Gourmet Meal with Wine and other Franschhoek, South Africa Restaurant Reviews

Restaurant Name: La Petite Ferme Restaurant

Our guide had mentioned the day before that this restaurant was a wonderful place to have lunch. We did not realize that it would be such a great culinary experience as well as beautiful. Since we did not make a reservation in advance, we had to wait for about 1/2 hour. Still it was oh so enjoyable. You wait on benches in the garden and a staff serves you wine while you wait. We then had a lovely lunch on the outside veranda looking at the vineyard.

Favorite Dish: I had the chicken breast which was lined with almonds on a lemongrass skewer with creamy lemon polenta and marmalade and thyme butter. Oh sooo yummy. Joe had the fillet of beef that was served with spicy pomme frites, sherry caramelised pearl onions, and a mustard and rosemary cream sauce. If we were staying longer we would have come back another time to sample other things on the menu. Also- the desserts were divine!!! They also have a great wine list.

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Theme: Local
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$31-40  » Currency Converter
Phone: +27 (0)21 876 3016/8
Address: Franschhoek Pass Road
Directions: In town, continue along main street until you reach a T-junction with the large Huguenot monument in front of you. Turn left and proceed up the pass for +/- 2 km. You will find La Petite Ferme on the right hand side.
Website: http://www.lapetiteferme.co.za/restaurant_main.html

Restaurant Name: Le Quartier Français

When I return to South Africa, this restaurant will be high on my list. It was voted Best Restaurant in the Middle East & Africa by Restaurant magazine in 2005. We tried to get a reservation but found out they were booked months in advance (during the high season). We did go inside and look around.

The restaurant is separated into two sections: iCi, not as fancy as The Tasting Room, is a bistro-style restaurant that serves simplier meals (i.e. grilled rib eye with fondant potato, organic baby vegetables and tomato lacquer or wood-roasted pork chop served with apple relish and a cannelloni bean and chorizo ragout). We had the opportunity to get a table at iCi- but as we were craving a meal at the main room we decided to pass. The Tasting Room is the award-winning room with a set menu. It has been voted one of The Worlds 50 Best Restaurants 2005, 2006, 2007. Here the dinner-only menu changes daily, and guests can choose from a four- (R240/$36), six- (R400/$60), or eight-course meal (R600/$90).

Favorite Dish: Award winning chef Margot Janse loves working with local ingredients for their freshness and variety. Some variety of wild game from springbok and impala to warthog and wildebeest is always on the menu.

The origins of the restaurant are steeped in the history. The original buildings were labourers’ cottages, which were upgraded and used as different forms of accommodation until the first restaurant on this site was opened. Known as “1688”, it was a simple country restaurant.

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Theme: Eclectic/International
Comparison: most expensive
Prices: US$41 and up  » Currency Converter
Phone: 021/876-2151
Address: Corner of Berg & Wilhelmina
Website: http://www.lequartier.co.za/cuisine/the-tasting-room