Dig in to rustic flavours tapped from French/Italian influences and South African flair, boldly prepared by Salome Benade to heat things up at Salome’s Grapevine in Citrusdal. This is more than a restaurant – it also includes a deli, bakery, tea garden and lapa.
The lush setting on the Olifants river banks and attentive service make this eatery a profoundly comfortable place to be for breakfast, lunch or dinner. So, cancel any plans for the rest of the day.
Just because it’s so good, start lunch with the Butternut Salad. It pairs a roasted butternut’s sweetness with the irresistible savoury crunch of honey-glazed bacon atop an earthy baby spinach base. Sunflower seeds add a nutty depth and the scattered cheese lends creamy richness to offset the mustard dressing’s zing.
For mains, the Pork Belly, joined by velvety mash and a seasonal vegetable medley, is insanely delicious. Small wonder that reviewers give it a thumbs up over and over. Bursting with savoury herbs, luscious creamed spinach and tangy sundried tomatoes, the phyllo pastry-encased Lamb Roulade is a culinary triumph. Accompanied by golden-brown potatoes and a pleasing salad, the balance is spot-on.
Against all this indulgence, dessert must fight for a spot. The caramel apple cake feels like a warm hug. Each forkful unveils spiced layers infused with the caramel’s sweetness and the tang of baked apples. As for the baked berry cheesecake, well, creamy decadence and fruity vibrancy reign in every bite.
Open: Mon – Sun; Book: 082 7850472; 43 Oewer St, Citrusdal.
Photos: AC Burger Photography
