Fast facts

Restaurant name: Eleven

Address: 11 Huguenot Street, Franschhoek

Phone number: 021 023 3755

Opening times: Wednesday to Monday, lunch and dinner (closed on Tuesdays)

Average price of each plate: R170

Corkage fee: No charge for BYO (awaiting liquor licence)

Parking situation: Street parking along Huguenot Street

Food type: Global contemporary cooking

Located down the “quieter end” of the Franschhoek main drag, and taking over the residence of Eleven Huguenot Street, is the latest addition to the culinary road map of the valley – the third of chef Ryan Shell’s restaurant offerings to the town, aptly named Eleven (the other two being Ōku and Yama restaurants).

Food

Menu options include a set tasting menu of the most popular menu items, or choose a variety of individually priced dishes from the à la carte menu to create your own sharing feast of plates to experience a little bit of everything.

Freshly baked olive and rosemary focaccia with zucchini dip and tomato preserve sets the stage right from the start of what is to come, so perfectly presented, it transports you to a place where time stands still.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Eleven Restaurant (@eleven_restaurant)

Smoked springbok tartare with a classic caper and raisin partnership dance together with perfect timing of sweet and salt. The soft cloudy pillows of Parmesan gnocchi will make you close your eyes and imagine resting a weary mind on their light and fluffy texture before being awakened by peppery nasturtium, aubergine and crunchy pine nuts.

Creamy sweetcorn risotto with ricotta and pancetta wraps you in a blanket of comfort, with the hit of a little chilli spike to tingle your senses. Grass-fed Angus beef with lightly smoked potato purée and wild Buchu leaf-infused jus with roasted carrot componentry stand together in a hearty showdown of generous staunch flavours.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Eleven Restaurant (@eleven_restaurant)

Sweet endings of rich dark chocolate ganache with the musky perfume of rose marshmallow, milk gel and mint are warmth for the soul, and the citrus cheesecake shining the brightness of granadilla and orange wakes you up with the sunshine of summer, giving you just the kick you need to stop daydreaming.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Eleven Restaurant (@eleven_restaurant)

Drinks

At the time of writing, Eleven is still waiting on their liquor licence, but don’t let that knock the fizz out of the occasion. This is Champagne-level cooking set at Prosecco prices that is a must to be experienced, so just bring your own if you wish (at no charge). Alternatively, the beverage menu offers a craft selection of non-alcoholic whimsical “fauxtail” combinations of sweet and sour elixirs and fruit potions offering delicious sips of glory.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Eleven Restaurant (@eleven_restaurant)

Service

Staff are friendly and engaging with warm and welcoming hospitality, and a sense of pride in showcasing their newest offering.

Ambience

The restaurant is unrecognisable from previous occupants of the much-sought-after address, and Ryan has done a wonderful job with the beauty in simplicity of a space by seamlessly blending natural colour, texture and tone to create a pared-back canvas for his craft.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Eleven Restaurant (@eleven_restaurant)

Eat Out critics dine unannounced and pay for their meals in full. Read our full editorial policy here.