’Tis the season to be dining with Siba

Cape Town’s swanky Table Bay hotel is now serving chakalaka, dombolo (steamed bread) and samp.

And diners wanting to treat their taste buds to African cuisine will have to fork R1 400 for an eight-course meal at celebrity chef Siba Mtongana’s new eatery.

Even though the restaurant only opened this week, tables are fully booked for the upcoming festive season.

At the launch, Mtongana shared an encounter she had with a 70-year-old well-travelled gentleman who dined at her restaurant.

“He asked to meet me. He spoke to me teary-eyed saying that he’s eaten all around the world, and there are two places that he will take to his grave,” she said.

“The first place was a restaurant in France in 1984, and the second one was Siba – The Restaurant. He said the food was amazing, and from the ambience and service, he appreciated it all.

“He told me that the last time he experienced fine dining like this was more than 40 years ago.”

Mtongana first launched the eatery as a pop-up restaurant in 2020 as a means of gauging the reception to her take on fine dining with an African twist.

Located inside the hotel, the eatery comes with a great view of the harbour and Table Mountain in the distance.

“It was the right size and the right location for the pop-up. We had to extend and renovate the space for its permanent home,” she said

“Now, Siba – The Restaurant fits the aesthetic we had always envisioned for it,” she added.

Mtongana said barring any other engagements, she spends the majority of her time at the restaurant to make sure everything goes well.

“I spend 90% of my time at the restaurant. I cook with my back-of-house team and train new staff members myself.

“I also spend a sizeable amount of time training my front-of-house team and ensuring that standards are kept high.

“The ultimate goal is to train my team to be able to cook without me but still adhere to the high standards we have set, consistently. I’m proud to say they are doing exceptionally well.”

For Christmas at the Mtongana household, the “Siba’s Table” host will be cooking a few of her family’s favourite dishes.

“My menu will consist of my famous trifle, a cherry-glazed gammon, a plethora of vegetables and salads,” she said.

“Any leftovers will be turned into sandwiches for a picnic on Boxing Day. Around this time of year, my children love making biscuits and cake pops to give to their teachers, friends and family as gifts,” she continued.

Mtongana said launching the eatery this close to Christmas was a fitting time as it has always been her favourite time of the year.

“Church is a big part of my family life. On Christmas morning, we always wake up early to get ready,” she said.

“Growing up I recall waiting for Christmas clothes and presents with excitement and wearing them with pride on the day,” she added.

“We would dress up, go to church, and then come back to a Christmas feast that was always prepared by the entire family. Cooking always started at least a day before.”

She has passed on a Christmas tradition from her childhood to her children.

“My siblings and I always decorated the tree a few days before Christmas, together as a family. I continue this tradition with my four children who are between the ages of 10 and 4.”

Her advice to anyone hosting Christmas lunch was to prepare as much as possible in advance.

“The last thing you want on Christmas is to be slaving away in the kitchen all day and be left with piles of dishes by the end of it,” she said.

“The table can be laid and decorated a few days in advance. The pudding can be made the day before, your potatoes parboiled for roasting, butternut peeled and diced etc.,” she added.

“Ask for help – ask guests if they can provide starters, drinks, a salad or contribute to a dessert table to help ease the load on you as the host.”

Despite her busy schedule, family time is always a priority in the Mtongana household.

“Weekends, as a rule, we spend family time together, we love eating together which includes a Sunday lunch as a family at the restaurant,” she said.

“We love doing indoor activity parks, art, picnics and we cook together when we can.

“On the odd days where I’m needed for work or travelling, we divide and conquer and Brian steps in and can do any of our family activities with all four children without me – which is incredible.”

Mtongana’s sister-in-law Samantha Ramutla said she was proud of the celeb chef.

“I am proud of everything she’s built. She’s created a name for herself and we can all see that it is a prime spot in the Waterfront with a beautiful view,” she said.

“I love that she’s still evolving and outdoes herself each time. I cannot wait to see what she has in store for us next.”

Weekend Argus

Keshia Africa