The most flavoursome beef fillet (which is as far from leathery as the peak of Mount Everest is from the fabled lost city of Atlantis), deep-fried asparagus flowers, smoked duck pancakes (tacos) and the most delicious rectangular potato creations embedded in mushroom sauce are just a few of the items you’ll find at Erinvale Estate Hotel and Spa’s new Magnolia Social Dining Lounge
Situated among large oak trees between Erinvale Golf Course, Vergelegen and Lourensford Wine Estates in Somerset West, the hotel has just launched its new restaurant which is a far cry from Skellig’s Irish Pub that it replaces.
The vibey and exquisitely decorated eating spot, kitted out by interior designer Clinton Savage, is more relaxed than the hotel’s fine-dining restaurant but the food is by no means any less delectable.
Emerald green and burnt orange are the focal palettes, combined with the warm mood-enhancing lighting and interesting hexagonal brass fittings against a backdrop (and my favourite part of the decor) of wallpaper covered in green foliage with mischievous-looking monkeys.
I attended Erinvale’s relaunch and the unveiling of the Lounge with a group of journalists, influencers and our partners. Our table was fortunate enough to be joined by Urs Kern, the Swiss-born General Manager of the hotel and two of his colleagues.
Urs beamed with pride over the establishment’s third eatery, he was clearly as delighted (if not more so) with the Social Dining Lounge as we were. As he chatted, the sincerity of his love for Erinvale and its offering to guests became increasingly apparent. He delights in service and making others happy and has much to be proud of, not least of all of Chef Stefan Bekker’s magnificent food served here.
The dressed oysters are theatrically presented (a good option to impress a date) on a bed of smooth pebbles with dry-ice smoke swirling around the shellfish that are topped with a light lemony froth, which is complemented by a small ball of apple.
You’ll find camembert fondues, prawn risotto and ocean trout (my favourite) and an assortment of dumplings and sushi on Stefan’s varied menu that combes ‘modern food with the comfort of old-world flavours’.
I’d be remiss not to mention the dessert. We sampled three of the offerings, namely macarons, chocolate eclairs, stuffed with hazelnut cream, and a creation which you might expect to see conjured up on an episode of Master Chef: a Turkish-delight mousse encased in a white chocolate ball.
Inspired by the Epicurus quote: ‘We should look for someone to eat and drink with before looking for something to eat and drink’, the idea of Magnolia Social Dining Lounge was to creating a comfortable and inviting space for diners to enjoy food and drink with others. With an atmosphere that is relaxed and yet classy and food that competes with Cape Town’s finest, the restaurant has done a fine job.
Open daily for small plate meals, sushi, tapas and full bar from 11:00 – 23:00, no need to book.
Contact: Tel 0218471160 erinvale.co.za
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