In the spirit of breaking the norm and generating inspiration we decided to hit the road to Franschoek today. The wind was rather fresh this morning, so I left the house in my hoodie and bootie slippers lol - and DAMN did I regret it! (As a thoroughbred Capetonian, I should have known better, but alas... hahaha)

Anyhoooo.... off we went!
And we ended up at the most unique spot.

Welcome to

Haute Cabrière

......

The farm dates back to 22 December 1694 when the French Huguenot Pierre Jourdan was granted a piece of land in Olifantshoek, today known as Franschhoek, which he decided to name after his home town Cabrière.
Source

The views from this place are simply mind blowing!!!
(not unlike MOST places in the Western Cape)

I was informed prior to arrival,
that the venue itself is like a hobbit house
and that was not a word of a lie! lol

The entire venue is pretty much "underground"
which is precisely what makes is so wonderfully unique!

It was a pretty long drive there,
as we encountered roadworks along the way,
so needless to say - I was all too ready to head to the ladies,

but was NOT expecting what I encountered
en route there...

yeeeah... that was the spiral staircase to the ladies... hahaha

and this was my "before" face....
hahaha!!!
whether it was the "I don't want to meet any headless horsemen face"
or the
"I really need to pee face"
I am not sure... lol

Either way -
this was the "after" face hahahaha!!!

It must have been the pee face lol!!!

Moving along swiftly,

Heading up the headless horseman stairwell,
I could not help but get lost a little bit...
(as I do)
and take some photos...

The inside of the restaurant
really is like something out of The Hobbit
and I could imagine, that it would be absolutely fabulous
to sit inside there on a typical Cape Town Winters day,
but I am most definitely more of a sunshine and fresh air
kinda gal, so if there is even a little sunshine,
I am outside.... NO DOUBT!

So THIS, was our table...

and now that we had a table,
and I had finished getting lost and taking photos,

it was time for... yip - WINE!
sheesh, you guys know me well hey!

hahahaha!!!

And I must just say that I think I have officially found
my new favourite wine!

Anyone who knows me well,
will know that I LOVE RED wine,
and my best in that department is a Pinot Noir

but on a hot day I will gladly drink a Rosé,

TODAY,

I met the love of my life! haha!
It was apparently a
New kid on their block
and is a Pinot Noir, which is served chilled,
and although a red wine,
is lighter and treated as a white wine!

Liiike Heeellooooo Nuuurse!!!
I was in HEAVEN!

Dave opted for bubbles,
which although I tasted and they were great,
I generally avoid,
because they are headache material,
no matter how little I drink. lol

and with that out of the way, it was time to scout the menu!
It was the choice of a two or three course meal.

I generally opt for the starter and main in this instance,
and Dave for the main and dessert.

And they had oysters on the menu as a starter,
so it was a total no brainer!!!

They were HONESTLY the BEST oysters
I have had in a long time!

There were six oysters,
served two ways...

Sauce mignonette / lime chilli and papaya salsa

They were absolutely DIVINE!!!!

Dave went for the sirloin as a main,

Chalmar Beef Sirloin
Mushroom ragout, nettle puree, pommes anna, black pepper and brandy sauce

I opted for the
Venison Loin
Charcoal grilled, port and truffle sauce, blue cheese and smoky onion tart, tenderstem broccoli.

.... oh and yes... RARE
(as it should be)

We both tried a little of each others,
and I have to say...
WOW!

They were both magnificent!!!

I am a HUGE fan of the fig and blue cheese combo,
and coupled with a rare piece of meat....
YUM!!!

For dessert, it was

Chocolate Mousse Torte
Amaretti crumbs, candied pecan nuts

and that too,
was simply out of this world!!!

There is nothing better than visiting a
fine dining establishment
when looking for a little food prep inspiration,
and I definitely got my fill today!

And with that said and done,
it was time for a photo...
I mean that frame had been staring me in the face
for like three hours ok!! hahaha!

***Cheeeeese!****

Time was running a little short,
as we had to get home to fetch Jude from cricket practice,
and to relieve the domestic.

And these are some of the
"homeward bound shots"
hahahaha!!!

This smile, my international darlings...
is called a
PASSION GAP
hehehehe!!!

He was selling oranges at the robots.

This chap, was not quite as enthusiastic to smile
for the camera unless I gave him R2 lol

and then...

the CLASSY ROAD
three mercs and Jag.

Now thats a WHOLE lot of sexiness in one spot!
Excluding that ugly bakkie (truck) in the background! lol

It was a FUN DAY INDEED!!!!
And it is trips like this that remind me
of just how BLESSED we are
to live in such an AMAZING place!!!

Cape Town RULES!!!!!

……

Until next time...
Much Love from Cape Town, South Africa xxx

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