Biesmiellah
PRICE:
Frommer's Highly Recommended
ADDRESS: 2 Upper Wale St
CITY: Cape Town
COUNTRY: South Africa
POSTCODE: 8001
PHONE 1: 021/423-0850
A number of places offer Cape Malay fare, but none is quite as authentic as Biesmiellah. Run by two generations of the Osman family in the historic Malay quarter of Bo-Kaap, Biesmiellah has been serving the local Cape Muslim community and, increasingly, tourists for 2 decades. The
denningvleis, a sweet-sour lamb cutlet stew flavored with tamarind and served with saffron rice, almonds, raisins, and mashed potatoes, is recommended, as is the
pienang curry, a beef cutlet stew prepared with bay leaves. In keeping with Muslim tradition, no alcohol is allowed on the premises. Biesmiellah also offers takeout -- try the
roti (flatbread) stuffed with cubed mutton.
Note: A new Cape Malay restaurant has opened in the Bo-Kaap called
Bo Kaap Kombuis, 7 August St. (tel.
021/422-5446), which offers a slightly more sophisticated menu and, best of all, has great city views. Since its opening in October 2006, it been solidly booked, so if you're interested in Cape Malay cuisine, book a table before you leave, and get here by 7pm to enjoy views of the city bathed in a sunset glow, then lit up in glittering lights.
Copyright: Excerpted from
Frommer's South Africa, 5th Edition, (c) 2008, Wiley Publishing, Inc.

Cape Town
, South Africa