We first heard of this family affair when they won the 2011 Eat out award for best country-style restaurant The table at De Meye.
Now, brother and sister, Justin and Camilla Comins cook up the epitome of farm to table gastronomy in the original vinegar room of the historic Overgaauw cellar. Camilla’s husband and famed photographer Russel Wasserfall is the witty and gracious host.

The setting is as rustic as can be. A few wooden tables spread out in the shade of giant oak trees, laid with nothing but your eating utensils and some freshly picked flowers, with the vistas of the Stellenbosch mountains beckoning in the distance. The clatter of pans and delicious smells wafting from the kitchen as Russel makes sure everyone is comfortable and has something to sip on, creates a feeling of being welcomed by friends for lunch.

The set daily menu is created by Camilla and depends on the produce available from her bevy of bountiful suppliers, all local and from ethically sourced produce. The cooking is grounded; simple unfussy dishes that sings with flavour. To me, simplicity in cooking is about stripping away the excess, using skill and experience to celebrate the true hero, the food itself, and in this, both Camilla and Justin are experts.

Lunches at Overgaauw are relaxed and dishes are served on communal platters that further enhances the feeling of connectedness and family style eating. A handful of craft beers and estate wines are on offer, and Russel will make pairing suggestions to match the menu.

The opportunity to gather, share and eat together is a beautiful one and at Overgaauw the experience is magical.

To view this weekend’s menu (priced at R275 for 3 courses), click here

To book a table for lunch Thursday to Saturday, please
e-mail:restaurant@overgaauw.co.za
phone or text: 079 904 2995

Overgaauw Wine Estate, Kloof Road, Stellenbosch, Cape Town
http://www.overgaauwrestaurant.co.za/

If you are feeling a bit more adventurous, wind your way through lefty’s bar area, find the stairs and follow your nose up one flight where you will find a taste of the East, aptly named Downtown Ramen, as that is the main offering, and Cape town’s first authentic Japanese ramen bar at that! Luckily the music is loud enough to drown out the slurping noises as ramen is consumed all round in vast quantities. A Choice of Pork, Tofu and the occasional Chicken ramen is made fresh every day, the broth bubbling away for a good few hours before being deemed ready to serve. Egg and chilli optional. Not familiar with Ramen?

Ramen is a Japanese noodle soup dish. It consists of Chinese-style wheat noodles served in a meat- or (occasionally) fish-based broth, often flavored with soy sauce or miso, and uses toppings such as sliced pork, dried seaweed, and green onions.

Whet your appetite with a selection of steamed buns (pork belly, vegetarian, short rib) and wash it all down with japanese beer or sake. For more conventional drinks, you need to fetch your own from Leftys’ bar downstairs. Bench seating make for cosy eating, and it is very probable you will share a table with a few new faces. As with lefty’s, the crowd is hip, the service friendly and the food delicious. They don’t take reservations, so go early to secure a table. Alternatively, grab a drink and wait in line, the food is served fast so tables turn quickly.

• 021 461 0407
• 103 Harrington Street, Cape Town
• info@leftys.co.za
  
  Monday to Saturday 5pm-10pm

Being the new playground of Chef Nic van Wyk (ex Terroir, Diemersdal and of Kokkerdoor fame), the food at Bistro 13 is of the highest standard without compromising the bistro style with regards to serving size or a high price point (the prices are, in fact, excellent!). Here you will find comforting, classic cooking full on flavour finished with an unmistakable Nic van Wyk touch, which easily sets it apart from its competition. As can be expected, produce is fresh, supports local communities and is only of the highest standards available. 

As a further nod towards the pride of produce available, Bistro 13 offers a 10 course ’Naked’ menu, which as you can probably guess, has each course celebrating the essence of an ingredient, simple and true. View the latest ‘naked’ menu on their website.

The service at Bistro 13 is super friendly and attentive, staff seem knowledgeable and the lady who runs the front of house is Nic’s partner, Roxy Laker .

As for the wine list, I am happy to say that although the selection is relatively small, it is well representative of the area’s terroir with the focus on the Stellenbosch Vineyard’s producers; Welmoed, Arniston Bay and Credo, all available at encouraging prices as well as loads of by the glass options. 

At Bistro 13 the drawcard might not be rolling vineyards and dramatic mountain views, rather it is this venue’s stylish unpretentiousness, great food and friendliness that has you coming back for more.

The menu changes every so often, meaning you certainly have every excuse.

Hours:
Breakfast: Tuesday – Sunday 08h00-10h30
Lunch: Tuesday – Sunday 12h00-15h00
Dinner: Wednesday – Saturday 18h30- 22h00

Welmoed Estate, R310 Baden Powell, Stellenbosch | tel: 021 881 3044 | reservations@bistro13.co.za l  www.bistro13.co.za

Open for breakfast and lunch, Monday to Friday.
231 Bree St. Cape Town – Tel (021) 424 7480
Shop 14, Piazza St. John, 395 Main Road, Sea Point – Tel (021) 433 0570.

Specialists in rare and exotic blends, this is one of the few places you can sample kopi luwak, the most expensive coffee in the world. Made from beans that have been eaten and digested by Asian Palm Civets, the blend is mild and not as bitter as other coffees.

Haas is not only a coffee shop, but also a gallery/studio cum shop space for local artists and crafts people to showcase and sell their work. Curated by the owners, you can expect unique one-of-a-kind pieces both eclectic and beautiful.

Check the menu.

Monday – Friday: 7am – 5pm    |    Saturday, Sunday & Public Holidays: 8am – 3pm

tel+27 (0)21 461 1812      |    cell +27 (0)82 415 0370
info@haascollective.com
19 buitenkant street , cape town, 8001, south africa

www.haascollective.com

Read more about Matjiesfontein and its fascinating history at www.matjiesfontein.com

Do you sometimes dream of being part of a large family that owns a beautiful wine farm, where on weekends you get together to enjoy a delicious home cooked lunch that goes on for hours, with full glasses of wine and lots of interesting conversation to wash it all down with?
At The Table on De Meye in the Klapmuts area of Stellenbosch, chef Jessica Shepherd and her husband Luke Grant offers everyone a taste of the good life, with a setting that feels (almost) like home.

Weather permitting, tables are carried outside and scattered around the shady spots cast by the giant trees on the greener that green lawns, while in winter the fireplace is lit and the smells from the kitchen as inviting as the host and hostess themselves. Jessica cooks a 3 course meal that is served family style on lovely vintage china. The menu changes daily and is based on what is locally available, seasonal and fresh. Once on the table, Luke will explain exactly where every ingredient is sourced from, almost all local and free-range, so you can tuck in without a hint of guilt. Jessica’s love of food is evident in every dish and how it is put together – honest country-style cooking that is simply delicious.

Pair all of this loveliness with any of the De Meye wines on offer, all of which are very reasonably priced, making it easy to sample a few…
Jessica and Luke provide everything you need for a lovely lazy lunch, all you need to take care of is the conversation, and if that fails to impress, follow Sally (the ridgeback’s) example and take a nap on the lawn.

Really, the only negative about the Table is that unlike your mother’s house, you can’t just drop in whenever you feel the need for some good food, as this gem is usually booked up 2 to 3 weeks in advance.

Special dietary requirements will be catered for at advance notice.
They are open for lunch on Saturdays and Sundays, from 12:30 to 5pm, and host functions during the week by special arrangement.
The set menu is priced at R265 for 3 courses.
Call them to book on 072 696 0530 or email jess.chef@gmail.com
Adress: Elsenburg Road Muldersvlei, Stellenbosch
Follow them on Instagram (@thetablefood) to keep up to date with what’s on offer.

www.thetablerestaurant.co.za 

This salad is the perfect appetizer for a summer dinner party, or a lovely lunch served on its own. It is also easy to prepare ahead of time and has the added benefit of being categorized as gluten-free, wheat-free, Paleo, Banting, LCHF and just plain healthy.
Ingredients for 4 – 6 servings:

For the Marinated tomato salad:

300g cherry/roma tomatoes, halved

Dressing:

a bunch of italian parsley
9 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
juice of 2 limes or 1 lemon
7 anchovies marinated in oil
a fat clove of garlic (or 2), crushed/minced
Good quality salt and pepper

Blend the ingredients of the dressing with a stick blender and add the the chopped tomatoes.
The longer it sits, the better it gets. Aim for about an hour.

For the Carpaccio:

800g fillet, rubbed with lots of good quality salt, black pepper and olive oil.

160g Gruyere cheese, grated
200g marinated artichokes
60g rocket leaves
4 tbsp capers

Heat a griddle pan till sizzling hot (when you flick some cold water onto the pan, it should fizzle and evaporate immediately).
Sear the fillet on all sides till nicely browned. Remove from the pan and cool.
Using a VERY sharp nice, slice the meat as thinly as possible.
(At this point you can refrigerate for later use)

Lay the fillet slices on a platter with the edges overlapping. Season with good quality salt and pepper

Spoon over the tomatoes and dressing, sprinkle with artichokes and capers and a liberal squeeze of lemon juice.
Last but not least, scatter with grated parmesan and rocket leaves.

Enjoy!

If you own Karen Dudley’s wildly successful cookbook, a Week in the Kitchen, or braved the lunchtime crush at her popular eatery in Woodstock, the similarly named The Kitchen, you will be familiar with her fresh, passionate and fearless cooking style.

With hungry diners and fabulous recipes growing daily, the Kitchen was getting a bit crowded and the Cookbook was already printed. It was time to print the second cookbook, Another week in the Kitchen, and open the second eatery, aptly named The Dining Room.

You will find this new and more relaxed Karen Dudley experience just 2 doors down from The Kitchen, which during lunchtime has diners happily spilling out onto the sidewalk. Decorated in a similar delightfully vintage thrift shop style, the Dining Room is slightly more opulent, offering table seating and also taking reservations.

“The Dining Room really is a dining space as opposed to one that has all the natural hustle and bustle of a kitchen. What we’re trying to do is re-acquaint guests with their grandmother’s dining room, where the focus was on sharing a meal around a table.” Karen Dudley

The menu changes daily and operates on a dish a day (occasionally 2) philosophy, as would be the case when you dine at someones house. All the lunch dishes are priced at R90 and served with a selection of seasonal, fresh and inventive salads and sides, a dessert option and coffee. Their daily menu is posted on their Facebook page and includes options like  Crispy Skinned Salmon with a Vietnamese Caramel Sauce, Egg Flied Lice, Green Medley and Chopped Turkish; Ribeye Steak with roast veg and crispy roast potatoes; German Sausages served with Gravy Mash, Apple Waldorf and Brussel Sprouts with bacon; Roast Lamb Chump Chop with mustard mash and gloppy peppery lentils; Beef brisket with a pear and mustard sauce and Crispy Pork Belly with asian sauce to name but a few… 

They don’t have a liquor incense, but you are welcome to bring your own, no corkage charged.

Bonus: They are open for dinner on Thursday nights, when the menu also offers a selection of Hours ‘de Oeuvres at R20 per plate and desserts to complement the mains (R120 each).

Follow them on Twitter (@lovethekitchen), Instagram (@ctdiningroom) and Facebook to be tempted and also kept up to date with what’s on offer.
They are open for breakfast and lunch Monday – Friday: 8:30am – 4pm ; Thursday, 7pm – late (private functions can be arranged for any night of the week).
117 Sir Lowry Road | Woodstock | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 461 0463
diningroom@karendudley.co.za
http://karenskitchenblog.blogspot.com/
http://www.karendudley.co.za/

Tucked into the folds of the Riviersonderend mountains, only twenty kilometres but what feels like worlds away from the bustle of Robertson, lies the small town of McGregor in all of its laid-back glory.

The main road runs through the centre of town, the spindle from which town life slowly unravels. Lined with shops, Art galleries, restaurants and pubs (2 to be exact), it’s where visitors and locals meet, and makes for the perfect Saturday morning stroll, starting with the blink-and-you’ll-miss-it morning market, an especially popular haunt for the local hounds due to the famous doggy treat stall.

Being the most well-preserved example of a mid 19th century town, McGregor is as pretty to look at as it is gentle and unpretentious, with lavish wild gardens and whitewashed cottages dotted among sprawling veggie patches, boutique vineyards and dirt roads. The surrounding valley is filled with lovely wine farms, a sprawling nature reserve with abundant wildlife and bird watching opportunities, beautiful guest lodges and farm accommodation, hiking and biking trails and even a donkey sanctuary.

With only 250 – 400 permanent and weekend residents, the heart of McGregor is its local community, an artistic, eccentric and unique bunch with colourful stories of reinvention and new starts, a lot of whom were originally attracted to McGregor by what must be its soul centre, Temenos retreat and gardens. A real treat, Temenos fills a whole block with beautiful peaceful gardens, winding paths and sacred spaces, a tranquil environment to recollect and reflect.

For tourists, time slows down, and your days are easily filled with activities or doing absolutely nothing at all. With an art route, a wine route, numerous mtb and hiking trails and even a local ex-Masterchef in town, McGregor really offers a unique experience for anyone looking for a therapeutic, authentic and peaceful countryside experience. Don’t hesitate, the slow life awaits.

Don’t miss:

The Saturday morning market:
Held in the church square, the tiny market kicks off at 9′ o clock and is usually over at 10. This is where most of the locals buy (and sell) their fresh produce. You will also find olive oil, baked goods, preserves, honey, rusks, dog biscuits, jewelry, and other interesting local offerings.

Edna Fourie Gallery (Main road):
The exclusive home of Edna Fourie’s collection, the gallery transcends traditional boundaries, with the garden serving as an extension to the exhibition space. A permanent collection roots and supports the artworks available for purchase with Edna herself around to guide you in the experience. www.ednafouriegallery.co.za

Eseltjiesrus Donkey Sanctuary:
Visitors are welcome to meet and interact with the lovely donkeys staying at Eseltjiesrus. This home for abused, neglected and retired donkeys tries to create awareness for the welfare of donkeys and provides them with a loving and caring home. There is also a Coffee shop at the sanctuary that serves light lunches. Also a great educational outing for kids. Die donkie is ‘n wonderlike ding! www.donkeysanctuary.co.za

Rhebokskraal olive farm:
Rhebokskraal offers a wide range of olives and olive products, from oils to preserves and flavoured salt. Olive tours and tastings on the farm is available by appointment only. The good news is that all of their products, including the very interesting and tasty wooded Merlot and Cabernet grape juices are available for tasting at the Villagers farm stall in the Main road. www.rhebokskraalolives.co.za ;  Villagers Farm Stall

Lords Winery:
On the road to nowhere Lords winery has a lovely atmosphere and beautiful views. Make yourself at home on the verandah and enjoy a bottle of wine with a generous home-made cheese platter. Cellar tours are insightful and the Chardonnay is to die for, buttery, rich and golden in colour. www.lordswinery.com

Temenos Retreat and Gardens & Tebaldi’s restaurant:
For a break from everything, take a stroll in the tranquil gardens of Temenos, or spend an hour or two in the library surrounded by an ample collection of literature and poetry.  If you still feel the pressures of the world, book yourself a silent or wellness retreat, or maybe a treatment by the on-site therapists will do the trick. A meal at Tebaldi’s restaurant is another highlight at Temenos, to be enjoyed on the verandah with peacocks and roses for company or inside with a cosy fireplace for the cooler months. www.temenos.co.za

African Queen Studio:
This unique studio produces unique and really beautiful chandeliers and lamps made with dried seedpods, glass beads and crystals. www.africanqueen.org.za

Tanagra Distillery and Wine Farm:
A Giant Wild Fig tree gave the farm its name. Tanagra, meaning ‘main shade’ in Khoisan is a pretty farm producing boutique hand crafted wines with a focus on single vineyard wines. They also produce a variety of Grappa and Eau de Vie from their Boutique distillery with a still that travelled with the owners and their 3 cats all the way from Germany. They also offer farm accommodation in various self-catering cottages, hiking trails and bird walks. www.tanagra-wines.co.za

Lords Guest Lodge and Lady Grey restaurant:
Perched on a hill overlooking McGregor and its beautiful surroundings, the thatch-roofed, stone buildings reminds of something from a bygone era. A giant hearth and gold chandeliers sets the tone for luxurious and cosy dining with amazing views from the wraparound porch. The 4 star establishment also offers large freestanding cottages and luxury rooms with the same stunning views and elegant interiors. A rustic wine bar overlooking the pool completes the picture, and seems to be where visitors spend most of their time. Your friendly Hosts, Matt and Collin will be sure to make your experience one of true country hospitality. www.lordsguestlodge.co.za

Karoux Restaurant:
A fantastic dining experience awaits at Karoux restaurant, where Aimee van Hecke and Ryan Josten serves seasonal, fresh, organic and delicious cooking from their tiny kitchen. Ryan used to head the kitchen at the Conservatory at the Cellars Hohenhort Hotel, while Aimee was restaurant manager at Catharina’s at Steenberg. The small restaurant spills out onto a pretty covered courtyard with a cosy fireplace. A lovely example of simple food with complex flavours. Also, this is where John Tovey, Britain’s first Masterchef, likes to have his dinner www.karoux.co.za

Summer Place Cottage:
On the outskirts on town, down a quiet dirt lane you will find Summer Place, a semi-detached self catering cottage with all the trimmings. A quaint verandah overlooks the garden and you have a fireplace for the cooler months. Walking distance to the Main road, this is an absolutely lovely and affordable base for a weekend in McGregor.

Wahnfried:
A truly beautiful house turned into a ‘Home for music” and movies. Every Thursday and Friday night locals and tourists are welcomed into Michael and Freddie’s ‘theatre’ with a glass of wine to watch screenings of selected documentaries and movies. On Sundays they have Opera screenings or live music events. Not to be missed. Email wahnfried27@gmail.com for a list of events.

For more information about any and all of what the lovely little town of McGregor has to offer (and listed here is only a few), don’t hesitate to contact the Tourism office and McGregor Museum. They will gladly help you organise accommodation, tours and anything else you might need.

McGregor tourism contact details:

Mondays to Saturdays 9am – 1pm ; 2pm – 4h30pm
Sun / Public Holidays 9am – 1pm

Phone: +27 (0)23 625 1954
Fax:    +27 (0)86 612 9636
SMS:  +27 (0)820072 292 9002

Email Address: info@tourismmcgregor.co.za
Website: www.tourismmcgregor.co.za