One of Cape Town’s most renowned and beloved restaurants is La Colombe. Asian gourmet dining meets modern French cuisine.
The grande grandmother of Cape Town dining, La Colombe takes patrons on a gourmet adventure in an evocative, treehouse-like setting atop the Silvermist Wine Estate (having moved there from Constantia Uitsig in 2014). Chef James Gaag’s swoon-worthy meals are served in a minimalist atmosphere with subdued color schemes and all kinds of culinary theater. Think of the nuanced, masterfully balanced Karoo lamb, the smoked Cape Malay nibbles, and tuna “La Colombe,” a canned small yellowfin tuna concoction with avocado puree, micro herbs, and an umami-rich broth.
Address: Constantia Main Rd Silvermist Wine Estate, Constantia 7806 South Africa
Food
Almost no introduction is necessary for this fixture of Cape Town’s gourmet dining scene. Situated at the top of a winding road on Silvermist Estate, the restaurant has been recognized with several awards both locally and internationally. It offers vast views over the Constantia Valley towards the sea in the distance. The meal is exquisite eating at its finest, prepared with the utmost care and accuracy. When you go into the restaurant, you are welcomed with a spread of whimsical canapés and asked to choose one to start exploring the menu. It seems like something from Alice in Wonderland. You feel as though you are floating above the treetops as you descend into the dining area and are met with a vista of the surrounding vineyards and woods.
The chef’s meal opens with bread and charcuterie. The bread is a masterpiece of flavor and craftsmanship, acting as an excellent vehicle for the ostentatious spread. This menu staple gains some theatrical flair with the addition of tableside preparation for the renowned tuna La Colombe, which is succulent and fresh. It is presented in a chic can that guests open for themselves, which adds a delightfully quirky touch. Game fish, nam jim, and Namibian crab combine delicate textures with elegantly presented complex flavors in a pastry casing. Vegetables with the ideal texture complement a roulade of quail and crayfish; the subtle flavor of the crayfish is well complemented by the sweetness of the corn.
Drinks
The vast, well chosen wine list, which includes wines to go with every item on the menu as well as wines by the bottle or carafe, is available for personal suggestions from the superb, experienced sommelier. Additionally, non-alcoholic beverages and cocktails are offered. Professional and passionate service is provided here.
Service
The ambiance of the restaurant is mirrored in the service, which is cool, collected, considerate, and welcoming.
Ambience
As one might anticipate, the atmosphere is calm and cozy without ever being stuffy, and outside vistas enhance the whole experience. Beautiful pottery and glasses complete the look, and the new wine cellar is a stunning addition to the area.
