Cape Town - Whenever I enter an area where there are vineyards, I feel instantly calm and happy, but particularly so every time I visit Buitenver-wachting. There is something so special about this farm.
My spirits lift as I turn into the gate and slowly drive along the narrow winding road past the baby vines, the paddock with horses, the field of sheep and – depending on the time of year – gambolling lambs; and I sigh with pleasure at the sight of the Constantiaberg.
There are also giant chickens roaming outside the tasting room, which I was assured don’t appear later on the menu in the restaurant. Chef Edgar Osojnik has already prepared two special menus for lunch and dinner with several dishes not normally available, and a few that are. During Restaurant Week you’ll be able to get two- or three-course meals with or without wine pairings for between R145 and R385 a person.
Osojnik is very handsome, and a Scorpio like me, so we get on very well. He also happens to make wonderful food. I’m a big fan of his take on a Caesar salad, which as a main course (also available as a starter) has pretty pink pieces of seared Norwegian salmon on top of gem lettuce with boiled eggs, white anchovies, Parmesan shavings, bacon and croutons. That does sound more or less like any other description of a non-traditional Caesar, but trust me, this is anything but.
On my two most recent visits I’ve forced myself to try new and different dishes. Ruts can be very comfortable, but one should climb out of them now and then; the reward is worth it. The tomato risotto with pan-fried chorizo, zucchini and coriander-mint pesto is divine, as is the seafood linguine with laksa sauce. Again, that is a rather over-simplified explanation of the dish because it has an abundance of shellfish and several varieties of fish. Both of these are available as starters or main courses, and the portions are huge, so bear that in mind when ordering.
Normally I don’t have space for dessert, and am not much of a sweet tooth, but last time I was there I had the vanilla panna cotta which was so beautifully presented – and in my favourite colour – with strawberry and balsamic sorbet, a startlingly perfect foil to all the other things going on, like a fan of thinly-sliced fresh strawberries and cannoli shells filled with Amarula zabaglione.
Besides the fine dining restaurant, where you can either sit on the terrace overlooking the courtyard and water feature, or inside with the view of the vineyards and mountain, there is also the Coffee Bloc for breakfast, lighter meals and, well, coffee, which is roasted on site, and the tasting room for sampling delicious award-winning wines accompanied by tapas or platters of meat, cheese and fruit. From the end of November, you can picnic on the lawns.
l For more information on Restaurant Week and other participating eateries, see www.restaurantweek.co.za/ Buitenverwachting is on Klein Constantia Road, Constantia. Telephone 021 794 5190, restaurant 021 794 3522, or see www.buitenverwachting.com
Weekend Argus