You would think I would have reviewed Fories before now, seeing as it has been around for about 200 years (apparently). The truth is that I have eaten there several times before and just never got round to writing a review. So here is the review, finally.
Fories is a pub, so a lot of people go there just to have some drinks or to watch sport on the many TVs. It has a great vibe and you’ll find it pretty packed out for major sporting events. The nice thing is that it is quite a big place so it’s not too difficult to find yourself a spot. As you can imagine, in winter the pub environment and pub food is very appealing, but in summer the outside area is lovely. There are plenty of tables outside too and a play area for children. There are plenty of trees which not only provide shade but also give you a feeling that you have escaped from the hustle and bustle of the city for a while.
We decided to have Sunday Lunch at Fories. They have a carvery (R75) for those who enjoy a plate of roasted meats with veggies (who doesn’t?). Two of us had the Pie (R58) which was pepper steak that day. You collect the pie from the carvery and fill up your plate with the veggies and potatoes on offer at the carvery. We both agreed it was a tasty, filling and reasonably priced option. One person had the deep fried calamari and chips (also around R58 I think), the calamari was very tender and it was a generous portion. Although it was fried, it was very lightly battered so it wasn’t too oily. We also had a chicken salad, which wasn’t great. The green thai curry (R58) looked ok, but quite small compared to the other dishes. The other dish we ordered was the stuffed lamb (R98) which was also collected from the carvery and accompanied by veggies etc. The lamb was nice but at R40 less, the pie was much better value for money.
We didn’t look at the wine list but were very excited when the appletisers we ordered turned out to be full size cans and the coke was served in a pint glass! That in itself really scored points because there are few things as annoying as ordering a coke when you are thirsty, and it’s finished after 2 gulps. It should be illegal to serve those little cans of coke, just like crayfish they should only be served if they are fully grown.
The weather was perfect which I’m sure contributed to our great dining experience at Fories. The service can be a little slow, but not terminally. Definitely worth a visit.
Foresters Arms
52 Newlands Avenue, Newlands
Tel: 021 689 5949
Comments
4 responses to “Foresters Arms review”
Forries is an institution among any who have lived around Newlands. I once randomly had a beer with Gary Kirsten there. You can check out and add to the entry for Forries at Do Stuff in Cape Town
I had lunch at Forries today. The prices have gone up, the carvery is now R90 and the pies now R68. The 20% increase in price was not as disappointing as seeing that the coke we ordered came in a tiny can rather than the pint glass they used to serve.
The linefish (Dorado – R95), was horrible, undercooked and not so fresh. The chicken liver starter (R40) was unusual. The livers were served on a bed of salad, on health bread. It wasn’t a bad dish, but the menu doesn’t indicate that you’re not going to get a bowl of livers in tasty peri peri sauce into which you can dip your fresh roll (which is what we all expect when we order livers, right?).
I am yet to be served a smoked salmon, cream cheese and capers pizza with out plastic on it. The sheets they use to keep pre-sliced salmon apart.
Also noticed the radical price increase, but really once you’re there and you’ve had a few there is no where else to go.
Forries is alive with history. It’s one of those places you could always depend upon to be the same. Pity that it changed from a pub with interesting nooks, crannies and interleading, individual little spaces where one could drink and chat into an enormous alcoholic cathedral with prices that would make Rockefeller blink and enormous blaring TVs everywhere with compulsory sport.(What would happen if someone said ‘can we have the history channel’ – a mass exodus to the door?) Despite Forries having pawned its soul to the young and trendy, the fire in winter and the outside area under the trees, coupled with well-kept beer and a carvery that’s deservedly a legend at any price keep Forries what is it – a ‘must do’ Cape Town thing and the birthplace of many a true friendship.