Silo Top Floor, Shop 104 A, The Old Biscuit Mill, Cape Town Central, South Africa
Cuisine:
International
Good for:
Breakfast/Brunch, Late Night, Reservations
The Pot Luck Club
9 Visitor Photos +
Expert Review
The Pot Luck Club is superb in every respect. The breathtaking views, the service, and of course the food is...
The Pot Luck Club is superb in every respect.
The breathtaking views, the service, and of course the food is above and beyond expectation. Expect a tapas- style food-sharing experience.
Everything is about experiencing different tastes and flavours, the menu is divided into salty, bitter, sour, umami and sweet. Your waiter is able to guide and steer you through the myriad of choices. There were four of us and out waiter answered a barrage of questions with ease.
Then of course comes decision time. Ultimately, between the four of us, we ordered about 20 dishes. Portions are small, but again, it’s all about the taste experience. For this type of dining experience, one needs an open mind and a bit of a sense of adventure, as you are to sure try something you may never even considered before.
Our orders started arriving, a steady stream of plates were passing on and off our table. Some dishes were met with a little apprehension at first, but curiosity always won. I was quite entertained to observe the expressions on faces from time to time. For some, their best poker face would not cut it.
Simply put, The Pot Luck Club is not a restaurant, it is more of a dining experience — prepare to be surprised. The ambiance is fun; an air of expectation and anticipation hangs heavy. Lots of laughter and a bit of nervous chatter mixed in makes the entire experience something out of the ordinary. Booking is absolutely essential, and be prepared to sell the family silver in the morning.
When in Cape Town, a visit to Pot Luck Club is as essential as a trip to the top of Table Mountain.
Expert Review
The Pot Luck Club enjoys perhaps the coolest location in Cape Town. It’s on the top floor of the Silo...
The Pot Luck Club enjoys perhaps the coolest location in Cape Town. It’s on the top floor of the Silo in the Old Biscuit Mill in Woodstock. Views through the all-glass walls are incredible, both over Woodstock back to the mountain and out towards the sea. The décor is hip and creative and complements the space nicely. The open kitchen protrudes into the room and provides dynamic entertainment as the orders are read out and acknowledged.
The Pot Luck Club is run by Chef Luke Dale Roberts, who also runs The Test Kitchen, which has been rated the best restaurant in South Africa. Comparatively, The Pot Luck Club is more casual and laid back. However, food at The Pot Luck Club is also top notch. The menu is based on a tapas approach, and it’s recommended to order six to eight small plates to share for two people. The menu is divided by tastes—salty, sweet, umami, sour, and bitter—so it’s nice to order an item or two from each category. The kitchen prepares them for you one by one.
I sampled the beer battered fish with cardamom and saffron mayo and green mango atchar; Asian style beef tartare; parmesan, porcini, and truffle quiche with pan-fried wild mushrooms; Pot Luck Club tuna tartare tacos; and smoked pork belly with orange-braised endive. For dessert I tried the millionaire chocolate hot pot, a syrupy chocolate dish served with nuts, blueberries, and crème fraiche ice cream. All of the dishes were great, and the flavors were very pronounced and interesting, especially with the beef battered fish and the smoked pork belly. The presentation was beautiful, and it was nice to be able see the chefs at work in the kitchen. Service was great and friendly. I found myself very curious about the rest of the menu and eager to return and try different things.
Woodstock is an edgy area of town that has undergone a bit of an artists’ renaissance in the last few years, and the Biscuit Mill is right in the heart of it. Enjoy browsing through some artsy shops and nearby galleries after your meal at Pot Luck. Reservations are required.
Expert Review
I’m not sure how else to put this, so here goes: pick up the phone, right about now, and book...
I’m not sure how else to put this, so here goes: pick up the phone, right about now, and book a table. For this is one Cape Town restaurant you don’t want to miss.
The brainchild of award-winning chef Luke Dale-Roberts, The Pot Luck Club offers a “small plate” look at the innovative fine dining that has become a hallmark of his celebrated Test Kitchen eatery. It’s also a more affordable take on the style of cuisine that sees Dale-Roberts’ tables booked out for weeks in advance during season.
At the Test Kitchen all of the excitement is on the plate, but The Pot Luck Club is a delight in itself. A glass elevator whisks you to the sixth-floor space atop the gentrified Old Biscuit Mill, with expansive picture windows offering wrap-around city, mountain and harbour views. Book a window table at night and I dare you not to be impressed.
Not that the food is disappointing in the least, don’t get me wrong. The “pot luck” refers to the ever-changing menu that will challenge and excite. The Pig’s Tails cooked sous vide and then fried have become an unlikely hit, while the remarkable beef fillet with café au lait sauce isn’t quickly forgotten. The standout, however, is the Mushrooms on Toast that will surprise with rich brioche, nutty Parmesan and earthy wild mushrooms.
Small plates encourage sharing, and a table of four can easily order the entire menu without breaking the bank. The well-priced wine selection offers boutique estates often not seen on restaurant lists, with a handful by the glass.
Committed gourmands will no doubt insist on a table at the Test Kitchen, and rightly so, but The Pot Luck Club – with its remarkable views and exciting menu – is a must-visit for all travellers to Cape Town.