Waterkloof Restaurant, the sky-scraping Winelands eatery on the outskirts of Somerset West, ticks all the right boxes when it comes to fine dining with a view and its latest string of impressive accolades serves up a tantalising testimony.
This gorgeously appointed ‘restaurant in the sky’ – which styles in a 10 metre high glass promontory with an eagle’s view over the estate’s vineyards and False Bay – was recognised as one of the country’s 2014 American Express Platinum-awarded restaurant. This fine dining programme identifies and honours South Africa’s crème de la crème eateries that are at the top of their game across a wide range of food styles and deliver an exquisite culinary experience.
Waterkloof Restaurant is celebrated for a contemporary menu that focuses on locally-sourced ingredients foraged from artisanal growers and fresh, organic produce from farm to plate. Here food is art, calling for unhurried appreciation and complemented by seamless service.
Chef Grégory Czarnecki draws inspiration from the restaurant’s spectacular setting on the slopes of the Schapenberg and demonstrates the techniques he learned at Michelin restaurants in France, in his interpretations of ‘eco-conscious cuisine’. This ranges from farm eggs, wild mushrooms, herbs, flowers and micro-greens to free-range lamb, beef and sustainable fish which he tastefully transforms with whimsical and creative flair.
His classic French cooking techniques presented in elegant interpretations of South African influenced fare, earned the restaurant an enviable nomination in the prestigious 2013 Eat Out Top 10 Awards.
More recently Waterkloof was crowned culinary king in the Best Gourmet Restaurant at the Cellar Door Category of the 2013 Klink Wine Tourism Awards. The restaurant was lauded for its cutting-edge cuisine, attention to detail, awe-inspiring location, sterling service and strong focus on natural local produce showcased in seasonal dishes that bear the chef’s hallmarks of simplicity and finesse.
Grégory’s latest summer menus focus on provenance and unleash a fusion of fresh innovative dishes. Popular starters include his Crispy Farmed Egg with cauliflower velouté, Cured Fizantakraal Trout and Braised Rabbit whilst farm fare such as Springbok, beef and quail, enhanced by intensely flavoured sauces, shine amongst the mains.
Meat afficionados will enjoy his signature Karan Beef Fillet with braised beef croquette and his Springbok Loin enriched with parmesan custard and pumpkin gnocchi. Other taste sensations include his Carmay Farmed Quail, whilst sea food lovers will enjoy his Farmed Mulloway Cob with squid ink and smoked potato. His delicious dessert line-up adds to an elevated dining experience.
A 2-course menu costs R260 per person whilst a 3-course indulgence costs R340 per head. Diners can also experience Waterkloof Restaurant’s most popular dishes in a Degustation menu of six mouthful-portions paired with estate wines. This exceptional tasting menu costs R600 per person with wine or R500 per person without the wine matching options included.
“Our Degustation Menu offers a reflective journey of what we perceive as the Full Monty of the latest Waterkloof classics, presented in a single dining experience,” explains Grégory.
What makes the Waterkloof restaurant, with its over scaled, pictorial views of the farm and nature in progress, so unique is that at all times one feels part of the farming and winemaking process, no matter if you are outside on the balcony or inside, enjoying good food and wine.
To reserve your table contact Waterkloof Restaurant at Tel: 021 858 1491 or send an email to [email protected]. Waterkloof restaurant serves lunch and dinner from Mondays to Saturdays and lunch only on Sundays.
Waterkloof Estate is located outside Somerset West on the M9 Sir Lowry’s Pass Village Road.
