Jakes on the Common: Rustic + Elegant in Lovely Surrounds

Since the closure of the original Jakes in Kenilworth, the mother-and-son duo behind the classy eatery have opened up in Noordhoek, in a glorious setting at the foot of Chapman’s Peak Drive. Like Jakes in the Village (Steenberg in Tokai), the new property is elegant yet unpretentious, and it shares the same interesting and international menu. But, to suit its surrounds, Jakes on the Common is rustic and a tad quirky.

With a toddler in tow, on an autumn afternoon, we decided to go alfresco. The sun was out and the view picture-postcard perfect. We quickly ordered a mac ‘n cheese off a separate kiddies’ menu, and the Wild Mushroom Ravioli starter for us to share: delicious and creamy, but not too rich.

Food + drinks

The menu has a decidedly Oriental slant, with a Thai prawn and chicken curry, an Asian pork stir-fry and two Indian curries. There’s also a South-American inspired chimichurri T-bone steak, salads, a range of Moroccan flatbreads, a couple of gourmet hotdogs, and extravagant American-style burgers and sliders.

My Pulled Pork Burger was exceptional: sweet and succulent pork on a bed of fresh and crunchy shredded beetroot and carrot. As was the Roasted Butternut, Feta & Beetroot Salad.

The drinks menu is impressive: a surprisingly good selection of inexpensive wines and wines by the glass, which is a rare thing in upmarket restaurants.

We left no space for dessert, but I’m told the Dessert Platter is the way to go. The service is swift, warm and attentive.

While Jakes describes itself as a family restaurant and caters for children, I got the impression they would prefer not to. A sign inside the restaurant reads: “We love children, but not in the bar, lounge or on the furniture” – you might wish you had left your sprog at home with a nanny.

Opened December 2017