Open plan kitchen at Dutch.
It seems that tapas are the new international trend.
Diners the world over are eager to experiment and explore lots of different dishes and new tastes.
Ferran Adria, of El Bulli fame closed up his molecular gastronomy restaurant and opened a tapas bar in Barcelona.
In Cape Town, Luke Dale-Roberts specialises in them, to great success and recognition.
French Toast, Foodbarn and Deli, Sotano, La Mouette and many other restaurants have adapted to this style of eating.
There's a lovely water feature and garden out the front.
In fact, the word ‘Tapas’ no longer relate to a Spanish style of cuisine, but more an international description of a small tasting plate.
You can experiment without getting locked into one main course of lamb, steak, curry or whatever course you might choose.
Stephan van de Ven’s Dutch Restaurant in Wynberg has evolved his popular menu to this style of eating and I think he has done a wonderful job.
Stephan's famous pea and smoked sausage soup.
Stephan, as may people remember, ran Dutch in the Waterkant for may years before shifting to the burbs.
I’d describe his food as Dutch South African, with a very interesting Indonesian twist.
What he has done is to take many of his best known and popular dishes and serves them up 2 or 3 at a go on the one platter or series of plates.
Aubergine rolls with feta, chilli and mint.
All the regulars are there – Bitterballen, Dutch Kroket, Nasi Goreng, Aubergine Rolls with Feta, Chilli and Mint and not to forget the desserts of Dutch Apple Tart with Custard or Pancakes with a coffee/Kahlua sauce.
I loved my selection, which I shared with a few friends. The standout dish for me was chilled roasted pepper soup with spicy calamari.
Ye Olde shoppe sign.
Delicious tasty food, and I only wish he’d open in the evenings, as I think the southern suburbs needs accomplished restaurateurs like Stephan.
Recent successful openings like Erawan in Chelsea Village, Wynberg and Societi Brasserie in Tokai demonstrate that if you get the formula of menu, price, location and ambiance right you are on to a winner.
Dutch has the menu, the location, the ambiance and the prices are right – so pretty please, Stephan, would you not open a few evenings a week?, just for me?
Prices from R20 to R45 percourse. Average R35.
Open 8-4:30 Monday – Friday, 9-2:00 Saturday.
Dutch
51 Waterloo Road, Chelsea Village, Wynberg. 021 797 5838.
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I love Dutch; hands-on owner, very tasty food and beautiful
surroundings. I agree, that chilled roasted pepper soup with calamari is phenomenal. Do try his Pea soup now that the weather is getting colder. Dutch is a little gem in precious and “middle of the road” loving southern suburbs.
Hi Deeva, had the pea soup when I was there yesterday – a real winter-warmer as the rain pelted down outside. And I agree that Stephan’s place is a little gem……..
Clare I think you will find that his name is Stephan van de Ven (not Wen)
love going to Dutch!the set up with Kiids and Allison’s works so well. My favourite at the moment are the wild mushroom risotto balls, they are absolutely delicious!
Michael, When’s a Wen a Ven, you know? Ven you are from Europe the Ven’s and the Wen’s all sound the same, know vot I mean?
Stephan has to be one of the most modest nice guys out there, we loved his De Waterkant venue, his Biscuit Mill venture, and he deserves support in Wynberg where his venue is a little ‘lost’ in the scheme of things in that building. Why buy Woolies pea soup when you can have the real thing here!
Unfortunately he has closed the place down – and is taking a sabbatical in Europe.
Happily he’s on the lookout for things new….