5 Dishes You Have to Try on the new Mondiall Kitchen & Bar Menu! [Review]
If you STILL haven’t been to Mondiall Kitchen & Bar at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town then I’m sorry to tell you but you’ve run out of excuses. Going on its third year trading at the V&A the popular ocean-side eatery, with dramatic views of Table Mountain in the distance, is making big waves (or should I say flames) on the foodie scene with the arrival of new head chef, Stephen Mandes. The creative young chef was crowned the winner of ‘Ultimate Braai Master’ Season 3 in 2014 and is gearing up to bring an exciting new flavour profile to the menu at Mondiall. And, judging from the new autumn menu it’s clear that Mandes isn’t holding anything back. The menu is filled with everything from seafood delights to meaty must-tries, and sumptuous desserts that will have you fighting fellow diners for the last bite. I got the chance to sample a wide variety of the new menu (what a treat!) and can now confidently say that these are the 5 Dishes You Have to Try on the new Mondiall Kitchen & Bar Menu.
The thing I love most about the new menu is that it has still got everything we’ve come to love about Mondiall… and more, of course. The restaurant continues to offer fans a sophisticated, but casual brasserie-style dining experience with refined comfort food but now with a strong focus on ‘low and slow’ cooking. Guests can expect to find a selection of hearty dishes to warm their tums as well as elements of pickling in the mix. And, to embrace the latest trend of cooking off hot coals, the Mondiall kitchen now boasts two ceramic ‘Green Eggs’ which will allow for smoking and slow roasts at low temperatures, as well as high-temperature searing, grilling, and more.
1. Shelfish Bisque – R95
This divine starter is served with a crusty loaf and seasoned with fresh herbs and saffron aioli. It’s the perfect winter treat and is nothing short of lick-the-bowl fantastic. I tried a tasting portion of this dish and was blown away. The dish is bursting with flavour and is sure to warm you up before moving onto a delectable main meal.
2. Mondiall’s Signature Fish Tacos – small R80 and large R160
Served as either a starter or a main this dish isn’t new to the menu but regulars will be thanking their lucky stars that the team kept the old favourite. Served with Chipotle mayo, pico de gallo and coriander these tacos are some of the best you will ever have. If you’re jonesing for something else on the menu then you NEED to try this as your starter – you’ll hate yourself if you don’t, it’s that good!
3. Braised Beef Shortrib – R170
If meat is your thing then you can’t go wrong with the delectable Braised Beef Shortrib for mains. Served with pickled beetroot, cucumber salad and garlic buttermilk this dish is as hearty as they come. You can also be sure that it will be cooked to fall-off-the-bone perfection on the new Big Green Eggs in the kitchen.
4. The Seafood Plate – R230
If, like me, you absolutely adore seafood then you simply must splash out on this delicious dish. You might think R230 is a lot for a main dish but once you see what arrives on your plate you will be suitably impressed! Fresh line fish, prawns, and mussels all served with a generous helping of fragrant rice, a side salad, and peri-peri and lemon butter sauces, it’s a feast of note for one! I loved this dish so much that just looking at the picture I took of it makes my mouth water at the thought of biting into those juicy, perfectly seasoned prawns.
5. Mondiall’s Famous 100% Wagyu Cheese Burger
If you’ve been to Mondiall before then you will know that they do burgers exceptionally well. Their Wagyu Beef Burger is right up there with the very best in the Cape and once deliciousness like this passes your lips there really is no going back. Served with cheddar, gherkins, umami ketchup and hand cut fries, it’s burgers and fries done absolutely right!
But wait, you cannot simply go without indulging in a bit of dessert! If you’ve got space then you have to try the oh-so-delectable Banana Split (R60)! This dish which offers caramelised banana in puff pastry served with Macadamia nut milk ice cream and Maraschino cherries is the stuff sugar addicts live for. Make sure you leave some space for this dessert, if you don’t have space then share with someone, even if you have to rope in a fellow dinner at the table next door, the embarrassment will all be worth it when you bite into this yummy treat. And, while we’re on the topic of the dessert the Salted Chocolate Tart (R65) is the perfect combination of sweet and salty flavours and is another winner of note.
The restaurant also offers some great daily specials including Monday Madness (Any two starters, mains or desserts for the price of one), Ladies Night on Thursdays (50% off meals and R30 for all cocktails), a Birthday Special (get 50% off your meal on your birthday), and the Business Lunch special (bring your business card and get 33% off a table of 4 people or less, or 44% discount on tables of more than 4).
For more information on the new menu and Mondiall Kitchen & Bar visit their website or say Hi to Mondiall on Facebook or Twitter.
That burger has me drooling! Also, the banana split looks delicious.