Bon Appetit

Today, Pat and I have been married for 16 months and we decided to mark this landmark occasion with a spate of culinary indulgence. Our feasting spot had been singled out a while ago, while walking along the main drag in Simonstown. On the way to favourite breakfast spot, The Meeting Place, I had spotted Bon Appetit and been lured to investigate further by a curtain of twinkling lights and a menu promising Petit Choux of Rabbit and Le Café, a plethora of coffee themed deserts including tiramisu ice cream and mocha panna cotta.

Internet research had promised that husband and wife team Judith (front of house) and Emmanuel Guillet (chef) made a potent combo, delivering the finest French cuisine. The internet proved reliable. Breton, Emmanuel, a Michelin trained chef with 15 years of star studded experience and Judith, also a trained chef, did not disappoint. Our taste buds tingled and our nerves were soothed by the faultless service provided by Judith and the lovely Christelle.

While some of the décor could do with a revamp, when the food is this good, you can overlook the odd visual faux paux. Twinkling fairy lights lining the bay windows, mellow uplighting and duck grey walls go a long way to create an intimate and unpretentious dining environment.

The wine list is reasonably varied, offering a good selection of value for money single varietals and blends and venturing international with some French champagne. We opted for the reliable, Merlot-driven, Groote Post Old Man’s Blend, with its juicy berries and whiffs of white pepper.

Before we could say, “look at those manfully striding naval officers”, our table was graced by a miniature loaf of freshly baked bread and a trio of herb butter, moist dukka and sun dried tomato, merlot and onion jam. We made short work of the bread and the onion jam was so good, I resorted to enjoying it with a teaspoon.

An amuse bouche of goats cheese and potato flan plumped on top of perfectly diced marinated vegetables (compliments of the chef) was followed by a starter of camembert served on puff pasty with beetroot and balsamic ice-cream. The cheesy pasty and subtle savoury tang of the ice cream was ridiculously delicious. It was difficult not to lick the plate.

For mains, Pat had Lamb Knuckles en Croute, a wonder of shredded lamb baked in puff pastry served with black mushroom, roasted garlic pyramids and a rosemary sauce, while I opted for the Fillet of Beef Stuffed with Portabellini Mushrooms served with a Compote of Red Onions and a Cabernet Sauvignon Sauce.

Every mouthful was a treat. After my last morsel diappeared, an errant finger whipped over the saucy remnants towards my lips. Such precious stuff shouldn’t be wasted.

Our culinary foray into the world of proudly fussy French food drew to a poetic close with the Le Cafe. An Aladdin’s cave of coffee themed mini desserts, the Le Café arrived with little bowls and glasses laden with panna cotta, crème brule, ice cream and espresso, edible pasty spoons and sugar spun twirls. It said only good things about coffee.

We left Bon Appetit to the strains of Cape Verde diva, Cesaria Evora, our minds wandering the culinary landscape of Brittany and our tummies infinitely satisfied. We’ll definitely be back for more sorties into the realm of fancy food with honest flavours and mood lighting that works.

Bon Appetit Restaurant, 20 St Georges St, Simonstown, +27 21 786 2412