The Annex.
What’s a bookseller doing opening a restaurant? Is this an act of madness? In this case, I think it’s a stroke of genius.
Ann Donald, owner of Kalk Bay Books, has opened The Annex and based on my meal last night, I would say she has hit the jackpot.
It’s a wow. Honest to goodness cooking with style and soul, served up with flair.
She brought Chef Tim Pick to Kalk Bay, and deposited him in her kitchen and gosh, can this guy cook.
Tasty, tasty, tasty. The place was heaving with happy diners
Warm prawn and bacon salad.
This chef uses fresh ingredients, “available on the day”. It’s why there are no printed menus, and a chalk board is used to show a short menu of dishes on offer. I love short menus.
Warm prawn and bacon salad, mushroom and brie, and mussels with a knock out sauce headed up the starters. Great mains selections included vegetable lasagne with roasted butternut, slow lamb with baby veg, basil encrusted chicken with Morrocan couscous and cape salmon on crushed potato salad.
The cape salmon was fresh as a daisy, and the crushed potato salad was amazing. My partners lamb was delicious in a red wine and rosemary reduction, this was melt in the mouth stuff.
A desert of walnut icecream was dreamy, and a wow chocolate tart that had hints of salt and caramel was simply outstanding.
The service was very friendly and efficient. I liked the room; cosy, informal, exposed brick and lovely areas in which to eat outside with great cushions on the seats.
A large fireplace dominates one end of the room and we were promised that, come winter, a fire would blaze away and warm all who enter there.
Cape Salmon on crushed potatoes.
The Annex is open each day for breakfast and they serve throughout the day. Afternoon teatime treats will be a feature.
At last the Olympia Cafe, up the road, has a place that will give it a run for its money.
Hurray for this bookseller, who was crazy enough to open her own restaurant.
The Annex, Majestic Village, 124 Main Road, Kalk Bay. 021 788 2453.
Starters R42-R55. Mains R42-R105.
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Hi Clare, I was so pleased to stumble across your review as this restaurant had completely slipped my mind and you have given me the impetus to go and try it. It’s tucked just off the main street and somehow the position never worked for the previous owner and even though I knew about it, it never came to mind when choosing a Kalk Bay restaurant. Now it will! Thanks. Carrie Hampton (www.safaritart.com)
Dear Clare, I could not agree more! The owners and their Chef’s have done an amazing job here. I took my family there on Saturday for breakfast and was back with friends from JHB on Sunday morning. What a treat for them! A definate number one on my list. It all just works..the atmosphere, the food, the staff and service – Well done!
Hi Marcelle,
I am glad you enjoyed it and I am overdue for a visit myself. It’s great to hear that The Annex is prospering.
Hi Clare,
Kelly has brought the heavenly Von Geusau chocolates on board, and they are served with coffee as a desert option…what a treat!!Worth going round for a second visit!
Heidi, That’s another reason to visit Kalk Bay, if one were needed.
Very nice ambiance, food and service. Shame they have WiFi cos the other day it was like eating in an Internet Cafe.