Hello everyone – it’s time to get back to work after ‘MIA’ on a wonderful holiday!
For something completely different we ventured forth to Kampersrus, to see what delicacies we could sample. I have to say at the outset that the climate there is fantastic, as was the buzz of excitement as we travelled there – something new, hopefully something great!
There was a bunch of us and so it was interesting to get everyone’s feedback on what we found.
We slid into the ‘Buck and Berg’ restaurant and bar – you can’t miss it on the right as you turn into Kampersrus. Who knows this may bring the establishment some infamy in the area, although I think that may have already happened.
One of the group got there a little early and was quickly in to sample the offerings and check the vibe at the bar (on the ground floor – the restaurant is above the bar). Good offerings, ice cold beer and some happy revellers – all things that go into making it a place to check out and frequent.
The first thing that got me from the restaurant was the view over the lowveld (… forever) to the southwest at the front, and a marvellous view up the mountain at the back. We settled in at the front. The waitress was on point – quick to help with the drinks order and supply menus for the food.
We had heard that this place was ‘famous’ for its burgers. For starters we shared ‘fried haloumi fingers on a nest of fresh rocket with cherry balsamic reduction’. Absolutely next level and a surprise to us all – things clearly were not what we may have expected. Best haloumi that I have tasted in a very long time. We also had ‘vegetarian snails’ – mushrooms in napolitana source, topped with mozzarella cheese and baked in the pizza oven. All served with bread with which we were able to play ‘dippy-dippy’ – again a sure winner.
For mains there was more of a variety – shitake walnut vegan buck and burger, venison buck and burger, poncho polo pizza – a spicy Mexican chicken pizza, and a putanesca pizza – anchovies, capers, olives, and artichokes.
All the burgers were off the charts, well presented, cooked, juicy and flavourful. The vegan burger was particularly interesting and very good. One vegan burger had pickled chillies as an accompaniment which added a different, scrumptious spin. The onion rings, for those that had, came in generous portions and were delicious.
The spicy Mexican chicken pizza was rated by that particular diner as “the best pizza ever eaten”! The putanesca pizza held its own and was crispy, salty, and tasty. A comment here is that this is, so far, the ONLY restaurant to offer artichokes on a pizza … if there are any others, please let us know!
For desert – this was decadent! The choice was the Cape brandy pudding – a warm, dark, sponge pudding, soaked in brandy syrup, one served with ice cream the other with cream. To be honest there was a small scuffle, each one of us battling to get the one-up on the others in terms of consumption.
In conclusion, this is a venue that you must make an effort to go to. Very casual and unassuming, the offering is good and wholesome, well cooked, and delicious. I was surprised that this quality of food and ambience was so well priced. They might consider opening on Sundays – I think that would be a bomb; and they should also consider expanding the wine list. All in all, a great afternoon, great view, great food, great company, and at a good price – what more do you need? Well done to the Buck and Berg!
