Saucisse Boutique Deli

24 January 2020

SAUCISSE BOUTIQUE DELI

The Old Biscuit Mill, 375 Albert Road, Woodstock, Cape Town

The Old Biscuit Mill is one of those popular weekend destinations that’s been around for years, yet, in the same way I never go up the mountain or go to the beach, it’s not a place I frequent and I hadn’t been there in the daytime since late 2014 (though there have been a couple of dinners at The Potluck Club) when the younger goddaughter and I went for breakfast on a Saturday and were somewhat put out by the vast, bustling throng at the market.

Last night I was idly trawling through the internet listings of Cape Town breakfast spots, looking for one I haven’t been to yet, when Saucisse Boutique Deli came up, and when I saw their breakfast menu promised “vegan heaven” (only one dish though), my mind was made up. This would be my Friday morning destination.

Over the last couple of months I’ve made  a point of eating vegan, if available, otherwise vegetarian, breakfasts because I’ve become enamoured with the ideal of meat-free and solidly plant based food; though I’m a long way from being a committed vegetarian. Bacon and breakfast used to be synonymous for me but I’ve learnt, if done well, that vegan food is pretty damn tasty.

The retail establishments of the Biscuit Mill don’t open early but Saucisse, EspressoLab next door, and Redemption Burgers, closer to the main entrance to the Old Biscuit Mill site, open earlier. This morning EsprressoLab attracted more early birds than Saucisse, possibly worker bees in the precinct who popped in for coffee and catch-ups.

The interior of Saucisse is quite lovely, with white table tops and white plastic chairs in a light coloured space that gives it that chic bistro feel. This morning the interior was  hot and stuffy as if there were no ventilation and someone had left the oven on overnight, so I chose to sit outside at one of the several small tables on the inner courtyard where, on this superbly wind free morning, it was pleasantly cool and afforded views of the slow awakening of the precinct. The tables are tucked into a corner provided by a metal staircase and a funky metal sculpture cum industrial fitting thing, which affords some privacy and allows one a view of the area beyond.

When I arrived, all was quiet and somnolent at the Biscuit Mill. By 09h30 all manner of people were bustling about and making a cheerful noise. It was  the inner city version of “bucolic.”

The Test Kitchen is on the other side of the courtyard, and Burrata is around the corner from Saucisse. I didn’t see any life at Burrata but at the Test Kitchen the junior schlepper chefs were already prepping for the day ahead. I voted against pressing my face to the windows to peer inside at the empty holiest of holies of Cape Town food, an eatery I’d probably never enter. Eating with my eyes!

Saucisse is not a vegetarian / vegan eatery though it has the vegan heaven and some other vegetarian options. Proper bacon is available and to my great joy, the vegan food contains no fake dairy, meat or eggs. I did overhear the one other customer order almond milk for her tea, though.

The breakfast offerings are variations on the usual suspects, with two oats bowls, stuff on toast and several bagels as well. Just about everything on the menu reads as intriguing and tempting; always a good sign. There are few things as soul crushing as looking at a menu that offers no surprises and nothing even slightly out of the ordinary. I can fry bacon and eggs at home.

As soon as I saw the “vegan heaven” (R110), I knew it would be the hit of the day and my expectation was met. It’s half a baked avocado with lemon spinach, wild mushrooms, roasted cherry tomatoes, hummus and toasted seeds, and is served with two shard-shaped slices of toast.

It didn’t look like much when served, with the bulk of the dish hidden below the foliage with which it was dressed, yet it was surprisingly filling and quite tasty. The avocado and hummus were creamy, the tomatoes added acidity to complement the unctuousness of the avo, the seeds provided a textural contrast and there was a lovely pepperiness that lingered on the palate.

For all the satisfactory aspects of the meal, it’s pricey.

The deli section of Saucisse was a tad on the skimpy side (perhaps it was too early to be fully stocked yet), with mostly pseudo home-made, commercial deli product, and only three pastries. I chose the cinnamon croissant / roll (R25) with my latté. It was fresh, flaky and festive.

The coffee was good though, for a change, the espresso (R18) was better than the latté (R39.)

The total bill, before tip, came to R183,00.

I reckon it’s probably best, if you don’t care for market day crowds, to visit the Old Biscuit Mill on a weekday morning for a leisurely breakfast in a quaint, attractive setting, before browsing the various boutiques for a desirable objét that will add that touch of quirkiness your life lacks. If the weather allows it, Saucisse’s outside seating is excellently placed and the food is good.