Located at Cape Town’s Old Biscuit Mill in the city’s renovated district of Woodstock, is the Test Kitchen restaurant. A hidden gem, nestled in the artistic part of Cape Town. The restaurant offers an incredible dining experience, with a five and nine-course tasting menus at dinner as well as a five-course and an à la carte menu at lunch, a meal at The Test Kitchen is an experience packed full of imagination and flair. It is no wonder why the restaurant was named the ‘Best Restaurant in Africa’ and 28th in the world, an incredible achievement for this tantalizing fine dining establishment.
Th restaurant was started by British-born Luke Dale-Roberts, who has spent much of his career working across Europe and Asia before settling in his adopted home of South Africa. His travels are certainly reflected in the food he serves. The restaurant describes its style of food as ‘eclectic international’, a reflection of Dale-Roberts’ very personal, bold and inventive style of cooking. He manages to marry imaginative flavour combinations with incredibly artistic presentations, turning dishes into culinary works of art.
Tk’s Springbok, Black Pudding Stuffed Sprouts, Slow Roasted Carrot with Venison Jus
TK’s “Scottati” of beef fillet and smoked bone marrow, Luke’s walnut XO dressing and crispy salad
The Test Kitchen has a reputation for also producing unusual plates and bowls that are designed to accompany and enhance dishes, enticing all of your senses. One of their most famous dishes is the TK Concrete Ball, which sees two steaming concrete flowerpots arrive at the table containing Kingklip grilled on hot charcoal. The finished plate pairs the fish alongside a snoek medley, black forest ham and fish jus, roasted potato skin purée and smoked red onion foam.
Each dish is a masterpiece
Luke explains that “The style of food at the Test Kitchen is still very much mine,’ ‘but at the same time the space has to remain collaborative and creative.” Although his team is young they are very talented, they combine a variety of cooking methods that range from very old to very new, they might be using sous vide or pressure cooking together with home-curing, smoking or wood-fire barbecuing among others.
Aside from the food, the design of the restaurant itself is a marvel. Designed by Dale-Roberts and a team of leading Cape Town craftsmen, designers and artists, he has managed to create something amazing in the Woodstock district. The Test Kitchen space is distinctly industrial with raw brick walls, ducts and pipes exposing the integrity and honesty of the building. The tables are made of oxidised mild steel and have a consciously rough, rusted appearance in harmony with its environs. He has managed to transform what would have been a cold industrial building into a warm haven full of creativity and innovation producing 5* cuisine. The open plan kitchen completes the picture; it allows guests to see and hear everything going on in the kitchen, and most importantly smell what’s coming next!
The Test Kitchen is a must-visit for anyone who appreciates not only food, but art and invention. It is every foodie’s dream and definitely worth a visit if you find yourself in Cape Town.
For more information on the menus, as well as reservations, please click here
*Images courtesy of The Test Kitchen*
