One of the benefits of living in Cape Town is that we are 45 minutes drive away from the country side. Spoiled for choice when it comes to beautiful scenery makes driving to the country side well worth it. Especially when you are seeking peace and tranquility combined with good food. That is exactly what we did this past Sunday. My family and I headed out to Eat Restaurant at Perdeberg. Situated on the premises of Perdeberg Winery which lies at the foot of the magnificent Perdeberg Mountain.
Owned by Chef Rob and his wife Nicky Hahn; Eat restaurant at Perdeberg opened its doors to the public in mid April 2019. With over 28 years culinary experience in the food industry; it is evident that Chef Rob has a real passion to create delicious food. His speciality is Cape Malay cuisine. He has worked at many top hotels and restaurants. Amongst 80 chefs selected, Rob had the priviledge to cook for the late President Nelson Mandela’s inauguration in 1994. His certificate of appreciation hangs proudly in the restaurant. Rob was also one of 6 chefs who cooked breakfast for Nelson Mandela on his first day as president.
Ambiance and Food Experience
On arrival we received a warm and friendly welcome from Nicky and Rob. I caught a glimpse of the inside interior of the 50-seater restaurant which is rustic and perfect for a country setting.
Nicky accompanied us to our seating and made sure that we felt comfortable. As it was a beautiful sunny winter’s day; we sat outside to enjoy the serene garden setting which also has a play area for the kids. A jumping castle is set up over weekends; which is always a winner to keep the kids entertained. With a relaxed ambiance; you can enjoy the outdoor experience whilst doing the marshmallow wine pairing of which the kids can join in as they offer a kiddies juice pairing too.
A friendly waitron introduced herself and took our drinks orders. The kids ordered their meals first as they were hungry. However, we found the kids menu to be a bit limited in terms of meal options. Perhaps it is because our children are older and therefore they want more variety. They opted for a Margarita pizza (which was a bit on the small side) and Chicken strips and chips. Needless to say, they tucked in and enjoyed their meals.
Whilst enjoying a glass of Perdeberg Soft Smooth Rosé; our starters arrived which was delightful. Bobotie springrolls packed with rich depth of flavour and served with a tomato, coriander, ginger and chilli jam. The flavours of the jam complimented the springrolls well.
For mains, Brent ordered the Chef’s Trio of Mains consisting of venison pie, Cape Malay chicken curry, oxtail and a side serving of steamed rice and veg. The oxtail in its rich red wine sauce was tender and the meat fell off the bone. The Cape Malay chicken curry was a bit on the mild side and Brent would’ve preferred more spice to pack the punch. The venison pie was definitely more than just the pastry on top; slow cooked lean meat combined with dried fruit that balances the dish perfectly. Superbly executed and so flavoursome; it was definitely Brent’s favourite dish out of the three.
Furthermore, I ordered the plated Sunday special which was roast pork drizzled with gravy and served with apple sauce, roast potatoes, broccoli, steamed rice and topped with crispy crunchy crackling. The pork was succulent and I savoured every bite. To summarize my main meal; I would say that it was certainly melt-in-the mouth goodness. The presentation of both meals were beautiful and it was hearty and absolutely delicious.
The waitron offered us the dessert menu but at that instance we were completely stuffed and opted not to have dessert. Which is a real pity as I would’ve loved to sample the salted caramel pudding. The kids were preoccupied as they made friends and dessert was the last thing on their mind.
The Overall Experience at Eat Restaurant
Eat Restaurant at Perdeberg is family friendly and offers great service, delicious hearty meals that are reasonably priced. The staff are friendly and hands on. With our food reaching our table in minutes; it is clear that the kitchen is efficiently run by Chef Rob. Whereas Nicky’s main focus is to effectively manage the restaurant and to ensure that quality service is given to patrons. They make a formidable team. I would however recommend that they look into incorporating a few vegetarian options on their menu. Our overall experience was without a doubt, enjoyable and I definitely recommend giving them a visit. Thank you Rob and Nicky for hosting us.
Additional Information
The restaurant is open Wednesdays to Sunday from 09h00 – 17h00, they offer an À la Carte menu which includes breakfast as well as a special roast every Sunday afternoon. The restaurant is currently running a winter warmer special until 31 August 2019.
Braai Picnic Baskets are also available and extremely popular. Perfectly suited for 2 people to share. My eye caught one of these baskets and it looks absolutely scrumptious. Chef Rob indicated that they will be serving these baskets on Heritage Day, 24 September. Bookings are essential.
They offer a wedding package and has a beautiful wedding venue, Chenin Blanc Hall which has soft gray tones, incredible stylish chandeliers and French windows that opens up to the balcony giving you spectacular views of the landscape. The venue can seat up to 150 guests depending on the venue set up requirement. Additionally, the premises have 3 fully equipped conference facilities and they cater for bridal, baby showers as well as adult and kiddies birthday parties.
For bookings and more information contact Rob and Nicky Hahn on +27 21 0201626 or email eat@perdeberg.co.za.
**Disclaimer** I was invited by Wired Communications to do the restaurant review. However all views expressed and photographs are that of my own.
