The River Cafe at Constantia Uitsig

Updated Wednesday, 1 February 2017

Last night was our Girls Night Out and our venue of choice was The River Café at Constantia Uitsig. I hadn’t been before and thinking that it must be around Constantia somewhere (who needs a map book when there is a mountain to guide one) set off and before long found myself at Constantia Nek and about to drop down into Hout Bay.

Where was this place I asked myself?! After a quick cellular call to the rest of the clan I made my way back in the right direction and arrived at the correct location about ten minutes later (and what do you know – Constantia Uitsig is about 8 minutes drive from my house) so the scenic route was unnecessary!

I wish I had got the directions correct in the first place because I think arriving as it was still a bit light would have completely set the scene for dinner in this wonderful location. I love Constantia at the best of times – its not on the Green Belt for nothing and the fact that you can be dining among the vines in the city is rather special to me.

The River Café is situated on the right of the entrance to Constantia Uitsig and I loved it immediately. The outside area is undercover but open, giving a definite al-fresco feel to things and the wrought iron tables set the ‘country’ tone.

The food was fantastic; simple and fresh but at the same time sophisticated. The presentation was excellent – my rib eye steak arrived on its own on the plate but the rosemary chips, Béarnaise sauce (in its own little pouring jug) and cauliflower with grilled cheese sauce (presented in a ramekin) were served on a wood board.

A friend and I shared a crème brulee for desert and this too arrived on a wooden board with a very flat but very large Biscotti and a small bowl of cranberry sauce – little extras to take the favourite Crème brulee to another level!

Other items on the menu were belly of pork, fish pie, rack of lamb and line fish. For those with a sweet tooth hot chocolate fondant would have been an excellent choice.

The River Cafe is open seven days a week for breakfast, lunch and dinner bistro and their All Day Café. The menu changes daily and the chefs make use of their organic vegetable and herb garden to keep diners delighted!