I’m a huge Springbok fan and there is nothing I enjoy more than a Saturday afternoon in front of the television cheering them on to victory. However, I’m also closer to 40 than I am to 30, so standing in a heaving pub where you have to queue for a drink has definitely lost its appeal. Imagine my joy then when friends invited us to La Perla in Sea Point for the game on Saturday afternoon. I must admit, I didn’t even know La Perla existed but I’m impressed, very impressed!
Our friends were already at La Perla when we arrived and had booked front row seats; a couch and a few ottomans placed around a table. We were among the first to arrive but within thirty minutes or so the lounge was packed with not a spare seat to be found. We had barely sat down when a waiter placed espresso cups of butternut soup on the table in front of us. ]
A little taster from the kitchen; and a delicious taster it was too. It didn’t end there though: throughout the four hours we were at La Perla we were treated to cartons of hot, seasoned popcorn (Ster Kinekor could learn a thing or two about popcorn making from La Perla), dishes of calamari and bite size bits of toast with a grilled cheese and tomato topping! All for free! We almost didn’t need to go out for dinner afterwards.
La Perla is the oldest and most established restaurant in Mother City and first opened its doors in Waterkant Street before moving to its present location in Sea Point. La Perla has built up a reputation over the forty years its been trading and has welcomed the likes of Sting, Thabo Mbeki and Marlene Dietrich into its dining room.
The menu is extensive serving over 200 dishes with an emphasis on seafood. The desserts at La Perla are also well known and are a speciality at the restaurant. Just as special and perhaps what makes the dining experience that much more superior is the professionalism of the waiting staff.
Some of the staff have been with La Perla for the full forty years the restaurant has been trading! Our small group commented on how good the service was on Saturday – for me good service makes me want to go back to the establishment.
The lounge is relatively new at La Perla but is the ideal place for after work drinks or Saturday afternoon rugby. Relaxed, informal and very civilised the lounge also boasts an incredible local and international art collection. Its my drinks venue of choice on the Atlantic Seaboard!
Address & Contact
La Perla, Beach Road (opposite the swimming pool), Sea Point, Cape Town
Telephone: +27 (0)21 439-9538
Sea Point Links
