To put Open Door, a restaurant with life, style and quality of cooking, in the same sentence as River Café, is for me a little bit on the tacky side. Be that as it may, the old is gone, and we now have the new, The Open Door, where fine cusine emerges. We went there for lunch today, and it was an experience worth writing about immediately (immediately meaning on the day). I was pleasantly surprised. I have wined and dined at La Colombe, when it was on the Constantia Uitsig Estate. I had been to the River Café, only to not be allowed to join them, as I think the then Old Establishment did not want to transact with my family and I for the 'unfortunate' colour we would have brought to their dark halls.
I boycotted Constantia Uitsig since, so when I heard the farm was now under new ownership, with an Open Door, the invitation where The River Café was, it only made sense that I be at the front of the queue to try out the new dining out experience and allow the wine produce of the Constantia Uitsig Estate, to befriend my palate.
The kids had their own plans. Sven, Dagmar, Chomba and I thought it would be a treat to try something new, in our neck of the woods, since Constantia is home. Chomba had read a write up, and gave it to me to look at, but I chose not to look at it, as I wanted to walk in without expectations.
It was a grand idea... The experience, from booking, was nothing like my River Café experience. Warren told Chomba that they did not have tables available for Saturday lunch at the time of her call (the Friday before). He asked that she give him a couple of minutes, and he would get back to her. I don't know what Warren shifted, but he did call back, and told us that our booking for four was set for 12h30.
When we got there today, the weather was a dry sunny day, for a Cape Town winter. One might have been daring to want to sit outside (if there was an option), but considering I was 'touch and go' from a health perspective, I did not want to agitate my condition by sitting out in the cold. We chose to sit at the more stately side of the restaurant, by the fireplace, which was a little bit darker, than the other wing which was more graced with natural light given the glass doors forming the perimeter.
I was not planning on having a starter, but when you see Lobster Tail at R89, it would be silly not to give your taste buds some loving. It was delicious!
I had the lamb neck as my main course, and that was a delicate preparation, collapsing at the touch of my fork and knife and melting in my mouth. While I know meat doesn't melt, dissolving did not seem like an adjective that would take cognisance of the flavours reaching out and engaging my palate...
It was an Open Door I wish to enter again, many times. I also enjoyed the Constantia Uitsig Bordeaux Blend we ordered, so my going back there is a commitment and not a mere threat. The staff, were all hospitable, and very attentive. That the experience could have been marred by Sven's steak not being prepared as he had asked, is evidence of the service levels experienced by us. The response of taking ownership of the mishap, and constant flow of apologies from the team, as we waited for the right serving to come, was commendable in easing a moment of 'wet blanket'.
Not all change is good, especially when the change is done to you, but as they have an Open Door, I welcome the new Constantia Uitsig management with Open Arms. It does also mean opening up my wallet...
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