Heart-warming winter flavours and soaring valley views.
Winter in Franschhoek is all about cosying up with good food and wine, mountain and valley views even more beautiful in the slanting golden light, or against dramatic stormy skies. One of the best lunch spots in town to soak up the scenery is the indoor-outdoor, light-drenched Restaurant at Haute Cabrière. Hugging the rugged slopes of the mountains above the village of Franschhoek, this beautiful farm has been in the proud and passionate care of the Von Arnim family for two generations, and their restaurant has been designed to maximise these unbridled vine and valley views.
As the light over the valley changes with the seasons, so do chef Charlton Prins’ delicious and accessible French-with-a-South-African-twist menus, combining local ingredients and the Von Arnim family ethos… Coming together around a table to celebrate life, stories and wonderful food and wine is a key part of their philosophy, and the short but enticing winter menu displays this joie de vivre (et vin!) with warmth and panache.
A feast of winter flavours
So many delicious ingredients come into their own in the cooler season… a made-for-winter warmer on the starter menu is the beef short rib raviolo, served with Jerusalem artichoke puree, soubise and duck liver parfait. Or the pan-fried duck breast with confit duck and roast butternut. Then there’s crumbed brie with a ratafia fig compote; mussel bouillabaisse; or smoked Franschhoek trout with pickled beetroot and trout caviar.
Celeriac is another delicious vegetable that we always look forward to in winter…slow-cooked lamb shoulder with confit celeriac, creamed spinach and a lamb jus captures the season on a plate. Or go for beef fillet with roast parsnip and mushroom purée; a Cape Malay seafood curry; pan-fried linefish with bean and leek ragout and charred cauliflower; or a smoked tomato risotto with roast eggplant and bell pepper.
Relax into a sweet finale, with quince and almond tarte; cardamom crémeux with honey ice cream and sake-marinated naartjie; rooibos crème caramel; or indulge in chocolate cake with dark chocolate mousse, salted caramel and macadamia ice cream.
Winter Cellar Master’s Lunch
Chef Charlton Prins’ delicious dishes come into their own with a glass of wine from the Pioneering Wine Blends collection in the winter Cellarmaster’s Lunch. Choose between smoked tomato risotto with bell pepper, roast eggplant, broccoli, basil and parmesan, or slow-cooked lamb shoulder with confit celeriac and creamed spinach. Select a glass of Haute Cabrière Chardonnay Pinot Noir or Haute Cabrière Arnim Family Reserve to accompany your meal.
Cost R295 per person (1 course with a glass of wine).
Valid Mon – Fri until 31 August
Reserve wine pairings
Although winter sunshine might well put you in the mood for bubbly (and at the home of Pierre Jourdan cap classique you can’t go wrong with that), many of these heart-warming winter flavours pair beautifully with the notable reserve wines (all available by the glass) for which Haute Cabrière is renowned… all the excuse you need to indulge in a long and lazy lunch whatever the weather.
Good to know A deposit is required for bookings of six or more people.
There’s a Little VIP children’s menu (R190 for two courses).
Cost R420 (two courses); R490 (three courses)
Opening times Monday – Sunday, 12pm – 3.30pm
Contact 021 876 8500, reservations@cabriere.co.za
WhatsApp: 064 928 1044
Where to find it Lambrechts Road (R45), Franschhoek
Book through DinePlan
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