A gourmet picnic at Warwick...vive la difference!

Warwick Wine Farm is stunning, but you probably know that, People from Near and Afar. The drive out of the City Centre, on a seriously spectacular day, took me longer than the usual 45 minutes, as it turned into one of those stop-start-Instagram-repeat journeys. The Warwick Estate is between Stellenbosch and Klapmuts in arguably one of the most stunning parts of Cape Town's countryside, so who can blame me for pausing a while to absorb and capture it all.

I was invited to the estate (on Monday 14th October)  to experience their delectable gourmet picnic and award winning wines and let me tell you, it was deliciousness from start to finish. Together with a festive group of travel and food bloggers, I sampled the wares at a beautifully laid longtable in the forest courtyard. As soon as I spied that space I felt a distinct throwback to the Luxembourg Gardens in Paris and get this, I had not read the info leaflet beforehand and was amazed to learn that the courtyard was in fact inspired by that very place. Magnifique! (The French in moi is now on the loose!)

I don't know about you but I'm so over packing picnic baskets and schlepping the blankets and paraphernalia around, half of which I tend to forget most of the time. So the way this picnic plays out suits me perfectly- one can either kick back against oversized cushions under brollies on the lawn or book a posh pod for a more private affair with a bigger group of friends. Either way I'm loving the fact that I can select what I want from the picnic menu and have it brought to me, beautifully packaged in a small box - it all feels wonderfully decadent I must say.

And then it's down to the serious business of feasting from a varied menu that has been created by chef Dane Newton. I loved the innovative concept of salads in jars - the pickled beetroot and quinoa salad with pecan nuts, goats cheese and wild rocket was particularly delish. For the carnivores, there's prosciutto, coppa, grilled beef and more and vegetarians needn't fret for there are non-viande options too and a wonderful selection of cheeses, best devoured once smeared with the 3 fruit marmalade. And kudo's to Chef Newton who has not only thought of everything a picnic should have, but has also sourced his product locally, in support of suppliers in the area and surrounds.

I must add it was fabulous to meet Mike Ratcliffe and then to have Norma Ratcliffe -   the First Lady of Warwick and by all accounts, one of the country's foremost women winemakers - stop by and join us for a spot of lunch.  After savouring the decadent cheesecake that had been carefully pressed into a small jar, I climbed into a jeep with my new blogger BF's @tandysinclair and @safaritart, and went bumping up the hillside past hectares of sprouting vines, with our guide Mark Arendse explaining about the big 5 wine varietals...it was fascinating stuff and if you get the chance, do the 40 minute safari tour. Back at the estate, I tasted a few more excellent wines and then it was time to tear myself away from a superb wooded chardonnay and head back home past rolling hills and carpets of purple flowers.

My thanks to the team that welcomed me so warmly and enhanced the memorable experience -  Ane, Jani, Lawrence, Nic, Dane and of course La Famille Ratcliffe. I'll be back soon with the family in tow - for picnics with the grass between my toes, a glass of excellent vino in hand, a view across the lake to faint for and gourmet food to remember. 

So put the gourmet picnic at Warwick Estate on your to-do list today . To coin Warwick's wine club ambassador Ane Booysen's phrase: on a scale of yum to yuk, the gourmet picnic and Warwick wines equal a resounding Yum! 

Let the photographs below entice you...

The entrance to the Warwick wine estate...

A superb wooded Chardonnay, The White Lady...pale yellow with a hint of green...it demands I indulge....

The pickled beetroot, pecan nut, goats cheese, quinoa & wild rocket salad...

Le picnic is presented comme ca...

 Your low table awaits..book a place on the lawn..see the lake in the background...it's a stunning, tranquil setting...

Salads in glass jars...

A selection of meats is on offer and delish cheeses as well..

That wicked little cheesecake...leave nothing behind!

That famous wedding cup...see more on Princess Kunigunde here: http://www.warwickwine.com/weddingcup.asp

 Voila, a touch of the Luxembourg Gardens in Paris, right there under the mature trees...

Don't forget to do the big 5 wine safari...

Vineyards, for as far as the eye can see...

And finally back home past the many fields of purple...

Call 021884 4410 to book your picnic spot Follow @Warwick Wine on Twitter www.warwickwine.co.za (the directions and detailed info is all there).

Photos by Allison Foat/DIVA PR via Canon D600 & iPhone 5

A bientot.

Burrata, Italian restaurant

There's a new Italian restaurant in town, Burrata, at the Old Biscuit Mill in Salt River. I'd heard good things so took my guys there last night for dinner. I had pasta: garganelli, asparagus, charred cauliflower & truffle...delicious but oh hat, the portion was tiny. Oscar, who had (not your typical looking) lasagne with mushrooms, aubergines & a delicious sauce, also felt he didn't have enough so we supplemented with a pizza bread. We'd both arrived ravenous, but isn't that how one feels at dinner time? Luke rated the pizza 6/10. I felt the pasta dishes were a tad expensive (between R80 & R90) considering the amount of food served. I'd also have liked to see more choice of wines by the glass, priced between R30 & R40 ideally.


As their website says: Offering Italian-inspired fare with a flair for the exciting and unexpected, this restaurant offers interesting mains and handcrafted pizzas of the highest quality as well as a superbly appointed wine list. Bookings via 021 447 6505; @BurrataSA

 

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Willoughbys Restaurant

A VERY average meal at Willoughbys last night. Firstly the food took FOREVER to arrive...I waited 45 minutes for my Malay prawn curry. Oscar waited almost as long for sushi. Luke's hake & chips arrived & we are sure the portion was half the size it used to be. Verdict: the prawn curry & hake, totally average. Oh, & not forgetting that the Appletisers cost R20 each. So disappointing. Bill for 3 of us, R490 incl. tip. Steep, even for a birthday treat (Oscar's 14th). Mentioned the long wait for the food to our (very good) waitron & was told they have a new computer/ ordering system. Well whatever, at least warn me so I know to take a nap between ordering & receiving my meal! Totally aggravated night.

 

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Beef & Malt Stout Pie

This pie is famously delicious, from the Power & the Glory: pasture raised beef & malt stout pie...softest pastry & tender meat...served with a side of rocket leaves, drizzled with balsamic & chutney ( a South African relish)... R32... Good value.

 

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Raymonda, the ballet

Hikaru Kobayashi and her dance partner Valeri Hristov Kobayashi took the Principal roles last night in Cape Town City Ballet's 'Raymonda' (choreographed by Norman Furber) at the Artscape Opera House ~ both are First Soloists with the Royal Ballet in London. Kobayashi seemed to have had a nervous start & wasn't on top of her game until Act 3 where she danced exquisitely, with a gorgeous line, gorgeous leg extensions and excellent footwork. Her pas de deux with Hristov was beautifully fluid and her solo so stylish~ lovely epaulement & a unique interpretation. Hristov (pictured) is an elegant dancer who only really gets a chance to show off in the third act where he performed with aplomb.

Other stand out performances for me were those of the pas de trois (trio of dancers), Jesse Milligan, Rosamund Ford and Kirstel Jensen. I've not seen Jesse before & he was consistent & is very promising, if a little camp, but that can be ironed out over time with coaching & experience. Jensen & Ford were fabulous~ confident & well matched dancers with solid technique, lovely ballon & great feet. I am such a ballet-feet girl~always will be. Lauren Rogers & Kim Vieira delivered a dynamic duet as the Spanish Captives~ they were so having a ball! 

On the downside, I was so disappointed with Xola Putye's performance as Abderam...he has put on way too much weight & his elevation and ease of movement suffered badly. Make no mistake though, he is an amazing dancer with a natural talent that pulled him through his performance ~ I've known him since his days at Dance for All where he was trained, & have always been a fan. I also found the corps de ballet struggled a bit with the waltz choreography in Act 1. Furber wrote it with loads of awkward twists & turns & it needs a lot of stamina (trust me, I remember it well from my CAPAB Ballet days); the girls petered out somewhat towards the end & the footwork became sloppy. The corps throughout the rest of the ballet looked good & danced well, especially in the third act.  

The Cape Philharmonic under Allan Stephenson was superb...Glazunov's score is magnificent and the orchestra showed it off superbly. Kudo's to CTCB for having the live accompaniment at this season.

Book now for Raymonda via Computicket or 0214217695 @ArtscapeTheatre @CTCityBallet

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