Set in Cape Town's vibrant 'East City', GALJOEN is the creation of restaurateurs Neil Swart and Anouchka Horn, who are also behind the much-loved Belly of the Beast just up the road. At GALJOEN, working with head chef Isca Stoltz, they serve up some of Cape Town's most inventive seafood, tapping into local boats and aquaculture projects to ensure a serious serving of sustainability too.
'At GALJOEN, we're passionate about showcasing the incredible diversity of South African seafood and use the opportunity to also highlight the critical importance of responsible dining practices,' explains Horn.
In a nutshell that means if it's not from South African shores, and from ethical sources, you simply won't find it on the menu at GALJOEN.
And as winter tightens its grip, GALJOEN is encouraging diners to head out into the storms with the temptation of a multi-course winter lunch menu priced at an extremely tasty R550 per person.
With Stoltz leading the kitchen, look forward to an ever-changing menu that takes its cue from whatever's fresh from the sea that day.
Our winter lunch menu reflects the changing season and the bounty of the sea. In every dish, our primary emphasis is on the ingredients,' says Stoltz.
So it's great to see GALJOEN partnering with local seafood suppliers committed to sustainable fishing. From farmed Saldanha Bay mussels to a variety of fish – there's more to life than kingklip and kabeljou, right? – caught by artisanal fishermen up and down the coast.
There is one catch: the only fish you'll never find on the menu is the namesake. Galjoen is red-listed by the South African Sustainable Seafood Initiative, and cannot be sold commercially, but Horn and Swart loved the name as a sustainability conversation starter.
And you'll have plenty of time for conversation as Stoltz whips up her multi-course winter menu – the number of courses varies with the whims of the weather and the chef – in an inspired deep dive into the wonders of South African seafood.
Now there's a reason to leave the house this winter.
GALJOEN's lunch menu, R550 per person, is served from Thursday to Saturday. Valid until 31 August 2024.
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