Harbour House Kalk Bay — Attraction in Western Cape

Harbour House Restaurant is an iconic institution with venues at two scenic harbor’s in the Mother City. I have had the pleasure to dine a few times over the years both at locations, the V & A and Kalk Bay, generally celebrating birthdays and other such special occasions. Food and celebration are always forged together, as Sophia Loren quoted, ‘good food is a celebration of life’, resulting in special memories being etched in your mind to mark such occasions. I recall my first visit to the Kalk Bay venue, almost 16 years ago, and to be honest, perhaps why is is my favourite, many great memories!

Sitting at the waters edge over looking the ocean as the waves splash up against the windows in one direction or casting your eyes over fishing harbour watching the seals laze around being spoilt with fish scraps, its easy to unwind and slip into another world before you have even opened a menu.

On my most recent visit, I kicked off a bottle of Southern Right Sauvignon Blanc for the table, flanked with with an oyster starter, the Kilpatrick, a portion of 3 served with a Chardonnay velouté, crispy bacon and balsamic pearls which were outstanding. My wife opted for the ‘On Fire’ Tuna crunch roll with Teriyaki sauce, infused with vodka, lit and poured over the sushi, amazing wow factor, tasty and memorable. While our guest opted for the Calamari with olive oil, lemon, chilli, smoked paprika, black olives and caper berries, who said it surely did NOT disappoint. Both my wife and guest ordered opposite meals as their next corse as they were so impressed respectively. While I settled on the the lightly seared seasonal venison fillet, with roasted beetroot, parsley, walnut pesto, spring onion, and Parmesan truffle cream. We are not fans of large portions and often have a variety of starter options, in such we get to experience different favours without over indulging or breaking the bank.

The service is always par excellence, as is the drinks list. The corkage policy deserves a small mention with an allowance of single bottle of wine per 4 people, though I stand to be corrected. Again, I must stress the wine list is well curated to suit almost all pallets and pockets. Window tables are a must, so plan ahead and make a...

Great food, the prices at Harbour House (either in Kalk Bay or at the Waterfront) are fairly high but the quality of the food and the ambience make it good value. My one gripe (and the reason for the lower rating) has nothing to do with the service in the restaurant (which was good) - it relates to how the booking was managed. I made my booking online on a Friday morning for lunch on Sunday. Then I phoned on Saturday morning to confirm that we can have a table next to a window, as the views are fantastic. I was told by the person who took my call that she would "do her best". To which I responded that I'd like to know whether it was possible to have more positive confirmation than that. She said that they were not very busy on the Sunday and again stated "I will do my best". Sunday morning a different person called to confirm my booking. When I enquired whether we would indeed be seated next to a window she ALSO stated that she would do her best. This was a few hours before our booking. So is it a matter of policy for Harbour House not to allow guests to book specific tables? If I am taking four guests there and we are driving all the way from Somerset West and Cape Town, why can't I be extended the courtesy of being able to book a good table? In the end - after I stated that I will cancel my booking if they are unable to confirm what table we will be seated at - the lady relented and we were indeed seated at a decent table with a great view. But it was a not a pleasant interaction, and left me very baffled - why would Harbour House want guests who make reservations gamble on what table they get? A table with a lousy view would spoil the experience for me, and then suddenly the pricing will no longer represent good value. Despite the good food and fantastic ambience, this will make the think twice about visiting Harbour...

Avoid this place. I did not have an opportunity to try their food but if it’s as bitter as their attitude I would avoid. Their phone is out of order so no human contact is possible, no problem we in the area and make an online reservation. Now we have a small lap dog with us that travels the world with us, planes, restaurants etc. Yes we are one of those families. As their phones are out I also send a mail to say we have a dog please advise if their is a problem. We arrive and are told by the lady at the till “Sorry no Dogs”. I say I did send a mail. She calls her manager, I explain to the manager our problem and she says NO DOGS. After I explained that this problem is caused by Harbour House and not ourselves this rude manager barks at the hostess to put us on the deck and walks off. The back deck (bar) is baron (not a single person) no eating tables just bar type seating and in the direct sun. It is soooo hot in Kalk bay today we are cooking. We decline the back deck. Now the family bickering starts. I ask her to avoid a publicity issue please elevate this to a decision maker. I was told “Don’t threaten Me”. Ok so fast forward eventually I get shoved a phone and told, this is my area manager, I explain to him that because the restaurant doesn’t have an operating telephone I complied with all of their booking requests, as well as an e mail. He tells me he can’t assist. I say please can you just help my family as an exception this time to avoid a publicity and review situation so that we leave feeling that management have at least gone out of their way to make a bad situation (of their own making) better. He answer - Don’t threaten me. Well as I say I didn’t get to taste the food but I really hope it’s better tasting than...