SHOWCASE: The Rhebok Restaurant, Paarl
Less than an hours drive from Cape Town, situated on the Noord Agter Paarl Road just 5 minutes
outside the beautiful historical town of Paarl, you will find Rhebokskloof Estate. As you drive through the gate and along the neat roll pole fenced drive and the vista of gentle hills with vineyards against the backdrop of majestic Paarl Mountain, rolling green lawns, fields with horses grazing, glistening lake with weeping willows and magnificent oak trees unfold before you, you may be forgiven for thinking you have arrived in paradise.
Rhebokskloof, with its authentic Cape architecture buildings, really IS one of the most beautiful wine estates in the Cape Winelands. I arrived for lunch at The Rhebok Restaurant on a day when it was raining and cold, the naked trees and buildings shrouded in heavy grey mist. Still, it was breathtakingly beautiful. Once inside I was seated at a table beside a roaring log fire and served a very welcome cappuccino to warm up while I perused the menu.
Seating a maximum of 150 people during good weather (40 indoors and 110 outdoors) The Rhebok Restaurant is an old established name in Paarl. The estate has something to satisfy everyone – adventure activities such as mountain biking, running, hiking, horse-riding, quad biking and fishing, outsourced glamping, picnics, a large playground for children with jungle gym, jumping castle and pony rides, wine tasting, beautiful function venues, the list goes on. All catering and meals are prepared in one kitchen with 9 chefs, overseen by Executive Head Chef Caro Mönnig. Caro, a self taught chef who has been at Rhebokskloof for the past year, started off her adult life studying photography but was always “into food”. Inspired by her parents, especially her Mom and her love of entertaining friends at home, often serving innovative 5 course dinner parties, Caro found herself in the food business 12 years ago. She has worked in the Protea Hotel Franschhoek kitchen and spent 4 years at Die Bôrdienghuis in Wellington. The Rhebok’s signature dishes are pork belly and lamb shank but they also off a mean Burger with homemade Pretzel buns. Caro keeps up to date with food trends via online articles, pinterest and cook books and loves dining out at restaurants with her husband.
Popular with business folk, wine club members and casual diners enjoying business lunches, mini conferences and quiet meals during the week, The Rhebok Restaurant comes alive on weekends with families enjoying the sunshine, meals al fresco under the oak trees and picnics on the lawns and beside the lake, kiddies well entertained on the playground. Some nights the venue is hired out for movies, expos and music evenings and private parties. It is a very popular venue for weddings and private functions (from intimate to very large ie the Sanlam annual function with 2 ,500 guests), conferences and festivals. They are also one of 4 estates that participate in the very successful Waterblommetjie Festival each year. The cellar is well stocked with Rhebokskloof award winning wines and the extensive wine list has won both Diamond and Platinum awards from Diners Club. The food is fresh and seasonal, upscale comfort, big, hearty, home style meals, not fussy nor pretentious but absolutely delicious. Breakfasts are served daily from 8.30am to 11am. Light meals include a delightful bread board, soup of the day, gnocchi and a lovely salad selection. Burgers and platters are served as well as a good selection of main meals including chicken, line fish, pork belly, lamb shank and steaks. There is also a great kiddies menu. I enjoyed a wonderful meal of pork belly served on mustard mash with braised red cabbage and a pear poached in red wine. A glass of Rhebokskloof Pinotage was a wonderful accompaniment to my meal. Portions are generous. I am going to have to go back to try out the dessert menu! The Amaretto Créme Brûlee is calling my name! Chef Caro generously shared her stunning recipe for Goats Cheese Panna Cotta with Poached Guavas with me to try at home and share with you all. See my take on it here.
Micky Dollie, Operations Manager – Hospitality at Rhebokskloof offers the following specials for the month of September to Winelands Kitchen readers:
· Complementary Cappuccinos – Free Cappuccino with any breakfast ordered.
· Shank & Shiraz – Order our Legendary Lamb Shank & receive a complimentary glass of RBK Shiraz valued @ R45.
· Pork & Pinotage – Order our Best-in-the-Business Pork Belly & receive a complimentary glass of RBK Pinotage valued @ R45.
· Burger & Beer – Order any of our Infamous Burgers & receive a complementary Berg River Brewery Craft Beer valued @ R38.
Please note that this is a weekday special (Mon-Fri ONLY) not available on Saturdays, Sundays or Public Holidays.
To qualify for the special guests must:
1. Mention this offering via Winelands Kitchen when they book or
2. Inform the waiter when they place their order
If you would like to celebrate Christmas at Rhebokskloof do give them a call to book as they
do Christmas in great style, serving up to 500 guests on the day.
Website: Rhebokskloof
Address: Noord Agter – Paarl Rd, Windmeul, Paarl, 7623, South Africa
Phone: 021 869 8386
Email: Restaurant: restaurant@rhebokskloof.co.za
Weddings & Functions: functions@rhebokskloof.co.za
Opening Hours:
Daily 9am – 5pm (speak to them for group dinner bookings)
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