ELL at Spookfontein

Welcome to Spookfontein

 

 

I was first introduced to Spookfontein when I had a glass of their Merlot at Tapas a few years ago. It has since been one of my favourite red wines. In the past Spookfontein wine tasting was only open  by appointment. I was therefore delighted when I heard that they now have an open tasting room as well as a restaurant named ELL. ELL stands for Eat, Love and Life.
 
ELL wants to deliver ethical and earth friendly food. The design of the restaurant as well as the interior also reflects this. Glass windows surround the majority of the restaurant and gives you a beautiful view of the Hermanus wine lands.

Interior

 

Beautiful view

 

Myself and the boyfriend visited them on a rainy Saturday afternoon while the Hermanus Fynarts Festival was on-going. Luckily I phoned that morning to make a booking for the last table in the restaurant as ELL was a very popular space that day. I would suggest you should always book if you know you are heading that way.

Red wine and rain... our perfect combo!

They specialise in gourmet pizzas and designer salads but also has a blackboard which is updated often. The blackboard is usually inspired by the fresh and organic produce that they can obtain.We ordered both of our meals off the blackboard. I had a massive bowl of mussels for only R85. I couldn't finish it,  yet I wish I had. What I really enjoyed was that the sauce the mussels were served in was a lovely light broth. I am not a fan of a thick creamy sauce served with mussels, as this usually takes away the natural flavour of them. This was a dish to remember.
 

Blackboard

Dish of the day!

 

 

The boyfriend had the yellowtail served with a side salad and chips. The fish was a bit dry but not inedible. I was told by fishing friends that yellowtail usually is a dry fish so maybe more of the accompanied sauce would have resolved this issue.
 

Yellowtail minus the side salad

 

 

The only big disappointment was the dessert. They charge R60 for this small cheesecake which tasted average. Most of the desserts were small in portion in comparison to what you pay for them.

 

Service was good although the staff looked a bit bewildered. The restaurant was full to capacity and people were anxiously waiting for tables so you could forgive them for that.

 
ELL however is a warm space that serves honest food and the perfect place to spend a lazy Saturday. You can also just stop by to taste some wine and order a cheeseplatter.

Mmm... a glass of Spookfontein Merlot would be perfect now in this raniy weather...


Openinghours

• Tasting room
• Closed Mondays
• Tuesday-Sunday 10:00-16:00
• ELL
• Monday-Sunday 10:00-17:00

Like them on Facebook
For more information visit their website
Contact them at 073 067 7936
Find them on the R320 aka Hemel and Aarde Wine Valley