Refurbished Buitenverwachting tasting room shown to the media.

Buitenverwachting is in the process of refurbishing their tasting facility.

The refurbishing programme should be complete by the start of spring.

We were invited to try some of the wines with Tapas, Winzer Platters and Cheese Platters, which are now going to be served in the Tasting Room, and to hear about the plans.

The manor house and vineyards on a wintry day

Lars Maack, CEO, never stops working

Herman Kirschbaum, Buitenverwachting winemaker

Brad Paton, Buitenverwachting winemaker

The tasting room

New tables in the quad

A place to relax and enjoy: Lars Maack with Spit or Swallow's Anel Grobler and Jan Laubscher

The Buitenverwachting Tuxedo napkin

Tapas, Winzer Platters and Cheese Platters were served - all available in the tasting room

Hermann gives advice on wine tasting

Yolanda Osojnik, Edgar's wife, who is also the Functions Manager at Buitenverwachting, talking to Jos Baker

Jos Baker and Hermann Kirschbaum

Personal delivery by the chef: publicist Sandy Bailey and Edgar Osojnik

Executive Chef Edgar Osojnik talks about his menu

Monika Elias

Friendly, efficient service: Christelle Walters, Justice Blose (Waiter) and Alice Boissonnas

The dogs of Buitenverwachting are a special treat

A view of the hillside vineyards

The Avenue

Tweeters: Juan Graham Locke and Jan Laubscher

All these photographs are ©John Ford, Adamastor & Bacchus cc 2012

Spoil Mother this Sunday with these ideas

Some great Mother's Day events have been sent to us, so we've put them into a separate blog. One lucky MENU reader told us she's being taken to Pot Luck by her sons on Saturday night. We hope all of you who have mothers will spoil them rotten and give them loads of love.

Saturday, 12th May. A DAY OF SPOILING FOR MOMS AT LABORIE. “If the whole world were put into one scale, and my mother in the other, the whole world would kick the beam”. Lord Langdale (Henry Bickersteth). Laborie Wine Farm, situated in the heart of the scenic Winelands, is the perfect place to spoil your mom this Mother’s Day. One of the attractions on the farm, growing in popularity, is the Laborie Lazy Days Market. Open to the public every Saturday from 9am until 2pm, the laid back market offers visitors a wide selection of fresh produce and lifestyle goods. These include freshly baked breads, coffee, cheese, olives, honey and charcuterie. From mouth-watering food stalls to arts and craft exhibitors, the market caters to young and old, which includes ample kiddies’ entertainment.  In celebration of Mother’s Day, all moms attending the market on Saturday, 12 May will receive a complimentary glass of Laborie bubbly to enjoy. To add to the day’s celebrations, BMW will exhibit some of their sleek and sexy vehicles at the farm, which will certainly attract interest from all visiting the market. The market which has been up and running since February 2011 has gained popularity as the ideal meeting place in Paarl. Known as the ‘neighbourhood farm in the centre of Paarl’, it is the ideal occasion for family and friends to enjoy a Saturday morning in a scenic and relaxed setting. Another highlight of the day will be an interactive cooking demonstration at Harvest at Laborie with highly acclaimed chef Matthew Gordon. Budding chefs will meet Matthew at 10h00 on the day, where he’ll take you to market to stock up on ingredients for the demonstration. Afterwards you’ll make your way to the private dining room at Harvest where you’ll be using your newly gathered market goods for the demonstration, which should end around 12h00. For more information and costs contact Yolanda Prinsloo at Harvest on 021 807 3095 or yolanda@harvestrestaurant.co.za. Booking is essential as space is limited. Laborie produces some of the best Méthode Cap Classique bubblies; an array of award-winning wines as well as an estate brandy. Visitors can stay overnight in the tranquil guest house or enjoy a delicious meal at Harvest. An exciting new addition to the farm’s many offerings is Cecil Skotnes art exhibition, featuring 30 works by this highly acclaimed South African artist, which has been partnered with the Laborie Limited Collection wines. A permanent exhibition at Laborie, his masterpieces are on display in the Cellar Door, Manor House and in the restaurant. For more information contact 021 807 3390, visit our website www.laboriewines.co.za, join our Facebook page or email info@laboriewines.co.za.

Sunday 13th May. Buitenverwachting is offering a really special meal for Mother's Day. Edgar Osojnik has created a pampered relaxing and enjoyable experience which can be enjoyed at Buitenverwachting Restaurant. Mothers Day Menu: Amuse Bouche - Antipasto with Feta, Peperonata, textured Olives & Balsamico - Pan-fried Prawns with Oriental Salad, iced Air & Oriental Salad - Roasted Butternut with Mesclun Leaves, Springbok Won Tons - Creamy Millie, Spinach, Garlic Soup - with Lamb Osso Bucco Pies - Medium-rare grilled Chalmar Sirloin with Red Wine Shallot Jus & Porcini Potato Rosette - Plum Ice Cream with Crispy Sponge & Almond Crocante. 3-course Menu R265, 5-course Menu R355, includes 3 complimentary glasses of wine Amuse Bouche, Sorbet & Friandise. Telephone 021 794 3522 for further information or to book or email restaurant@buitenverwachting.co.za

Sunday, 13th May: SOFIA'S @ MORGENSTER  Mother's Day Mothers will receive a glass of Boschendal Brut Rose on arrival from the staff of Sofia’s For the winter special menu, see our Restaurant Specials list. 021 847 1993 www.morgenster.co.za www.facebook.com/sofias.at.morgenster

Sunday, 13th May: Treat Mom to a mouth-watering Mother's Day lunch at The Vineyard Hotel & Spa, Colinton Rd, Newlands. The Square’s executive chef, Alex Docherty, has opted for a choice between two starter options — roasted duck spring rolls with lime and ginger dipping sauce or prawn and avocado inside-out roll with wasabi mayonnaise and teriyaki dressing. Moving on to mains, diners can choose between a slow-roasted leg of lamb with roast potatoes, pumpkin puree and fine beans with onion and mint chutney and lamb gravy, or grilled local fish with tempura Asian salad and sweet chilli butter sauce. An extensive wine list featuring some of South Africa’s top Wine estates adds another dimension to the culinary experience. The pièce de resistance is a choice of two detectable desserts: an apple and frangipani tart with sugared almond ice cream, or a Lindt chocolate crème brulée with frozen black cherry sherbet. Each mom will also receive a complimentary surprise goodie bag from the Vineyard Hotel & Spa. The price of the three-course Mother’s Day lunch is R255 a person. Guests are encouraged to book early to avoid disappointment. For more information about the Vineyard Hotel & Spa and its culinary offerings, visit www.vineyard.co.za

Sunday, 13th May. Treat your mom at Trees with a mouth-watering Mother's Day lunch. Trees Restaurant at the Townhouse Hotel has lined up a delicious buffet lunch menu for Mother's Day on 13th May. The restaurant's Michelin-trained executive chef Stefan Schmidt has created a veritable Mother's Day feast. Diners can choose between two heart-warming soups and a plated starter before tucking into an expansive buffet of mains. Schmidt tells us more: "We've prepared a range of sumptuous main meals, including slow-braised beef roulade in rosemary and mushroom gravy, Harissa-rubbed West Coast hake fillet with lemon and coriander sauce, roasted baby potatoes with sautéed onions and herbs, and baked ratatouille cannelloni with pecorino." Once guests have had their fill at the buffet, the Mother's Day meal is rounded off with a Rooibos-scented malva pudding with thick vanilla anglaise, caramelised apples and dark chocolate ice cream, accompanied by tea or filter coffee. Trees underwent an extensive redesign in 2010 under the guidance of leading interior designer Les Harbottle. The restaurant overlooks a leafy avenue adjacent to the famed Dutch East India Company Gardens. Thanks to its location on the hotel’s first floor and its large glass windows, the experience emulates that of being in a tree house. The 100-seater restaurant has a contemporary look and feel with some striking red accent pieces, a few ladder-back chairs, origami-inspired lampshades and an eye-catching installation at the restaurant’s entrance. The Mother's Day lunch menu costs R165 per person and bookings are essential. Please email trees@townhouse.co.za or call 021 465 7050.

Sunday, 13th May. Waterkloof Restaurant will be dishing up on Mother’s Day – Chef Grégory Czarnecki has designed a special 4-course Mother’s Day feast that even the most discerning mother will approve of, with each of the dishes paired with a matching estate wine. This fabulous foursome starts with Soft Boiled Farm Egg with porcini mushroom and sauce poulette served with the estate’s Circumstance Chardonnay 2008. Mom and her entourage will then be treated to his signature Monkfish served with crispy prawn, ginger beer compressed apple and curry, matched with the Circumstance Viognier 2010. Next on the sumptuous bill of fare is Karan Beef, served with shallot tarte tatin, tomatillo chutney and Waterkloof’s elegant Circle of Life Red 2009. To crown it all, Grégory will serve an exclusive Autumn Extravagance of ground berries, Tellicherry pepper panna cotta and smoked pear sorbet for dessert. The Mother’s Day lunch at Waterkloof costs R450 per person which includes all the wines on the day or R380 per person excluding the wine pairings. Bookings are essential. To reserve your table contact Tel: 021 858 1491 or send an email to restaurant@waterkloofwines.co.za. Waterkloof Estate is located outside Somerset West on the M9 Sir Lowry’s Pass Village Road.

Sunday, 13th May. Mother's Day at Winchester Mansions: Treat your mother to a relaxing Sunday Jazz Brunch while the live Jazz band sets the mood. Receive a complimentary Sunday Newspaper and a glass of bubbly on arrival and a gift for all mothers. Enjoy anything from eggs, sushi, dessert and loads more from our buffet for R250.00 per person on Mother's Day, 13th May. To check out the line up click here. Ginkgo Spa Mother's Day Special. Spoil yourself and your mom this month with a warm oil 20 min back neck and shoulder massage, a refreshing 30 min deep cleanse facial and a 30 min pedicure or manicure. After the day's pampering, enjoy a health spa lunch with a complimentary juice of the day. Treatment 1h 20 minutes for only R600 per person (save R200). For reservations or more information, call 021 434 2351 or email spa@winchester.co.za. To see more Spa Specials at Winchester Mansions click here. Get an extra night on us, valid from 1st May to 30th September 2012. Stay 5 nights pay 4, Stay 4 nights pay 3, Stay 3 nights pay 2. For more information, email welcome@winchester.co.za or call 021 434 2351 to speak to our reservations team. Winchester Mansions still has rooms available for Mother's Day 13th May. Win a Sunday Jazz Brunch for Two.  No better way to start your Sunday than with a Sunday Jazz Brunch for Two worth R450.00 for you and someone special. It's simple, just click here to like us on Facebook and enter the sweepstake. Winter Corporate Specials. Choose from: Accommodation only Single R950.00 Double R1200.00 To: The 24-hours package including the full day conference special and dinner at Harveys Single R1475.00 Double R2250.00 For detailed information and further specials click here. 221 Beach Road, Sea Point, Cape Town 8005. For reservations or more information call our banqueting department 021 434 2351 or email banqueting@winchester.co.za. Like us on Facebook! http://www.facebook.com/WinchesterMansions

Sunday, 13th May. Introduce your mom to Le Good Life and treat her to a delicious Mother’s Day buffet lunch at Seasons Restaurant at The House of J.C. Le Roux. Moms will definitely be spoiled for choice with a wide selection of starters, scrumptious mains and delectable desserts, enjoyed with only the finest J.C. Le Roux bubbly to suit this glamorous occasion. Mom can choose from succulent starters such as Thai beef salad and Portuguese chicken wings, and tuck into hearty main courses of roast peppered beef, creamy basil pesto mussels, shrimp and kingklip penne pasta, or roasted butternut, sundried tomato and ricotta lasagne. The decadent dessert menu will definitely uplift Mom’s special day with irresistible options such as espresso tiramisu, chocolate truffles, and pear and almond vanilla cheese cake. Mom will also get a special sweet treat from the tasting room to spoil her even more. The Mother’s Day buffet lunch at Seasons Restaurant costs R160 per person and will be served from 12h30 until 15h00. Call Claudine on Tel: 021 865 8222 for bookings. The House of J.C. Le Roux is open seven days a week. Seasons at J.C. Le Roux is open from 09h30 till 15h00 with breakfast served between 09h30 and 11h30 and lunch from 12h00 till 14h00. To reserve your table or for information on cellar tours and tastings, call 021 865 8200 or visit http://www.jcleroux.co.za/.