1 minute read
WHERE TO EAT
The Vine Bistro
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Could this be the most delightful French restaurant in Cape Town? Packed to the rafters with charm, atmosphere and elegantly dressed waiters, The Vine Bistro on Glenelly Estate is deserving of its glittering reputation. And, almost as a bonus, the food is also delicious. The à la carte menu doesn’t radicalise French cuisine, but rather faithfully recreates Gallic fare – from duck and pistachio terrine to, yes, veal sweetbreads with mushroom duxelles and gnocchi Parisienne. The classic French onion soup is their most popular dish – a frankly sinfully tasty starter that will undoubtedly overshadow everything else you’ve ever eaten. The aromatic broth is made with caramelised, buttery onions and topped with meltedcheese topped crusty baguette. Truly a bowl of comfort. The wine list is, naturally, impressive. Order a bottle of Glenelly Lady May – a Cape Bordeaux red blend with aromas of blackcurrant and plums – and savour the main event. The signature main course this winter is tender salted pork with lentils and Dijon mustard sauce. Rich, umami and a little smoky. An absolute triumph of taste and texture. But no trip to The Vine Bistro would be complete without sampling their bouillabaisse du cap, essentially fancy fish stew or soup. A medley of the freshest possible fish, shellfish and vegetables, it’s a glorious dish – its magic lying in its scent and intensity of flavour. It’s served with a spicy sauce rouille for a memorable meal. There’s also a patriotic lineup of French desserts, including rum baba with Chantilly cream and fresh fruit as well as heavenly apple tarte tartin – draped with flaky pastry and served upside-down to expose the gleaming melt-in-your-mouth apples. The classic opera cake is a six-layer masterpiece, featuring almond sponge cake soaked in coffee syrup, an espresso buttercream and dark chocolate ganache. All of this is washed down with a stunning wine collection that draws from some of France’s finest growers.
Glenelly Estate, Lelie Street, Stellenbosch
021 809 6444 www.glenellyestate.com
