Kapokbos restaurant is on Weltevrede wine estate in Bonnievale
Weltevrede's "Oupa se Wingerd" (Grandfather’s Vineyard)
refers to an iconic, historic 1926 bush-vine vineyard planted by Klaas Jonker Weltevrede
refers to an iconic, historic 1926 bush-vine vineyard planted by Klaas Jonker Weltevrede
It is recognized as the first vineyard in South Africa to be declared a Conservation Worthy Property / National Monument by the National Monuments Council
The old vines are now planted in large planters in front of the winery and tasting room
We had heard such good things about the Kapokbos Restaurant and wanted to visit and sample its food
We were lucky to get a booking at very short notice and arrived for lunch on a chilly, damp day
Summer on the terrace will be wonderful
It is not a large restaurant and they like it that way, which is why bookings are essential
It is co-owned and run by husband and wife chef team Juan Fourie and Samantha Morris-Fourie
An open kitchen and great, attentive service by the staff, including Samantha,
who also doubles as one of the chefs with her husband
Weltevrede wines bedeck the wall
but their wine list features noteworthy wines from other South African areas
Warm from the oven was a small round loaf with a lemon and herb cream cheese quenelle and a crisp crust
The starter menu
We had a discussion with Sam about waterblommetjies as Lynne had recently discovered how good they are steamed
when they resemble artichoke in taste and texture
She suggested we share a dish of the KFW Fried waterblommetjies. How could we resist?
The main course menu was easy, John chose the Dening Vleis (slow-cooked shoulder of Lamb)
Lynne could not believe her luck, the special of the day was fresh trout, a favourite
It has been years since we have had it so fresh and that was probably in France
We did not need a dessert!
The wine list, naturally, features Weltevrede's excellent Cap Classiques, Chardonnays, Shiraz, Cabernet and dessert wines
and a good selection of other varietals from producers in several Cape areas
Lovely views across the vineyards to the far mountains
and in our small table vase, a branch of aromatic Kapokbos, the South African rosemary
The flowers turn into a fluff when finished,
hence the reference to Kapok and, yes, it was used for mattress stuffing in the old days
We ordered a glass of the Weltevrede Chardonnay to go with the fish
It has richness on the shy nose, a hint of oak smoke
Melon and citrus follow through beautifully on the full crisp palate, layered with minerality, peach, apricot, lime and wood
with a long finish
And for the Lamb, a glass of Weltevrede 2021 Collectables Shiraz
Red velvet nose with dark mulberries, blackcurrant and cherry fruit with spice
Long fruit flavours, long deep flavours follow with the dark wood support, tobacco on the end
We shared them - both were excellent
The crisply battered and deep fried Waterblom in a suring and buttermilk sauce, with chive oil
Suring are those yellow flowers on the plate, nicely sharp
It is one of our most abundant spring flowers from the oxalis plant, with tangy, edible stems with a lemony taste
The waterblom were delicious, as was the sauce
Lynne's main course, the perfectly cooked trout fillet, crisp skin, moist, flavourful, flaking fish beneath
The fish was topped with tangerine, orange and grapefruit segments, crisp asparagus spears
and dollops of mustard seeds, set on a crisp potato rosti in a Beurre blanc sauce
Just superb, perfection, and one of the best dishes she has had in a very long time
We may live by the sea, but we get such poor fish in Cape Town, where our waters have been horribly over-fished
The hunt is on for fresh trout. We do have trout farms in SA but they seem to smoke most of it
John's Dening Vleis - lamb shoulder cooked for ages and falling apart
It was on a round of samp - Traditional, revived, dried white maize flavoured with turmeric and herbs, in a good bone jus
The generous portion of lamb had been sliced and compressed
then topped with prunes, pomegranate arils, mange tout and mustard seeds
A little fatty, but tender with great flavour
Our bill came to R1,060 with service
An immaculate vineyard with geometrically aligned rows of vines
Lovely to see the vines in bud break and so healthy and green
You park in front of the winery and walk through to the restaurant
Hedged rose beds and an arbour on the way back to the parking
All the stories we have produced since 2012
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