IN the historical Boland town of Paarl, the Grande Roche Hotel and Restaurant stands proudly as an icon in the winelands region. Known for its stylish accommodation and sophisticated country dining, chef Kevin Grobler has launched Grande Afternoon Tea just in time for the few Cape winter months ahead.
The tradition of taking afternoon tea was introduced to English royalty and aristocracy by Anna Maria Russell, the seventh Duchess of Bedford, in 1840. By the 1880s, afternoon tea was all the rage throughout England with fashionable ladies in long dresses, gloves and hats meeting at the most elegant of homes for clever conversation over tasty treats.
Grobler continues this tradition, giving it a firm contemporary whisk with a generous dollop of South African hospitality. Guests commence the occasion with a flute of chilled sparkling wine or sparkling grape juice before being presented with the Grande Afternoon Tea selection that includes cold cut bruschetta, seed loaf toasty with tomato cream cheese and marinated tomatoes with basil pesto, and smoked salmon and sticky rice with cucumber rolls and pickled red onion. For something a bit more filling there are grilled onion cups with braised beef brisket and mustard seeds, as well as glazed pork belly with pickled cucumber.
The sweet treats include lemon meringue, vanilla custard slice, assorted macarons, chocolate cake and peanut crémeux as well as scones served with home-made jam, cheese and whipped cream. A selection of quality teas ranging from black tea and blends (French Earl Grey or Royal Darjeeling) to green tea and blends (Emperor Sencha or Silver Moon Tea) as well as Ceylon, rooibos and chamomile complement the menu. Coffee is served too.
The Grande Afternoon Tea is available daily but with a 48-hour advance reservation notice and served from 10am to 5pm. It is R445 per adult and R345 per child (under the age of 12) which includes a glass of sparkling wine or grape juice on arrival, a selection of teas and coffees, and the full afternoon tea menu. The Grande Afternoon Tea experience is ideal for those wanting to celebrate a special occasion, including bridal and baby showers as well as product launch events and corporate presentations.
For guests just wanting to pop in during the day to enjoy something lighter, Grande Roche Restaurant also offers freshly baked scones or homemade muffins served with delicious jams, cheese or whipped cream alongside a selection of quality teas and coffees at R150 per portion.
For booking enquiries, email [email protected] or call +27 (21) 863 5100. Also enquire about the monthly Grande Roche Food & Wine Celebration Dinners.
The Grande Roche Hotel is at 1 Plantasie Street, Paarl. Click here for more information, and follow the hotel’s journey via Facebook (GrandeRoche) and Instagram (Grande_Roche).
