A few weeks back, I had the pleasure of experiencing a 10-course brunch at The Pot Luck Club in Woodstock, owned by acclaimed chef and restauranteur Luke Dale-Roberts.
From the moment we stepped out of the lift into the restaurant, we were warmly greeted by the hosts and promptly shown to our table, which offered an unparalleled view of Cape Town. The ambience was inviting, and we were presented with menus while our server brought us water and gave us a few moments to decide on drinks.
We started with two cocktails: The Pot Luck Club Old-Fashioned and the Pineapple and Basil Daiquiri. The Old-Fashioned was perfectly balanced, making for a great start to the brunch, while the Pineapple and Basil Daiquiri was exceptionally refreshing, striking the perfect balance between sweet and tangy with a delicious basil undertone.

The first course was West Coast oysters with spicy soy dressing and trout roe, a flavourful start that set the meal’s tone. Next, we enjoyed a quail egg on buttery toasted brioche with hollandaise and mushroom duxelles, a rich and sumptuous reimagining of a classic. Following that was a lobster McMuffin, a miniature English muffin with pea and wasabi relish topped with a bright cream sauce that complemented the lobster perfectly.

For the final of the first four courses, my pescatarian companion had a yellowtail sashimi taco with avocado and corn salsa, while I savoured a curried lamb taco with parsnip cream, mint salsa, and delicate parsnip crisps.
After a brief break and a glass each of the unlimited bubbly special (included in the price, along with bottomless Bloody Marys), we moved on to the Arnold Bennett. Traditionally an omelette filled with smoked haddock, this dish was reimagined as a decadent mix of scrambled eggs and haddock, covered in a cheesy cream sauce and baked to a crispy top.

Cocktails were the order of the day, so we tried more options. I enjoyed a perfectly balanced Caipirinha while my companion ventured out of her comfort zone with a Sour-Fig Daiquiri, a delicate and flowery drink with a strong touch of rose flavour that we both appreciated.
Halfway through our meal, we watched the talented young chefs headed by executive chef Jason Kosmas in the open kitchen preparing the courses like well-oiled machines. On our return to our seats, we were served heirloom carrots with pistachio crumb and labneh, accompanied by sourdough naan bread.
The last savoury dish we had was different for each of us. I had the roast duck, which was decadent and perfectly pink with a delicious citrus component that complimented the sauce. My companion had a braaied piece of hake served with clams. Both dishes were accompanied by a beetroot tarte and salad that demonstrated the chefs’ respect for vegetables, as well as a beautiful Yorkshire pudding to mop up the sauces.
We finished with an Irish coffee and awaited our dessert, which was served in three sections: a selection of Pot Luck Club sweets, including macadamia nougat, a Rum Canelé that could rival any I’ve had in Paris, and the centrepiece, a guava malva pudding with chestnut ice cream. This creative and wintery dessert put traditional elements into a delightful new shape.

Overall, The Pot Luck Club brunch was a great culinary experience. The attentive service, inventive dishes, and warm ambience made a memorable meal. If you are in Cape Town during the cold winter months, I highly recommend trying The Pot Luck Club’s brunch menu. You can thank me later.
Brunch at The Pot Luck Club is served every Sunday from 11:00 AM. Priced at R1250 per person, including the full menu, Bottomless Bubbles, and the DIY Bloody Mary Station, the winter brunch runs from 7 July to 29 September 2024, with summer brunches from October to April 2025.
Located at 375 Albert Road, The Old Biscuit Mill, Woodstock, Cape Town www.thepotluckclub.co.za