Chris Erasmus, former head chef at Pierneef à La Motte (a 2013 Top 10 restaurant) and his wife, Alisha, will open their new restaurant in Franschhoek on Wednesday 9 July 2014. The new spot, dubbed Foliage due to its focus on forest-to-table food, will be connected to an art gallery on Huguenot Street.

Alisha told Eat Out that she and Chris are delighted their dream has finally become a reality. They looked at the IS ART Gallery, owned by Ilse Schermers (where Alisha also works), as a potential venue in late January and decided to open an adjoining restaurant. The spacious four-section gallery has plenty of natural light, with exhibitions by South African artists changing every four to six weeks. The glass doors between the two establishments will be kept open to allow guests to flow in and out.

The menu for Foliage will be small, offering comfort food that follows the forest-to-plate philosophy and dishes that showcase Chris’s foraging, pickling and preserving skills. “We’re aiming for a very relaxed atmosphere for the space, with rustic brick walls, a wooden bar with stools, an open kitchen and big fireplace,” says Alisha. In the summer there will be seating outside alongside the street.

Chef Chris Erasmus of Foliage. Photograph courtesy of Chris Erasmus.

The couple has received encouragement from all corners of the industry: “The support from clients, guest and friends, suppliers and businesses in and around Franschhoek has been phenomenal,” says Alisha.

Find Foliage at 11 Huguenot Street, Franschhoek. Open for lunch Monday to Sunday from 11h30 to 3pm, and dinner Monday to Saturday from 7pm to 9pm.