Darkie Cafe
It's slick, it's happening, and it's misnomered -- Darkie Caf's interior is anything but dark. Bejewelled with shiny mosaics, opulent chandeliers, a white colour scheme and populated with beautiful young hip, happening creatures -- this is a place to see and be seen at. And the food aint half bad either.
We feasted on spicy peri-peri Darkie wings (R27), succulent little buffalo wings accompanied by a mayo dipping sauce - very tasty. The menu is best described as traditional South African cuisine, with a cafe society twist -- as evidenced by traditional gems like Soweto chicken (served with slap chips and side salad), morogo, mogudu, busking alongside more cosmopolitan fare like oxtail, lamb shanks and prawns in a tangy lemon curry.
Darkie Caf also boasts quality sparkling wine by the glass, Ethiopian coffee and homemade ginger beer (we were presented with a complimentary glass of "homemade gemmer" each upon arrival). Nice touch! They also serve hearty breakfasts.
For my main I settled for the Darkie burger with monkey gland sauce (R51) and was pleasantly surprised when presented with a hunk of a homemade beef patty, smothered in a rich sauce with crisp fries on the side. 10/10. My companion had "vis and tjips" (R55) deep fried in a Kaapse batter, with salad, slap chips and tartar sauce. 7/10.
The samoosas we ordered unfortunately never arrived - this despite being the only customers at the time, so distractions can't be blamed. The staff were, however, humming around preparing for a salsa party that was to happen later that night, so that could've been to blame. Ah well, we were still marvelling at the gorgeous, breezy interior to be bugged, not to mention relishing the feeling of eating out in a quiet corner of our CBD.
Darkie Cafe. 10 Anderson Street, Marshalltown. Phone: 072-626-6074. Email:
sandi@darkiecafe.co.za.
www.darkiecafe.co.za
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What Others Said
Bronwyn said
on 11 February 2010
can't we go here
