Our first full day took us to the exclusive Relais et Chateaux ELLERMAN HOUSE just south of downtown on the Atlantic Coast. I omit he website, as it is not open to the public. You can eat there if you are a guest in one of the few amazing rooms, or maybe if you book your trip to South Africa through me I can possibly arrange this experience! We had a simple lunch outdoors on the patio overlooking the ocean and perched high above it. This area reminded us all greatly of the French Riviera, so you can guess how outstanding the view was. We had a PECAN STREAM 2008 RoseMary from Stellenbosch (where we go tomorrow) and it was quite tasty for a 10% level alcohol wine with an almost light Sauvignon Blanc flavor. A delicate spiced BUTTERNUT SQUASH soup started us off and the bread tray was as amazing as the view with everything from flatbreads, breadsticks and multiple choices of soft fresh breads all made in house.
The array for lunch was ARTICHOKE-SCALLION Quiche as well as a traditional BACON-ONION Quiche. Three sets of finger sandwiches were as English Tea as they get: Smoked Salmon, Cucumber & Butter and finally the most divine EGG SALAD ever on earth.
A Caprese-like Salad had almost sun-dried TOMATOES that were about 1/2 dried and still juicy with Fresh Basil and shredded Mozzarella. The meat was a tasty SMOKED CHICKEN with CASHEWS and Pea Pods which was served at room temperature salad-like and had a very Asian feel with a bit of delicate spice.
Our host insisted I taste a superb ROSE of PINOTAGE 2008 from L'AVENIR in Stellenbosch which was perfect as the day was heating up (it was now about 75 degrees) and we were basking in the glorious sun. All the crystal was Spiegelau and each setting was as elegant as could be with snap-to-it perfect service. None of us could consider dessert, so I looked at the Petit Fours had a great cup of Cappuccino and we sadly continued on our way.
