With the international day of love looming in the not too distant future, it’s perhaps not a bad idea to start looking for romantic spots for you and your adored. Who better to point you in the right direction than some of the country’s most beloved food bloggers? We asked some of our favourite scribes to share their top five Valentine’s Day restaurants with us.
1. Sipping wine under an oak tree, views of the city AND the mountain and fairy lights can all be enjoyed at
Café Paradiso. If that isn’t a romantic setting I don’t know what is. Richard Griffin of
Bombay Bicycle and
Sidewalk Café has worked magic with the menu. I’m talking artichoke and truffle ravioli, people.
2. The food, the food, the gloriously sexy Italian food of
95 Keerom’s chef and owner Giorgio Nava is reason enough to visit. But the décor is lovely too (the building originally housed the stables and slave quarters of the Company Gardens) and the service impeccable. Try to sit downstairs though, as the vibe is more subtle lighting and exposed brick romantic.
3. If you’re not head-over-heels in love with your date before you arrive at the diva-studded, pretty-boy bedecked caberet-cum-burger-bar that is
Beefcakes, you will be by the time you leave – with the sexy waiters.
4.
Hartford House will blow the budget, but chef Jackie Cameron’s food will have you moaning indecently lo-o-ong before you get to the bedroom. It’s way more effective than foreplay. Also, if it’s your kind of thing, the breathtaking country setting had me pretending I was a character in a Jane Austen novel.
5. I am listing
Mariana’s because it is my favourite restaurant, and has been for years and years. Each time we make our annual pilgrimage, we’ve returned home a little more in love, and I can’t think of any better endorsement than that.
1. For super romantic, i.e. you’re thinking of popping the question or at least confusing her by making her think you’re going to pop the question, I recommend the private table in the wine cellar at Five Flies. It’s just the two of you and they lay it on with rose petals strewn on the floor, etc. Not recommended for a first date!
2. Brio 1893 is one of the few restaurants that offers dinner and dancing. They also have booths, which are always more romantic than a table because you can sit really close together and you get some privacy as well. Dancing even if you’re bad at it will score massive points, in fact, you’ll definitely want to save some energy for when you get home. Nudge, nudge, wink, wink.
3. There is no way your date will not be impressed with the food, service and venue at
Rust en Vrede, and if you go for the wine pairings with each course, I can guarantee you’ll encounter no resistance once you return home. And that’s not because she’s drunk, but rather because the pairings take the dining experience to the next level.
4. Sometimes things are tight and your partner will appreciate something special that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg.
La Boheme in Sea Point offers a two-course menu for R95 and their wine list is very reasonable. Get one of the more private tables outside as inside can be quite cramped and you don’t want the dude next to you copying all your smooth lines.
5. My last suggestion is French Toast, because sharing food can be very romantic. Rather than having your own dish and politely enquiring as to the quality of your partner’s choice, order a selection of tapas at this beautifully decorated (read romantic) restaurant and wine bar.
1.
Tokara offers a scenic drive up the Helshoogte Pass, perfect Winelands views and food magic by Richard Carstens.
2. Kalk Bay’s Polana has a spectacular location right on the water’s edge. Watch whales breaching and the moon rising over False Bay.
3. Even though the menu of Kalk Bay’s
Cape to Cuba is rather hit-and-miss, the colourful cocktails and magical atmosphere more than makes up for it.
4. Suzi Holtzhausen’s Paternoster restaurant
Gaatjie offers diners an intimate beach-side setting and delicious West Coast delicacies.
5. Quirky and off the beaten track,
L’Aurore has an eccentric host and features comforting country cooking.
1. At the moment,
Kream is my favourite restaurant in Pretoria. Not only is the restaurant absolutely gorgeous and the décor stylish, sexy and sophisticated, but the food is absolutely delicious too. This is the perfect place to take someone you would like to impress.
2. The food at Pretoria institution
Pachas is delicious, especially the steaks. Most Pretoria residents have dined there and most of them go back often. They have a very impressive wine list too.
3. The Smoke Cafe and Grill is one of the many modern and sexy restaurants in Pretoria and it’s not hard to see why. Beautiful and interesting interiors are perfectly paired with delicious food (hello, nougat ice cream!) and an awesome wine and cocktail list.
4. Winning awards left, right and centre, Pretoria restaurant
Ritrovo can’t be beaten for a romantic night out. Even though the food is of five-star quality, the restaurant has a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere, perfect for a delicious and romantic dinner.
5.
Cynthia’s Indigo Moon is reportedly one of Ryk Neethling’s favourite restaurants. If that’s not enough to get you there, then perhaps the smoked springbok carpaccio or fillet of beef with Camembert and redcurrant sauce will entice you. A lovely atmosphere and reasonable prices are further reasons why you should visit this establishment.
1.
Grand Café has the most romantic table on the first floor balcony. It’s perfect for holding hands and whispering sweet nothings. Red roses are laid out to clench between your teeth as you listen to the funky music.
2. If you get tired of looking at each other,
Gaaitjie offers an amazing view of the sea and beach. The crashing waves can echo your sighs of love and the exceptional food won’t fail to ignite passions.
3. Dissatisfied with the fruits of love? Then dine on George’s delicious food at
The Jordan Estate. It, and the views, will woo you.
4. Put the spark back into your love life with the spicy dishes at
Firefly Eating House in Knysna. Here, fairy lights will illuminate your partner in a most flattering fashion. The décor is moody and atmospheric and the restaurant makes the most unusual cocktails in SA.
5. Love it up in luxury at
The Bombay Brasserie, which has the most comfortable seats in Cape Town. It’s decadent and luxurious.
