“Once you have tasted the taste of the sky you will forever look up.” - Leonardo da Vinci
And true to each word, every time I look up at the majestic Silo Hotel, languishing in the clouds, I am reminded of the night I slept in the sky comforted by the heady meal from the Granary Café.
With all eyes on the architectural wonder - the Silo Hotel - which opened its glassy new doors on March 1, came the burden of high expectation from the resident restaurant.
Under the beady eyes of the most elite foodies of Cape Town, the new kid on the block had to surpass expectations higher than the rooftop bar at the Silo Hotel and deliver on impeccable standards.
Encased by glass, high ceilings and grandeur, the tables at the restaurant are exquisitely set up. Every little detail whispers finesse.
The rose gold cutlery, handcrafted napkins with a beautiful design to match the unique architectural lines of the hotel and light crystal glasses give off a subtle glow under ethereal chandeliers. A romantic setting indeed.
The plush green crushed velvet chairs are so comfortable, you could be forgiven for thinking you are in your own lounge. But then you are constantly reminded that you are in a place of ultimate luxury. Under the accomplished care of executive chef Veronica Canha-Hibbert, I was happy to let the food experience begin. The bread is served in a wooden bowl. Fresh hot nut breads and ciabatta are always a welcome treat.
The menu is not extensive, there are only a few options under each course. In my experience it is always best to enjoy a few great meals rather than be overly ambitious and mess them all up.
Starters include a soup option, seared scallops, tomato tart, duck liver parfait and an orange and pomegranate salad.
I ordered the salad. I love the pops of pomegranate in your mouth, they release the most delectable flavour adding to the fennel, slivers of rich, creamy avocado, crunchy nut muesli and the orange. Each bite was sensational. Look out for the raw bar option, you can order salmon ceviche, oysters, beef tartare and for the vegetarian option, a cauliflower tartare.
There is a pasta menu if you feel like trying something more hearty. For a more ravenous appetite, there are steak frites, crowned chicken and seafood breyani. I opted for the lamb rump. It was served on a deep dish black plate with dauphinoise potatoes, baby vegetables and a mint sauce.
I asked my meat to be cooked medium and it was expertly broiled to my expectation. It was well cooked and well flavoured. I should have been a little more adventurous in my choice.
My one complaint would be the plate my main course was served on, the high edges make cutting your meat difficult and placing your cutlery on the plate was impossible.
My dining partner ordered the seafood breyani and it was delicious. The prawn and scallops were fresh, succulent and surprisingly not overcooked. The spicing of the dish was light but wonderfully aromatic. It was a small portion though for the considerable price tag.
Filled to the brim with my main meal I didn’t get to try dessert. I always leave extra stomach space for dessert but I might have been filled on the exquisite beauty of the Silo Hotel. Looking out on to the beautiful Cape Town city lights from our table at the Granary Café, you feel a sense of nakedness, the glass strips you of your innermost thoughts and leaves you bare to the city.
The Granary Café is a beautiful setting that engages all your senses. I will definitely go back during the day to spy on Table Mountain.
You can have a drink and snacks at Willaston Bar, or enjoy a delectable breakfast at the Granary Cafe, they also serve afternoon tea and lunch. Sunday roast with a difference is also a favourite at the Granary Café.