On Saturday night we joined friends at the Pierneef Restaurant on the La Motte wine estate in Franschhoek .
This is the second time we have been, and were just as blown away as the first time. The restaurant is visually astonishing – at the end of a long drive through perfectly kept vines, you come to a modern version ofCapeDutcharchitecture. Chandeliers are made from crockery hung from fine wires, and when the air-conditioning blows, they clink tunefully. The walls are hung with Peirneef linoprints and some photographs.
Chef Chris Erasmus – ex Le Quartier Francais and Ginja – is doing fine dining with a South African twist. An example is bokkom salad, bokkom being local dried fish and not what you would expect from a top chef. Quality and texture is excellent, and prices are reasonable.
A bit far out, but more than worth a visit.
Pierneef restaurant
La Motte wine estate
R45 Main Road, Franschhoek
Tel +27 (0)21 876 8800