Noodlebosch noodelry in Long Street

Had a concerted walk down Long Street today, to check out the Backpackers and get some prices for Paragliding (dying to try it), it’s R850 ($120), but they only go on hot days with little wind…wind and Cape Town are good friends and not easily parted.

I am also toying with the idea of opening or buying an internet cafe, its a nice low maintenance operation that would suit my temperament quite well. There are not as many as I thought on Long Street, perhaps because the rentals are too high, but Sea Point is chock-a-block with them, at least 20.

Anyhow, I was hungry, and have been wanting to check out Noodlebosch on Long Street since I saw it. It has a great look about the place, very nicely put together indeed.

I had the “Traditional Beef Noodles”,(R22 $2.50) served in a New York, takeaway box that we have always craved in SA. The noodles were ok, but not great, although I think I would have been better off with the specials that were already prepared: Green Thai Curry and Sweet and Sour Chicken.

I also suspect that mine could have been saved with a splash of soy, but since there was none on the tables, we will never know. There was also none of the flashy flame show that you get when you order noodles elsewhere, so I suspect the noodles were a bit overcooked/boiled-in-stock instead of flash fried.

One issue I have with South African restaurants is that they always seem way overstaffed, for instance Noodlebosch is a tiny restaurant, with counter seating inside for 2 or 3 and 2 tables outside. (There is also some strange mezzanine seating inside, which may hold 4-6 people), but there were 4 people (that I saw) in a 3mx3m Kitchen. At least its not as bad as Vida e Cafe, which seems to hold more people behind the bar than there is in the restaurant. Why, I ask myself. I reckon its to cover bases in the event that 2 or more don’t turn up due to transport problems, murders and transport problems. Any help on this would be appreciated.

The prices are good, R15-R30 ($2-$4) per dish and I am prepared to give it another go soon, to see what I missed. I may even take my own soy.