Food for mind, body and soul.
There’s something decidedly dreamy about the green pastures of the breathtaking Stanford Valley. Fabulous food, glorious landscapes and fresh country air are food for the mind, body and soul.
The idyllic Stanford Valley Country Lodge offers all of this and more. Tucked in the Klein River Valley, surrounded by rolling hills and green meadows, the property offers comfortable accommodation in 15 white-washed cottages, simply and stylishly furnished. Spa treatments, plus a wood-fired sauna and steam shower, and a newly built swimming pool enhance the overall stay-over experience.
The farm is also home to the superb Manor House Restaurant, regularly garnering accolades for its delectable modern-country comfort cooking prepared by head chef Janine van der Nest and her talented team.
Country chic
The mid-century modern furniture and décor, carefully curated by co-owner Elsabe Nauta and sourced from vintage, antique and junk shops in Cape Town and Stanford, creates the perfect canvas for enjoying the country-with-a-twist dishes.
With sweeping views over the paddocks towards the Akkedisberg Mountains, and a warm fireplace greeting guests in the winter, it’s well worth the 25-minute drive from Hermanus.
Contemporary comfort food
The curated menu changes regularly, according to season and produce availability, but consistency with regards to deliciousness is a given. Guests can expect a delectable array of starters, such as roast onion soup with Mission figs; wild mushroom risotto; and chicken rillettes with appelliefie konfyt (gooseberry preserve).
Mouthwatering mains include a homemade beef burger with bacon jam; potato and black olive tagine with crispy chickpeas; pork belly with mustard cream and tenderloin arancini; and herb-stuffed lamb saddle with butternut gnocchi.
Dessert is an equally decadent affair, with a menu that includes: chocolate torte with amasi and blood-orange granita; brown butter custard with fennel biscuits; pear parfait with mampoer sorbet; and poached plum with lemon syllabub.
As for the winelist, it features many excellent wines from the region including Springfontein, Newton Johnson, Creation, Bouchard Finlayson, Stanford Hills and the nearby Raka Winery.
Worth a mention is that the boutique vineyard completed its first harvest in 2022, so guests can look forward to tasting the farm’s first wine, a Rhôone blend called Eersteling, which will be bottled in 2023.
It’s no surprise that the Manor House Restaurant has affectionately come to be known as the jewel of The Overberg.
Opening times
Wednesday, 5pm – 10pm
Thursday – Saturday, 8am – 10pm
Sunday, 8am – 4pm
Good to know Open by arrangement for group bookings on Monday + Tuesday (minimum 15 people).
Contact 072 198 0862, info@stanfordvalley.co.za
Where to find it R326, 10km from Stanford towards the N2
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