THE GALLERY RESTAURANT AT THE KAROO ART HOTEL

BEST FOR Hearty home-style cooking with a modern twist. FOOD Plates here are simple but tasty. For lunch, expect the likes of Cajun chicken salad or trademark springbok carpaccio. Mains include hake fillet with hand-cut chips, a beef burger with a deliciously sticky onion marmalade and Cape Malay chicken curry with all the trimmings. Dinner options start with an interesting-sounding Japanese-style black bean soup with feta bruschetta, while mains run the gamut from rump with blue cheese sauce to Malay-style lamb curry and sesame-crumbed chicken with Asian noodles. For dessert, sago brûlée with poached guavas and vanilla ice cream is an update on a nursery classic, while lemon-and-lime panna cotta and Cape brandy pudding will please both traditionalists and those wanting something light and refreshing. DRINKS An impressively comprehensive wine list with a focus on local cellars. SERVICE Friendly and relaxed. AMBIENCE The rambling old hotel has been tastefully transformed into an interesting, artistic space. (LIB)