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.
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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.