Love at The Greek Fisherman

 9 August 2023

 

THE GREEK FISHERMAN

78 Regent Road, Sea Point, Cape Town

 

We  awoke  to a  glorious, warm, wind-free public holiday, in the mood to go out for lunch and at about 13h15 we were seated at The Greek Fisherman.

 

Our table was in a rear corner of the open courtyard, surrounded by palm fronds. Most of the other tables out there were occupied and there was such a cheerful, touristy vibe it was almost like dining in the large central square of the Plaka in the shadow of the Akropolis. 

 

Many aeons ago the building was the home of the Europa restaurant, my favourite Continental eatery and hot date venue in that dim, distant past. After that, it was home to La Mouette, where I first stuck a toe in fine-dining waters. On today’s evidence, The Greek Fisherman is a worthy successor to both.

 

We were warned that service might be slow due to the current taxi service stoppage but I thought that the service was pretty much on point and without undue delay.

 

The menu is extensive and virtually every item is tempting. The wife and I adore small plate eating, tapas or mezze, and tend to over order. One should probably not have more than two mezze to share between two of you, if you wish to indulge in a main course and a dessert too.

 

We didn’t follow our own advice, did we. 

 

The curtain raiser was a mess of mezze:  my choices were the grilled haloumi (R89) and the spanakopita (R69), both three pieces, and the wife’s fancies were the trio of dips, with pita bread, (R115) (she ordered another portion of bread for me) and the grilled baby marrow (R69).

 

My main course was the grilled lamb gyro and fries (R130,00)

 and the wife ordered the grilled calamari tubes with spinach rice (R199).

 

I thought all the mezze items were quite excellent.  For the wife, the spanakopita stood out above the rest. I dote on grilled haloumi and this portion of very light, aerated cheese came with a sticky, sweet quince syrup that not only enhanced the cheese but was great on the pita bread. These soft, pliant pitas, home-made daily, were a revelation and easily the best such bread I’ve eaten in Cape Town.

 

The mezze should’ve been enough for us. The wife confessed that she ate her quite yumfesty, perfectly grilled calamari purely for the taste and she couldn’t finish the luscious savoury rice. Ordinarily, I would have cleaned her plate because I love rice dishes but my superlative gyro, with slightly crisp pita, loads of salad and succulent, slow cooked pulled lamb, was a full meal in itself and once I was done, there was no space for rice.

 

Neither was there space for dessert or post-prandial coffee. 

 

The bill, including a bottle of sparkling water, an espresso, a glass of rosé and a beer, came to R846,00.

 

We drove home, in an elevated state of mind and with full bellies, looking forward to collapsing on a couch. There’ll be no supper for us tonight.

 

The courtyard of The Greek Fisherman (and there’s lots of seating inside) is the most marvellous spot. It’s in the heart of a busy trading area yet with an old-world, tranquil charm. I can see where it would be the perfect dinner date spot on one of those rare, very warm, yet wind free nights in Cape Town. Not only will you have the heady atmosphere but you’ll also dine supremely well.