April 26, 2007
By Brian Berkman.
Sometimes a mid-week quickie is just what is needed as I like to save weekends for extended, multi-course meals. Joe Fish is recommended for just-landed fish in a family-friendly space that is affordable. It is important to book if you want an inside table, which you'll prefer as there is nothing worth looking at outside once you've had your fill of watching parkers being hustled.
The Dorado Cakes on the chalk-board specials menu were served on a fresh tomato sauced fettuccini. Really delicious and sufficiently filling as a main course but at R39.50 I expected it to be a starter, despite the switched-on Maxine warning that it was a main. We used to have pilchard patties as an after-school snack and I've always considered them comfort food. Joe serves three large cakes with a substantial portion of pasta.
My main course Bluefish and Prawn Curry was fabulous. At R74.50 it was good value for a large plate that came to the table in a large bowl with a fresh poppadum at its centre like a shark fin dividing the curry from the spiced rice. Although I didn't count, I think there were around five prawns in the dish. A tomato and onion sambal was served separately. This is a spicy dish with rich flavours, the white, stringy flesh of the Bluefish absorbing the sauce beautifully but just with a hint of heat.
John Gosling began with the retro Avo Ritz (R27
.50), which looked excellent. The menu describes it as just like the Royal Hotel served it but I remember having it there in a martini-shaped bowl. Find Joe Fish at shop 39, Logan Way, Howard Centre; 021 531 2974
Only a few people can carry off white jeans, white T-shirt and a white jacket. The stylish Amit Raz is one of them. See him at Masala Dosa at 167 Long Street, Cape Town (021 424 6772) and enjoy the visual treat of the henna-coloured detail against beautiful white. The menu is simple: you'll eat masala dosa, South India's long crispy pancake with a saucy dhal and filling. Philip Todres enjoyed his with potato while I ordered the aromatic chicken. Together with my litchi lassi (yoghurt drink) and his tea, our bill, including tip, came to R92.
Adesso Deli in the Fountain Centre, Rondebosch (021 685 2871), is especially good for a quickie if you're a fussy eater.
My colleague Roger almost fainted when I recommended Lady Bee Diner in St Peter's Square, Observatory (021 447 6558), as one of my current favourites, another pay-as-you-weigh place. I had a large plate with fabulous mutton biryani, coconut-milk chicken curry, red-hot beef curry and spicy beef mince with a rooti. Add two potato samoosas and pay R43.55. They have branches around the Cape.
  
 
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