Estate Living Digital Publication Issue 11 November 2015 | Page 13

Enjoy the quintessential Italian Dolce Vita experience at the Terra del Capo Tasting Room on the Anthonij Rupert Estate in Franschhoek where diners can look forward to feasting on authentic, delicious and vibrant food in the beautifully landscaped gardens shaded by olive trees. Ingredients are sourced from local artisanal producers or organically grown on the estate and the daily chef’s selection antipasti platter compiled around seasonal produce, on offer at R150 per person, includes grilled marinated vegetables with rosemary and garlic, white anchovies with tomato, olives and capers, and crispy fried squid with lemon aioli. The estate is well known for bespoke wine tasting and the farm shop offers constantly developing seasonal treats like freshly roasted coffee, delicious strawberry and vanilla jam, a Merlot Sangiovese Verjuice and chocolate espresso fudge (their best seller) plus Rooibos biscuits. The Open Door restaurant at Constantia Uitsig Wine Estate introduces the Southern Suburbs of Cape Town to the contemporary edginess for which owners Neil Grant and Barry Engelbrech, owner of successful eateries Bocca and Burrata, are renowned for. The gents commissioned Inhouse Brand Architects to complete the contemporary yet sophisticated space which sits inside a local heritage site formerly occupied by The River Café. The well loved historic facade dating back to 1917, still remains but with a thoroughly overhauled interior; enter through the open space of the courtyard and the sheathed glass area of the lobby and take your seat under idiosyncratic quirks such as the irregular placed wooden beams and a fresh open space that can seat up to 180 diners at full capacity. Encasing the courtyard in glass and the addition of a wooden deck creates a cohesive space that is as enticing as the name suggests and the menu reflects the tranquil winelands setting with leisurely breakfasts, light lunches and dinners by Chef Annemarie Steenkamp. Promising something entirely unique is the Dapper Coffee Co – a new coffee and light meals spot in the heart of the Cape Town CBD. Housed inside a vintage car showroom called Club 9, imagine sipping on a cafe latte with a 1970 chocolate brown Porsche nearby or munching a sandwich leaning against an original Mercedes Benz with oversized steering wheels and cream leather seats. In Gauteng, the Clico Restaurant at the Clico Boutique Hotel in Rosebank is a refreshing addition to the Johannesburg scene. Having opened in October 2015, the unique architectural design boasts high ceilings and a flooding of daylight through walls of glass with large sliding doors for a semi al fresco atmosphere. Glass dividers can split the restaurant into two separate sections in order to accommodate intimate events and guests can enjoy exceptional European style cooking which changes daily and the ever popular five-course tasting menu. Across the courtyard behind the Thomas Maxwell Bistro and bordered with flowers and potted herbs is the Maxwell’s Wine Library. Wicker chairs, luxurious deep-buttoned vintage leather couches and a quirky glamour, this dedicated kitchen offers French New York fare filled with long-term favourites that Thomas himself has crafted over the years like mussels in creamy sauce and the rabbit risotto. The private dining room has garnered a reputation as a restaurant which savours the whole dining experience with a Diner’s Club Diamond Award winning wine menu to boot. Catering for dinners of up to 30 and cocktail functions for 50, you’re guaranteed personal flare and great taste. Secure your seat this summer and ensure you dine spectacularly. 13 OPEN KITCHEN With over 1,200 hotels and more than 8,000 restaurants across the country, South Africans are spoilt for choice and aredemanding unique culinary settings that offer exceptional experiences.