DOWN SOUTH FOOD BAR

Walking off of the buzz of Long Street into this darkened barn-like restaurant heightens the expectations of a homey good’ole Southern American meal . The L-shaped space with an additional alcove allows for large groups as well as couples dining. The wait staff start off with great attention though upselling, deserts and presentation of the bill all seem to be an oversight.

 The bar menu is impressive both in terms of wine selection, price and cocktails. The creativity of jam jars and pitchers (jugs for the American visitor) is impressive. We tried three different concoctions and the Tequilla spicy ice tea wins hands down. The Apricot jam in a jar was a little too sweet for my tastebuds but I can see how it could be a winner for others.

 The food menu is where everything goes a bit pear-shaped (as my good South African friends love to say.) I had a hunch that perhaps a true menu from the deep South could not be achieved from a South African Italian chef… and in fact I was correct! I take great offense to people labeling a menu item something that it is not. Never serve me a Vichyssoise hot and never serve me a Cobb salad without blue cheese, avocado and bacon. Deconstruct, reconstruct, chop, grill but keep the basic ingredients there or call it something else.

 I was also disappointed with the limited menu. If you arrive on the wrong day then you are pot out of luck. Thursday night is hamburger night, which has no real southern cooking feel since the hamburger itself is quite boring. No exciting southern BBQ sauce, nothing.

The chicken wings were fine, the prawns, breaded or grilled were everyday fare as well as the chopped salad. The deserts were fun in the jars but if you have to wave down waiters to get dessert, a good15 minutes after they have taken your plate away, then you might as well go somewhere else.

 Overall a good place for drinks but not so sure I would go back for dinner unless I was assured to have a truly spectacular Jambalaya or Gumbo with hush puppies on the side…..Georgio I think you could have done a better job at the menu or found someone to give you proper advice. We are in South Africa but some of us are foodies that know what Southern Fare should be!

6/10 because I liked the drink menu and the waitrons(waiters for non-South Africans) were              congenial.

267 Long Street,

Cape Town

021-4221155