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Reviewer: mac
Reviewed on the: 16/11/2006 16:17:56
Overall Rating: 81% |
Atmosphere 
Decor 
Value for Money 
Service
Stars
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Food 
Wine
Music
Transport and Location
Overall Experience
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A Touch of Madness has touches of brilliance in it. It is a bit of a hidden gem in Observatory. It has a lounge, about 60 seats, and a bar as well, which is quite an evolution from the original Carte Blanche cafe and bar over ten years ago.
Of course the fact that it is in an old Victorian house lends it much of it's atmosphere, and the people there are very friendly which gives it a nice vibe.
The decor was an interesting mix, with the walls and couches having an distinct victorian, slightly arty feel to them, however I was a little dissapointed to be sitting on those wooden classroom chairs.
Value for money is outstanding, and infact I had prawns for pudding because I just couldn't miss out on seeing how good the prawns that cost R40 for 8 are... they are good in case you're wondering, very good. In fact, almost as good as the kudu steak that I had. They were unfortunately not as big as Kine's burger, but you would be hard pressed to find prawns that big outside of that little stream next to Chernobyl. I'm glad that the home made burger was that big because it means that I got to eat some of it, and we missed starters because of the following party. Kine had the chocolate cake for pudding, which again was huge and freshly baked, she had to share that as well, although this time it was Camilla's turn.
I must mention that I was tempted by some of the array of vegetarian dishes that they had, before the carnivore in me took over replacing a mushroom and brinjal boboetie with a chunk of kudu.
The winelist was well written and informative, although I would have preferred to see a few more wines than so much information, having already mentioned a ten for value for money, I still feel compelled to mention that the wines were really well priced.
The music here was a very pleasent suprise, there was a constant stream of jazz, mostly laid back, and not just one cd on shuffle (unless they had me fooled).
You'll probably find trouble parking, but it is close to central Obs, and in easy walking distance of the clubs and pubs there.
It was a pleasant meal, and being able to retire to a lounge to continue the merriment just made the evening better. |