I actually don't have to write too much as my experience can be summarised in one word: Perfection.
What they say about The Test Kitchen is 100% true. The space is inviting, the service is impeccable and the food is delicious. A lot of people wanted feedback about how my experience was and I could not say that one dish was better than the other as I enjoyed every single one.
 |
| Loved the lighting! |
The service runs like a well oiled machine. Everything happens without effort. Our main waiter Mike was very charming, informed and accommodating. I think there were fourteen waiters and chefs in total at our table. Each one was professional, nice and contributed to an excellent experience.
So lets get to the food. There are two dining options
- The discovery menu
- 5 course with wine pairing R880
- 5 course without wine pairing R590
- The gourmand menu
- 9 course without wine pairing R800
- 9 course with wine pairing R1250
- 9 course with tea pairing R1000
Let me take you through our discovery culinary journey!
The beginning
 |
| Selection Hors d'oeuvre. Beetroot crisps and cream cheese, Mushroom millionaire bites |
The bread
 |
| Selection of breads served with butter and salt |
Served warm, the bread tasted as interesting as they looked. Usually I try not to eat too much bread before dinner as I don't want to spoil my appetite but I overindulged when they served these gems! Delicious!
Another treat before the discovery starts
 |
| Snoek served two ways |
The snoek was cooked perfectly and served in a very creamy sauce. An awesome element was the grated snoek that garnished the dish. The dad loved this dish!
Course 1
 |
| Pickled Fish – ceviche, lightly curried dressing, bbq carrots, ras el hanout honeycomb |
All the elements of this dish were a delicious marriage of flavours. Initially when I saw 'pickled' fish I thought that we would be served that orange curried fish you usually eat over Easter which I don't enjoy at all. Luckily with this dish it was not the case! The sweet honeycomb paired perfectly with the spicy fish! It can almost be described as a marriage of 'opposites' that work :)
Course 2
 |
| Foie gras – poached quince, braaied meringue and pistachio |
or
 |
| Grilled scallop, fine bean, tofu miso suke, braised scallop dressing, miso on toast, braised shitake, raw shitake |
I 've always wanted to try a scallop. The chefs on the television cooking competitions often uses scallops. I loved it as well as the sauce it was served with! It has the same consistency of squid but a more subtle taste.
Course 3
 |
Pork Belly, parsley pressed apples, wild rosemary infused honey, blue cheese cream, crackling |
The parsley pressed apples were such a refreshing element served with the rich yet perfectly cooked pork belly.
or
“Ajo Blanco” – veal sweetbreads, almond milk, grapes,
almond falafel, chicken and sherry glacage ( The one dish we did not try)
almond falafel, chicken and sherry glacage ( The one dish we did not try)
Palate cleanser
This sorbet tasted exactly like a G&T. So nice! I could devour and entire bowl of this! This was a great element to reset the palate before the next treat!
Course 4
 |
| Pan fried line fish, herbed nicola potato and mussel salad, scallop and english cucumber medley, champagne veloute |
It was very interesting that the sauce that was served over the fish contained pancetta but it worked so well. The boyfriend had to surrender numerous bites of his dish! It was so good!
or
 |
| Pan seared lamb loin, slow roasted lamb shanks, lamb sweetbreads, BBQ broccoli purée, courgette and caper emulsion, lamb jus |
The lamb was so succulent and the BBQ broccoli puree was a highlight for me!
Course 5
 |
| Roasted banana butter, meringue, rum foam, coffee and tanariva cremoux |
This was the dessert of the evening. Every bite was a surprise! I hate bananas but The Test Kitchen made me love them, even if it was for only one evening :)
or
 |
| Apple crumble, elderflower jelly, sour cream, stinging nettle granite and streusel |
Another wow dessert! My favourite part was the stinging nettle granite!
The last treat
 |
| Chocolate covered crunchies, millionaires shortbread and marshmallows |
We thought we were finished and then these treats arrived. The millionaires shortbread was the best I have ever had! I wish I can enjoy one now!
The Test Kitchen delivered 100%. They delivered in presentation, taste and with innovation. As you can see from above you receive way more than you expect. It's an expensive treat but so worth it. Watching the chefs perform in the kitchen you see the intense amount of work that goes into each dish. All the portions and presentation of the dishes were exactly the same. Once again solidifying their aim for perfection.
We actually had a scenario where my mom queried the one dessert we were served because she thought it was the wrong one. The waiters eyes almost popped out of his sockets as he thought that he made the one fault of the evening. We were in the wrong and had a great laugh with him. The Test Kitchen really strives for perfection.
If you are a big foodie book a table where you sit at the counter that overlooks the kitchen. You will be in for a treat!
 |
| Watching the chefs in action! |
The reservations for next year March, April and May are now open. So make a booking and start saving!
I would recommend that you do the food and wine pairing. We took the discovery menu option without wine and ordered two bottles of wine. In the end our cost per person was the same or even a bit more than the food and wine pairing. They have a fantastic sommelier on site so I am sure the food and wine paring would be exceptional!
As you have read the word I used the most was perfection, because The Test Kitchen simply is.
 |
| Happy and satisfied diners! We will be back soon! |
For more information visit their website
Contact them at 021 447 2337 or reservations@thetestkitchen.co.za
Tweet them @TestKitchenCT
Located at The Old Biscuit Mill
Open Tuesday-Saturday
- Lunch 12:30-14:00
- Dinner 19:00-21:00
