The Spaniards have El Bulli, the Brits have The Fat Duck, and the Danes have Noma. Here in SA we have La Colombe. 

This unassuming, country-chic restaurant was recently rated number 12 by The S.Pellegrino World’s 50 Best Restaurants. And while the décor is down to earth, the food is out of this world. 

For the past few years, foodies from across the globe have come to pay homage to chef Luke Dale Roberts and his creative cuisine. Heston Blumenthal popped in not so long ago and was full of praise for Luke’s menu. 

Recently, it was our turn. Anelde (Eat In editor) and I made a pilgrimage to this foodie Mecca – to experience their five-course winter dinner special. Our tummies were empty, but our hearts were full of expectations.

We sat next to a crackling fire, and started the meal with a glass of Constantia Uitsig bubbles.

First up, to cleanse the palate, was a plate with pan-fried foie gras and poached quince paired with a glass of the iconic Vin de Constance. Utterly sublime.

There are choices for each course and wine to match. To start Anelde ordered the quail and lentil cappuccino with truffled quail egg on celeriac puree, paired with the Stony Brook Semillon Reserve 2007; I had the rabbit, chorizo, lardo and date ballotine. Impressed, we swapped our plates. We both agreed the quail cappuccino is the winner. 

The other courses quickly went by. All playful, all with a classic French backbone with Asian nuances. The atmosphere was so convivial, so relaxed and so far removed from ordinary life – it felt like a dream. And the winter special is as unbelievable.

Luke himself brought our last course: a crème catalane and apple tarte tartin with strawberry and sauvignon blanc sorbet, as well as a cashew nut parfait with dark chocolate and orange mousse. Luke didn’t partake in the dessert, but he did however enjoy a few sips of the Joostenberg Noble Late Harvest (the wine paired with it). 

The last few moments of the meal we spent chatting animatedly to the man who has put the restaurant on the world map. We spoke about the awards, his trip to London, artisan beer, theme parties and meat producers. All in a day’s work for this chef. 

All too soon, it was time to leave. Blissed out, and practically floating, we left the restaurant. I can’t wait until it’s time to pay homage again. 

By Malu Lambert

 * La Colombe’s lunch special is three courses for R240 or R280 (including a carafe of wine). Their dinner special is five-course menu paired with wine for R380.