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The LivingRoom at Summerhill Estate

3 Reviews
Contemporary fare, Fine-dining food, French, Halaal Friendly *, International, Light meals, Modern, South African, Vegan food, Vegetarian
Phone Number 0635291966 Opening Hours Lunch Dinner

Lunch: Saturday from 12.30noon (last order 1.30pm)

Dinner: Tuesday to Saturday from 6.30pm (last order 7.30pm)



Home Delivery Service

How to Order From Us

Send us an email to info@summerhillkzn.com or whatsapp to 0635291966 to order your LivingRoom Basket

Hygiene Measures

Menu

Menu - The LivingRoom experience menu - Updated in July 2023 The LivingRoom experience wine list - Updated in April 2023  

Details

Cost
The LivingRoom experience: 5 courses R 950 / incl. juice pairing R 1460 / incl. wine pairing R 1575 ; The LivingRoom experience: 7 courses R 1250 / incl. juice pairing R 1930 / incl. wine pairing R 2090
Food
Contemporary fare, Fine-dining food, French, Halaal Friendly *, International, Light meals, Modern, South African, Vegan food, Vegetarian
Corkage
R200 per bottle; Champagne corkage R300 per bottle
Cost
The LivingRoom experience: 5 courses R 950 / incl. juice pairing R 1460 / incl. wine pairing R 1575 ; The LivingRoom experience: 7 courses R 1250 / incl. juice pairing R 1930 / incl. wine pairing R 2090
Ambience
Bar scene, Business meetings, Special occasions
Payment
Mastercard, Visa, Zapper
Facilities
Accepts credit cards, Accommodation, Beer served, Booking required, Breakfast, Deliveries, Dinner, Eat Out reviewed, Fireplace, Food, Functions, Hotel, Licensed, Lunch, Parking, Serves food, Takeaways, Vegetarian, Wheelchair, WiFi

Critic's review

Food
Chef Johannes Richter follows a hyper-local approach to cooking, sourcing all ingredients locally and growing many on the property. He is serious about sustainability and there is a deliberate effort to create food and an experience that have as little impact on the environment as possible. He uses techniques such as fermentation and preservation to stretch produce and ingredients as far as possible, and his ambition to showcase Durban’s culinary diversity translates well into the food. Guests can choose between a five- or seven-course menu, both of which start with sourdough bread and butter, which is paired with Trizanne Wines’ Makeba Bubbly, bringing delicious acidity to this appetiser. The courses that follow may include pigeon peas, cauliflower and lime – a unique ingredient cooked with care, with the cauliflower and lime balancing the crunchy peas. The chef shows off his fermentation skills in the playfully titled “Return of the ‘ordinary carrot’” with fermented dhal, miso and mint. The next dish, Vanessa’s whole chicken with celeriac and amathungulu (num num or Natal plum) is a brave take on a humble ingredient, with the chicken simply cooked but truly delicious, a testament to the chef’s skill in coaxing every ounce of flavour out of the produce at his disposal. Bushpig with purple sweet potato and ibhece (melon) is eye-openingly good and paired with the stellar Weather Report Atlas Cabernet Franc. For dessert, Willowdale truffle, Hluhluwe queen pineapple and créme fraiche is a refreshing finale, not too sweet and beautifully paired with Genevieve Cape Classique. A vegetarian menu is available on request when booking, and dietary restrictions are accommodated with advance notice.

Drinks
The extensive wine list is overseen by the chef’s wife, Johanna, who curates a selection of premium South African wines. The focus is on smaller producers who are sustainably minded. There are also well-considered non-alcoholic beverages comprising syrups, juices and kombuchas made in-house. There is also a small selection of classic cocktails made using local ingredients, such as a marula seed butter washed old-fashioned.

Service
Service is relaxed and friendly, with servers confident in explaining the menu. The chef also interacts with guests, serving some courses. The restaurant’s capacity is limited to 30 guests, so reservations are essential.

Ambience
The space is comfortable and unintimidating. As its name suggests, you should feel as if you’re at home in your own living room. There is sometimes live music and local art is showcased.

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User reviews

3 Reviews
    Eat Out has awarded this as the very top restaurant in the country. Unfortunately I think this is more of a curse than a blessing for this establishment. The food was excellent albeit it that the non meat courses were really “wow” but meat dishes were a bit dry and far less impressive. There is no ambience. The house is poorly indicated and hard to find in a residential area. Service by family members is keen and enthusiastic but a bit slow. Sorry I wanted to like it so much but there is still much work to be done before it can compete with the likes of Wolfgat.
    Best food in Durban by far - a must if you are visiting or live in Durban. From the magical food combinations to the perfect wine pairing, one cannot go wrong.

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