We managed to persuade JP Rossouw from Rossouw’s Restaurants to share with us his top 10 most romantic restaurants around South Africa. If you want oodles (and we mean oodles) of romance this Valentine’s Day, look no further than this list.
Gauteng
Mosaic at the Orient Hotel | R104, Pretoria West
A Moorish meets belle époque fantasy, this exotic hotel features authentic Persian carpets, elaborate wood carvings, antiques and loads of romance: dining is in private alcoves or the beautiful Klimt room. The Dartnall mother and daughter team are proficient hosts; chef Chantel creates beautiful menus of very creative, inventive food where no expense is spared in terms of ingredients; while the plating, as well as attention to detail, is superb. Choose à la carte or degustation (with or without wine) for a special dining occasion of great delight. A formidable wine list (an underground cave houses over 15 000 bottles) rounds this treat out.
Open: Breakfast Wednesday-Saturday; Lunch Wednesday-Sunday; Dinner Wednesday-Saturday
Contact: phone (012) 371-2902, email [email protected]
Five Hundred at The Saxon | 36 Saxon Rd, Sandhurst
Johannesburg’s most delightfully intimate and sophisticated restaurant. Exit the lift from ground level and you are immediately enveloped by this theatre of hospitality and cuisine – from the chic hostess to the sight of the dramatic and beautiful kitchen to the black walls glinting with crystal wine glasses and decanters. The four or six-course menu of David Higgs’ modern cuisine matches contemporary technique to local and seasonal ingredients, much from their own garden. The plates are pretty as can be, and the flavours sound. Fantastic wine list and accomplished Francis Krone as sommelier add so much more.
Open: Dinner Tuesday-Sunday
Contact: phone (011) 292-6000
Western Cape
Bombay Brasserie | The Taj Hotel, Cnr Wale and Adderley St, Cape Town
An inner city Indian in one intimate, spectacular and lavish room: here deluxe textures and expensive fittings cocoon you in luxury but don’t stifle, and it’s a master-class in flattering lighting. One of city’s most beautiful dining spaces. A few high tables abut a window onto the (notably serene) kitchen. The creative menu takes Indian cuisine towards “fine dining” through innovation and modern plating. Flavours are precise, exciting and cooking is sure, making the high quality dishes truly memorable. Good wine list that pays attention to the varieties that go better with spice.
Open: Dinner Mon-Sat
Contact: phone (021) 819-2000, email [email protected]
Firefly Eating House | 152 Old Cape Rd, Knysna
A seductive, magical spot (hopelessly romantic) run by a mother and daughter team with a menu of variations on curries from Indian to Thai and beyond. The fairy lights wink in the garden trees and lead you into the red-themed interior of a tiny “shack” house. Interesting art-direction and a fun wine list and an interesting post-dinner tea selection. The food is tasty, with small but ample portions, everything made with care, and don’t worry, most curries are mild. Service can be tardy, but you won’t mind, as the spices warm the conversation.
Open: Dinner Tues-Sun, but also closed Sunday out season
Contact: phone (044) 382-1490, email [email protected]
Rust en Vrede | Rust en Vrede Estate, Annandale Rd, Stellenbosch
Set in a beautifully furbished, romantic old wine cellar, a serene dining room with a modern, open-plan kitchen. Linen, lavish chairs, custom crockery and fine crystal glasses are matched by streamlined, youthful service. Enjoy a glass of bubbles on the patio and then choose the four- or six-course menu (with optional wine pairings); the house style combines creativity and modern plating with beautifully-prepared, locally sourced ingredients. The wine list is excellent but what really makes it is the presence of a debonair sommelier.
Open: Dinner Tues-Sat. Check times in winter
Contact: phone (021) 881-3881, email [email protected]
Gaaitjie | Sampson Rd, Paternoster
This “salt water restaurant” is as close to the sea as you can get, in an old fisherman’s cottage converted into a pretty, cosy and very romantic Valentine’s escape option. Low ceilings inside, white-washed walls and playful décor, while the place to be on a sunny day is the patio with its open beach and sea vista. The menu is fabulously innovative while sticking close to local provenance; fresh seafood being a highlight. Quality is high and the presentation is good; while the wine list rewards with a local selection. Service is charming and the experience is completely seductive.
Open: Thurs-Mon lunch and dinner
Contact: phone (022) 752-2242, email [email protected]
Chutzpah at Phantom Forest | Phantom Forest Eco-Reserve, Knysna
You park your car and are driven up way into the trees of a forest reserve to dine in this hopelessly romantic Moorish dining area encircled by an ultramarine pool. Candles flicker in hanging lanterns, richly-coloured cushions and dark wood create an aura of exoticism and there are sunken lounges for pre- and post-dinner drinks. The menu is set at five or so courses, expect a selection of mezze-style plates with bold flavours, then tagines, fish and sorbets. Small wine list, colourful cocktails.
Open: Dinner in summer, other times by arrangement
Contact: phone (044) 386-0046, email [email protected]
Kloof Street House | 30 Kloof Street, Gardens
This beautiful Victorian house represents the elegance and allure of Cape Town and it’s the perfect location for drinks in the beautiful garden under palm trees, candle lit dinners in the wood-floored dining rooms and a post dinner tête à tête on the deep leather couches. The menu is, appropriately, designed around plates to share in mix and match style: start with lamb koftas and potatoes “bravas” then have some gnocchi with dates and finish with peanut butter cheesecake. From the small wine list, choose Waterford Rose Mary.
Open: Daily 18:00 till late
Contact: phone (021) 423-4413, email [email protected]
Kwa-Zulu Natal
Roma Revolving Restaurant | John Ross House, Jonsson Lane, Victoria Embankment, Durban
Since 1973, and now an institution, this rotating restaurant perches on the 32nd floor and turns once in an hour or so, showing you a great view of the city and harbour, great with sunset and a Valentine. Inside it’s a retro-kitsch Italian boudoir with rich colours, statuettes and Roman frescoes, waiters are old-school in bow-tie, while urbane owner Gino Leopardi introduces the food with panache. It’s a deeply classical menu: avo ritz, melon maraschino, minestrone, pastas, sole bonne femme, steaks, chateaubriand, duck à l’orange, rabbit. The wine list is not spectacular, but there are reserve picks.
Open: Lunch and dinner Mon-Sat
Contact: phone (031) 368-2275, email [email protected]
Hartford House | Summerhill, Hlatikulu Road, Mooi River, Midlands
Another destination experience, Hartford perfectly captures the high life of the Midlands’ gentry, set on a horse stud, the restaurant in the manor house. Drinks in the lounge with its deep old wood and rich colours or on thestoep with views, then through to the intimate dining room for Jackie Cameron’s eclectic, creative combinations, where the modern is fused to tradition and seasonal produce is locally sourced. This is fine country dining, and the wine list is superb and wide-ranging, so it makes for a very special occasion.
Open: Daily lunch and dinner
Contact: phone (033) 263-2713, email www.rossouwsrestaurants.com for more restaurants.
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