Good, Better, Best. From The Next 48 Hours
Recently opened on Dieu Donne wine estate in Franschhoek is a restaurant that not only provides guests with spectacular views but an interesting, well executed menu. We were impressed by charming and attentive service, and a particular focus on zany crockery that must be hell for the dishwashers. The Seafood and Bread soup is served in an upturned, top-hat-of-a-bowl that sweeps downwards a skateboarding ramp.
A fishy consommé with fish cube “croutons” is inside. I expected a thick, hearty soup, so this was a surprise. The prawn with truffled oil and parmesan cream spaghetti was delicious.
Venison Pie, was a fleshy, intensely flavoured stew with a rectangular puff pastry stripe. The carrot and celery flavours brought a rich sweetness to the springbok. Unlike many pies that deliver soggy pastry, this was a crisp and delicious accompaniment.
My order of line fish - Cape Salmon was offered, benefited from a citrus sauce. A beautiful dish, grilled Cape Salmon on top of wilted greens and almond mashed potato is a good example of food I like to eat.
We also ordered a salad, one in particular sprang out at me with sautéed pork belly and salsa. Although it sounds like a heavy dish, I found it elegant and tasty and a perfect one-course lunch.
Expect ear-shaped pieces of crackling that deliver crunch while small cubes of pork work well with the mesclun leaves and mini white beans.
We enjoyed a sampling of the pilsner, ale and stout from their micro brewery before our meal and I look forward to enjoying a full glass of the ale when I return. The interior echoes a wine cellar with exposed brick and vaulted areas but is also very comfortable.
There is outdoor setting under umbrellas that overlook the vineyards. Dieu Donne is the kind of place you can happily take friends or a lover for a romantic tryst. Sunset over the valley must be spectacular.
Average prices for starters R35 - R55, mains R65 - R75 and desserts R40 - R45.
Open daily for lunch and Monday to Saturday for dinner.
Dieu Donne 021 876 3384
I loved a scene in a French Louis XV1 period film where staff carry out practically the entire lounge and dining room furniture onto the lawns for a picnic. Perhaps taking along Persian rugs and piano is a little extreme, but I’ve often hankered after a picnic without pins-and-needles in my legs from sitting on the floor.
At Vergelegen in Somerset West you can picnic in style. The walk towards the picnic area through various rose and herb gardens passes a pavilion where you order your drinks.
A few steps more and you’re under tall trees where the light is gently stippled. Chairs and tables are set amongst the gnarled roots but sufficiently spaced to feel very private. Lunch is served on platters. At R130 per head (minimum of two) we enjoyed smoked salmon, gravadlax and peppered mackerel to start.
The main platter, served with crusty baguette, included a couscous and poppy seed salad, beetroot with green beans, broccoli with almonds and cold cuts: Black Forest ham, rare roast beef with hot English mustard and stuffed and sliced chicken.
Cheese and crackers and dessert and coffee are also included. Vergelegen is fast becoming my favourite place. Tel: 021 847 1334
[07-Apr-08]
Brian Berkman
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