Jordan

I had a WOW lunch at Jordan this Sunday.

The Jordan wine estate is home to a wine tasting area, a bakery and the fine-dining restaurant we dined at. I was not aware of the bakery but I peeked inside and this is definitely a place to come for a relaxing brunch or lunch. Diners feasted of home-made soup and delicious looking pies.



The Bakery

 

Outside wine tasting area

 


Outside bakery area

A great feature of Jordan is that if the weather is nice you can sit outside at all three areas and enjoy the beautiful view over the dam.

There was only one negative aspect of Jordan. We arrived before our fellow diners and wanted to do a quick wine-tasting to decide what wine we would enjoy with our lunch. They offer a wine tasting for R35 where you can taste six wines. The fee is wavered if you purchase wine. We received no recognition by the wine tasting personal and after standing at the counter for five minutes we decided to leave. Only then the one girl blinked her eye. Luckily the experience at the restaurant made up for this.

Outside the fine dining restaurant.

We were greeted warmly by the front of house. We were lucky enough to be seated at the window and could really enjoy the beautiful view while we were having lunch. The restaurant has an open kitchen so you can see all chef Jardine's magic as it's happening. It was also very cosy with the fireplace in the middle of the restaurant.



Simple yet elegant table setting

As we were uncertain about their wine we decided to enjoy the Sauvignon Blanc (R145).  It usually is  an easy drinking wine otherwise you just add a load of ice :) (or that is my motto) Some of the dishes we enjoyed were very rich and this wine balanced everything out. I would order it again.


We were first treated with an assortment of breads. You could choose between basil pesto, aioli or a tomato and aubergine relish as spreads. My favourite was the mini vetkoeke with the aubergine relish.


A great start to the meal

 They had a diverse menu and we struggled to make a choice. I was impressed with the amount of different proteins that were on offer. In the end we had the following:

Starters

• Steamed mussel papillote with coconut milk, lemongrass, ginger, lime, chilli and garlic

  

   
  
• Braised gemsbok terrine with pickled caps, confit celeriac, celeriac chantilly and hazelnut
  
• Fricassee of roasted brussels sprouts, potato gnocchi, gorgonzola crumble and fresh burgundy truffle
  

I really enjoyed the brussels sprout dish. When I scanned through the menu the gorgonzola immediately caught my eye. I love strong cheeses. I know a lot of people are not fans of brussels sprouts. I really think it depends on the way you cook them. These were really nice and very refreshing paired with the rich cheese, truffles and gnocchi. I even asked someone, who did not like brussels sprouts, to taste one and she said that they were nice. I think a chef can receive three gold stars if he presents brussels sprouts in a delicious way.  

I also tasted the gemsbok terrine. I was not a fan as I would have preferred it served warmer but that is not standard for a terrine. Those who had it loved it.

Mains

• Aged Chalmar sirloin with a soft herb crust, creamed lentils, bacon, onion puree and a glazed ox's cheek
  
• Confit and roasted Joostenberg Vlakte duck served with porcini veloute, honey parsnip and braised kale
  
• Salted East Coast Hake served with a grenobloise crust, early season broad beans and a white wine and herb veloute

Fun fact: Veloute, for those who don't know, translate from French to velvety. Veloute together with  tomato, hollandaise, béchamel and espagnole are all collectively know as the five French mother sauces by Georges Escoffier, a 19th century French chef who was very involved in the development of modern French Cuisine.

The majority of us had the sirloin. It was perfectly cooked medium rare. It was the first time I've had ox cheek and I must say I enjoyed it. It's a very rich meat that should be enjoyed in small quantities. The bacon and lentils that the meat rested on was one of my favourite parts of the dish. I can eat that as a main meal on it's own!

I also tried the duck. If I visit them again that would be my next main order. The duck was extremely succulent! It's also a very meaty dish and if you are very hungry this would be my top suggestion.

Then it was dessert time!

• Honey and poppy seed soufflé
  
• Custard tart, soft nougat, white chocolate mousse and kumquat caviar
  
• Baked granny smith apple with crème anglaise, brandy snap and vanilla ice cream
  

 

The honey and poppy seed soufflé was amazing. It was light, airy and you could taste the poppy seeds. Just look at the height of that dessert. It's actually a very large portion too. The whole table could share in the deliciousness. This dessert will now be my association with Jordan. The waiter comes and 'cuts' your soufflé after which she pours in cream and vanilla ice cream and still this dessert kept its' form.  All I can say is WOW to chef Jardine and his team. You blew our taste buds away. Fine dining with substance and extraordinary taste!

A cool aspect of Jordan restaurant is their cheese room. Unfortunately I don't have a photo to show you but you will spot it as soon as you enter the restaurant. If you choose the cheese platter dessert you can go and select your own cheese! I am sure that they will allow you to taste before you make your picks!

When you dine at Jordan you choose from a set menu. A two course is R275 and a three course is R320. They have a lunch special Wednesday-Friday where a three course is R275.


Service was great. I would suggest you book in advance. I saw numerous diners that could not be accommodated due to the jam packed restaurant. You don't want to miss out on that soufflé :)

 

Thank you to these two ladies that I could share in their delicious birthdays! BIG happy birthday :)





Located on the Stellenbosch Kloof Road that stems out of the M12.
Visit them for lunch or dinner. Take note they are closed for lunch Mondays and Tuesday during winter.
Contact them at 021 881 3612 or restaurant@jordanwines.com
Tweet them @Jordan_Wines
Like them on Facebook
Visit their website for more information



De Hoop Nature Reserve

Hello relaxation!

 

I spent an idyllic weekend at the De Hoop Nature Reserve last weekend. It exceeded all my expectations and it's very close to Cape Town. Just 3 hours and you will be there! Perfect for a weekend getaway.


They market themselves as one of the finest whale viewing spots. Now, I am from Hermanus and during whale season I can see them from my bedroom, but I must say De Hoop does offer spectacular views. Just look at these pictures.



Heading down from Potberg



Nature at it's best

You won't miss a whale at this spot



Only 1 km and you will be next to the sea
 

Perfect photo spot

Cheese!



Beautiful!

 



The view goes on and on...

If it's summer how great would a beach day be here?

You won't only be treated to whale watching but also to beautiful surroundings which is home to endangered fynbos, more than 85 game species and a birding paradise. South Africa's largest antelope, the Eland, is here in large numbers.

Eland

 

Blombos

 


Lepelaar

Bontebokke

The reserve is not big so you can cover it in a day. You can even do it by bike. They offer four mountain bike trails.  If you have some more time you can sit for hours at the wetlands and observe the birds or watch the animals in action. We loved our encounter with a troop of baboons who were very efficient in trying to open doors and climb through windows. It was also so special to observe the game and see how the males challenged each other to a duel match to mark their territory.

The explorers

The wetlands

 If you really want to relax you don't even have to leave your accommodation as the species wander past and inbetween the houses. Just be careful of the baboons. We caught some in the act.

De Hoop Nature Reserve offers accommodation for all budgets.

• Melkamer manor house: Five star service that has four luxury en suite bedrooms. (from R1000 pp)
  
• Melkamer Foreman's Cottage: Charming cottage hidden between milkwood trees. It's walking distance from the above. (From R650pp)
• Melkkamer vlei cottages: This cottage overlooks the largest wetland in the Southern Cape Coast.(From R650pp)
• Opstal Houses: There are three houses with three bedrooms each. Fully equipped kitchen and bathrooms as well as a fireplace inside and outside braai area.(From R650 pp)
  
• Opstal Manor house and suites: This is the central area of the reserve. The restaurant, a swimmingpool and a tennis court is located here. You will also live in luxury here. (From R895pp)
  

 

• Equipped cottages at the Opstal house: Fully equipped cottages for a self-catering stay. (from R595 pp)

 

 

• De Hoop Village at Opstal: We stayed here. These cottages have three bedrooms, a fully equipped bathroom and kitchen as well as a dining area and outside braai.  I will tell you some more just now. (From R595pp)
  
• Vlei cottages: These are two bedroom cottages with an inside fireplace that overlooks the wetlands. (From R650pp)
• Campsite rondawels: Simple and affordable accommodation that has nicer views than some of the more expensive options. (From R395pp)
• Caravan and campingsites:  They have communal bathrooms and kitchens. (From R295pp)

All of the above, excluding the caravan and campsites, provide you with crisp linen and towels. I must say it's not your typical nature reserve décor. Charlotte Rhys products are in the bathrooms and the beds have electric blankets on them. You won't bump into any typical African décor here! There style is country but chic.

Above are just some of the accomdation options. If you check out their website they have even more extensive descriptions and pictures of everything they offer!

As I have mentioned we stayed in the De Hoop Village cottages. They had a great winter special where you only pay for one person per night. Unfortunately that specials ends July. Be sure to check out their social media for any other upcoming specials.

Now we really had a relaxing stay. The cottages have three bedrooms. Each room either as a double bed, two single bed or a bunker bed. The kitchen is fully equipped with a oven, microwave, kettle ect. They even set up a dining area. The outside braai will be the main socialising spot.


Some of the bedrooms



Inside and outside

They also offer a 3 day walking trail and provide you with accommodation and meals. The trail will offer a combination of birding, game viewing and a fynbos and marine experience. A reasonable level of fitness is required and all participants should be above the age of 12.

Just remember that everyone pays  R30 fee when they enter the Reserve. Wild Card holders don't pay. If you are in the Overberg you can also just drive here for the day. Come and enjoy  the reserve followed with brunch or lunch at The Fig Tree restaurant. Dinner has to be booked beforehand.


Reception

 


The Fig Tree

De Hoop Nature Reserve will see me again. What a nice surprise that such a stunning location to relax at is not far away! You will experience mother nature here at her best!

Contact them at 086 133 4667 or 021 422 4522 or info@dehoopcollection.co.za
For more information visit their website
Tweet them @DeHoopCollectio
Like them on Facebook (They post about their specials here!)
Directions from Cape Town:  Take N2 to Caledon. From Caledon drive through Napier to Bredasdorp. From Bredasdorp take the R319 to Swellendam. At about 6kms turn right – sign posted De Hoop / Malagas / Infanta. Gravel road for 35kms until you see a sign to the right – De Hoop Nature Reserve.

The accommodation area in the distance

Stanford wine route

I have written about the wine farms in the Hemel and Aarde Valley near Hermanus but the fun does not stop there. When you venture towards Stanford there are more wine farms and breweries to explore and enjoy.

Stanford Hills
Stanford Hills has a lot to offer. We enjoyed some wine tasting and a cheese&chacuterie platter here but they also have cosy cottages that you can plan a great weekend away to. Guests are free to explore the farm or enjoy horse-riding. The establishment is pet and child friendly so you don't have to leave your bambinos at home. If I did not live so close to Stanford Hills this would definitely been an option for a weekend away with friends. The cottages are R700 a night and sleeps four.

But we wanted wine...

Now to get to the wine-tasting/restaurant. They are geared for the summer and winter months. During the winter you can sip your wine next to one of the two fireplaces or in the summer chill on the veranda. There is a large lawn and dam where children or your furry friends can run around on as well as a sandpit, trampoline and jungle gym.

Large lawn outside

A great spot to enjoy lovely summers day

You can compile your own cheese and chacuterie platter from their tick list. They are reasonably priced and portions are great. The menu changes as they use fresh and organic produce but you can look forward to dishes such as pork belly, rare roast beef ciabatta, mushroom aranchini balls and more.

Cheese and wine...what more do you want!

The wine I enjoyed the most was their Sauvignon Blanc. I loved the fresh citrus flavour the wine had. I look forward to the warm December holidays where I will definitely be enjoying a bottle of this on their sunny veranda.

Happy tasters!

 

Visit them at Stanford Bridge
Open Thursday-Monday 11:00-17:00 and 7 days a week during peak holiday times.
Contact them at 028 341 0841
Like them on Facebook


Birkenhead brewery

Welcome to Birkenhead estate

Birkenhead brewery is the first wine and brewery estate in the southern hemisphere. They offer beer and wine tastings so no one will feel left out when you visit them. Now I am not a beer lover but still tried the tasting. The one beer I did enjoy was the Honey Blond Ale. The other beers you can taste are their premium larger, pride, pilsner, chocolate malt stout and the black snake. The beer lovers who joined me loved the tasting. They have a large lawn where you can sit in the sun, taste beer en be merry.

All the beers available for tasting

Tasting is available Monday-Sunday 10:00-17:00. They also offer a brewery tour Wednesday-Friday from 11:00-15:00. Visit their restaurant Wednesday-Sunday from 11:00-16:00 for pub style meals.

The beer lovers

Located on the R326, Standford
Contact them at 028 341 0013


Raka

If you continue of the R326 you will find Raka on your right. We usually always have a bottle of Raka in our home. The Raka Spliced and Quinary are two red wine blends that I will never say no to if I am offered a glass. Raka is owned by the Dreyer family. The name came from Piet Dreyer's ship. He was a commercial fisher once upon a time. Piet's son Josef, who is the wine maker, hosted a great tasting experience for us and took time to explain all the logistics of the farm and his wine making.

Some of the reds

 They have a lot of wines and offer a free tasting. You will definitely find something your like. The prices per bottle range between R48-R121 so it will please all budgets. The tasting room is not anything special, we enjoyed sitting outside on the terrace in the sun, but they make up for that with their great wines. Raka also has a stall at the  Hermanus Country Market so if you can't head out to them you can treat yourself at the market!

Cheers!

Open Monday-Saturday 09:00-17:00
Contact them at 028 341 0676 or info@rakawine.co.za
Like them on Facebook

Boschrivier De Villiers Estate

Situated right next to Raka you will find the tasting room and coffee shop of Boschrivier. The tasting room and tasting experience was a bit bland but they have an excellent Rose that is worth the drive to the estate.

Visit them Monday-Sunday
Contact them at 021 341 0630

Have I left out any of your favourite wine farms in the Stanford area?? Happy tasting :)

Overberg wine