A heady Aromatic Fog

It was a dark and rainy night in the south peninsula and I didn’t feel like cooking. I was in the mood for comfort food and a bit of adventure, but didn’t want to change out of my jeans. Going through the list of local eateries in my head, I happened upon my long catalogued intention of visiting Aromatic Fog in St James. The name was evocative and I had heard good things about the food. On went a smear of eye shadow and the little black coat and we were on our way.

The restaurant occupies a gracious space with a high beamed ceiling and floor to roof glass windows fronting the view onto Main Road. The rain, street lights and passing cars provide soothing visual background music while big band classics and jazz standards encourage you to make the most of the comfortable chairs and order another glass of wine from the well crafted wine list.

The menu is full of old favourite like Lamb Shank, Pork Loin and even a T-bone steak which is paired with Tafel Lager. I respect the happy incongruity of a T-bone, beer combo alongside a crispy duck, Pinot Noir combo on a menu. I opted for the T-bone, but decided against the lager and went for a Kleine Zalze Sauvignon Blanc instead. Who says you can’t enjoy good white wine on a rainy day with a steak?

Both food and wine were delicious. The size of the steak was generous and the pepper sauce not overly rich. A hint of fish sauce, or was it a dash of Tafel Lager, added an interesting dimension to the dish which left the table with only a well gnawed bone of the plate. The pork chop with apple mash and crackling was a firm favourite with Pat and Dr Don.

The dessert menu was also a blast from the past, with that eighties posh nosh Baked Alaska tempting me to another course. I’ve never had a Baked Alaska with sorbet and this one was a bit icey, but nostalgia for the days of big hair and bubble skirts had me tucking in with relish.

I’d definitely brave another rainy night to enjoy the warm hospitality and inviting aromatic fog of this feel good local haunt.