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Cape Town - In summer the heart of the Winelands, namely Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, is abuzz with tourists and locals soaking up the South African sun and South African wine.
In winter however, when the vineyards go to sleep, the tourists seem to retract and the Winelands become a rainy, misty valley that can seem like a deserted playground... to the inexperienced eye that is...
What really goes on in the Winelands during winter is a celebration of the world-class restaurants and wine farms, who take this time to spoil the locals in the area - offering winter specials that are almost too good to be true.
What is more, these special offers usually coincide with the "notorious" rainy Cape weather, which make fire-place feasting all the more delightful.
Stellenbosch alone is home to four of the top 10 best restaurants in the country according to EatOut. When counting the other top 10 restaurant situated in Franschhoek, The Tasting Room at Le Quartier Francais, the Winelands boast with 50% of South Africa’s top 10 places to eat.
READ: The Top 10 restaurants in South Africa for 2014 announced
Add to this a fun schedule of winter season events and you have no excuse for not eating like a king or queen in the winelands.
READ: 12 Winter Festivals Happening around SA
For the fancy folk, the top choices (and EatOut's Top 10 restaurant mentions) are:
The Tasting Room at Le Quartier Francais - 3rd best restaurant in SA
What: Book for a Companion Fare dinner - order an 8-course African inspired surprise menu for R850, and receive the same 8-course meal free.
When: Email them, or keep an eye on their Twitter account for information and dates of the Companion Fare dinner during winter.
Cost: R850 Price excludes drinks and gratuity.
NOTE: The restaurant's annual closure for 2015 will be from 7 June to 1 July.
Jordan Restaurant - 5th best restaurant in SA
What: They offer Quiz Nights, including a Jordan meal, Lunchtime Food Demonstrations with head chef George Jardine called 'A Day with George', and Cooking courses: Bread Baking course; Kids Cooking course; Vegetarian dishes.
When: 'A Day with George' demos - on a certain Friday of every winter month (29 May, 19 June, 24 July and 21 August). Quiz Nights, including meal - every Tuesday evening. Cooking courses: Bread Baking course - 19 June; Kids Cooking course - 3 July; Vegetarian dishes - 7 August.
Cost: Quiz Nights, including meal - R120 per person. Cooking courses: Bread Baking course - R550 per person; Kids Cooking course - R250 child; Vegetarian dishes - R650 per person.
READ: Jordan Restaurant's Winter Special
Terroir - 10th best restaurant in SA
What: The Winter Plate special is available if you stay at the Kleine Zalze Lodge. The meal includes a glass of award-winning Kleine Zalze Vineyard Selection wine (a choice of red or white). The Winter Plate is a full hearty meal, but it may form part of a two- or three-course meal simply by choosing extra courses from the a la carte menu. It really depends on the occasion or how hungry you are.
When:
It is available, together with the a la carte chalkboard menu, for lunch and dinner, from 1 May 2015 to 30 September 2015 (including Sunday lunch). Not available to tables or groups of 9 pax or more.
Cost:
R195 per person (excluding accommodation)
NOTE: Terroir will be closed from 29 June to 14 July 2015 for their annual winter break.
READ: Terroir introduces a choice of 'Winter Plates' paired with Kleine Zalze's Award-winning wines
Also eat at:
Overture Restaurant - 6th best restaurant in SA
and
Rust en Vrede - 7th best restaurant in SA
Apart from the top 10 restaurants situated in the Winelands, there are magnitudes of other Winelands restaurants serving up steaming hot winter specials throughout the rainy months.
VINEYARDS AND WINE FARMS
Uitkyk's Manor House- Stellenbosch
What: Pancake and Wine pairings. Look forward to the likes of Chenin Blanc paired perfectly with a spicy Thai green-curry pancake or Carlonet complemented by a delicious dark-chocolate pancake.
When: Every last Saturday of the winter months. 30 May; 27 June; 25 July; 29 August 2015
Cost: R95 per person
READ: Winter pancake and wine pairings at Uitkyk's Manor House
Bistro 13 - Baden Powell Drive
What: Enjoy a 5-course Feed Me Winter Menu; or enjoy the Burger Night Special
When: Tuesdays - Saturdays for the Feed Me Winter Special; Wednesday nights for the Burger Night Special
Cost: R225 for the Feed Me Winter Special; R85 for the Burger Night Special
READ: Bistro 13 makes Winter in Stellenbosch about your favourite things
Allée Bleue - outside Franschhoek
What: Learn all about the delicate process of herb production at Allée Bleue, and then enjoy a 3-course, herb-inspired meal with wine at the Allée Bleue Bistro.
When: Every Friday, from 10:30
Cost: R185 per person
Boschendal The Werf Restaurant - between Stellenbosch & Franschhoek
What: 3-Course winter menu; or 2-Course
When: Throughout winter, until 31 August
Cost: 3-Course winter menu for R395; 2-Course winter menu for R345
Bodega Restaurant at Dornier - outside Stellenbosch
What: Half price seafood platters; Specials on Tapas Platters for two
When: Wednesdays for Seafood Platters; Wednesday - Sunday for the Tapas specials
Cost: Half price for Seafood Platters; R250 for the Tapas platters for two
Pierneef à La Motte Restaurant - outside Franschhoek
What: Food & Wine Tastings are available weekly, and the Winter Menu in the restaurant is delectable
When: Food & Wine Tastings are every Friday at 10:00; Winter Menu runs until 31 August
Cost: Food & Wine Tastings are R130 per person; Winter Menu costs will change throughout
Babylonstoren- outside Franschhoek
What: A series of workshops - including Artisan bread baking - 10 or 17 June, Biltong making - 24 June and a Mushroom Workshop - 8 July, - will be hosted on the farm throughout winter.
When: Different workshops every once or twice a month
Cost: R450 per person, including lunch at the Greenhouse Restaurant
RESTAURANTS
The Demo Kitchen - Stellenbosch
What: Dedicated soup bar with grilled cheese sandwiches, The Demo Kitchen also hosts Dinner Demos every Tuesday and Thursday, which is a perfect winter outing for food lovers. Dinner demos change every week.
When: The Soup Bar will be open throughout autumn and winter; The Dinner Demos are on Tuesdays and Thursdays, throughout the year.
Cost: Soup Bar prices varies depending on the menu; Dinner Demos are an average of R350 for three courses, and includes wine and after-dinner coffee.
Wild Peacock Food Emporium - Stellenbosch
What: Hearty winter meal promotions
When: Throughout winter
Cost: Varies depending on the Special
Delheim Mushroom Foraging
What: There are only 40 spots available per day on a mushroom hunt. The offer includes choice of an exclusive mushroom foraging basket or a Delheim bottle of wine and two glasses to take home, a lecture on mushroom identification, the forest forage, as well as the mushroom-themed three course lunch and a glass of Delheim wine.
When: 30 & 31 May and 3 & 4 July 2015
Cost: R595 per person
READ: Fungi foraging in the forest - it's a thing!
Towerbosch Earth Kitchen
What: Enjoy their three-course winter Country Feast.
When: Every Sunday
Cost: R200
Makaron Restaurant at Majeka House - Stellenbosch
What: Date Night Special - 2-course dinner for two, one glass of wine per person, one night's accommodation in a Premier Room for two, Breakfast for two.
When: Tuesday and Thursday evenings
Cost: R2 500 per couple
Dutch East Restaurant- Franschhoek
What: Street Food Lunch specials at a fraction of the typical restaurant prices. These hearty, gourmet meals will be served in biodegradable plates or bowels, making it easy to also enjoy as a take away or while walking and exploring Franschhoek (it is available for sit down also).
When: Throughout winter
Cost: Anything from R55 - R125
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