include more boutique producers, and showcase wines that are not yet well-known. I think that will really enhance the wine experience, alongside the incredible plates I’ll be pairing with.”
A Taste for less with Prix Fixe
Dale Roberts is also tempting locals out during the chilly months of winter, with a fabulous prix fixe offering available at both lunch and dinner until the end of October 2024.
This prix fixe Explorer menu offers a more focused experience than the signature 11-course Journey menu – which remains available for all diners – with six courses showcasing the unique combination of culinary artistry and globe-trotting fare. Competitively priced at R795 per person, the Explorer menu is a unique opportunity for value-driven diners to enjoy a snapshot of SALON’s award-winning culinary experience.
The full Journey Menu experience is priced at R1650 per person and is available for dinner service. These menus are also available as a pairing menu with dishes matched to one of the small-batch wines, beers, and saké. Or choose signature cocktails from SALON’s carefully curated drinks collection.
SALON is open for dinner from Tuesdays through to Saturdays, and for lunch from Thursdays through to Saturdays. The Old Biscuit Mill, 375 Albert Road, Woodstock, Cape Town
For more information and bookings, visit SALON.
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Feature image: Supplied
