Lunch at the Potluck Club and Gallery is a Gastronomic Delight!
Friday 29th April, 2016.
My son Richard is visiting for the weekend, and as a special treat we take him to the Potluck Club for lunch. He lives and works as a Mechatronics engineer in Pretoria, so we don't get to see him that often.
It was particularly cool that both my sons were around to go and collect our new Golden Retriever Puppy, Cody-Bear, innocently asleep on Nic's lap in the back of the car. There was no such sleepy innocence when we got back home I can tell you. Our pussycat Cosmo scatted as if the devil was chasing him whilst our middle aged Russel's looked upon the madness of a fluffy, bubbly, clumsy ball taking over their quite life in retirement with utter horror. Our life was forever changed xx Cody hailed from the Vissers Haven Farm near Ladismith in the Klein Karoo where we buy all our organic chickens and eggies.
My son, Nicholas is a Chef at the Potluck Club and is running the pass today, so an extra special occasion for his family. There is something terribly thrilling about seeing the "chef team" all work together as one big machine, it looks like a crazy, open plan kitchen, but somehow it all just works, this incredible energy of the beautiful young chefs producing the most magical little plates of wonderfulness fills the entire dining room. Nic has a huge smile on his face, as he is doing what he loves most in the world, he truly followed his passion and has turned into a fabulous Chef.
Up first, we received a steaming hot, crispy, round baby Ciabatta Bread for the three of us to share. "Masa Ciabatta, Chimichurri and Baba Ghanoush (means pampered papa - haha, Tony-Bear always feels pampered when he gets gorgeous bread)" Delicious Ciabatta served up with two incredible cold sauces, the one is a carrot and egg plant sauce, while the other is made of finely chopped parsley, minced garlic and olive oil. Served with the two sauces is roasted garlic which you squeeze onto your bread and sauce, its totally blissful. I hadn't had any carbs for about two weeks, so I honestly felt as if I had gone to heaven.
What is it about carbs? Particularly really good, crusty warm bread served with fabulous Olive Oil, a pesto or cold sauce that makes one want to commit a crime?
Next up :
Korean Fried Cauliflower, Amasi and Miso Dip with Pickles - this has to be the most delectable cauliflower I have ever tasted. I so wish my Dad was still alive so that he could have tried it. Cauliflower was his favourite vegetable. This Cauliflower was crisp and light and slightly spicy - I have to gear myself up on Miso Dips, its one of the best spicy tastes I have found recently, now added to my things to do list....
Then :
Fish Sliders - This was delicate, lightly battered fresh hake in a delightful little steamed bun, dressed with delicious but subtle sauce. These were totally amazing, I almost wished we had ordered extra....
Next:
Pot Luck Club Fish Tacos: Fresh Ceviche, Black Bean Puree, Avocado and Sour Cream. These Fish Taco's are a simple must eat at Potluck. The fish is always different, it depends on what fresh fish they can source - We had Yellow Tail. They are impossible to eat politely -- our gorgeous waitress Lauren advised us to squash the Taco down slightly, that way you can manage it in two bites ...
All three of us were ooohing and aaahing by this stage and licking our fingers. The food here is utterly delicious, and the portions are manageable, not over the top large.
We then tried :
Lamb Abbacchio (Lamb belly) - the Lamb was totally amazing -- succulent, incredibly tender and filled with delicious hints of herbs and garlic.
Last Savoury :
Coal-fired Linefish, Roast Coconut Masala, Dahl and ginger. I have never really liked the idea of curried fish. This fish was honestly all the Cape Malay flavours on a plate. My husband actually used his fingers to lap up the rest of the sauce, utterly crazy delicious. We were now fairly well sated - we had truly indulged in deliciousness.
The guys wanted to try a desert so ordered the most amazing little Lemon Meringue Pie - which was Frozen Lemon Cheese Cake and Lemon Hollandaise. This desert was served in a small glass jar.
Malted Chocolate Fondant Souffle with Halva Ice Cream was served in a small frying pan and was gently rich, but honestly not sweet. Really good dark chocolate was clearly used and the sweetness came from the Halva Ice Cream. The centre was delectable and gorgeously runny... a perfect end to a perfect Friday lunch served by my boy, with my boys.
Potluck Club is the 9th best restaurant in South Africa, and as such you need to plan and book in advance. This place is well worth the visit, and I have just heard that my wonderful husband has secured a spot for the Mothers Day brunch. I am salivating already..
