Burger & Lobster

14 July 2019

BURGER & LOBSTER

105 Bree Street, Cape Town

This was another spur of the moment decision, after Macau Asian Tavern last night, because the wife saw the “all-rounder” special offer of lobster bisque, prawn sandwich, beef slider and fries for only R149,00, while researching other winter dining specials in Cape Town.

We arrived at 18h30, to a mostly empty space with none of the deafening, conversation killing music of our first time here. A low bass throb and muted drums suggested a party without being in your face. Apparently, Sunday through to Tuesday are the chill out evenings more suited to us folk who prefer relaxed chatter to shouting across the table. The dim red mood lighting and understated decorations make Burger & Lobster one of the loveliest venues in town, perfect for a hot date when the music enhances the mood, not kill it.

I felt a twinge of sympathy for our server who did his best to interest us in the other, more expensive options on the menu, but we paid no attention to the patter. We were here to kick ass and eat all-rounders and we were all out of ass. (Does this joke work?)

Not only did we insist on two all-rounders but we also ordered two Coney Island cocktails each (eschewing the limited choice of 2-for-1 cocktails) (R170 for four), bar snacks of deep fried bacon mac ‘n cheese balls and Jack Daniels’ ribs (bargains at R38 each) and, finally, because we’d cheated ourselves of dessert at Macau, a slice of Nutella  cheesecake (R79) for the wife and a peanut butter chocolate mousse brownie cake (R69) for me. We might have come for the low price special but we’re not cheapskates.

The lobster bisque was sublime, with a rich creaminess and a profound lobster flavour and quite generous in portion. The prawn sandwich (almost a po’boy, I guess) was a slice of brioche bread cut in two to enfold soft, saucy prawns and was delicious.  The slider, which I ate last, rated lower in comparison but was succulent and tasty anyhow, and the ribbon fries were crisp.

The mac ‘n cheese balls were encased in crunchy phyllo pastry and dripped molten cheese when bitten into. The six sticky riblets (a larger portion than I’d anticipated) were off the bone soft and sinfully yummy.  I could eat them all night long, not only because I like pork but also because the sauce is the best use I’ve experienced Jack Daniels being put to.  

The two slices of cake were just about large enough to get through before the sweetness became too cloying, but they were moist, chocolaty (and peanutty in my case) and a good ending to a happy meal.

The bill came to R692,00 before tip.

We were done shortly before 20h00, by which time the room was quite crowded yet relatively quiet because the music was still muted, and the happy patrons weren’t raucous. It was a quick night out and a satisfying, would-be budget (if it weren’t for the extras) meal in a beautiful space we both like a lot.  The food was very good, and the service was excellent.

If you’re young, lively and have strong lungs, boogie down at Burger & Lobster from Wednesday to Saturday nights. If you’re more interested in the food and the confab, the other nights, especially early evening, would be your ticket.