‘Beautiful’and ‘mall’ aren’t two words you’d often use in one sentence, but the new Table Bay Mall in Tableview is exactly that: bee-yoo-ti-ful. The perfect setting, in fact, for brand new bistro cafeteria. Owned and run by the accomplished restauranteur team of Martin (son) and Phillip (father) Senekal, cafeteria refreshes the parts other cafés don’t reach. Sleek, modern & urban design combines with a simple, pared-down menu of café classics at prices you can afford. It’s a big win in my book!
Owner & chef Martin Senekal says the aim is to keep it uncomplicated, easy and accessible, with a menu that pleases almost everyone while paying the nod to the latest trends (savoury waffles, quinoa salad, buttermilk fried crispy chicken). Unfussy and delicious, and vegans get a look-in, too.
The food is fantastic. So good, in fact, that if I lived nearby, I’d visit almost daily. Fortunately I drive that way frequently, so now I know exactly where to pop in for great food and coffee in a gorgeous setting. Want a burger? Salad, sandwiches, nicely aged sirloin steak and fries and all the sides your heart desires? cafeteria has your number. Oh, and a cracking good breakfast menu that’s served all day, so if it’s Eggs Benedict four ways or flapjacks with bacon maple butter or granola you crave at 4pm, then get your sweet self to cafeteria. Open from 9am till 7pm Mondays to Saturdays, and on Sundays from 9am till 6pm.
We went to check out cafeteria yesterday and boy, we had a good time. Forty-odd items on the menu made it difficult to choose, and I changed my mind about 5 times before finally settling on the chicken Cobb salad at R80 for a massive bowlful. Probably the best chicken salad I’ve had to date in Cape Town, with a pile of thinly shredded coleslaw, avo, bacon, corn, crunchy toasted almonds and tangy lime mayo. My son began with a ‘starter’ of breakfast waffle with mustard cheese sauce, bacon jam, sriracha syrup and soft poached egg (R70), before moving on to the chicken skewer on soft polenta with mushrooms, blackened corn and chimichurri (R95). Polished both plates. This is food with real millennial appeal – there’s even avo toast on the menu!
My daughter chose a hefty buttermilk fried chicken burger, all crispy and golden-like, served with fries and mayo, at R80 for a beeeg burger. Do you ever have plate envy in a restaurant? I had serious plate envy. Sides of giant, fat, beer-battered deep-fried onion rings (R20) pleased my inner hillbilly, accompanied by more fries (R25) and some home-made peri-peri sauce (R15). Yep, I am that person who orders a ‘healthy’salad, you know, with (ahem) sides of every fried thing known to mankind plus extra sauce. Because you can never, ever have enough fries in my opinion, and cafeteria’s fries are the real Makoya. Hand-cut, twice fried. As fries oughta be. Portions are hearty, and the most expensive item on the menu is the pork belly with mash and greens at R135, with aged sirloin and chips or mash coming in at R125.
Martin is a master patissier, so desserts at cafeteria are something out of the ordinary. We shared a gorgeously gooey, custard-filled macaroon with honeycomb, Turkish Delight and chocolate sauce. Or choose from Red Velvet Lamingtons, Chocolate Mousse with coffee panna cotta, chocolate brownie, candied nuts and whipped cream, Coconut and Granadilla Baked Cheesecake or Apple Crumble with home-made vanilla ice cream, all priced between R45-R50. Sheer deliciousness.
Coffee is from Truth. No raw juices (yet), but Sir Juice did us just fine this time. Colour me satisfied, then, and weekends ferrying teenagers to their various parties up and down the West Coast have suddenly become way more appealing. We’ll be back.
From the press release: ‘With their combined experience of more than 30 years on the Cape Town food and hospitality scene, father-son duo Phillip and Martin Senekal brings cafeteria to Table Bay Mall. cafeteria evokes a sense of nostalgia by offering familiar and comforting flavours whilst pushing the boundaries with simple, modern presentation and design.
Using a combination of French cooking techniques and experience, chef Martin Senekal’s menu boasts just over 40 dishes, focusing on breakfast, lunch and some interesting early dinners. Twists on familiar favourites include Eggs Benedict served on artisan bread with creamed spinach and wholegrain mustard Hollandaise instead of English muffins & wilted spinach, French toast using banana bread, peanut butter mascarpone, cinnamon sugar and raspberry jam, and even a modern take on the classic pork belly roast.
Martin showcases his deep respect for each ingredient by using only the most appropriate cooking methods and presentation to create a new nostalgia.
Martin gained traction on the Cape Town Food scene when he created his own confectionary range under Martin Senekal Confectionary. He was soon dubbed the “Sugar Man” for his extraordinary pastry designs, including miniature gateaux and macarons. Martin moved away from his own brand for a while to become Executive Chef, Head Pastry Chef and Head Chef at some of South Africa’s most popular and luxurious hospitality groups.
Eighteen years ago, Phillip swopped his life as a banker for that of a restaurateur making him the ideal partner in an environment where creativity and business need to be in perfect balance. Phillip’s own love for food and his obsession with service excellence drives his passion as restauranteur.
cafeteria is situated at shop G088 at the Table Bay Mall, located between Bloubergstrand and Sunningdale on the R27 and has a seating capacity of 130 people. Besides the indulgent food menu, you can expect quality coffee quality coffee served in partnership with Truth Coffee, as well as free Wi-Fi.
Upon confirmation of the liquor licence the restaurant also will boast a well-curated wine list.
Opening hours:
Monday–Saturday: 9:00–19:00
Sundays: 9:00 – 18:00
For reservations, please call 083 881 6225. For a sample menu, please visit our website at http://cafeteria.capetown
Click here for Cafeteria contact details and address
We were invited by cafeteria and paid for all extras.
