.: Franschhoek Uncorked on Sunday

Thursday, September 06, 2012

Franschhoek Uncorked on Sunday

The tasting room at Noble Hill - the first farm on the Franschhoek route

Cosecha is the Mexican themed restaurant at Noble Hill with tables on the terrace and a great view towards Paarl

The tasting counter at Leopard's Leap

The selection of wines for tasting on Sunday

Liam Tomlin's demo kitchen at Leopard's Leap - we hear that he's returning to Cape Town

The perfect table for demo dining

Leopard's Leap's very interesting sculpture, one of several sculptures by Dylan Lewis

Maison's restaurant is in a converted early 20th Century house with hand carved seat and a small table in front to enjoy the wines

The back lawn in front of the vineyards has some superb large tables for family and friend gatherings and a huge swing

Lynne placing the order on the lovely open verandah

Glass doors enclose the restaurant in cooler weather.

The menu

and the daily specials

Truly free range chickens roam the gardens - probably just as pets

A delicious, sharp and tangy Amuse of wild sorrel soup, cucumber and alfalfa sprout sorbet. Our first indication of the chef’s good palate

Starters, which we shared:

Foie gras liver parfait, green apple and olive purée, satsuma and sultana chutney, basil at R85. The leaves were deep fried and crisp

Meltingly tender baby squid, fried briefly with a crisp outer coating, served with pink salt and a tiny salad. R70

Our main courses:

John’s main course of a whole sliced duck breast, sweet potato purée, caramelised red cabbage, carrots, mange tout, albufera jus at R140

Lynne could not resist the Ox tongue. pommes anna, pepperonata. sofrito, parsley, mustard jus ,at R125, and was intrigued to find a new way of serving it. A thick slice of it cut from tip to end that had been deep fried and was crisp on the outside and tender within. A good pepperonata to top and very al dente vegetables below with a square of pommes anna, large enough to share with John.