RESTAURANT REVIEW
simply a meal. Every plate arrived with a story. Our server explained ingredients I had never encountered before and shared the inspiration behind each dish. I found myself trying to memorise every detail because I knew I would tell people about it later.
The East Coast rock lobster paired with waterblommetjie kerrie was one of the highlights of the evening. The familiar comfort of the curry worked beautifully with the sweetness of the lobster, combining refinement with distinctly South African heritage.
Then came the springbok. I have never been much of a game meat person. Every previous encounter with springbok usually ended the same way: one polite bite, followed by pushing it around the plate while trying not to offend anyone.
Henderson changed that. Paired with white sorghum, marula nuts, and kiwano melon, the springbok was tender, balanced, and packed with flavour. By the time the seven-day dry-aged smoked mountain sage duck arrived, choosing a favourite dish had become increasingly difficult.
Served with chestnut milk tart, invasive peppercorn, Cape bramble, tallow confit duck leg, mebos, and root vegetable candy, the duck was rich, bold, and unforgettable. Everyone at the table seemed to have the same reaction. Conversation stopped for a moment as we focused entirely on what was happening on our plates.
That didn’ t stop us from finding room for dessert. The Cape Honey Bee dessert featured honeybush panna cotta, fynbos sponge, honeycomb, bee pollen, and heuningboegoe crème glacée. I was convinced I couldn’ t manage another bite. Yet somehow, the plate went back to the kitchen clean.
Every course was paired with carefully selected wines, guided by a sommelier whose humour was every bit as memorable as his expertise. For those who prefer not to drink wine, the restaurant’ s non-alcoholic pairing menu is equally impressive. When the final array of chocolates arrived at the table, I felt disappointed that the evening was ending.
It reminded me of the last day of a great holiday. You know normal life is waiting for you in the morning, but you’ re not quite ready to leave. IBna
JULY 2026 / INBOUND SA 105