Cape Town - The time is ripe for alfresco feasts.
Whether you want to celebrate an occasion with friends, savour a romantic treat for two, or take the family for an informal but delectable lunch, nothing can beat a picnic, preferably catered for by someone other than yourself.
Cape wine farms make the most of their superb settings – both in the Peninsula and further afield – by offering delicious picnics from now until autumn next year.
Allee Bleue
Delectable picnics are just one of several attractions at this historic farm outside Franschhoek. Named after the old avenue of blue-tinged eucalyptus trees that lead from the entrance to the manor house, Allee Bleue estate produces a range of fine wines, houses a bistro-style restaurant, offers educational herb tours and has a fresh produce stall packed with goodies to take home.
Picnics, which include a glass of the estate’s Starlette Blanc, comprise a baguette filled with pesto, sun-dried tomato, mozzarella and rocket, pickled fish, cured meats with pickles, olive and rosemary ciabatta, a green and Caprese salad, a selection of patés, a cheese platter with a butternut and onion quiche, and traditional herzoggies for dessert.
The vegetarian menu replaces the meat and fish with roasted vegetable salads. Children are served fruit juice, marinated chicken drumsticks, tuna mayonnaise wraps and fruit sorbet.
Picnics cost R185 for adults, R65 for chidren under 12. They are available seven days a week from 11.30am and there is live music on Sundays. Bookings are essential and can be made by telephoning 021 874 1021 or e-mailing [email protected] or online at www.alleebleue.com.
Gabrielskloof
If you don’t know the Bot River area, you are in for a great trip to a rural district renowned for friendly, informal hospitality.
Gabrielskloof is a wine and olive estate that has just added lunch boxes to its restaurant and wine cellar offerings.
Chicken liver parfait, pork and duck rillettes start the meal in style, while biltong, spiced roast beef and mini lamb pies follow for mains, accompanied by a salad duo. There is also snoek quiche, roosterkoek with artisanal cheese, watermelon and green fig preserve, and a chocolate marquise pot for dessert.
Children are catered for with a ham and cheese roll, yoghurt, cheese wedges, juice, crisps and old-fashioned sweets. Estate wines and craft beers can be bought from the deli, and boules and croquet are available for energetic diners.
Lunch boxes cost R300 for two and R75 for children under 10. They are available every day except Tuesday. Advance booking is essential by calling028 284 9865 or e-mailing [email protected]. The estate is on Swartrivier road off the N2.
Buitenverwachting
Buitenverwachting’s picnics have been essential items on summer itineraries for generations of locals and overseas visitors. The lawns of this entrancing Constantia farm are fringed with historic buildings and shaded by venerable oaks.
The picnics, catered by Adrienne Kirschbaum and offered from November to April, come with tables and chairs and blankets for children under 10 to sprawl on the grass. The menu opens with snoek paté, follows with a vegetarian quiche, biltong, ham, chicken roll and bobotie bites. Salads of beetroot, feta and green bean and potato accompany, while the cheese course includes a cheddar and ricotta roll and brie and creamed cheese with sweet chilli sauce and peppadew dip. Breads and biscuits partner this, while finales of fruit kebabs, koeksister and chocolate brandy truffles come with coffee or tea.
Children under 10 are presented with cheese rolls, salad and fruit kebabs, fruit juice, chips and chocolate.
Picnic baskets cost R150 for adults and R50 for children under 10. They are available from Monday to Saturday from noon, but closed over Christmas and New Year. To book, contact Adrienne on021 794 1012 or 083 257 6083
Myrna Robins, Cape Argus