Location: Constantia Uitsig, Cape Town

Web site: www.constantia-uitsig.com

Telephone number: +27 (21) 794 2390

Date of visit: 8th March 2010

Approx. cost per head: £30

Comments on wine list/beer: Extensive list of own estate-produced wines, plus a comprehensive list of all the top SA producers

Media link:

Review:

As a regular visitor to South Africa, I was keen to experience La Colombe, which has recently been voted Best Restaurant in South Africa, as well as being named in the Top 50 Restaurants in the World. My birthday gave us the perfect excuse.
The restaurant is part of the Constantia-Uitsig wine estate, set in the beautiful area of Constantia on the south side of Table Mountain.
Being summertime in SA, the restaurant sets its tables out around a charming tree-lined courtyard. Menus are presented on blackboards and easels which are placed by your table while you peruse the tantalising array of locally inspired dished on offer.
My wife decided to start with a Crab ‘club sandwich’, a magically crafted and presented dish of succulent crab meat, thin crispbread and delicately herbed salad leaves. I opted for the seasonal salad of crayfish and sweetbreads – delicious! We accompanied our starters with a glass of the estate’s own sauvignon blanc.
For our mains, Jane went for the risotto of wild mushrooms, rustic and creamy, and accompanied with pungent parmesan crisps, while I chose the Assiette of Karoo lamb, cooked three ways – a succulent slow-roasted crown, rich confit shoulder, and crispy sweetbreads. The mains were wonderfully complemented by a 2006 Boekenhoutskloof Cabernet Sauvignon (Platter 5 star).
Deserts followed, adding a crowning finale to a quite superb meal. Jane chose a cold soup of grated frozen strawberries – perfect for a hot afternoon, whilst I was tempted by a parfait of cashew and praline – sublime.
All in all, a truly memorable meal – even the coffee was roasted to perfection, and accompanied by salted caramel chocolates.
I have been a regular traveller to SA for more than a dozen years, and if there is a better restaurant in the country, I am yet to find it. I will be back in the Cape in October and I’m already planning a return visit to this very special place in Constantia.
Paul Plant.