A crackerjack formula

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Restaurants on the West Coast

Yet again, veteran entrepreneur and restaurateur Russell Foster has hit the bullseye with a tiptop formula for Charlie’s Brewhouse in Port Owen. With gulp-inducing views over the marina from the raised, glass-panelled patio and an Instagram-ready interior, patrons flock there for four reasons: the food, vibe, views and brews. As for the latter, do sample the five in-house craft beers and four gin flavours.

Using first-class ingredients to produce big flavours, simple ideas are executed with flair – at keen prices I might add. Sixteen tantalising snack/starter options beckon. So ease into the gastronomy with robust fish cakes. Atop a crunchy slaw pelted with sesame seeds, they’re drizzled with lick-the-plate-clean wasabi mayo. On the other end of the scale, the bitterballen’s profound savouriness is offset neatly with the tang of wholegrain mustard mayo and ginger.

It’s a case of choices, choices, choices for mains. One of the stand-outs is the luscious gravy-rich steak and ale pie playing tag with buttery mash and glazed carrots. Next up, a chunk of pan-fried kingklip – beautifully flaky – in zesty garlic butter, is partnered with gently sautéed broccoli and plump chips. For fiery tastes, half a grilled chicken vibrates merrily in a woozy peri-peri sauce, accompanied by nutty potato wedges.

End flamboyantly with a banana and chocolate spring roll: the pastry is thin and crisp, creating the perfect platform for the filling’s sweet burst.

Open daily 12h00 – 22h00 at 1 Marina Centre, Port Owen Drive, book at 022 7830448, info@charliesbrew.co.za

Photo: The Tipsy Gypsy.