Diverse and opulent winter menu sizzles at Grande Provence

Wednesday, 26 April, 2017
Grande Provence
Experience the opulence of diverse cuisine styles and savour perfection on a plate with the sizzling hot winter menu at The Restaurant at Grande Provence in Franschhoek.

Drawing from the best local seasonal produce and embracing a variety of cuisine styles and cooking methods from around the world, Executive Chef Darren Badenhorst lives out his passion exploring more unusual and challenging ingredients, some even foraged by his own hand. Grounded by his strong focus on the visual aspects of food, great depth of flavour and meticulous attention to detail down to the last micro herb, every plate is a culinary revelation for all the senses.  

“Our new menu promises a diverse experience showcasing some rather exciting ingredients. Interaction with our serving staff coupled with the visual aspects of the food allow the elements of this menu to reveal themselves to all the senses, be it sight, smell or touch,” says Chef Darren. 

For his new winter menu, Chef Darren is using a wide variety of meats and fresh produce adding interesting twists from various cuisine styles. Long, slow cooking times and utilising local foraged and supplied ingredients from speciality purveyors allow Chef Darren to be truly unique in his approach. 

Opulent yet accessible is what his new winter menu is all about: “I would like my guests to feel challenged by my methods and ingredients while simultaneously imparting a sense of comfort and familiarity of the home style characteristics and depth of flavour. This is the key to satisfying the wide spectrum of nationalities who visit our restaurant and at the same time staying true to what South Africa as a whole has to offer.” 

Diners are spoilt for choice with a starter selection of wild porcini and salt cured foiegras mousse; confit wild rabbit terrine with a smoked pork belly and bean cassoulet; cured, seared and cold smoked local trout with candied lemon korokke; and ocean umami risotto of seared scallop, BBQ langoustine, estate cured chorizo, asparagus and fennel.

Vegetarians will go wild for Chef Darren’s “Monochrome of forest green”,a woodland of baby courgette, tempura kale, wild herb and whipped tarragon crème, river sprout pesto cups, charred asparagus and pickled mushroom. 

A master of sous-vide cooking, Chef Darren’s 12-hour beef cheek with foraged local mushrooms and bone marrow jus gras; and slow cooked Karoo lamb neck with roast garlic and parsnip puree, minted halloumi and charred baby broccoli are the ultimate winter comfort mains for carnivores. Fish lovers can tuck into either a saffron, coconut and smoked tomato bouillabaisse with sustainable sea food, vanilla and red pepper rouille and toasted sesame sushi dumpling; or the pork crackling encased line fish. The vegetarian option is raclette and baby leek arancini, wild saffron milk cap dusted tofu, truffled vichyssoise velouté andpeppery radish sprouts. 

To wrap up, there is ample choice with almond and orange calisson, rose water parfait and white chocolate pearls; bitter chocolate hot fondant, toasted cinnamon sponge, popping gold and frozen vanilla anglaise; and molten Comté and estate amphora fondue, caramelised onion marmalade and guanciale centred doughnut. For a local twist try the condensed milk terugoule-style sago pudding with frozen pistachio crème, shaved coconut and basil. 

To make your dining experience all the more memorable, a perfectly paired Grande Provence wine is recommended for each dish by winemaker Matthew van Heerden.

The à la carte menu is served daily with a three-course lunch option at R450.00 per person, and dinner at R725.00 per person with an additional course and other surprises on the night. 

An elaborate 6-course gourmand dégustation menu is available by prior arrangement. For the ultimate indulgence, Chef Darren hosts a Chef’s Table in the stately Jonkershuis private dining room for a table of six or more. 

Winter visitors to the Cape Winelands should take advantage of the Grande Provence Heartland Offer, a special rate to stay at either, the luxurious Owner’s Cottage or the secluded La Provençale Villa in the Vineyards for families or group bookings. 

For restaurant bookings call 021-876 8600 or e-mail restaurant@grandeprovence.co.za. For accommodation and more information on the Heartland Offer e-mail ownerscottage@grandeprovence.co.za or visit www.grandeprovence.co.za.

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Almond & Orange Blossom Calisson
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