Discover the charm of a traditional European salon in the heart of Cape Town, where striking design and culinary mastery come together to create an unforgettable experience.
A salon is a gathering of people held by a host. These gatherings often consciously followed Horace’s definition of the aims of poetry, “either to please or to educate” (Latin: aut delectare aut prodesse). Salons in the tradition of the French literary and philosophical movements of the 17th and 18th centuries are still being carried on today.
Nestled within the Woodstock Biscuit Mill’s Silo Building, Luke’s new restaurant SALON draws inspiration from the traditional European salon to create a space that is as much about the food and drinks as it is about the people around you. As Luke puts it, “From the start, I wanted the feel of this new restaurant to draw on the concept of a traditional European salon.”
Interior designer Maurice Paliaga skillfully crafted the space, juxtaposing contemporary elements with textures and tones that pay homage to the concept of a traditional salon and the heritage of the building. Upon entering SALON, guests are greeted with a sparkling golden portal, an intriguing contrast to the pared-back, traditional space featuring Victorian-style floors and marble-topped bistro tables that evoke the charm of Parisian cafes.
Working with the historical Silo Building’s grid-like bones, Paliaga has softened the square dimensions of the room by adding golden domes, Art-Deco paintings, Venetian plasterwork, and vintage-style filament lamps, creating a textural and warm experience for visitors. Various areas within SALON include a general seating area, an elegant bar and banquettes, and intimate dining spaces just behind a series of arches designed to foster thoughtful conversation and culinary exploration.
The SALON menu, reminiscent of Luke’s renowned restaurant The Test Kitchen, takes guests through the countries shaping Luke as a chef. This small and focused interactive menu features signature dishes from each country’s culinary heritage. The Journey menu is priced at R1100 per person, with a condensed version, The Explorer, available at R550 per person. Pairing menus are also available, matched to small-batch wines, beers, and sake.
SALON
Open from Tuesdays to Saturdays, guests can reserve their “Journey” or “Explorer” timeslots between 6pm and 9pm at SALON.
Bookings can be made online.
Don’t miss the opportunity to embark on a unique culinary adventure in the heart of Cape Town, surrounded by the beautiful and quirky design of Luke’s SALON.
