Haiku
Published: 15 Dec 05
Category: Contemporary Funky
nage (or afford). There are four kitchens - two Japanese and two Chinese.
The latter includes dim sum and wok dishes and the former tempura, sushi, sashimi,
tepanyaki and robata items.
Begin with any one of the numerous dim sum dumplings - steamed, open, closed, fried or rolled - with wonderful seafood, vegetable or chicken fillings (unlike in China, where almost every dish you eat is pork, there's none of that in this restaurant, as a courtesy to its many Jewish and Muslim diners). These are presented in small bamboo baskets and served with your choice of up to seven homemade sauces.
Move on to the wok items - anything from a stir-fry with noodles to curries or deep-fried dishes. This menu is so extensive it's difficult to know where to begin - thankfully the staff are incredibly know-ledgeable and will happily fill in the gaps and even make up a menu for you. There's salt and pepper calamari with five spice powder that's crispy, light and aromatic, a twice-cooked chilli chicken that's a taste and texture delight, and water beef - beef poached in oil and then cooked in a mouth-numbing chilli sauce.
From the Japanese robata grill, try the sublime fillet and shiitake mushroom as well as the chicken and leek yakitori offerings. There are also a few Western items, like seared tuna and pepper garlic fillet, both served on rocket with salsa.
The winelist is extensive, ranging from a R66 Backsberg Sauvignon Blanc under the title of "easy drinking" to a R300 Thelema Cabernet. Oddly, though, no vintages are given. No matter, whichever way you look at it, Haiku is a memorable dining experience and a culinary journey that doesn't require the expense of a plane ticket.
Two-course lunch: R90; two-course dinner: R180.
Address: 33 Church Street, Wale Street Chambers, Cape Town. Tel 021 424 7000. Open Mon-Fri for lunch & dinner, Sat for dinner. No BYO.
Food:
Wine list
Ambience:
Service:
Value:
Haiku bears the same complex simplicity as the Japanese poetry after which it was named. Treat the menu like a journey and delve into as many areas asyou can ma
Begin with any one of the numerous dim sum dumplings - steamed, open, closed, fried or rolled - with wonderful seafood, vegetable or chicken fillings (unlike in China, where almost every dish you eat is pork, there's none of that in this restaurant, as a courtesy to its many Jewish and Muslim diners). These are presented in small bamboo baskets and served with your choice of up to seven homemade sauces.
Move on to the wok items - anything from a stir-fry with noodles to curries or deep-fried dishes. This menu is so extensive it's difficult to know where to begin - thankfully the staff are incredibly know-ledgeable and will happily fill in the gaps and even make up a menu for you. There's salt and pepper calamari with five spice powder that's crispy, light and aromatic, a twice-cooked chilli chicken that's a taste and texture delight, and water beef - beef poached in oil and then cooked in a mouth-numbing chilli sauce.
From the Japanese robata grill, try the sublime fillet and shiitake mushroom as well as the chicken and leek yakitori offerings. There are also a few Western items, like seared tuna and pepper garlic fillet, both served on rocket with salsa.
The winelist is extensive, ranging from a R66 Backsberg Sauvignon Blanc under the title of "easy drinking" to a R300 Thelema Cabernet. Oddly, though, no vintages are given. No matter, whichever way you look at it, Haiku is a memorable dining experience and a culinary journey that doesn't require the expense of a plane ticket.
Two-course lunch: R90; two-course dinner: R180.
By Justine Drake
Address: 33 Church Street, Wale Street Chambers, Cape Town. Tel 021 424 7000. Open Mon-Fri for lunch & dinner, Sat for dinner. No BYO.
Food:
Wine list
Ambience:
Service:
Value:
