Homespun Restaurant in Table View

The new shabby-chic Cape Town eatery that promises an adventure through food

Matt Schreuder, the owner of new Table View restaurant Homespun, is intent on not just selling food but on assembling a whole experience. Of course, he’s in the business of filling bellies, but beyond this, he’s also fixed on giving guests the feeling that they’ve embarked on an eye-opening journey.

The West Coast native grew up in the kitchens of his father’s various eateries, but it wasn’t until he ventured abroad and worked for Michelin-starred pop-up dining concept Pret a Diner that he was really faced with the idea that fare could be about so much more than just sustenance, and he’s now intent on drawing attention to the sensory side of cuisine at Homespun.

“Our food is intentionally designed to take visitors on an adventure,” explains the free-spirited founder. “We pay attention to every element, to the textures and presentation and the balance of flavours on the plate”.

This adventure he speaks of starts visually before any bite even enters the body. Every dish is laid out like an artwork, served on a board of slate or wood or silverside quartz and garnished with drizzles and dressings and dainty edible flowers that make the whole plate pop with colour.

It’s a sight that simply looks too good to eat, but Matt assures us that the “damn deliciousness” of the meals makes ruining such a spectacle well worth it. The kitchen team makes everything from scratch (hence the name Homespun) and buys only the best ingredients (like A-grade Angus beef). Not to mention, they make sure that the taste buds travel through culinary heaven by incorporating stand-out touches, like a sprinkle of biltong dust here or a swirl of brandy cream there, and compiling unforgettable combinations: for instance, the camembert parcel is married with cranberry compote, the grilled ostrich medallions are matched with whole-grain mustard mash and the vanilla and honey cheesecake is coupled with granadilla coulis, crushed pistachios and fudge crumbs.

To add to the sensory journey at Homespun, just as much attention has been given to the décor and ambience as it has to the fare. The upmarket space is part Victorian, part steampunk, and candelabras, velvet banquet seating, ornate mirrors, dark wood and various upcycled elements give it the sort of alluring shabby-chic aesthetic that instantly catches the eye and whisks you away to another whimsical world.

As for the soundtrack of this unique setting, well, Matt treats the ears to the groovy vibrations of deep house and electro swing. It’s just one more aspect of the whole experience, but it also helps to add a touch more pizzazz to the whole Homespun dining adventure.

Note: As of early March 2015, the restaurant does not yet have a liquor licence, so guests are welcome to bring their own alcohol for now (no corkage fee is charged). Once the eatery is licenced, it’s set to serve up cocktails that are as fresh and creative as the food.

Tip: Homespun plans to host monthly 20s-style electro swing parties in the near future – keep an eye on the restaurant’s Facebook page for details. Also remember, booking is essential for dinner as the space fills up quickly.

The Bill: Considering that the eatery offers an upmarket dining experience, prices are actually rather fair. Starters cost between R45 and R75, mains range from R95 to R140 and desserts sit between R40 and R50 (bear in mind that the menu changes regularly and thus prices may shift slightly).

Opening Hours: Tuesday – Sunday: 6pm – 10:30pm (in April 2015, the restaurant will open for lunch from 11am on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays)

Porterfield Road (opposite St Elmo’s) | Table View | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 556 2824

Food Images by Matt Geeling

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Eager to learn about other fresh spots opening their doors in the Mother City? Keep an eye on our overview of new restaurants and hotspots in Cape Town.

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