You
may, like us, have been to the Alphen restaurants in Constantia many times over
the years under their different guises, there have been several over the years.
The Five Rooms was the name of the previous restaurant in this historic
building till September, now it has begun a new life as Blanko (an Esperanto
word we are told). It is part of the group owned and run by restaurateur Paul
Kovensky . He has initiated a new change: the Five Rooms have gone and Blanko
has opened. The house has been transformed from historic into a modern all
white, leather and glass space with lots of modern art from the Goodman
Gallery. Gone are the antiques and the Cloete family art collection. We were
invited to experience the place and the food. Group Head Chef, Amber-May
Deetlefs, delivers Italian style food
It's a beautiful old Cape Dutch house set in a
werf (Dutch: the space around a farm homestead and outbuildings) which was
founded in the late 17th Century
This photograph of the voorkamer was taken before the renovations
The doors, windows, roof beams are all original
features. This was the small lounge in the large foyer
Several rooms run off
this main entrance room; they now house the tables chairs and banquettes of the
restaurant. We had
drinks in this back section. On the right hand side is an original antique Cape
Dutch Armoire
Inside the restaurant. We ate in this room. All
the chairs and sofas are covered in leather and the tables have white Corian
surfaces
One of the other rooms. Lots of large modern
pictures fill the white walls
The revamped bar in the entrance foyer
Dining outside on the terrace. Too chilly the
night we visited but they do have heaters; and umbrellas for sunny warm days
It's a large terrace in front of the house
Two rolls and butter to start the meal. The lighting
is very dim and it is turned down as the evening progresses, making it rather
difficult to see the food. Perhaps they don't know that you also eat with your
eyes? Romantic, perhaps, but we like to see what we are eating. We had a small
led torch in our camera bag and used it to read the menu and to take the
photographs
Lynne's starter of chargrilled polpetti with lemon
and garlic and a little chilli. A great dish, you could taste the smoke of the
fire and the baby squid was very tender. She had this with a glass of
Springfield Life From Stone Sauvignon Blanc; perfect.
John had the asparagus with ricotta. Three flame
seared spears, some asparagus puree, green olive oil and those two rounds of
rather hard flavourless cheese. John also had a glass of the Life From Stone,
which goes so well with asparagus.
Lynne chose Escalopes of veal which came
sandwiched with ham, sage, new potato slices, a good jus and a tart lemon
puree. The two slices of veal had not been batted out so was a little thick.
The flavours were good. She had a glass of Rudera Robusto Chenin blanc with
this course.
John ordered the slow wine braised lamb shank, It
had a good glaze. He had a glass of Boekenhoutskloof Chocolate Block. You can
also order pizza or pasta
The sides are all extra. We ordered a dish of the
seasonal vegetables and they were a good surprise, nice and al dente and fresh.
Only John could manage a dessert. This is the very
rich Chocolate and salted caramel torte with hazelnuts, burnt crumbs and creamy
ricotta
© John & Lynne
Ford, Adamastor & Bacchus 2016
