Anybody who knows me well, is more than familiar with the fact that that I absolutely love to wine and dine - especially at venues with great atmosphere and views which leave me gobsmacked! So whenever those opportunities arise, I am there like... well, lets just say I am there and leave it at that... haha!

Just over a week ago, one of those opportunities arose and we headed off to Buitenverwachting for what I knew was going to be a memorable lunch experience. I may be relatively good with words, but I think that for the exercise of describing the venue itself, I will leave it up to the experts and simply steal their absolutely accurate description of the venue and a little bit about it's history.

This beautiful farm on the east-facing slopes of the magnificent Constantiaberg and barely 12km from False Bay, originally formed part of the Constantia Estate, which was founded by Simon van der Stel, the first Governor of the new Dutch colony at the tip of Africa. Imbued with a sense of history, the Mueller family has retraced the roots of Buitenverwachting. The farm was lovingly restored to its former glory while extensive planting of the most selected of cultivars was initiated. The result was a maiden grape harvest of 100 tonnes - the first harvest the farm had seen in 30 years. An historic achievement that lived up to its name: Buitenverwachting - "Beyond Expectation".

The surrounding natural wild fauna and farming landscape of Buitenverwachting serve as inspiration for Head Chef and Partner Edgar Osoijnik. The menu offers a variation of delicious refined but rustic-traditional dishes as well as a fine dining menu. The mountain facing terrace allows for breath taking views over the vineyards onto the picturesque Constantiaberg mountain, which forms part of the UNESCO - World Heritage Site (Table Mountain range).

A wine library was added to the restaurant, allowing guests to sample vintage wines as well as wines from a limited range only available from the estate. The courtyard with established stinkwood trees and a traditional Cape Fish Pond connects the restaurant with the popular Coffee Bloc and Gin / Spirits Bar. - source

Nothing makes my heart happier, than a place which affords me somewhat of an escape, by captivating surrounds and just being able to completely unwind and be consumed by the experience itself. Whenever we have visited Buitenverwachting for lunch I have had that pleasure ten fold!

With the backdrop of the vineyards and mountain staring you in the face through the seemingly endless glass windows, it's pretty darn difficult not to be instantly transported to your "happy place" - even without a good glass of wine haha.... but hey, who are we kidding here - firstly, this is a wine estate and secondly, you all know that I am a complete wine glutton! haha (For those that are unaware - being a wine lover is like a prerequisite for being a Capetonian by the way haha) - so on that note, it was time for some drinks!

I opted for a lunchtime Rosé and Dave decided to step outside of the box and treated himself to a specially imported Belgian beer, which I tasted and it really was VERY good! I do not drink beer at all, so that says a lot! Dave, also not being much of a beer drinker was equally impressed! Sadly, I forgot to capture the drinks menu because - well, I was more interested in drinking my wine than actually remembering to be able to to describe it to you ;) lol!

Shortly after the drinks arrived, so did the traditional "bread basket", which I might add - is never traditional at this venue. The breads are always freshly baked and completely unique in makeup and accompanying condiment, so it is a starter all on its own!

Every single time, we have had the pleasure of enjoying lunch at this gorgeous venue, we have been treated to a "chefs" starter, before our actual menu starter and this time, we were spoiled with...

Salmon tartar with a laksa mousse and pickled red cabbage

Following that, we moved on to the actual starters... I opted for:

Oysters 3 ways

aga khan
mcc poached in veloute
apple, celery, cucumber, shallot, lemon, tabasco salsa

Dave opted opted for:

Trio of Soups

mielie-spinach-garlic soup, lamb knuckle, pesto, tomato,
onion, pine nut, current flammkuchen

I am an absolute oyster fan, and every single one of them was divine, but the aga khan (which was the crowned one in the centre) was without question my absolute BEST! - It was an "out of this world" flavour combination with the oyster and the beef tartar! I will most DEFINITELY order that again! I have had the trio of soups before and I have to say, also an amazing symphony of flavours, but definitely doesn't trump the oysters... in my opinion anyway haha!

It is normally the ladies who order the artistically presented gourmet plates of food, but this time around, I was in for a MASSIVE surprise... no pun intended haha!!! As delicious as it was, the second I laid eyes on my plate, I was like daaaaamn! hahaha - and I knew there was simply NO way I was going to finish it! - Which, lets be honest... for a fine dining establishment, is a pretty rare and pleasant discovery! hehehe!

I ordered the:

Traditional Wiener Schnitzel

chips parsley potatoes or potato salad, cranberry compote

After the mains, Dave had to nip off quickly to a meeting, so I decided to sip on a little more wine, enjoy the view, head out to the courtyard to enjoy a little of sunshine and as life will have it - make a new friend lol.

After which, it was time for dessert...

Dave went large on this one, as he has a seriously BIG sweet tooth lol.

He ordered the:

Buitenverwachting Chocolate Variation

chocolate fondant, caramel crème patisserie in a chocolate cone,
gianduja phyllo parcel,chocolate grand piano with crocante parfait,
white chocolate mousse in baumkuchen, orange parfait in milk chocolate ring

And having little space left for sweet stuff lol - I ordered the:

Raspberry Soufflé

raspberries in jelly, sorbet, espuma, sauce, crispy sponge

I did not have any of Dave's dessert, but he finished it, so it must have been good... besides, it had a chocolate grand piano on the plate, I mean... does it get better than that? lol!!! I was EVER grateful for my somewhat lighter dessert, as I was feeling relatively lethargic at that point, compliments of my schnitzel... which I could not even finish! haha!

To me, nothing in this world beats the combination of good food, good wine and great company, and this was an afternoon that neither I, nor my tummy will forget in a hurry! haha ;) It was wonderful! - Aaaaand... I made a wonderful new friend from abroad, who I am now in touch with.

Carpe Diem peeps ;)

Until next time...
Much Love from Cape Town, South Africa xxx

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