Pretoria - This is the perfect weekend drive if you want to get out of the city. It’s not too far and yet it takes you almost into another country.
It was my second visit in a few years and the experience was as good the second time round. Both were Sunday lunches.
It’s about an hour’s drive from either Pretoria or Joburg. Once you turn off into the property, you enter a lush and green landscape with trees and a country house.
The main building is quite imposing in country manor style - they have cleverly and stylishly combined chic and comfort.
Dining can be enjoyed inside or out depending on the weather but my suggestion will always be outside. There’s just so much nature to indulge in with monkeys having fun in the trees, a swimming pool right next to the dining area and gardens that are quite extraordinary creating a truly bucolic scene.
Some guests, because this is an inn and they’re visiting for the weekend, might be off playing croquet; others target shooting - with arrow and bow. But if you’re here to graze, this will also be something special and well worth the drive.
The restaurant, cleverly titled The Conservatory, offers a classical formal setting, but under the trees with little gazebos in the beautiful outdoor setting is my best. The table linen is crisp white damask over pink floor-length tablecloths teamed with quality glassware, crockery and cutlery.
Starters on any day will include two or three options, for example, turnip and potato soup with sour cream and butter croutons; a salad of warm camembert with macerated strawberries, pistachios and balsamic reduction; handmade tagliolini with ocean fruits in green Thai sauce or olives, capers, garlic, herbs and a fresh tomato sauce; or risotto with Asian mushrooms and Grana Padano shavings. That’s a grand selection but I will never get beyond the risotto, one of my all-time favourites. It’s the comfort factor that gets me every time but the choice is such that most palates will be pleased.
Main courses vary from Kabeljou or Dutch-style beef fillet with red wine butter, spinach, and rosti with a brandy sauce; grilled Springbok marinated in gin; sauteed chicken supreme with mignonette potatoes or a rack of lamb with sweet potato and cumin mash. It is a hearty meal, worthy of coming all this way and allowing for good breaks between courses. I opted for the fish which was light allowing for some fun with the dessert but the different meat dishes were also sampled by the rest of the gang, and the food received a huge thumbs up. It’s fine country dining.
The desserts are also classic and spotlight the produce in season. So when berries are abundant, enjoy berry jelly with meringue and a berry parfait or berry Mille-feuille with berry sauce and granadilla jelly. If you’re after something more traditional warms your heart, the warm lemon tart with lime sorbet, wafer tuile and macadamia praline is an easy pick or the Cape brandy pudding with vanilla ice cream and butterscotch sauce will deliciously hit the right spot.
They don’t have a formal wine list, instead encouraging options such as Paul Cluver Gewarztraminer; Meerlust Chardonnay; Springfield Miss Lucy Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon/Pinot Gris; Hermanuspieterfontein Die Bartho; David Nieuwoudt Ghost Corner; Vondeling Erica Shiraz; Vergelegen Merlot or Meerlust Merlot. That’s quite something and has the necessary weight to add to the cuisine.
On arrival, a welcoming drink is presented with a choice between a De Hoek Refresher of lime, lemonade, soda and ginger beer or a Pink Port with tonic water and Maraschino cherries. It’s a good start.
Service is extraordinary with everyone looking out for diners and their pleasure.
The staff, most of who have been here for years are well trained. With a large contingent of diners especially on celebratory days but really any weekend, families included, they know their stuff.
It’s the ambience, cross-section of South African diners and finely prepared and presented food that makes this special.
They have also added a new restaurant, The Bridge Bistro, which is below the original house. It is a modern space very different to the existing De Hoek’s interior. It has a clean open feel with the outside truly the strongest feature with the large floor to ceiling doors drawing your eye to the expanse of open green fields right ahead.
It operates separately from The Conservatory - the conference venue - and is great for weddings and other celebrations.
Open: Breakfast, lunch and dinner Monday to Sunday, R345 for a 3-course meal including coffee/tea Lunch; Breakfast, R205 per person; Dinner, 5-course meal, R405.
De Hoek Country House - The Conservatory, Off the R563 towards Magaliesburg Village, follow signs to De Hoek Country House, Magaliesburg
Phone: 014 577 9600
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