WINE DINE AND TRAVEL SUMMER 2020 -- SOUTH AFRICA
What to do with a gap between two travel adventures - the end of our thrilling Kenyan safari and the start of an exotic cruise from Cape Town? What else but explore another of the world’s iconic wine regions. Since we met three decades ago, whenever possible, my husband and I seek out wine country pleasures - bucolic views, charming inns, leisurely tastings and casual fine dining. If trips bring us near vineyards - Virginia to Oregon, France to Australia, we visit for an afternoon or several days. This time our wine country destination was South Africa, one of the oldest wine-making regions outside of Europe, where Dutch and French settlers began tending vines in the mid-1600s. For a week, including Valentine’s Day when we celebrated our 31st anniversary, we explored the stunningly beautiful Winelands of the western cape, less than an hour drive from Cape Town.
What to do with a gap between two travel adventures - the end of our thrilling Kenyan safari and the start of an exotic cruise from Cape Town? What else but explore another of the world’s iconic wine regions. Since we met three decades ago, whenever possible, my husband and I seek out wine country pleasures - bucolic views, charming inns, leisurely tastings and casual fine dining. If trips bring us near vineyards - Virginia to Oregon, France to Australia, we visit for an afternoon or several days. This time our wine country destination was South Africa, one of the oldest wine-making regions outside of Europe, where Dutch and French settlers began tending vines in the mid-1600s. For a week, including Valentine’s Day when we celebrated our 31st anniversary, we explored the stunningly beautiful Winelands of the western cape, less than an hour drive from Cape Town.
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Be My Valentine
A brief evening shower didn’t dampen our mood
as we skirted puddles on the short walk to our
Valentine’s Day celebration at Steenberg’s newly
updated signature restaurant, Tryn. For 20 years,
this was Catharina’s, another salute to the estate’s
founder, that earned fans for upscale dining
on linen-clad tables beneath a flock of white
origami swans suspended from the ceiling. In
keeping with updates across this property - and
trends in dining, the lounge, bar and restaurant
were reimagined in 2019. Tryn, Catharina Ras’s
nickname, suits the new contemporary decor -
and menu, also the work of Kerry Kiplin.
Natural wood tables, plush banquettes and
modern lighting now brighten the main dining
room. Steps away is the new marble-based bar
and an eclectic mix of orange and jade seating for
pre- and post dinner cocktails. The atmosphere is
modern, grownup and just edgy enough. Boundary-pushing
Catharina would be pleased.
Chef Kerry spiced up the menu too. Like Bistro
Sixteen82, Asian and Middle East accents enliven
lamb rack, beef fillet and other traditional mains.
Fish wrapped in eggplant, for example, surprises
with coriander, harissa and rose water accents.
Look for the same flavor explosions in starters
and desserts. And for sheer indulgence, nibble on
the truffle fries.
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