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[title]Winter may have settled into the Mother City, but that’s certainly no reason to hunker down at home. Across the 12 kitchens of the Time Out Market Cape Town, the brigade of chefs has whipped together a menu of delicious new dishes that are simply perfect for cold winter days.
‘We’re looking forward to welcoming everyone during the first winter that the Market is open,’ says Russ Meyer, General Manager of Time Out Market Cape Town. ‘Our chefs and vendors have been hard at work creating locally-loved dishes that bring the warmth of the city into an inviting space during the months that particularly call for comforting food and a lively atmosphere.’
And you’ll be hard-pressed to choose just one, so bring a crowd to try a few.
At The Melting Pot, chef John van Zyl - read our profile on John over here – will be dishing up bowls of fragrant Asian prawn laksa, which brings together prawns, fish balls, rice noodles and fragrant herbs in a multi-layered curried coconut broth.
It’s a dish that he debuted at the hugely successful Chefs on Tour event in May, when he prepared a multi-course meal alongside chef Paul Touissaint from Time Out Market Montreal. It was a hit then, and we’re thrilled it now features on the daily menu.
Next door at Kapoochka you’ll find what is surely the most tender and tasty chicken on the planet in their incredible tandoori chicken tikka. It comes with a kick of spice – they import spices direct from India – but you can temper the heat with the cooling kiss of raita, that perfect blend of yoghurt and mint. It’s served with a buttery roti which is so good I’d recommend ordering an extra one. Not into chicken? The tandoori lamb chops won’t disappoint either.
A few steps away, Mlilo dishes up the most heart-warming winter potjies you could ask for, available this winter in vegan and meaty options, while at Barakat chef Anwar Abdullatief has created a fragrant Cape chicken biryani of spiced basmati rice, yoghurt-marinated chicken balontine, crispy onions and danyah. It all comes with a side of his house-made blatjang and pickles.
And that’s just getting started. At De Vrije Burger chef Bertus Basson has channelled his favourite flavours into the South African burger – think double cheese and ‘monkey gland’ sauce – and a side of loaded tjips. You’ll find Giorgio Nava’s signature butternut and ricotta ravioli at Carne, and a melting-off-the-bone lamb shank at The Siba Deli. Not sure what to pair with them? Stop in at Culture Wine Bar for expert advice.
And certainly leave time – and space in the stretchy-pants – to get hands-on with the elevated ‘sushi shop’ experience at Sushiya. Alongside a few subtle menu tweaks – including some more affordable sushi – this winter the highlight is the trio of new takes on their hugely popular temaki hand rolls.
We’ve loved their tuna version since the Market opened, but winter brings a new crunch to these addictive Japanese-style tacos. Tempura tiger prawns – fresh from the waters of Mozambique – bring a kick of chilli tempered by the cool of avocado or opt for line-caught yellowfin tuna with truffled egg purée and the umami crunch of tempura onion. Going meat-free? You’ll love the aubergine tempura with sweet miso, sesame and katsuobushi. Katsuo-what? It’s dried and fermented flakes from skipjack tuna, which bring an unmistakeable umami bomb to your mouth.
End off with the salted chocolate ice cream cookie bomb from Unframed and you’re set for the hottest foodie experience in the Mother City. No matter how cool the weather is outside.
Time Out Market Cape Town is open daily from 11am, closing at 10pm Sunday to Wednesday, and 11pm Thursday to Saturday. Early-bird? Stop in for coffee and fresh pastries at Nøsh from 8am daily.