Cape Town “Unique” Restaurant in World’s Best 50 for Second Year

The Test Kitchen in Woodstock has been voted one of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants in New York City on Tuesday, for the second year in a row, with the Cape Town’s La Colombe making the top 100 list for the second time.

Chef Luke Dale-Roberts’ Woodstock restaurant came in at position No. 22, after coming 28th last year. It had featured in the top 100 several times in previous years.

“Chef Luke Dale-Roberts is the closest thing Cape Town has to a rock star chef ­– and with good reason,” the World’s 50 Best said. “Combining culinary braggadocio and classical technique, his food would stand out in any of the world’s gastronomic capitals, but in the South African city it’s pretty much unique.”

The annual awards’ partners are, among others, Diners Club, S. Pellegrino and Miele. In 2009 two South African restaurants, Le Quartier Francais in Franschoek and La Colombe, reached the top 50, at positions 38 and 39 respectively. Le Quartier, under another famous SA chef Margo Janse, came 50th in 2008.

Describing the Test Kitchen, the World’s 50 Best said it is “Informal, industrial chic. Channelling the artsy, edgy vibe of Woodstock, the neighbourhood where it’s based, The Test Kitchen is a low-lit, almost clubby space of exposed brickwork, hanging pipes and leather-backed seats, where the cooking – carried out in an open plan kitchen – is the star turn.”