The tasting centre at the Nederburg winery has been doing themed food and wine pairings for a few years, but the opening of The Red Table Restaurant now allows wine lovers to enjoy a meal while visiting the estate. The pop-up style restaurant will be open for the summer season until the end of April 2013.

The Red Table Restaurant opened its doors at the end of November, showcasing the rich 200-year history of the Nederburg Manor House, where twists and turns guide you to laid-back spots with skittles and swings as well as little tasting crannies.

Outside, the lawn is dressed with red tables and chairs under the shade of ancient trees. Look out onto Nederburg’s vineyards and the nearby mountain range, while enjoying bistro-style food and wine parings from the estate.

The Red Table Restaurant was created with well-known Cape Town foodie Andrea Foulkes, who has worked closely with the winery and is familiar with its extensive wine range. Dishes will change regularly to reflect the availability of fresh ingredients and to showcase Nederburg wines, such as the Private Bin 2007 Eminence, which earned Nederburg's cellar master Razvan Macici the Diners Winemaker of the Year Award in November 2012.

Andrea explains, “Our emphasis is on great ingredients; we are establishing relationships with growers and producers in the vicinity to make the link between the diner and the food source as close as possible. Expect fresh-flavoured and light dishes in a happy, relaxed and gesellige atmosphere as people break bread together.”

The menu currently offers starters such as brie, roasted wild mushroom and caramelised onion tart; and twice-baked cheese soufflé with green salad. Mains take the form of hearty dishes like free-range sirloin steak, fries and béarnaise sauce with side salad; and a vegetarian dish of mozzarella roulade filled with roasted aubergine, grilled peppers, grana padano and basil pesto, on a mixture of baby peppery leaves. There’s a cheese platter on the menu and dessert choices include espresso brûlée with a nut biscotti or chocolate fondant with vanilla bean ice cream. A kids’ menu offers pies, steak rolls, chicken skewers and pizzas.

Sundays are devoted to a bounteous table buffet and every other day there is an à la carte menu with daily specials. Pre-bookings and payments for the Sunday table buffet will secure a special price of R195 per person. For children, a picnic pack is offered at R75. The tasting centre will still offer food and wine pairings to the visitors of the Nederburg winery. At the restaurant look out for special flash sale offers of wines to take home.

By Kelly Pluke