Delheim Wine Estate — Attraction in Stellenbosch Local Municipality

We actually made a booking for Friday afternoon (for #RestaurantWeekSA) but due to getting food poisining the previous night from a well known restaurant we had to cancel last minute. We really wanted to go so randomly decided to go yesterday afternoon without a booking. They were completely fully booked, but the very nice manager, Junior, assured us he would make a plan and asked if we mind to wait. On clear days guests have a beautiful view across to Table Mountain in the distance. The restaurant offers a selection of dishes ranging from cheese platters to traditional German and South African food and it is really a relaxing but upper market ambience.

Waiting was no problemat all as they also have a really lovely wine tasting area as well were we tasted some splendid wines-would highly recommend their Cahrdonnay Sur Lie-pricy but really worth every cent (R160 per bottle). We did a tasting of 5 wines were you pick your own wines. You also have the option of adding a platter, some snacks, tapas or do a cupcake and wine pairing.

The service was perfect and just after the wine tasting Junior and his lovely team (can also really give a shout out to the 2 friendly professional waiters who served is with a smile-even though they were under a lot of preasure being so chaotically bus-Assanda and Hillary) got us a table inside. After receiving our wine (we ordered the Chardonnay Sur Lie) and a jug of cold water, they said they just got an opening outside for us on the beautiful terrace. It is absolutely amazing sitting outside and smelling all the wonderful dishes passing by, all looking beautifully plated as well.

For the Restaurant Week South Africa special our starters were Cauliflower soup, quenelle of slow braised oxtail, sautéed fennel, parsley oil (ther eis also a vegetarian option of shimeji mushrooms instead of the oxtail). The soup was perfectly seasoned with parmesan and very smooth and creamy, the oxtail was perfectly cooked-long and slow and the sauteed fennel and parsley oil just completed the dish-it was truly one of the best soups I have ever had. It also paired perfectly with the Chardonnay. This soup is usually priced at R65.

When we finished our starters Asanda came back to inform us that unfortunately they are out of pork belly which was supposed to be included for the Restaurant Week special (Crisp pork belly strips, sweet potato fondant, aubergine and thyme puree, butternut, garden Swiss chard, tomato and pork beurre blanc.), but instead we can have any other main course or starter from the menu. It was difficult to choose as there were so many options and all of it looked delicious, but something stroke our eyes very quickly and my friend and I both had the Slow braised lamb shank in a Moroccaan rub, sauteed baby potatoes, seasonal vegetables, olives, harissa & yoghurt dressing, deep fried mint and a lamb jus. Ususally priced at R185, which is really not bad considering the quality and quantity.

It was a feast! The lamb tasted delicious, perfectly seasoned, a touch of a spicy bite, and falling of the bone. Everything else that accompanied it complimented the dish completely except for the harissa yoghurt-which is the only criticism I can give as it was totally unnecassary-the lamb was soft, juicy, flavourful and tender enough to be served on it's own. =) It is very tasty-don't get me wrong, but overpowers the tasty flavours of the rest of the dish.

After a lovely meal-feeling very satisfied we had some perfectly made cappucinos. For 2 restaurant week specials, 2 bottles of wine and 2 cappucinos the bill came to R750 without tip.

Would definitely recommend it and be...

I recently visited the Delheim Wine Estate to try their Fynbos Cupcake & Wine Pairing which I really enjoyed. Eager to do the pairing, we booked online, as we weren't sure if walk-ins for the pairing were accepted. Normally tastings are performed in the cellar, however we selected our seating option as "cupcake experience" and got to sit outside under the beautiful vine-covered veranda. The tasting consisted out of 4 fynbos-infused cupcakes that were nicely paired with two whites and two reds. Having my young daughter with me, I was impressed by their flexibility. They happily swapped out the wines for juices, allowing her to enjoy the experience with us. Our host, Tahbang, as well as the rest of the staff, were friendly and knowledgeable making our tasting even more enjoyable. Delheim's wines are great, the farm is beautiful, and the fynbos cupcake pairing is something unique. Definitely try and make a plan to visit them if you are...

A dining experience so bad I was glad to leave the country. Been here many times before, and despite their proclivity for putting food on bits of stone or wood, the choice and quality were fantastic. I have no idea what lunatic has been given control of the restaurant, but it is now a horror show. There are two separate German sausage dishes - just what the world wants, but the only vegetarian option was a green salad. Hilarious prices and only paid for bottled water despite offering free lemonade at the entrance. I think someone there is aware of how bad things are as the menu is well buried on the website, and almost completely incomprehensible once you do find it. Honestly, the first section on it is titled 'Celebrating Moments'. What utter nonsense. Such a shame to know I will never be going back to such a beautiful place I used to...