There’s no doubt the saying is true – Cape Town really is a village. And with any village, comes a handful of owner-managed restaurants, which the locals support through thick and thin. There aren’t many of these in Cape Town

This post is not about delivering a defining list of locals’ favourite owner-managed restaurants – you know who they are. From Magica Roma and Mano’s, to Test Kitchen and Caprice, there is something unique about every place, and it’s always to do with the owner. The true, hands-on ‘restaurateur,’ (Note: there is no ‘n’).

And that’s what keep bringing us back, because the owner is hands-on. We know what we’re getting. The service is good and you feel welcome – a rare thing these days, as service levels slip to an all-time low. I find it so tiring trying to hold myself back from given a waitron a roundhouse kick to the back of the skull. 

I’ve just recently returned from the south of France, where I ate in such ludicrously expensive restaurants, you would weep if I told you the price. Now while those bills are beyond outrageous and we surely couldn’t sustain 12 months in the place, the one thing that stands out and makes it altogether worth it, was to experience genuine ‘world-class’ service. They do not fuck around at La Colombe in St. Paul de Vence, nor do they take the piss at Chateau de la Chevre d’Or. Everything just happens the way you want it to. The waiters pre-empt everything and leave you to enjoy yourself – only fully appearing when you look up to find them. This utopia is as rare as ducks’ balls in Cape Town.

Except in owner-run restaurants.

And restaurants run by Seelan – the subject of our story.

Seelan – Restaurant and Bar

If you’re lived on the Atlantic Seaboard or CBD for five years, you’ll know who Seelan Sundoo is. Or you’ll know his face and you haven’t worked out that HE is the Seelan you keep hearing about. The dapper, unassuming chef that rocketed La Perla, The Grand Cafe, The Reserve and Shimmy’s to prominence, has finally given his ever-faithful following a place to call home. After years putting his heart and soul into other people’s ventures, Seelan has finally launched ‘Seelan’ – a mediterranean restaurant on Quay 5, at the V&A Waterfront.

Seelan is on Quay 5 – just down the drag from Quay 4

With Justin Paul Jansen walking the beat, and a bunch of familiar faces from La Perla (with the long white jackets to boot), I felt instantly at home, as Seelan walked over to greet us. He asked about our recent travels along the Riviera and suggested some restaurants we hadn’t tried, for when we return next year. You see, that’s what you get from Seelan – someone who knows and has experienced world-class service. And it plays out so beautifully in his very own new restaurant.

Seelan Sundoo

Patrons have full view of Seelan in the kitchen

Inspired by owner-run ‘Joseph’s’ restaurant in St. Tropez, Seelan’s famous signature dishes are all on display, with some new international dishes added to the mix. We had the duck, the kingklip, the lamb curry and the bouillabaisse; all of which were a taste-explosion, as expected. For the uninitiated, please do try to contain yourselves.

Check out the menu here and find it – below. 

I can’t remember the prices, but they weren’t exorbitant. They’ll be consistent with what you’re getting, which is a smart, laid-back destination restaurant – sans pretence – serving well-portioned, super tasty dishes; coupled with service you’ve struggled to find in Cape Town.

What a pleasure it is to add a new “when in doubt” option to my ever-dwindling list of reliable restaurants.

To make a reservation or to see the menu
CLICK HERE

For a massive launch discount (R200 for 2 people or R384 for 4)
CLICK HERE

[image:source and map:google]