Pastis – A French brasserie-style restaurant in Constantia
Whilst out exploring one Sunday afternoon, we stumbled upon Pastis (021 794 8334) – one of Constantia’s best-kept secrets. Beautifully tucked away at Shop 12, High Constantia Centre on Constantia Main Road, this brasserie-style restaurant offers a fantastic French menu & visual appeal round every corner.
Perhaps we were drawn in by the décor of this little French restaurant at first; traditional gingham tablecloths, wooden French doors and the smell of lavender all wrapped up in 1920’s Art Nouveau. We were just in time for lunch and even though fully booked, found a cosy table in the bar section where the fireplace was cracking away and drawing people to the couches beside it.
Our waiter quickly informed us about the specials on the black board and before we knew it, we were drinking red wine from the region and discussing the meaning behind some of the vintage French posters against the walls…
The dining room and garden patio were filled with people laughing and chattering away and we kept on watching as the plates of French cuisine passed us to yet another hungry group of friends or family.
Pastis is open everyday from 09:00 to 23:00 (including public holidays) and has a menu that suits any time of the day. Breakfast includes Omelettes, Eggs Florentine with Salmon, Bacon and Brie Croissant and of course French Toast with Bacon and Syrup. From 12:00 noon, the rest of the menu awakens with French flair and flavours.
Marvelous salads such as Falafel with Aubergine and Goat’s Cheese or Pork Belly Sous Vide with Soy Ginger Glaze Rocket Pear and Blue Cheese on the menu. Sandwiches include French Dip (Beef tenderloin with Red Wine Jus), Ham and Gruyere with Courgettes and Pastas offer seafood, beef, vegetarian and chicken flavours.
When looking at the starters, Chris and I spotted one of our favourites between the Oysters, Calamari, Livers and Escargot and asked for one plate of Springbok Carpaccio with Truffle Vinaigrette and Pecorino…
Accompanied by the wine, the salty meat and mature cheese slowly prepared our pallets for what was still to come.
The rest of the menu consists of Seafood, Steaks and Burgers, and when asking our waiter what to order, he strongly encouraged us to try their burgers. As Chris was unable to make up her mind, she took a Trio of Mini Burgers and I opted for one big monster of a homemade burger. Some choices in Burgers are Smokey Chilli, Boerenkaas and Bacon, Mexican (Bean Salsa, Sour Cream, Guacamole and Habaneros) and Grilled Chicken with Szechuan Pepper and Pineapple.
When our burgers arrived, our knives and forks stayed intact in their serviettes and our fingers became the tools in feeding us the juicy, tasty and absolutely delectable Burgers. It was sensational!
The dessert menu offered Éclair with Praline and Ice Cream, Bread and Butter Pudding with Crème Anglaise, Classic Crème Brulee with Biscotti, Cape Brandy Tart and Belgian Chocolate Nemesis to name a few and soon sent us off to a happy ending while giggling about sweet nothings and trying to remember some of the French we studied back in high school.
A delightful spot, this highly recommendable French restaurant in Constantia is well worth a visit.
Content: Ed Beukes