On The Rocks in Blouberg has been a go-to spot in Cape Town for over 50 years with its magnificent views of Table Mountain and Robben Island. Last week the restaurant introduced its new menu just in time for the holidays, with the debut of fresh, local seafood fare, amongst other meat and vegetarian options.
When Masterchef judge Pete Goffe-Wood and Chef Charl du Preez designed the menu, it was indeed the breathtaking view of the restaurant that served as inspiration for their new culinary delights.
“The new menu is a fantastic change from what our clientele experienced in the past. The waves of the Atlantic Ocean are literally breaking right on our doorstep, so what better way to complement that than with fresh, local seafood. We both agreed that the menu should reflect the view, in that it’s not complicated, but beautiful to look at and most certainly something for everybody to enjoy,” says Du Preez.
Starters on the new menu for lunch and supper include Oysters Natural (served fresh on a bed of foraged kelp) or Oysters Japanese (served fresh with cucumber, pickled ginger and soya dressing).
The Smoked Snoek Fishcakes are served with house tomato and cumin jam, cucumber ribbons and marinated fennel. Made from crisp calamari tubes, chilli jam and dressed with wild rocket, the Salt and Pepper Squid is sure to be a popular favourite, as well as the Steamed Black Mussels, prepared with white wine, fennel and cream.
Perfect for chilly days, the West Coast Fish Soup is made from fish, mussels, prawns, tomato, garlic, lemon and served with toasted baguette.
Meat lovers can indulge in the Cured Klein Karoo Ostrich Carpaccio with pickled shimenji, olive soil and roasted vine tomato.
Another option includes Peri Peri Chicken Livers (with in-house peri peri sauce, parsley and toasted baguette).
Salads include the Beetroot, Pear and Blue Cheese Salad with blue cheese dressing and toasted walnuts, the Melon Rocket Salad with melon cubes, feta and toasted pumpkin seeds, as well as the Braised Leek and Anchovy Salad with crisp bacon, sliced egg, wild rocket and Dijon dressing.
A Sunset Platter, that includes black olives, feta, humus, pita bread, pickles and preserves, is also available for those looking for something light to snack on, while enjoying a glass of wine or cocktail.
The freshest Line Fish, Fennel and New Potato Salad meal is served with either sauce vierge, or olive and caper dressing.
The Fish Taco with a deep fried hake fillet, tomato and coriander salsa, and sour cream is one of my personal favourites!
Some of its gloriously sweet offerings include Baked Cheese Cake and Vanilla Crème Brulee with spun sugar and summer berry coulis.
The new dishes bring unique flavours and combinations to Blouberg, allowing locals and visitors to experience the specialities of the sea. The creative seafood dishes, diverse menu, and magnificent setting all contribute to making the On The Rocks one of the best seafood restaurants in Cape Town.
On The Rocks is open seven days a week from 09:00 to 22:00. A breakfast menu is also served daily from 09:00 to 12:00.