The art of summertime dining.
If you’ve ever visited the Norval Foundation and strolled through its sculpture garden, you’ve thought about wanting to relax and enjoy a picnic in this stunning setting… Now you can. Grub & Vine, the restaurant at Norval, has curated the perfect alfresco meal.
Chef Matt Manning, known for his down-to-earth yet finessed approach to dining, has brought this same philosophy to the picnic offering. His hampers celebrate the best of local and seasonal ingredients enjoyed with superb wines.
Collect your gorgeous leather-and-canvas picnic tote bag from the restaurant and head out into the gardens to find your special spot on the lawns – beside one of the giant sculptures, under the trees at the top of the slope, beside the wetlands… Spread out the striped blanket included, lay out your feast, pour a glass of wine, and enjoy.
Framed by the mountains and vineyards of the Constantia Valley, Norval’s gardens offer beautiful scenery and the tranquillity of nature alongside its enchanting and thought-provoking installations
What’s to eat?
The tote bag is packed with savoury and sweet favourites – bacon and mushroom quiche, an artisanal beef sausage roll, South African cheeses and charcuterie, and a biltong, apple and walnut salad. There’s also freshly baked bread, butter and piccalilli (a nod to chef Manning’s heritage), plus his famous Scotch egg. For dessert, carrot cake, scones and jam.
A bottle of water is included, and wine can be purchased from Grub & Vine to enjoy with your picnic. Only 20 picnic hampers a day are available (spur-of-the-moment same-day booking and collection is possible, while stocks last). Picnics are available from November to April.
Opening times Wednesday – Sunday, 12pm – 5pm
Cost R590 (basket for two)
R295 (per person)
Good to know The cost of the picnics includes access to the sculpture garden but not the art museum. Entrance to the museum is R200 (African nationals), R300 (international visitors), R100 (students).
Book through DinePlan
The early show
By popular demand, Grub & Vine Norval now serves breakfast, too – and it’s no ordinary breakfast. The small menu includes a kedgeree risotto with haddock and quail egg, shakshuka with amasi, an English muffin with Richard Bosman bacon and a poached egg, or banana bread French toast with mixed berries.
Enjoy your meal, whether indoors or out on the terrace, with beautiful views over the gardens and distant mountains. You’ll be all fuelled up to explore the art museum and its sculpture garden, or to head out on the Constantia Wine Route.
Opening times Wednesday – Saturday, from 8.30am
Cost From R115 per dish
Book through DinePlan
Contact 021 216 0021, hello@grubandvine.co.za
Where to find it 4 Steenberg Road, Tokai, Cape Town
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