Month: April 2019

Having very rarely venturing into the Plattekloof area, we were pleasantly surprised at De Grendel Wine Estate. We have had the pleasure of sampling their wines on occasion but never visited the farm.

The main dining room is a lot more formal but the waitstaff and views make up for that. Let me just say there is nothing wrong with formal and they do it well. For a more relaxed atmosphere the bustling tasting room would do the trick and if the number of guests at both tasting room and the restaurant is anything to go by, they do both well.

Our friendly and very knowledgeable waiter Fiona was always n hand to guide and advise. Their bread course even though just a slice person, I would have happily bought a loaf.

The Prawn dish with Smokey tomatoes was a winner as well as the Beef Fillet.

The portion were quite generous and sadly we were to full to even sample the dessert.

We also tried the Amandelboord Pinotage 2017 and the award winning Rubaiyat 2015 our favourite between the two was the Pinotage.

Being a stickler for a pretty bottle I had to sample the Three Spades Cider. I am not a cider drinker but this one was incredibly smooth and the first cider I managed to finish, perhaps it was the five varietals of apples used to produce this one.

All in all, we enjoyed the visit and will go back, I would however suggest that the staff explaining your dishes try a little harder than simply reading from the menu, other than that a good time was had.

Restaurant Week Special

18 April – 5 May 2019

Starter

Shitake | King Oyster | Shimeji | Arborio | Asparagus | Artichoke

or

Prawn | Squid | Tomato | Puff | Rocket | Basil | Lemon | Tarragon

Main

Sous Vide Free-Range Chicken | Pea Tortellini | Chardonnay Velouté | Courgette

or

Beef Fillet | Oxtail | Marrow | Broccolini Pearl Onion | Potato | Peppercorn

Dessert

Poppy Seed | Lemon | Frozen Yoghurt | Mascarpone | Pecan Nut | Marshmallow

or

Valrhona Aero | Nutella Mousse | Lime | Banana Brûlée | Hazelnut

2-Course Lunch: R300

3-Course Dinner: R400

For full album click here

Name: De Grendel Restaurant

Address: De Grendel Wine Estate, Plattekloof Road, Panorama, Cape Town, 7500

Telephone Number: +27 21 558 7035

Email Address: restaurant@degrendel.co.za

Opening Hours:

Monday        

• Closed

Tuesday – Saturday

• Lunch: 12:00 to 14:30
• Dinner: 18:30 to 21:30

Sunday

• Lunch: 12:00 to 14:30

Written for JAR Photography by René Mesias-Petersen

Photography for JAR Photography by Jason ‘Dubbz’ Petersen

Having seen the restaurant was situated in Salt River, I must be honest we were a bit apprehensive, as we haven’t really ventured into Salt River. We were however pleasantly surprised; Liberty’s Restaurant is situated inside the Upper East Side Hotel in Brickfield Road.

The hotel is right and the end of the road and adjacent to an Atrium with little stores including a salon and Bootleggers.

The restaurant was full and when we asked about the Restaurant and Hotel were advised it’s been operational for at least 10 years, “hidden gem’ alert.

Dinner menu

R300 per head plus a complementary glass of wine

Starters

Edamame beans

Spicy soy dressing

Cape Malay spiced smoked snoek samoosas

Homemade mango chutney, smoke snoek pate

Sriracha roasted Buffalo wings

Gorgonzola dip & celery

Pan fried baby calamari tubes

Thai spiced chilli & lime dressing, Wasabi mayo

Pea, Chevin & bacon Risotto

Grana Padano & fresh thyme

Caramelized cider braised pork belly

Vermont maple, apple gel, puffed crackling

Mains

Grilled chicken supreme

Roasted onion & thyme puree, baby vegetables, honey jus

Seafood bisque risotto

Pan fried baby calamari, prawns & line fish with a brandy bisque cream & lemon zest

Teriyaki braised beef short rib

Wasabi mayo, crisped kale, roasted baby onion, sweet potato puree & teriyaki jus

Garlic & chilli grilled prawn linguini

Sun dried tomato & coriander pesto, confit Rosa tomatoes & Grana Padano

Sweet potato & butternut gnocchi

Pan fried with sage butter, Quattro Formaggi sauce

Pan roasted cauliflower

Onion Soubise, roasted onion flakes, sweet charred shallots, baby leeks & leek ash

Desserts

Chocolate Nemesis

Miso, sea salt & white chocolate mousse, Oreo sable

Lemon curd crème brulee tart

Lemon syrup, lemon Chantilly, caramelized pistachios

Nutella & Oreo baked cheesecake

Hazelnut praline, sea salt & caramel mousse

Coconut & cardamom panna cotta

Mango, lime & mint salsa

Chefs Tiramisu

Light and fluffy mascarpone, Disaronno Amaretto, Espresso, Tonka bean and vanilla

Dark chocolate fondant

Hennessy & honey parfait, Espresso Anglaise

The portions sizes are generous to say the least, come hungry is the best advice I can give. The complimentary wine was also good, we choose the read ad white. The desserts oh my soul, that Tiramisu is one of the reasons I MUST go back, and I will start with dessert, just so I may finish it!

Well done Liberty’s Restaurant 4 stars from us.

For full album click here

Name: Liberty’s Restaurant at Upper East Side Hotel

Address: 31 Brickfield Road, Woodstock, 7935 Cape Town

Telephone Number: +27 (0)21 404 0570

Email Address: Liberty’s@uppereastsidehotel.co.za

Opening Hours:

Written for JAR Photography by René Mesias-Petersen

Photography for JAR Photography by Jason ‘Dubbz’ Petersen

Having visited Skotnes Restaurant in 2018, when the Norval Foundation has just opened, we were excited to visit the establishment again.

We weren’t surprised to know that Skotnes Restaurant was recognised by Eat Out Readers as “Highly Commended” in the Best Everyday Eatery Awards 2018.

Named after legendary South African artist and teacher Cecil Skotnes, the restaurant is situated at the stunning Norval Foundation the centre for art and cultural expression.

The views from the restaurant overlooks the wetland and Sculpture Garden.

Executive Chef Phil de Villiers brings together locally sourced ingredients as well as food works of art.

Don’t you love when the waiter knows your name or remember you and what your ordered from that last visit and that was just want happened, the Birthday girl Sophie was excellent as usual.

The steady flow kept the kitchen staff busy, but you never felt as though you had to wait too long between courses.

The food was excellent as usual, and we will be back for the art,food and picnic basket option.

2-Course Lunch: R150 pp

3-Course Dinner: R250 pp

Starters

West Coast Mussels

leek lyonnaise | garlic | lemon foam

Gnocchi

raw butternut juice | kapokbos smoked butternut puree | boerenkaas | sage

Pork Croquettes

soetmostert | pickled vegetables | apple

Mains

Beef Flat Rib

carrot puree | braised endive | mustard

Market Fish

samp | braaied corn ragout | broccoli | pomelo

Cauliflower “Wings”

basted in tandoori paste | Durban dhal curry | carrot | lemon pickle

Dessert

Lemon

bay leaf | maize upside-down cake | bay leaf custard | lemon tart ice cream

Turmeric Pavlova

cocoa mousse | ginger ice cream | toasted coconut

For full album click here

Name: Skotnes Restaurant at Norval Foundation in Tokai

Address: 4 Steenberg Rd, Tokai, 7945 Cape Town

Telephone Number: +27 87 654 5902

Email Address: bookings@theskotnes.com

Opening Hours:

Weekdays (closed Tues)      

• Breakfast:        08:00 – 11:00
• Lunch:             12:00 – 15:00
• Dinner:             18:00 – 22:30

Saturdays      

• Breakfast:        08:00 – 11:00
• Lunch:             12:00 – 16:00
• Dinner:             18:00 – 22:30

Sundays         

• Breakfast & Lunch: 08:00 – 16:00
• Dinner: Closed

Written for JAR Photography by René Mesias-Petersen

Photography for JAR Photography by Jason ‘Dubbz’ Petersen

Having never visited the Lord Nelson Restaurant, we were excited by the prospect, as we have already visited Planet Restaurant as well as having visited the Chef’s Table, which we have loved by the way.

What a start to our Restaurant Week journey, our host, waiter and all the staff at the Belmond Mount Nelson, made us feel extra special and the ambience and dishes were all top class.

We already planning our next visit and for R400 p/p you certainly will not be disappointed. Do yourself a favour and make your reservation today!

RESTAURANT WEEK MENU -R400 per person

STARTERS

OSTRICH CARPACCIO

spicy raisins, fresh grapes, smoked date purée, almonds, labneh

or

SALMON TROUT TARTARE

rice cracker, seaweed puffed rice, carrot kimchi, miso cured egg yolk

MAINS

SPINACH CRUSTED SEABASS

curry leaf cream, masala roasted cauliflower, lime atchar, cauliflower leaves

or

PAN ROASTED LAMB LOIN

fine beans, confit lamb neck, slow roasted tomato, caper olive salsa, lamb bacon

DESSERTS

PEACH MELBA

vanilla ice cream, almond tuile, raspberry coulis

or

DARK CHOCOLATE FONDANT

Amarula ice cream

@themountnelson #jarphotoct @RestWeekSA  #MadeFromAfrica #Africa #Amarula

For full album click here

Name: Lord Nelson Restaurant at the Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel

Address: 76 Orange Street, Gardens, Cape Town, 8001 South

Telephone Number: +27 21 483 1000

Email Address: reservations.mnh@belmond.com

Opening Hours: Monday – Saturday 18:30 – 10:30pm

Written for JAR Photography by René Mesias-Petersen

Photography for JAR Photography by Jason ‘Dubbz’ Petersen