Sometimes after a hard day’s wine tasting, you want something a little more substantial than a cheese board. Haute Cabrière in Franschhoek has you covered with chef Ryan Shell’s sublime new Delicious Little Things menu.
Served on the terrace between 3 pm and 7 pm, the menu offers inventive fare to fill the gap between lunch and dinner – and ensure you don’t spend the afternoon wining on an empty stomach.
Everything is plated with the artistry and attention to detail we’ve come to expect from Ryan, from the bread board all the way to the desserts (and, yes, there’s a cheese board).
Each dish is large enough to hit the spot but small enough that you could order three or four to split for a table of two – and you’ll want to, if only for a chance to taste more of the options.
On this particular scorching day in the valley we retired to the cool interior of the estate’s cellar restaurant, and proceeded to work our way through almost the entire menu between six of us.
First prize has to be shared between the dukka-crusted squid, the slow roast pork belly with fig jus, and the tomato and parmesan salad.
We’re all tired of hearing the chestnut about menus being designed around seasonal and local ingredients, but it doesn’t get more seasonal or local than this, where 80% of the fresh produce comes straight from the Haute Cabrière kitchen garden. Accordingly, menu items change frequently enough that there’s always something new to taste.
Of course, you can’t not pair your mid-afternoon culinary journey with a bottle of MCC or still wine from the estate. The Pierre Jourdan Tranquille is always a winner, as was the Haute Cabrière Pinot Noir Reserve, but it’s the Haute Cabrière Cahrdonnay Pinot Noir that always takes the cake for me.
OF NOTE
Where Haute Cabrière, Lambrechts Road, Franschhoek
Trading hours The Delicious Little Things menu is served Tuesday to Saturday from 3 pm to 7 pm. For full trading hours,
Cost R30 – R60 per dish
Contact +27 21 876 3688, [email protected], www.cabriere.co.za
Photography Jade Taylor Cooke, courtesy
CapeTownEtc HauteCabriere looks super yummy!