Glen Carlou

I've enjoyed wine tasting at Glen Carlou a few times but never had lunch. It was time for the 3DD to catch up, so nothing suited us better than a afternoon of Sauvignon showers and delicious food.

Glen Carlou is situated near Babylonstoren on the Klapmuts road. Perched up on a hill it give you majestic views of the winelands and Paarl Mountain.

It's a very cosy space and reminded our group of a game farm/ski resort cabin. For the art lovers there is a Hess Art exhibit with the works by Andy Goldsworthy, Deryck Healey, Alan Rath & Ouattarra Watts to browse around before or after lunch.

They have a set course menu where a 2 course is R260 and 3 course R340. 

We were first greeted with a complimentary soup. Unfortunately it has slipped my mind what is was but I remember it was delicious, especially as it was a cold wintery day outside.

Some went for a starter and main combo and the majority for a main and dessert.

The starter that we tried was a braised pork cheek served on pineapple and black pepper relish with carrot kimchee, shaved radish and daicon. This was served as a cold dish but I would have preferred that the pork cheek was served warm. The accompaniments I feel would still then render a fresh and crisp flavour. This was an underwhelming dish.

The mains we tried were..

Rack of lamb served with grilled aubergine, coriander spiced beetroot, horseradish crème, sweet potato fondant andstar anaise jus. This was the dish I had and loved. The lamb was cooked perfectly pink and the strong horseradish sauce complimented the meat without overpowering it. I wanted to smear it on everything!

Others had the ....

The beef sirloin served with burned onion puree, souse vide baby vegetables, chickpeas fries and smoke bone marrow.

Ostrich fillet served with apple celeriac puree, fig salsa, duck fat carrots and a fig jus.

Those of us who had dessert received a complimentary strawberry mouse and the "starter boys" had to be fought off us :)

My favourite dish was my dessert. It was a nice big slab of valrhona chocolate honeycomb bar served with vanilla marshmallow, orange blossom ice cream and chocolate crumbs. I appreciate when restaurants don't try to be all fancy with desserts and deliver something of substance. Glen Carlou delivered with a very sweet ending. Three of us had this dessert and we did not regret it. A moment of the lips, lifetime on the hips YES PLEASE :)

The other dessert that was enjoyed was the hazelnut meringue  served with saffron and red wine poached pears , hazelnut sorbet  and hazelnut cream. It was a very attractive dessert but I preferred the chocolate nemesis :)

Glen Carlou delivers with special touches and their Sauvignon Blanc((R70) was a very refreshing and easy drinking wine, too easy actually  :)

The prices for their set menu was a bit steep but if you are in mood to splurge do pay them a visit.

Happy diners :)

Look at that view!

Visit them for lunch 11:00 - 15:00 Monday-Sunday
Contact them at 021 875 5528 or restaurant@glencarlou.co.za
Like them on Facebook
For more information visit their website

For wine tasting
Monday-Friday 08:30-17:00
Saturday-Sunday 10:00-15:00

Take note the restaurant will be closed until 20th of June for repairs and the wine tasting room until the 13th of June.

Cosecha at Noble Hill

 

I am on vacation! Yay :) So it was only appropriate for my weekend to be filled with new and exciting places. The boyfriend was very "oulik" to take me to  Cosecha at Noble Hill. It's situated next to Babylonstoren and is one of those undiscovered gems.

We arrived early for our lunch booking so we decided to do some wine-tasting first. A very kind and welcoming host directed us to a beautiful tasting room with a very cosy fireplace!
 
For R30 you can taste eight wines and the fee is wavered if you purchase a bottle of wine. I really enjoyed the Sauvignon Blanc,Chardonnay and Merlot. Usually a Chardonnay is very fruity but Noble Hills' one is "less oaked" which dampened the fruitiness for me and made it a very refreshing wine to drink. They launched their new Estate blend on Friday which consists of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Wine prices start from R55.
 
It's one of the most informative wine tastings I have been on as you receive an entire folder which describes the wine for you a page per wine. So if you don't know anything about wine you can bluff yourself through the tasting ;)

After the wine tasting we went to Cosecha restaurant. Cosecha in Spanish translates to harvest. They try and grow as much of the produce they use to prepare the dishes.  I could not wait to start indulging.
 
We sat outside on a beautiful terrace that was decorated with the iconic cactuses and a neutral colour pallet. I loved the one wall that was decorated with loads of plants mounted to the wall. In the distance there is a pond where you can take your glass of wine and relax on some deck chairs. The restaurant also caters for children and for R45 they organise a picnic basket for them  which they can enjoy on the lawn and run around freely.

The entrance

My favourite wall

 

Outside seating

The terrace

My favourite person :)

 

 

 
The majority of their menu consist of "bocaditos" which is small plates of food made to share. This is my favourite way of eating. You get to taste loads of dishes and there is a great social aspect to it. The bocaditos range from R34-R65.
 
We decided to try the following

• Antojitos: Mushroom Quesadilla (R46)
• Tostadas: Chorizo and grilled pepper tortillas (R56)
• Ceviche: Prawn and avo (R56)

Complimentary tortilla chips and chickpeas on arrival!

On top you have the mushroom quesadillas and on the bottom the tostadas.

In the right corner is the ceviche and below the pork sandwich.

 
My favourite was the mushroom quesadilla. They serve it with guacamole and cream cheese. There is a mild kick to it from the chilli that they add but the accompaniments smooth out the sting beautifully. The prawn and avo ceviche was not flavoured enough with the citrus fruit that you expect from the ceviche and the portion too small for what you pay for.
 
Next time I look forward to tasting the bacon wrapped medjool dates(R62), black bean soup served with cornbread(R48) and bacon and leak empanadas(R34).
 
According to the Eat Out magazine the pulled pork sandwich(R62) was a must-try so we opted to share a main course as well. The boyfriend enjoyed this and I had to surrender my portion :) Other mains to try are fish tacos(R72), beef enchiladas(R85)  or grilled calamari served with sweet potato cakes(R74). All the mains are under R95.

I would recommend that you stick to the bocaditos and try as many of them as you can! This place is ideal for a social afternoon with a big group of friends!
 
I enjoyed a glass of Sauvignon Blanc (R21) and the wine tasting convinced the boyfriend, who does not like Chardonnay(R32) at all, to enjoy a glass of that. As we just finished our food the waiters delivered a large jug of Sangria(R95) to the table next to us and we were so bummed as we did not spot that on the menu. It looked so refreshing and I think it will only add value to your Spanish experience :)

Cactuses everywhere

 

The relaxing atmosphere of the restaurant is also reflected in the service. They waiters are very friendly and welcoming. Food arrives briskly and a waiter is always around if you need one. It was an awesome treat to bump into one of our friends that work at Cosecha! Hello Kobus :)

 

Large lawn to relax on and spend some time at the pond. They offer picnic basket at R295 for two people.

Our bill, including service, was R300 and this has been one of the most affordable restaurants I have visited in the winelands. This is the ideal place to escape to when you are blessed with a sunny weekend! Add a jug of sangria and a group of friends and you will leave completely satisfied :)

 

 

Visit them every day of the week, excluding Tuesdays, 10:00 - 17:00 (They also serve breakfast!)

Located on the Klapmuts-Simondium road

For bookings visit their website

Follow them on twitter @noblehill

 







 

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.

Like them on facebook

Website

Located on the Simonduim road, Klapmuts

Contact them at 021 863 3852 or charl@babylonstoren.com

Open for brunch and lunch Wednesday to Sunday