The vibrant suburb of Observatory is home to a few great culinary gems.
Tucked away in Lower Main Road is Reverie Social Table, a d’hôte style restaurant with a homely feel.
I was invited to enjoy an intimate dinner and wine pairing hosted by chef patron Julia Hattingh and Zandvliet Estate winemaker Jacques Cilliers.
Every Wednesday to Saturday evening, Hattingh welcomes guests to sit around her 18-seater table and enjoy a carefully crafted five-course food and wine pairing.
Guests are welcome to move around the table and mingle with other guests. I can’t think of a better way to enjoy good food and wine while meeting new people.
Hattingh and Cilliers took turns between the courses to introduce each dish and why it was paired with that Zandvliet wine.
Our first pairing was a little unusual, but it worked well – a sweet white Muscat with a Cape Malay inspired vegetable dish.
Guests are encouraged to move around the table and mingle with other guests.
Picture: Facebook (Reverie Social Table)
The slightly spicy flavours were a great pairing with the crisp, clean flavour of the wine.
Another perfect combination was a chardonnay with the fish course – oven roasted line fish with a crunchy buttered almond and thyme topping.
The meat dish and dessert were also finely twinned which brought out the flavours of the wine and food perfectly.
Oven roasted line fish with crunchy buttered almond and lemony leek and spinach soup.
It’s not often one gets good food, good wine and good company all in one place.
*For bookings email [email protected] or call 021 447 3219.