Contemporary country cooking

Avontuur Estate Restaurant: fast horses, fine wine and fabulous food

Driving to the winelands is always a joy. The natural beauty, the mountains, the vineyards and the thought of good food and wine just makes for a stunning outing.

Avontuur Wine and Thoroughbred Estate (also known as 'South Africa’s home of fine wines and fast horses') is a good stop for them all.

Avontuur Estate Restaurant is owned by chefs, Zunia Boucher-Myers and Melanie Paltoglou, who started nearly 10 years ago with lots of enthusiasm, but little money.

This passionate fine artist and trained mid-wife had the dream to turn the Avontuur Estate Restaurant from a South African style buffet offering, into an â la carte restaurant that offers contemporary country cooking. And they were successful. Since November 2002 they grew from a lunch venue to a restaurant that now also offers breakfast, lunch and dinner.

"I always knew I wanted to cook," says enthusiastic Zunia who teamed up with Melanie, a former restaurant owner and manager. "I‘m the artistic, creative and ADD one, whereas Melanie is the analytical, precise and balanced one. It works well."

The staff reads you – service is key

One of the owners is always present at the restaurant together with the staff, a team of 18. "This is an extension of my home," says Zunia. The restaurant has a warm atmosphere, helped by under floor heating and a fireplace in winter and a sunny outside terrace area, which is popular in summer.

"I find my position very privileged" says Zunia, "I love the memories here. We have got to know families from christenings, birthdays and from weddings to funerals.“

Many clients come weekly due to the excellent food and service which is a feather in their cap. "Our staff is phenomenal, and a great asset. They take pride in their work, and know the clients by name. We even get guests asking for particular waiters to serve them."

The Avontuur Estate Restaurant can seat 50 people inside and 50 outside. The outside area is popular due to its view of the Helderberg, Table Mountain, ocean, paddocks and vineyards.

Contemporary country kitchen

The menu is a spin on old favourites. Here, you won’t find crazy fusion food, but instead a contemporary country kitchen with South African, French and Thai influences, inspired by the seasons. The Avontuur Estate Restaurant stands for fresh, hearty food with tons of flavour. The menu doesn’t get changed too often, since people enjoy the classics although daily specials ensure that regulars always have something seasonal to try.

"We are very aware of healthy eating. We incorporate raw food, and are fond of juicing. A lot of the food is organic, and no preservatives are used. We only serve fresh food with fresh herbs and we love to use local as much as we can." The portions are big: "You’ll never go to a McDonalds afterwards," laughs Zunia.

The crispy duck is the most popular item on the menu, but also, try the fresh line fish or the beef fillet. The waiters have been wine-trained, and will pour you Avontuur Estate wine (all served by the glass) and fill you in with their knowledge. For lunch you spend an average of R100 and for dinner R150. "It is a restaurant for locals," says Zunia. "I want to see you twice a month."

by Antonia Heil

P.S.
• Get to know the Avontuur Restaurant with their early bird dinner special: two courses for R115 and three courses for R135. Remember the special applies between 5pm – 6.30pm only. Dinners are every Wednesday and Friday evening with Saturdays on the cards during the festive season.
• Network breakfasts happen on the second Wednesday of every month, with speakers that will impact you in your position/your business (for up to 55 people, no membership charge, R100, open to the public).

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