Lifestyle & Gastronomy

Restaurant La Colombe, Constantia, South Africa

Theatrical feast fine dining

As you ascend the winding and steep road on Silvermist estate, time seems to slow down. There’s a reason you feel this way – you’re on top of a mountain with stunning views over the Constantia Valley towards the sea and about to dine at La Colombe.  This high end restaurant is widely acclaimed as one of the best restaurants in the Western Cape for a unique, unmissable dining experience on your visit to Cape Town. The taste experiences on offer here are heightened by a sophisticated interior dining space that is pure elegant luxury.

Fun and fine dining

By entering the restaurant a pleasant and relaxed calm settles. This is the place in Cape Town, South Africa area where all your senses will be stimulated from beginning to end. Theatrical, mystery, exciting fun and fine dining led by the creative mind of chef James Gaag. James and his team create elegant dishes grounded in French technique and accented with Asian flourishes. James is also globally inspired influenced by experiences and travel and serves a culinary journey that is sure to satisfy anyone who has taken a flight from anywhere in the world. A one in a lifetime experience.

The menu leans heavily on local and seasonal produce, allowing the ingredients in their prime to shine in each dish. Though their presentation may be elaborate, when it comes to flavor, the dishes are clean, classic and uncomplicated. Though the eight or 10-course tasting menus are executed with impeccable precision, the experience remains playful and approachable, with guests selecting their own canapes as they begin their meal.

Signature dish

The journey, which also features a vegetarian offering, starts the theatric Chefs menu show with the Dove’s Nest, a refreshing combination of lemongrass, ginger, pomelo and kalamansi served in little egg-shaped vessels. An impressive spread of charcuterie and fine dining courses, wines and tastings is followed by the classic and restaurant signature dish Tuna La Colombe caught by chef James himself. A feast of tastes and textures perfectly prepared. From chickpea to salmon gravlax, Wagyu biltong and duck ham. The dish is prepared tableside in an engaging and entertaining display. The accompanying wine is served in a black glass filled with a mystery wine. Because the glass is blinded you can’t see the color of the wine and you need all your senses to detect which wine is in the glass. All part of James theatrical interaction show with guests. Latter courses like the cheese and honey, and the nostalgic dessert crafted from Jerusalem artichokes an hazelnut, continue to impress. The petit four chest notes the end of a world-class culinary journey that is sure to satisfy anyone in the world who is interested in fine dining.

Recognition

La Colombe was rewarded in 2023 by JHP Gourmet Guide for 3 plates. Premium restaurant and icon chefs, 36 in total, received their plate ratings at a chefs rewarding ceremony each year.  One plate is awarded for excellent cuisine, two for exceptional dining that demands a detour, and three plates for world-class destination dining worthy of a flight.  La Colombe has also been named the best restaurant in Africa for 2024. This prestigious accolade was awarded as part of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list, where La Colombe secured the 49th spot globally, making it the only African restaurant to feature in this year’s top 50. The World’s 50 Best Restaurants, established in 2002, is an annual compilation of the finest dining experiences worldwide, curated by a panel of 1,080 culinary experts.

By Marco Louter.

www.lacolombe.co.za

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