Cape Town Food

UPDATE: Tragically Greek is now closed. A real loss to Little Mowbray restaurants.

Whilst not Greek, another great restaurant in the group that brought us all Greek, is Joe Fish in Pinelands.

Otherwise Zorba's of the 70s at Lagoon Beach, or Spiro's in Hout Bay are still keeping the blue and white flag of Greek cuisine going (outside the abysmal mall chains like Ocean Basket)

Opposite Fat Cactus in Mowbray is a little dilapidated (moderately) gem of Greek. I love the food there – it never fails to hit exactly the right Mediterranean nerve for me.

I went their last week with the GF, and two great friends who are firmly on a diet drive for the new year – hoping that the menu would not be too much for them, and that they’d find something acceptable.

Since they needed the contact details and location (78 Durban Road, Mowbray, Cape Town. Telephone: +27 (0)21 686-4314), I went online to get them for them… and as I meandered around the food review sites I saw a lot of people dissing Greek, saying it was student chow, and not great, shabby etc.

This really made me feel sad – because for me Greek is a great example of a laid back Greek restaurant, where the menu isn’t intimidating (having good descriptions of each of the menu items), the food is always fresh, and the eating area and kitchen (which you can see into) is always clean and rustic.

Greek is Fat Cactus’ sister restaurant (along with the excellent Joe Fish in Pinelands I believe, but more about that some other time) – and is great value for money.

Our friends had the calamari salad, which I have had before there for lunch – and it is excellent – they seem fairly pleased. The GF and I had the usual as it were, the 5 mezze with pitas – for R129 – an absolute feast for 2 – we had dolmades (stuffed fig leaves), hummus, roasted feta with sweet chilli source, grilled houloumi and melitzanes (fried aubergine in batter). What can I say? DELICIOUS!

We stayed much longer, having cappuccinos (their coffee is excellent – I love it when restaurants invest in a good espresso machine, and Greek has done so – nothing smarts more than having a good meal ruined by crap coffee – Greek’s is excellent!) – and sharing some baklava, which has changed from when I last had it there – no longer the traditional square baklava, the chef has changed it into a slightly denser cigar shaped baklava, laid on yoghurt and drizzled with honey – this is the same one they serve at Joe Fish – slightly less rich and decadent than other baklavas around the city (such as Magnifico in Canal Walk – the only reason to risk the mall) – but also leaves you feeling less of a complete glutton for having dessert.

The service has always been friendly and attentive in my opinion, I doubt I’ve ever been served by the same waiter twice though, since its in a student area their is obviously a bit of staff turn over but everyone is always friendly, quick to serve and well timed as when to check – there doesn’t seem to be any overarching Maitre D’ or similar ensuring this happens – so its a testament to the staff that they get it right so often.

Clearly, if you read this far you know I LOVE Greek. Why? The food is excellent, fresh, different, good value for money and authentic. The staff and service is top draw. The kitchen and restaurant is CLEAN, and authentically flaky in the positive sense (in the Greek fishing village way – worn but well cared for).

To have a feast, with several rounds of coffee and desert, with tip for 4 people for R440 it is a recession proof dining experience. I love it, I love it!

9/10 [Reviewed on 7th Jan 2010]

78 Durban Road,
Mowbray,
Cape Town.

Telephone: +27 (0)21 686-4314

p.s. I promise to take pictures next time.

Labels: Greek, Mediterranean, Mowbray, Restaurant, Review

// posted by Andrew la Grange @ 10:35 PM