We don’t want to count the days to opening, or for that matter, the days since Long Table went into hibernation. What we do want to do, however, is to let everyone know, in no uncertain terms, that Long Table is back! For the many people that have asked, we can now tell you to put Saturday, December 2 into your phones, notepads or whatever passes as a diary these days as the date that Long Table at Haskell Vineyards reopens its doors.
Whilst the name remains, significant changes have been made, starting with a major renovation to the building that houses the restaurant. A fresher, lighter, more vibrant space awaits diners, with a fully glassed patio offering views from the dining room across the vineyards of Stellenbosch and the adjacent Helderberg mountain range.
Also changed is the team in the dining room, led by Head Chef Charles Joubert. Charles cut his teeth for seven years at Terroir Restaurant under the tutelage of Stellenbosch legend, Michael Broughton, and brings with him a passion for finely crafted food and a palate attuned to food and wine matching.
The new menu at Long Table reflects Charles’ penchant for creativity and freshness, and has been designed to offer diners the opportunity to take a journey through a diverse range of flavours and textures. A ten-item, seasonally orientated offering awaits, our interpretation of modern South African cuisine, and a fitting match for the multi award winning Haskell wines.
Importantly, it is a menu that can be approached in numerous ways. The original idea behind Long Table was what was implied in the name alone; a shared table, communal dining, the opportunity to converge and enjoy the delight of fine food and good company, as one. That concept still applies, and we encourage our guests to share and compare, to take themselves on a food adventure across the diversity of flavour that is the new Long Table menu.
As always, there will be outstanding wine to match. 2017 has seen Haskell Vineyards once again winning major plaudits and awards both locally and internationally. These include the Dombeya by Haskell Vineyards Merlot 2015 receiving the only Double Gold medal at the recent Veritas Awards for Merlot, and stunning 90+ point scores for the Haskell wines from critics such as Tim Atkin, Steven Tanzer and The Wine Advocate.
We are excited and proud to be able to reopen the doors to one of Stellenbosch’s favourite dining destinations. We look forward to seeing you soon at Long Table.