Tag Archives: Tempura prawn roll

Willoughby & Co – still my nr 1

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Willoughy & Co in the V&A Waterfront has always been, is currently still and I’m sure will also remain to be, my number 1 spot for sushi in Cape Town.

Hell, I love that place so much, I went there TWICE for dinner this past weekend.  I would actually go there with people I don’t even like, just to get my Willoughby “fix”.  Now the prices are slightly steep, but you can’t fault them on quality, service or taste.  I really don’t mind paying a bit extra for something I know is going to make me very very happy.

You can also tell this place is a firm favourite with locals and tourists alike, because there is ALWAYS a queue outside.  But trust me, the wait is totally worth it.  Plus, they soften the blow a bit by giving you a free wine tasting while you wait.  Isn’t that pretty damn cool? :)

My top tip though:  Don’t sit oustide at the tables – I hate sitting out in the mall with shoppers constantly walking past your table, staring down at your plate.  There’s no vibe out there.  Rather opt to sit at the sushi counters inside, you’ll get seated faster and it is way more fun.

I love the cool deli area inside and the warehouse design...

The wine selection is dominated by Fairview wines, which personally I don’t mind – they have well priced, easy drinking wines which go perfectly with sushi and seafood.  What more could you want?

So what should you have to eat exactly?  Pretty much anything & everything on that menu!  You really can’t go wrong. I usually go for the Tempura Prawn roll (R79) and the Avocado maki roll (R39):

Mmmm... that tempura sauce will rock your world, I promise...

When I was there on Friday evening – my friends opted for some seafood. Dani had the calamari (R89):

I'm such a sucker for potato wedges!

And Joe had the baby sole with rice (R89):

A nice light option...

Both Dani & Joe were smiling from ear to ear, so I take that as a good sign.  Then on Sunday evening, when I went back for my 2nd round, my friend Nix and I opted for the “4 x 4″ sushi deal – 4 rainbow reloaded rolls and 4 creamy rock shrimp rolls (R109):

Art on a plate!

It was quite rich – but really delicious.  I will definitely give that a bash again…  My friend Dax from www.relax-with-dax.co.za criticises them for making the sushi roll pieces too big, and yes – I do agree with him.  I have sat there many a time looking like a squirrel storing nuts in my cheeks for the long winter ahead.  But that doesn’t put me off at all.  Hey, to me it’s simply “more bang for your buck”. :)

So onto my official Miss K Kiss-o-meter ratings:

  • For ambience/vibe: 
  • Price: 
  • Service: 
  • Food: 

Yes, that’s right – top score for the food… and I mean it.  I’ve never had a bad experience at Willoughby.  I should probably just book out a permanent spot at that sushi counter for all my future visits still to come… Or maybe, just maybe,  they will read this and give me a lifetime membership card or something with cool discounts & freebies and stuff!!!  One can only dream…

OK, ciao for now my lovelies. xxx

Sawaddee makes me happy

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Do you loooooove both sushi & Thai food? And you’ve always wanted to go to a place where you can have both these options in one sitting? (each rocking your world equally of course :) )   Well the search is over guys and gals!  You simply need to head over to Sawaddee in the Rheede Street mall in Gardens.   I’ve become a bit of a regular there and frequented it again the other night.  The restaurant is the 2nd venture for Chef Pon, who first brought us yummy Thai food with his other restaurant, Chef Pon’s Asian kitchen.  That place was always packed and I spent many a evening there for friends’ birthday parties and such.  No wonder then I guess that Sawaddee has become quite a popular hang out as well…

So lets talk about the food.  First up, the sushi.  I only recently found out that their sushi chef actually used to be the chef at Willoughby’s in the V&A (my ultimate favourite sushi spot in Cape Town!!!).  So that’s already a huge plus in my book.  But the sushi really is to die for and the prices are a bit easier on the pocket than at Willoughby’s.  I can highly recommend the Tempura prawn roll, the Chef’s special & the Volcano sandwich.  All equally delectable!

Then, moving on to the Thai food, the options just seem endless – which is a great excuse to go back time and time again so you can work your way through that menu!  And don’t worry if you’re not a huge fan of hot & spicy food, there are plenty of mild and easy options to choose from as well.  For the “veggies” out there, there are also plenty of options for you!  If you’re a fan of duck (like me), try the Duck with Honey sauce or the Aromatic crispy duck pancakes.  Mmmmmmm… The sweet & sour chicken is a safe option yes, but really good.  If you’re going for rice, don’t pass up the chance to try the Vegetarian fried rice.  And if you feel like living on the edge, try a Jungle curry – but be warned, it has some serious bite!

To be honest, you really can’t go wrong at Sawaddee though.  The food is brilliant, the service is good, the vibe is light & fun and the prices are very reasonable.   I can’t wait to go back again!

Seriously hungy now…

xxx