We've been reading all about the Cape Malay cuisine that's unique to Cape Town and S.A., and have gotten hints of it in various meals during our visit here, but today's lunch was our first taste of the authentic stuff. Outstanding - a combination of Javanese and Indian methods and local spicing that's completely its own. We both had curry that was not hot up front like some Indian types, but instead left a bit of heat on the back of your palate after you swallowed. Some of the sides look and sound just as familiar as the curries - like "rooti" bread and "samoosas" - but with unique local twists, not only on the spelling but on the flavors. And then there were all new unfamiliars like these:
Dhaltjies, known on the menu as "chilli bites" - deep-fried chickpea batter mixed with potato, coriander, and spinach.
The curry was also accompanied by a relish made of carrots, onions, and who knows what else. Up front it tasted a bit like American pickle relish - you know, the kind of stuff you put on your hot dog - but with more vinegary tang and then, like the curry a bit of heat on the back end that was somehow different than the curry heat. Worked wonderfully when you glopped a bit on the chicken and potatoes in the curry.
About the only thing we were missing was beer - the coloured population here (a distinct category from the African black ethnic groups), originating as it did in the old Dutch East India territories of Malaysia, is primarily Muslim. So no booze for you at Zorina Cafe!
Comments