Even though the weather says otherwise, winter is soon coming to an end. Why do I know this? Because I have noticed that the restaurant’s winter specials are only up until the 31st of August. A bit of a bittersweet moment. Incredibly grateful that it won’t be so icy cold anymore, but sad that everything is about to get a bit more expensive, and busier once the tourists start flocking in. Since we are halfway through the month, I thought it would be fitting to take advantage of the last few specials. The Waterside caught my attention. A lunch special for R595 per person. A couple months prior, I went to Pier which is the upstairs restaurant to The Waterside. After reading through the menu, they were both a tad similar. No complaints, it was incredibly delicious, but I wanted to try something different. I then noticed that they had a vegetarian menu which sounded equally as delightful. So I ran it past Tumi, he was happy, and I made the booking.

“Vegetarians really do know what’s up, I had no FOMO here.”

We made our way to the Waterfront with the car heater on full blast. I was extremely excited because I remembered just how cozy it was inside Pier. It is the perfect hideaway from the chilly breezy weather outside. Once we arrived and opened the large glass door, we were immediately hit with warmth, both from the atmosphere and the friendly smiles. There are striking walls of wine bottles on either side of the entrance. It’s a quiet statement that says, we take our wine seriously. We were then greeted by an incredibly friendly hostess that showed us to our table. We were sitting in the most perfect spot overlooking the harbour. As much as I love people watching, I also very much enjoy watching the yachts, cranes at work, and the charm of The Waterfront’s working harbour. The interior of the restaurant is best described as modern coastal elegance. Light oak tables, minimalist plate settings, and white napkins. The chairs were comfortable enough to settle into for a few hours, yet sleek enough to match the restaurant’s polished aesthetic. The soft natural lighting was pouring in through the big windows giving the whole room warmth. It felt very upscale, without trying too hard.

Sitting back in my new favourite chair, I browsed the drinks menu. There was no way I wasn’t going to have a glass of bubbles in this setting. While paging through, our waitress came to introduce herself and told us a bit about their wine menu. I was thrilled to discover they’ve dedicated an entire page celebrating woman owned wines. I decided on the rose MCC for two reasons, it’s Women’s Month and it’s pink. I’m not a girlie girl but pink is fun, and so are bubbles. Our drinks arrived in tulip shaped wine glasses, and mine had a blush gold hue that catches light like a sunset. It tasted even more beautiful than it looked. Crisp, elegant, with a very slight sweetness and a dry finish. Just how I like it. It felt very feminine, celebratory, and a little cheeky. 

Like I mentioned before, I decided on trying the vegetarian menu. For my first course, I chose the sweet potato option since it is my favourite vegetable. The menu doesn’t give too much away so I was in for a surprise. Before I go to any restaurant, I always do my research. I read the recent reviews, and look at the photos to get an idea of what I am going to be eating. I do this to ensure I order the best dish possible. In this case, I couldn’t find any reviews on the vegetarian menu, so I really had no idea what I was going to be served. I was pleasantly surprised when a work of art was placed in front of me. My beloved sweet potato was dressed up and ready for the Met Gala, which I’ll hopefully attend one day. No idea why, but it would be cool, although I’ve heard the food isn’t too good at the event. Anyway, it was all glammed up and ready to go… into my mouth. Completing its look was a glossy tamarind gown and a vibrant green centrepiece. A flawless curled ribbon added drama, kind of like a stunning gold necklace would. Lastly, edible flowers and micro herbs delicately placed, like she just stepped off the stage after winning best dressed and the crowd rushed to hand her bouquets. Don’t worry, I took enough photos to last a lifetime. Okay, I’ve spoken a lot about how it looked, let’s get into the personality, the taste. The sweet potato was soft, naturally sweet, and deeply comforting. The sauce was warm with gentle curry notes, and the tamarind added some tangy sass. I loved the spiciness from the kimchi, and all the different textures on the plate. It was creamy, crisp, and tender, a proper conversation on the palate. If I’m nitpicking (and I am), a bit more salt would have taken this dish to the next level. I think it would have elevated all the other flavours. It was almost there, maybe just a crack of sea salt on the sweet potato and it would’ve been the sweet potato dish of my dreams.

Next, they brought out what looked like a tray of baby cacti. For a second there I thought we were about to do some gardening. Upon closer inspection, I saw one that looked a little different to the rest. Very slight difference I must add. I was extremely grateful for my 20/20 vision in this moment, otherwise I think I would have had a prickly, unpleasant experience. This cacti turned out to be the prettiest little palate cleanser. The bright green, glossy sorbet was nestled in a pot of ‘“soil” that looked exactly like the real deal. I took my mini spoon, or rather, my little shovel and dug in. The sorbet was lemony, zesty, and refreshing with a syrupy sweetness. This was definitely a grown up palate cleanser because the tequila and mezcal packed a serious punch. I thoroughly enjoyed the chocolate chilli “soil”.  It added a lovely crunchy texture and a bit of heat. This sorbet leaves you wanting more. All I could think of was how amazing this would be in cocktail form on a hot summer’s day. 

For mains, we were served gnocchi. It feels like there is a bit of a theme going on because this one looked like a little garden party on a plate. The colours were so vibrant, it made me dream of the warmer weather to come. The pops of orange, yellows, and greens mimicked the wildflowers that blossom on rolling grassy hills. It screamed spring, minus the hayfever. The plate was so pretty, you almost want to frame it, but your stomach says absolutely not. Listening to my stomach, I smeared the golden gnocchi into the sauce, and took my first bite. It was heavenly. The gnocchi was like a little potato cloud but it also had a lightly crispy exterior. It paired beautifully with the salsa verde sauce. A great example of how a couple balances each other out, or if you’re not coupled up like me, a perfect example of my two different personalities. The gnocchi was comforting and grounding while the salsa verde was zesty and full of life. The broccoli and carrots added some freshness and texture. Even the crispy garnish had a role since it was salty, so it acted as some more seasoning for the dish. I must say, vegetarians really do know what’s up, I had no FOMO here.

Last but certainly not least was dessert. This might have been my favourite dessert, ever. I promise you, I am not exaggerating. First of all, let’s talk about the presentation. It was plated like an edible art gallery, minimalistic but every detail deliberate. The ruby red rhubarb popped against the white plate and the other elements being the creamy cheesecake swirl and the dainty quenelle of ice cream. If this plate was a rom com, the rhubarb tart was the witty lead and the cheesecake was the main love interest. Of course, with any rom com, there is a love triangle, in this case it was the ice cream. Also a good match, but not as good as the main love interest that stole our hearts. Now I feel like rewatching the Bridget Jones movies. Anyway, let's get into how it all tasted. I’ll start with the main character, the tart. It was tart, jammy, and had a wonderful tang that keeps you coming back for more. The buttery buckwheat base crumbled in exactly the right way, not dry, not soggy, just gorgeous. Oh my gosh, then pairing that with the rich, decadent, and unapologetically creamy cheesecake swirl… Love at first bite. It seriously made me reconsider every other dessert I’ve ever rated. The ice cream also paired well with the tart, it was a bit more subtle, smooth, and not overly sweet. It was a relaxed, calm love affair while the cheesecake swirl and the tart were like a passionate twin flame type of love. But since we are in the year 2025 and there is a more “modern” approach to dating, I would recommend getting a little bit of everything on the spoon. A bit of a three way action, if you’re open to it. I must confess, I am only comfortable with this dynamic when it comes to food. But, each to their own. 

Overall, I had an absolutely amazing afternoon. I thoroughly enjoyed the tranquil and sophisticated atmosphere. It is the perfect place to sit back, relax, and sip on some crisp bubbly while indulging in scenic views and delicious food. I can highly recommend trying the vegetarian menu, I was incredibly impressed at how beautiful and flavourful it was. I also felt very well looked after and everyone I interacted with was warm, friendly, and welcoming. Thank you Waterside, till next time!