Monday, January 21, 2013

The Greenhouse at Babylonstoren


I have wanted to visit Babylonstoren for such a long time but something always popped up. This month at last I had the opportunity to go, so myself and my new awesome flatmate went there to utilise a perfect sunny Saturday.

At the entrance you pay R10 per person. This goes to community upliftment for the people working on the farm.

Babylonstoren is a feast to your senses. Large gardens full of vegetables and fruit that are perfectly nurtured by the hardworking workers of Babylonstoren. Everything smells so fresh. You truly feel rejuvenated after a stroll in the garden.
Beautiful garden
 
Lounge under the trees
 
Stop and smell the flowers
 
Some of the live produce
 
At the greenhouse you can spend the whole day lounging under the large trees or enjoy some fresh juice while cooling off your feet in the nearby stream.
The greenhouse
 
Ample space for little one's to run around
 
Inside the greenhouse
 
Happy :)
 
The menu offers freshly baked breads with a choice of cheese and protein for R75. You also receive some relishes and your own individual salad served in small mason type jars. The salads are very interesting. Some of the elements I did not know at all. It’s definitely not your average Greek salad.
The Menu





Breads to choose from:

  • Whole wheat
  • Rye
  • Farm Style white
  • Ciabatta

 
Cheese to choose from:

  • Dalewood Huguenot
  • Gorgonzola
  • Leiden
  • Brie

Charcuterie:

  • Ham of the day
  •  Soft cured biltong
  • Smoked chicken
  • Smoked trout


My combination was the farm style white with smoked chicken and leiden. My flatmate enjoyed the ciabatta with gorgonzola and soft cured biltong. I must say her combination was the best.
Soft cured biltong and gorgonzola ciabatta

Creative salad


Beautiful cutlery


 
For tea time you can enjoy chocolate or rosewater cupcakes (R25), carrot cake (R45), the tart of the day (R35) or fresh buttermilk scones (R30). Cool off on the hot summer days with ice-cream or
sorbet popsicle (R20).


Something really cool are their juices. You choose a colour:  red, yellow or green. I chose a red juice and it consisted of beetroot, apple and plum. The freshness blew my taste buds away. Babylonstoren wine, coffee and tea are also available as refreshments. Wine is served by the glass or per bottle. By bottle the prices range from R80-240 and per glass from R22-65.
The red juice
 

Service is swift and friendly. We were greeted by very friendly and enthusiastic staff. The simple menu contributes to the fact that service will mostly be satisfactory.
There is a shop at the entrance where they sell great gifts such as the Babel cookbook, ceramics, breads, cheese and preserves. My heart is set on the plastic crafted cutlery that you also use when you visit The Greenhouse.
Freshly baked goods to buy
 
Delish preserves to buy
 
I want these :)
Cheeeeeese

Olive oil ect to buy
 
My next visit will hopefully be to the award-winning Babel. If you want to visit there be sure to book in advance. The list sometimes stretches to a wait of two months.
The award-winning Babel


When you visit Babylonstoren be sure you put out at least half a day so you can stroll through the whole garden and take everything in. The trend is to stroll with a sunhat! Will not forget mine next time.
 
 
The awesome flatmate enjoying the beautiful surroundings
 

We ended of our day with some free wine tasting at Glen Carlou. It’s a wine farm next to Backsberg Wine farm. The have a large terrace with great views of the Paarl mountains.
Located on the Simonduim road, Klapmuts
Contact them at 021 863 3852 or charl@babylonstoren.com
Open for brunch and lunch Wednesday to Sunday
 

 
 

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