EVERYONE says it, but how many actually do it? Quite a lot of people apparently, but I hadn’t, nor do I personally know anyone who has, or does so regularly.
“Having dessert first is the same idea that people like to have breakfast foods at night. It is unconventional, but it is fun. It makes you feel in control of life and reminds you not to take things so seriously and how society has presented them to us,” writes Victoria La Ferla for Pepperdine University Graphic. Your happiness depends on it, she asserts.
Those who love desserts and all things sweet are probably more predisposed to try this approach to a meal and the attainment of their happiness. I can take it or leave it, and often only taste a small amount, so when I was at Tebaldi’s at Temenos in McGregor, I decided to give it a whirl.
Before I go any further, things have changed there since my visit. Christiaan Campbell, who was running the restaurant, has moved on to Grande Roche in Paarl, and his head chef Luqmahn Cloete is now in charge. He was heavily involved before anyway, with a hand in the development of dishes, and in the kitchen. The menu has no doubt changed, as most small menus tend to do, especially those that rely on seasonal and available produce. So this story will be about what I had. I’d also like to make special mention of staff members Dylan and Shannon, the latter for whom nothing was to much trouble, even lighting the fire in my cottage.
When I arrived at the restaurant I told Christiaan and Luqmahn what I had in mind and they were completely unfazed. Clearly I was not the the first. So I began my meal (after the delicious potato crisps and some wine) with the guava, gingerbread and vanilla custard dessert. I loved that it was not overly sweet, and it was a comforting dish on a cold night.
For the record, I support breakfast foods at any time of the day – or night.
PHOTO CREDIT: Bianca Coleman©