The Cape Winelands is spoilt for choice when it comes to enjoying the finest that local produce has to offer. To have staying power in the hotel and food and beverage landscape requires constant reinvention and a keen eye for changing tastes among both locals and travellers.
Lanzerac bears testimony to the art of reinvention, ensuring guests return time after time. Birthed around the same time as the town of Stellenbosch itself, the hotel is located on a wine estate at the gateway to the magnificent Jonkershoek Valley and epitomizes all that is finest about gracious living and feasting.
The Manor Kitchen
Lanzerac has, over the years, established itself as one of Stellenbosch’s top gourmet destinations. Nowhere is this more evident than in the Manor Kitchen, the heart of Lanzerac hospitality that is presided over by Executive Chef Stephen Fraser. Trained in Wales, London, Switzerland and South Africa, Chef Stephen is passionate about consistently producing re-imagined classics for discerning guests.
The Manor Kitchen is a space brimming with grandeur, and a whimsical touch in décor. Here guests can enjoy opulent, classic dishes, whilst enjoying the rusticity and airiness of the venue.
An ode to the Lady Anne Courtyard that went before it, the space was reimagined and came to life in 2018. The large leaded windows, which separate the dining area from the kitchen, allow diners a glimpse of the creative culinary process, of the chefs bringing imaginative concepts into tangible forms, marrying the perfect balance of unique flavours and textures.
Luxuriating in a long breakfast, befittingly with Cap Classique and all the other spoils, or joining for a more refined dinner, it is truly a space to reimagine yourself.
Seven-course set menu
To showcase the skills of the team at hand, one can also join for the seven-course set menu that is served every Friday and Saturday night. The menu is paired with a selection of Lanzerac’s award-winning wines from the Jonkershoek, Keldermeester Versameling and Heritage ranges, allowing you to truly discover all that is Lanzerac.
This experience promises to invigorate your tastebuds as you are taken on a culinary journey crafted anew every month, inspired by the season.
Sunday lunch with family and friends
Time-old traditions are engrained in Lanzerac and Sunday lunch with family and friends is no exception. A leisurely afternoon drinking excellent wine and savouring a superb lunch from their a-la-carte menu is sure to have something for everyone’s taste.
It’s not hard to see how it would require an entire afternoon to fully appreciate this classic culinary event while strengthening personal relationships.
Timeless English tea
You’ll be pleased to know that you don’t have to fly all the way to London to enjoy a timeless English tea. The luxurious Manor Kitchen offers a sumptuous afternoon tea, including savoury dishes such as potato blinis with Earl Grey, smoked salmon, crème fraiche and caviar as well as chicken, mushroom and pistachio terrine wrapped in crisp pancetta.
A selection of sweet treats is also served, with options like red velvet cupcakes with candied beets, almond profiteroles with rose water cream, and freshly baked buttermilk scones with clotted cream and locally made strawberry jam.
At R420 per person, it includes loose-leaf TWG teas and as much Cap Classique as you like. Now, that’s a proper celebration. It is a ‘must’ for gourmands.
Taphuis informality
For the less formally inclined visit Taphuis, a more tempered experience on this 5-star estate. The name literally translates to taproom, which says it all. From the aged flagstone floors to the yellowwood tables and riempie chairs, it is the perfect place to wind down at the end of a busy week.
Whether inside at the fire in winter or on the long, shaded veranda in summer, the gourmet pub-style menu offers sharing plates and light meals in a relaxed environment overflowing with beautiful country charm.
Craven Lounge
The legend goes that Doc Danie Craven, arguably the father of rugby in South Africa, often used to stroll with his dog, Bliksem, to Lanzerac.
As a nod to this bit of history, Craven Lounge was named after him. This is a historic space that is reminiscent of a gentlemen’s club with its rich leather couches, plush rugs and interesting memorabilia frequented by old friends and locals. Boasting an extensive selection of the finest local and international spirits and a carefully curated wine list, it is the perfect place for an after-work drink, pre-dinner cocktail or relaxing nightcap.
Tasting Room and Deli
If you have yet to find the space for you, go straight to the Tasting Room and Deli. Tucked amidst vineyards and giant oaks, it is the perfect spot for homemade delights and sweet culinary creations. Famous for its scones, made with love, and the all-day breakfast, the cosy indoor setting or outdoor areas also offer a wine tasting experience for novices and aficionados alike.
So, whether it’s with a cocktail in hand in Craven Lounge, a small plate on the Taphuis veranda, indulging in scones at the Tasting Room and Deli or admiring a pairing from the experience menu in Manor Kitchen, be assured of being whisked away to a gourmet paradise.
Explore the exquisite offerings and contact restaurants@lanzerac.co.za to reserve your seat.
