Anton Anreith Arcade, 15 Jetty Street

Tel: 27-21-418-0001

After successful ventures in France and Australia, French chef Laurent Deslandes and his South African–born wife, Cyrillia, have opened a contemporary bistro in Cape Town's banking district. The name comes from friends who called the couple a little "berserk" when they elected to start anew in South Africa. A year later, the restaurant is a runaway success. Deslandes adds a refreshing Pacific Rim spin to modern bistro classics without losing sight of his classical French training. One of his signature dishes is textbook deboned pig's trotter with seared scallops and truffle oil, while nightly specials range from beet salad with goat cheese and beet sorbet to poached ox tongue in a ravigote sauce. The intelligent wine list includes some of the region's best varietals.
Tip: Finish with the mille-feuille of ginger tuiles with berries and homemade lemongrass-coconut ice cream (entrées, $8–$19).