AS the weather grows cooler, Capetonians can look forward to a traditional restaurant phenomenon: the winter special. Steenberg has two award-winning eateries on its immaculate grounds with spectacular vistas of mountains and vineyards, presided over by executive chef Kerry Kilpin.
The Hearty & Homely lunch special at BistroSixteen82 features inventive dishes that complement the finest locally sourced ingredients. Kerry’s mouth watering selection of starters, mains and desserts afford you an ample selection from R305 for two courses, R365 for three to R405 for a four course meal, which includes an amuse bouche to begin and chocolate truffle with tea or coffee to end.
The starters are sun choke and roast onion soup with hazelnut crumble and goat’s cheese mousse, which I had; savoury panna cotta with quince compote, activated charcoal toast, and pink peppercorn syrup (ordered by the man next to me, who raved about it); and fish and prawn croquettes with avocado, sesame, pineapple slaw and gochujan emulsion – the most popular dish at the table, in that everyone except me and the man next to me ordered.
There are four main course choices: squash and leek risotto with pecorino, spinach, tomatoes and sunflower seed pesto (very good); ethically sourced carpenter from Abalobi (look out for a story about them next week) with roast butternut, artichoke and mussel velouté, fennel and pickled cucumber salsa; pan fried chicken livers with sweetcorn fritter, treacle and ginger soy, mango and coriander salsa (similar reaction from the man next to me); and pulled beef gnocchi, another table winner – pumpkin gnocchi, red pepper and heirloom tomato ragout, pumpkin seeds and smoked Gruberg cheese from Klein River. You simply cannot go wrong with that combination on a winter menu.
For pudding, there is spiced chai custard with burnt marshmallow, vanilla mousse, milk chocolate and fudge ice cream, which is every bit as decadent as it sounds; pecan nut and chocolate mille feuille with malt biscuit, caramel mousse and caramelised pear ice cream; and pineapple mousse with lime curd, mint, chilli coulis and coconut ice cream, a melody of creaminess.
Tryn offers indoor or outdoor dining with views of the vineyards. On warm winter days, families can opt for the oak terrace set alongside a babbling brook with birdsong providing a beautiful ambiance. But the magical setting is not the only drawcard; the food is too – both in plating and flavour. Visitors can indulge in Tryn’s winter offering of amuse bouche, and three courses, from R435 per person, ending with Kerry’s legendary chocolate truffles.
- On offer: Mondays to Fridays until 30 September 2022 for tables of up to 10 people
- Opening times: Mondays to Sundays, 12pm to 3pm
- To book: Call 021 713 2212 or email [email protected] or 021 713 7178 [email protected]
- For more info, click here.
- Follow: @bistro1682 on Twitter, or @SteenbergFarm on Instagram and Facebook.
- Where: Steenberg Road, Constantia valley
PS no, you don’t get a prize for noticing I had an entirely vegetarian meal, on purpose, when I didn’t have to.
