When Friday comes around, and the tendrils of winter begin chilling your soul – where does one go?

Cape Town has been known to have sporadic bouts of interesting events to sustain locals and tourists alike; but what inevitably happens is that people follow their parched throats, grumbling stomachs and generally exhausted selves, to the nearest and dearest eatery for an enjoyably relaxing vibe.

I am one such person, but for my foodie series I decided not to provide an unfair advantage to restaurants, cafes and bistros, purely based on whats near me. So this weeks’foodie escapade was a little(read: quite a bit) further from where I lay my head: hello Bistro Sixteen82.

Named after the year of its establishment, Bistro Sixteen82 is renowned among locals, foodies, and international wining and dining visitors, for more than their food and wine, but for the contemporary interior and exterior design too. Beyond the exquisite, modern decor – which marries earth tones and sophisticated furnishings very well – the building the bistro is housed in, has been endowed with a lavish layout that highlights Steenberg’s bragging commitment to showmanship, in lovely dining experiences and wine-making.

This joint, which sits adjacent to Steenberg’s winery, combines bistro-style dining with their now-celebrated tapas offerings.

Come during the day and you can sit at a terraced dining area which leads up to one of those fancy reflective water features; and immerse yourself in indigenous gardens “unfurling into views of the magnificent stone mountains and expansive winelands.”

My Meal

“My greatest inspirations are derived from significant occasions in my life. On my travels to Thailand I developed a love and passion for Asian food. From shopping at the local food markets to creating my first authentic Thai dish, I was in heaven. You will notice a common thread in what I do and who I am. Love. I cook with love and my food is love.” – Kerry Kilpin (Bistro1682 Executive Chef)

Tapas involves a whole bunch of little dishes to sample, rather than a full-on singular dish. To begin, the bistro brought by a canape of Fish Tartar…I slurped that morsel of palate-wetting goodness up, and was surprised that the usual fish taste and smell was not overpowering at all.

Following the canape, was the Cheese Fritter made of three cheeses: Ementhal, Pecorino and Mozzarella. Unequivocally my favorite dish from the night; the three cheeses were three types of awesome! So good! Not too rich thanks to the portions tapas come in.

The Soup of the Day was a Smoked Cauliflower & Paprika Soup with pumpkin seed brittle and a breadstick. Guys, it was a creamy, heart-warming cuppa at the threshold of holding adequate enough taste, to be considered a nice belly-filler.

The Fish Pot Stickers tasted like they were like a really fancy tuna sandwich, on the light side of crispy. Made of red cabbage, Miso Remoulade and coriander lime dressing; this was just really easy eating, so I highly recommend it for visiting kids.

I need another plateful of Baby Patagonian Calamari. The Bistro makes it really well. It’s curry dusted calamari is seasoned lightly, and cooked with light heat. The plated result includes avo pulp, babaganoush sauce and soy syrup, and is one of the bistro’s most flavorsome seafood tapas dish.

I’ve had better chicken wings, but if you happen to visit the bistro, then don’t rule out their Trinchado Chicken Wings. For all the wings tomato & coriander yogurt gravy/sauced lather, its edible at the very least.

Oh My Gaaaaaaawd!

The Tempura Prawns with Red cabbage, coriander & peanut noodle salad, miso mayo, red chilli syrup was really wonderful. No further words required. Its awesome!

DESSERT

Too good.

Listen up diners: Come for the dessert! The Almond & Salted Caramel Chocolate Torte with white chocolate cremeux, chai latte ice cream, and burnt butter sponge is incredible. Never had Chai before…now I get the fuss.

The Dark Chocolate Marquise with rasberry ice cream, chocolate soil, orange foam, and a chocolate cigar.

Not going to lie! I teared up having to part with the Chocolate truffle. My chocolate-loving soul was in a world of sweet ecstasy.

Verdict?

Bistro Sixteen82 is one of the most idyllic dining establishments in Cape Town. It doesn’t matter that it takes a bit of time to get there. Just go! It’s entirely worth it, for: the view, architecture, interior design, service, and most emphatically for some of the great food.

I’m really loving this spot guys. It get’s a 9/10.

What about the health nuts & vegetarians?

Pretty cool thing going on at Bistro Sixteen82, guys.

An entire vegetarian menu is available on request,and vegans can be catered for…all you need to do is inquire with your waitron.

The Bistro is said to endeavor to use sustainable, free range and organic produce as far as is possible.

What of the drinks & booze?

Not quite a comprehensive offering for non-wine lovers, but there is a selection to quench any kind of thirst.

They’ve got their own(smooth as hell) wines, whisky, beer, an extensive wine menu, and more.

Read any of the menus and you’ll see that each – yeah, EACH – dish has a recommend Steenberg wine matched to it. Now that is efficiency and good advertising, at its (drunk?) best!

*P.S: There are soft drinks, juice and water for the non-boozers.

Bistro Sixteen82 get’s an all-round 9/10.

Bistro Sixteen82

Steenberg Estate, Steenberg Road
Constantia Valley, Cape Town, 7945

Tel: (+27) 21 713 2211