78 Regent Road, Seapoint, Cape Town Central 8005, South Africa
Cuisine:
French
Good for:
Dinner, Outdoor Seating, Reservations
La Mouette
13 Visitor Photos +
REVIEWS
2 Reviews
78 Regent Road, Seapoint, Cape Town Central 8005, South Africa
Expert Review
La Mouette is located in Seapoint on busy Regents Road, which is known for its noisy traffic and loud cab...
La Mouette is located in Seapoint on busy Regents Road, which is known for its noisy traffic and loud cab drivers. However, once you walk into the place, prepare for a dose of peace. The building is beautiful and there is a stunning outdoor courtyard where you can dine … fountain and all. We sat outside to enjoy the perfect weather and the courtyard was packed in a good way. The tables are not crammed together, so you can still have a private conversation without having to talk over people. The service at La Mouette is excellent. We had amusing rapport with both our server and the chef’s wife, who is an owner. The wine selection is varied but not overwhelming and it seems the staff knows the list well. You can either opt for the entire tasting menu, which is said to change each month, or order à la carte. We did the latter. I had the calamari starter which was simple and tasty. It was lightly fried but not at all greasy. For a main I ordered Namibian lamb and my friend had the beef ribeye. The lamb dish was comprised of a few differently prepared lamb dishes served in bites. The dish was aesthetically presented with round shapes. I tried the ribeye as well, also a beautiful presentation. All of the meat was tender and not overly spiced. Unlike some French restaurants, the food wasn’t heavy or buttery. The dishes were relatively simple, letting the fresh ingredients speak for themselves. Overall, it was a lovely evening and if you want to go for quality food and wine with friends in an unpretentious environment, this is your place.
Expert Review
La Mouette, which is French for sea gull, is a gem of a restaurant just a few blocks from the...
La Mouette, which is French for sea gull, is a gem of a restaurant just a few blocks from the ocean in Cape Town’s Sea Point neighborhood. The restaurant succeeds in providing an amazing fine dining experience without being overly formal or stuffy. It’s perfect for a really great meal or special occasion. It’s currently among 20 nominees for the top 10 restaurants in South Africa.
The menu focuses on modern French cuisine with a Mediterranean flair, and the creative dishes draw from a variety of influences. There is a small but good selection of a la carte options; however, the seasonal tasting menu is a great way to sample a variety of specialties. Chef Henry Vigar and co-owner Mari Vigar pride themselves on using only the freshest local ingredients, and this comes through strongly in the tasting menu.
I opted for the spring menu for a Sunday lunch. I was seated in the airy courtyard bordered by palm and banana trees with an atmospheric classical fountain in the center housing huge koi fish—great for summer. For a more intimate setting, there are several dining rooms inside their historic building with cozy fireplaces for winter.
The six course menu started with a roasted cauliflower soup with a gruyere scone, truffle Chantilly, and red onion jam. A very interesting and tasty celery panna cotta with hazelnut crumble, grilled asparagus, and apple and celeriac remoulade followed. The “mains” were a salt and pepper squid dish with roasted corn puree, pickled cucumber, and caramelized onion ketchup followed by a deconstructed springbok pie—springbok bitterballen and medallions, spring baby vegetables, and smoked mash. Two dessert courses followed: a delicious deconstructed Eton mess with meringue, lemon curd, strawberries, vanilla cream, cassis gel, and strawberry sorbet and a trio called “memories of sweets by the seaside”. That last one neatly sums up an experience at La Mouette!