Stefan’s Restaurant: Fine-Dining with Heart at Erinvale Estate Hotel & Spa

Warm and intimate, Stefan’s feels more like a private dining room than a restaurant: invitingly comfortable plush green armchairs, soothing peach-pink walls, eye-catching black-and-white photographic prints and original artworks. It’s the signature fine-dining restaurant of the Erinvale Estate Hotel & Spa in Somerset West, and the eponymous passion project of their executive chef, Stefan Bekker. French doors open onto a terrace flanked by indigenous gardens, and there’s a glorious brass-framed fireplace for winter warmth, as you embark on a culinary journey where every bite tells a story.

Chef Stefan followed his own path into fine dining (he studied at Prue Leith in Pretoria followed by global travel to the UK, Doha, Thailand, Rio, and on cruise ships) and has evolved an idiosyncratic style focussed on punchy flavours, judicious use of spice and a visual lexicon that is more about plays of colour and contrast than theatrics. He keeps things small and personal, seating only 22 diners for dinner (it’s just himself and his pastry chef in the kitchen), sending out beautifully plated 7- or 10-course tasting menus in a seamless flow of culinary adventure.

The plates are a story in themselves…. During lockdown Stefan volunteered with Imibala Trust (a local project working with vulnerable children supported by the hotel), started making ceramics and now makes most of the beautifully individual plates himself. He says: “Two hours a week over four years and you have enough!” During the bread course – superb snoek pâté, intriguing foie gras and olive ‘pebbles’, and an oh-so-pretty beetroot and buchu butter – we had fun identifying what was there to be eaten and what was a ceramic trompe l’oeil. Tip: don’t try to slice the crusty loaf… the Japanese milk bread roll is beautifully soft and hidden inside.

On the summer menu

Local produce infused with global influences define the gastronomic journey. We particularly enjoyed the pork belly salad which came with a sensory symphony of crunchy textures, including dehydrated papaya. And a gorgeous cob and octopus dish with chokka noodles and edamame embraced in warm spices that packed an alluring hug of flavour. Stefan puts just as much thought and detail into the ‘in-between’ courses. A beautiful Pirates of the Caribbean-inspired palate cleanser of a berry sorbet tart is as much an event as the mains.

Wines to pair

The suggested wine pairings feature small-batch handcrafted wines from local boutique winemaker Carsten Migliarina, wines from sister properties Eagle’s Nest and Ridgeback, and a selection from notable local wineries such as Ken Forrester, for spot-on pairings throughout the meal.

Friendly and accomplished service, a chic and welcoming ambience (to residents and day visitors alike), and a beautiful setting make Stefan’s a culinary outpost of creativity to savour and relax into.

Opening times Wednesday – Saturday, 6pm – 10pm
Contact 021 847 1160, reception@erinvale.co.za
Where to find it  Erinvale Estate Hotel & Spa, 1 Erinvale Avenue, Erinvale Golf Estate, Somerset West
Book through DinePlan

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