My culinary experience at Jonkershuis brought together good food and good company – a wonderful combination. Situated on the historic Groot Constantia Wine Estate, Jonkershuis offers a spectacular view of the area. With tables outside and indoors, guests have the option of enjoying the coolness of the evening amidst the beauty of nature, or the well-designed indoor area.
Our waiter, Armandt , was extremely polite and informative, yet unobtrusive. As an entreè our party of four was served a trio of curries (lamb, chicken and Bobotie) for the table, presented with options of roti, rice, samoosas and poppadom. Dishing from the small bowls brought a sense of closeness and sharing.
For starters we enjoyed hot smoked snoek pate, Classic French salad, black mussels in chardonnay, and roasted beets and goats cheese rocket. The whole party pronounced the starters very tasty, although the sizeable portions got the better of the ladies.
The mains took a while to decide on, but eventually we settled on spaghetti with extra bacon, crumbed chicken breast, sticky pork belly and beef fillet. Again, Armandt was a welcome source of information as he also explained some chalkboard specials. The presentation of the mains was a delight, and was also enjoyed with great relish.
Desserts proved a challenge, because by now the culinary delights had taken its toll. Both couples settled for the Jonkershuis dessert plate, which each came with Malva pudding and vanilla pod ice cream, cinnamon milk tart, and coconut and orange cake almond. Delicious. Despite what went before, space was created.
The evening at Jonkershuis was a delight. Excellent service complemented excellent food and excellent company. A great combination. A great experience.
Groot Constantia Jonkershuis
THE ESTATE TASTING PLATE oven baked bobotie | Karoo lamb curry | chicken breast curry | angry beef samosa Sultana & almond turmeric rice | oven baked cinnamon butternut | quick fried poppadum
***
STARTERS
HOT SMOKED SNOEK PATE orange & pineapple marmalade | micro greens | crispy puri
LOCAL BLACK MUSSELS chardonnay | spicy masala & mango cream | coriander | baguette
CLASSIC FRENCH cos | plum tomato | onion | cucumber | mustard vinaigrette
ROASTED BEETS & GOATS CHEESE rocket | sticky sugared walnuts | reduced balsamic
***
MAINS
FRESH SPAGHETTI fresh herb cream | field & exotic mushroom | parmesan Add: crispy bacon lardons
PANKO CRUMBED CHICKEN BREAST mash | summer greens | mixed mushroom sauce
HAPPY HOGS STICKY PORK BELLY butternut & pear puree | greens | sticky black lacquer
CHAR GRILLED BEEF FILLET garlicky buttered green beans | fries Choose a sauce: Classic béarnaise | mixed mushroom | green peppercorn
***
THE JONKERSHUIS DESSERT PLATE
TRADITIONAL MALVA PUDDING caramel sauce | vanilla pod ice cream
CINNAMON MILKTART apricot & vanilla compote
G.F. COCONUT & ORANGE CAKE almond | orange syrup | mascarpone | nut brittle