Lime Tree Cafe

CRUSH VISITS - November 2014

The restaurant is open from breakfast through to dinner and the menu is made up of casual café-style meals.

Opening hours:
Monday & Tuesday 8am - 4.30pm, Wednesday to Saturday 8am - 9pm, Sunday 8.30am - 4.30pm

Where:
Sherwood Centre, Cnr Dreyersdal Rd & Children’s Way, Bergvliet, Cape Town

021 712 1497 | e w

READ FULL REVIEW

In the restaurant business consistency is key. If you know Graham Isaacson’s history as a restaurateur, you will know that that his new venture, Lime Tree Café, is going to be a roaring success. He brings a wealth of experience ranging from executive chef at The Mount Nelson, the Old Cape Farm Stall, the River Café at Constantia Uitsig, Blue Water Café and free-range farm shop at Imhoff Farm in Kommetjie, as well as other successful ventures around Cape Town. With his business partner Rael Abramowitz, Lime Tree Café in Bergvliet comes to life.

Lime Tree Café occupies a popular spot in a small retail mall in suburban Bergvliet. The striking black and white chequered floor is one of the only remaining features from the café that operated there previously. The rest has undergone a dramatic transformation; resulting in a comfortable, inviting space that is sure to become a favourite with locals.

The café is spacious with a covered balcony area outside; light filters in, making it feel airy and open. Hanging plants and touches of lime green add to the fresh feel. The deli side is jam-packed full of goodies to browse through – there are fresh cheeses on display (with tasters) and deli salads and mezze items to purchase on a weigh-and-pay basis. The shelves, reminiscent of a farm stall, are packed with all manner of treats – nougat, fudge, jams, pickles, biscuits, gifts and more. It’s very hard not to leave with a few sneaky purchases.

The restaurant is open from breakfast through to dinner and the menu is made up of casual café-style meals. Enjoy omelettes and fry ups for breakfast, salads, burgers and sandwiches for lunch, and dishes like rib-eye steak and Cape Malay prawns for dinner.

For lunch I chose the smoked salmon trout salad and my dining partner the ABC burger. The salad was undoubtedly one of the most delicious I have had in a long time, and the portion size exceptionally generous. The salad was well dressed and full of yummy layers of flavour. It felt a bit like a treasure chest, under every leaf hid another ingredient. From the vinegary bite of capers, to the creamy avo, herbed crème fraîche and marinated smoked salmon, each element came together and balanced beautifully. The burger was also an incredibly generous size with a meaty patty, bacon, Camembert and a mountainous side of skinny fries.

The food is honest and patrons will get the sense that each recipe has been tried, tested and perfected. Graham’s experience in the business comes through in both the quality of the food and the effortless way it is expedited from the kitchen. The relaxed atmosphere and value for money make this a great little suburban gem. It was exceptionally busy the day we visited and looks set to stay that way. It’s bound to be packed with young families, ladies who lunch and those out for a cuppa, a slice of cake and a good chinwag.

The relaxed atmosphere and value for money make this a great little suburban gem.

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