Return visit to Clos Malverne, Stellenbosch

One of the very first blog posts that I ever wrote … was about my experience of meal at the Clos Malverne Winefarm… a 4course tasting menu with matching wines for R178 – *BARGAIN*

But that was in February 2012… and times have changed….

Now the 4 course tasting menu with matching wines is R248 per person… and still an absolute BARGAIN!!

Plus the view is still as gorgeous as it was before 🙂

view from our table on the balcony

Options for Course 1 were as follows:

Line Fish Ceviche (with coconut, lime, chilli, coriander and mango)
Salmon & prawn fish cakes (with a wasabi mayonnaise & plum tomato chutney) – I ordered this and could have eaten another 20 of them – they were THAT good
Butternut & goats cheese phyllo parcel (with sage butter and homemade hot sweet chilli sauce) – HIM ordered this and said that he couldn’t taste the goats cheese 😦

HIM’s starter

My fish cakes first course…Mmmm

Options for Course 2 were as follows:

Bocconcini & marinated forest mushroom salad (with oven roasted tomatoes, baby leaves & a hint of truffle)
Harissa marinated chicken (on a bulgur wheat salad served with tzatziki) – HIM ordered this
Deboned lamb shoulder (with beetroot chutney & a rosemary jus) – I had this and I can honestly say that it was probably the best cooked lamb that I have ever eaten!

HIM’s 2nd course: Chicken Harissa

My 2nd (and favourite course) – the LAMB!

Options for Course 3 were as follows:

Line fish of the day (served with seasonal vegetables, garlic baby potatoes, prawn oil & mussel cream)
Grilled Fillet Steak (extra charge of R18 and served with seasonal vegetables, a red wine jus, parsnip puree and a shitake mushroom, spring onion and pecorino cheese ‘pap’ croquette)
Grilled Springbok loin (extra charge of R18 and served with seasonal vegetables, a red wine jus, parsnip puree and a shitake mushroom, spring onion and pecorino cheese ‘pap’ croquette)
Grilled rump steak (served with seasonal vegetables, a red wine jus, parsnip puree and a shitake mushroom, spring onion and pecorino cheese ‘pap’ croquette)
Spicy chicken & chorizo casserole (werved with a smoked paprika tomato compote, with savoury rice and coriander creme fraiche) – we both ordered this and almost licked the bowl with enjoyment

Our Chicken & chorizo casserole

which was served with the Auret wine…

Options for the last Course 4:

Coffee chocolate mousse (with gooseberry syrup & brand snap biscuit) – HIM ordered this and I managed to steal a spoonful which was heavenly!
Vanilla pod crème caramel (with seasonal berry & mint salad & amarula whipped cream)
Basil panna cotta (with sweet tomato chutney, basil sugar and almond praline) – I ordered this one and unfortunately did not enjoy it at all – there was absolutely no sweetness to the panna cotta at all and all I could taste was the tomato chutney 😦

HIM’s chocolate mousse

My Basil panna cotta 😦

In terms of re-visiting – that is a DEFINITE! The staff are clued up and well trained. The wine and food is excellent. And in terms of value for money… this is IT!

Clos Malverne

address: Devon Valley Road, Stellenbosch, SOUTH AFRICA

telephone: +27 21 865 2022

www.closmalverne.co.za

email: info@closmalverne.co.za

Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 12h00-15h00 (closed for dinner)