All cities have that one restaurant which is just THE restaurant, and if you haven’t been there you kind of suck. Just kidding, you don’t, but you do need to go there at least one time. It’s got nothing to do with how expensive it is or pretentious the waiters are, it’s just been given the ‘cool’ badge by locals because it’s awesome and vibey and consistently fabulous no matter what time of the day or night you show up in need of carbs.
In Cape Town, that place is definitely Societi Bistro (www.societibistro.co.za). And I don’t just say that because I’ve known the owner, Peter Weetman, since school. It’s the place Coldplay came for dinner two nights in a row (and God knows, Chris Martin isn’t easy to please); where Annie Lennox is a regular and anyone with vague celebrity status comes by to hang out when they’re visiting the Mother City. The reason is simply because it’s chilled, the food is excellent, it has a drop dead view of Table Mountain (and yes, we Capetonians are pathologically obsessed with our mountain) and the service is always impeccable.
Oh, and there’s one more reason – there’s a very tasty sandwich on the menu with my name on it. For real. And not because I’m famous, but because nepotism rules. When you go there straight after you’ve read this have the mushroom risotto or the pork belly or the fillet au poivre. Or if you want something sandwich-y, the Susan Hayden (a-hem) and the Sylvie Hurford are divine. And when you spot Annie, it’s okay to go and say hello, she’s really nice and friendly. Do book, though (021 4242100) because it’s packed every night. And there’s free wifi which means you can pretend to work while you people-watch. Punt over. Off you go.
The Disco Pants Blog 
Hello Susan
I’m not sure if one is supposed to reply to this address so I may be chatting to a server.0001, 10100, 0111 (hello in machine code just in case)
Your blog is excellent. Actually it’s the only one, of quite a few, that I read. Immediately too. I have enjoyed every single one; the recipes too. I think you will become very ,very widely read with this.
If all else fails you at least have that sandwich named after you.
Cheers
John
J Pereira 083 387 4394
Nuvico
Unit 4 Bataleur Park Olive Grove Estate The Interchange Somerset West South Africa
From: Disco Pants and a Mountain Reply-To: Disco Pants and a Mountain Date: Tuesday 27 August 2013 2:06 PM To: Pereira Subject: [New post] Societi Bistro a Very Fabulous Thing.
WordPress.com susanhayden posted: ” All cities have that one restaurant which is just THE restaurant, and if you haven¹t been there you kind of suck. Just kidding, you don¹t, but you do need to go there at least one time. It¹s got nothing to do with how expensive it is or pretentious th”
Hey John, if you read yesterday’s wrist-slitty post you’ll know that this is music to my ears. Thanks so much for taking the time to write, and I’m happy you even like the recipes! Sorry your comment is showing up so oddly – I’ve tried to delete the second part but it won’t listen to me :-(
Have a great day!
That marrow is to die for! I sat at a table next to Annie at Takumi on Thursday and was far too well behaved. didn’t tweet, instagram or facebook about her or get her autograph. I wont be as well behaved if I see her on my next visit to Societi Bistro. (which will be soon thanks for the reminder)
Hee hee! Excellent!