I am trying to get into the groove of work and posting again. It's been a bit of a challenge for a couple of reasons: when one is self-employed, there's nobody to fill the gap when you're away. The reality is that you work twice as hard before you take a holiday (to have the holiday) and just as hard when you get back (to catch up from the holiday).
Secondly, although we were away from the village for a week, I was effectively away from the office for two. It began on the Wednesday prior with a birthday bash - on my feet and dancing until just before pumpkin time. Then, Thursday, Friday and Saturday had me on my feet all day. Again. Saturday, started in the early hours and ended on Sunday after a very necessary stop to wind down at the local. When I woke later on Sunday morning to tidy up. Every. Part. Of. My. Body. Especially. My. Feet. Told me that they were mine.
Suffice it to say that when we left on Monday, I was still exhausted and very much in need of a rest, if not a break. I was definitely not my energetic, sparkly (ha!) self. The Husband was struggling with a tummy bug that's been plaguing our part of the world.
Giving the cat a canary - so to speak
None of that boded well for our break, but sometimes exhaustion is a good thing. I say that because my "other" Celtic characteristic - of throwing caution to the wind - outed. Along with, I admit, our aversion to franchise eateries. I was not going to eat take way food. Nor were we going to eat food I could prepare better in our own kitchen. Just. No.
Happily, we have lots of foodies in the village including one (who's also a sommelier). On top of that, our destination is her old hood. She told me about two must-eat-at places. We went to one on our first night. It was an easy drive from our accommodation - too far to walk - not that my weary body and fiery feet would have coped with more than 500m at that point.
Wishes do come true
We hadn't planned on following B's recommendations on night one.
We simply wanted a meal - preferably with a view. We did what everybody does, now, and consulted GoG (Good old Google). De Brasserie was at the top of that list, and that it was on B's list, sealed the deal.
It ticked every box: location with a view, lovely, well-priced wine (I'll come back to this) faultless, friendly service and a most delicious meal.
We arrived, and the place was pumping. On a Monday. The don't do reservations, but the telephone person said:
No problem. Just come along at 7-ish and we'll sort you out.
The lovely young man with the orange bow tie seated us at the bar where another equally lovely young man with the orange bow tie offered us drinks to slake our thirst.
No sooner had we perched and had our first sip - beer for him for starters, and a delicious sauvignon blanc, for me and us - for the meal - than we were invited to a table outside and to watch the sunset. If we didn't mind the breeze which was, actually, a relatively stiff, cold southeaster.
It was worth braving that breeze for the magnificent sea view, watching the changing colours as the sun dropped behind the clouded Table Mountain chain. For a while. Exhaustion, a cold wind and I are not a good blend. The Husband, doesn't mind. So when we the menus came, we asked Lovely Young Man No. 1, if they might be able to seat us indoors.
I'll see what we can do.
He did.
This is the view from our other table, and when it dawned on us how clever the decor was. The entrance and the bar, is very European, woody and warm and somehow, as one moves around the horseshoe shaped bar, it morphs into a sushi bar. The entire feel from lighting, seating and little touches, was different. Yet so subtle that if you weren't paying attention, you wouldn't notice. We were charmed.
All a bit fishy
When we were dreaming talking about some of our culinary not-negotiables hopes for this trip, fresh fish was at the top of the list. If you read my posts often, you'll know that every time I get my hands on fresh fish, I lament how rarely it happens. Consequently, we both had fish. No, not sushi or sashimi. Although we both enjoy it, we felt like nice and not common, and comforting.
Did I mention we were tired?
When the menu arrived, we didn't even bother to look at the starters and headed for the mains. Our bed was calling.
Yes, we both opted for simple fish options. I am a competent fish cook, so I know that there are some fish varieties that are more difficult to cook than others. Kingklip, a type of sea eel is one of them. We both opted for very different dishes - both had kingklip in them.
The menu is constructed in such a way that depending on the main, diners can choose one or two sides to go with their meals. That meant we could choose three between us. It was a feast!
The Husband opted for a comforting, fish au gratin with kingklip, salmon and shrimp. His choice of side was a bowl of vegetables. It didn't take him long to get stuck in!
I chose grilled kingklip with with a béarnaise sauce - I'll come back to this - and two sides. A salad for me, and of course, as it's a Belgian restaurant, there had to be frites. Mostly for him - just two for me to dip into that really divine sauce. So delicious it was that I resolved that when my French tarragon is established (another holiday acquisition), I shall be making this sauce...and tarragon vinegar... I digress, but I shall be glad to have tarragon back. My original plant, brought from Cape Town: another drought casualty.
Difficult cooking
Remember what I said about kingklip being difficult to cook? Look at "my" plate: there is not a drop of moisture dribbling out of the fish, messing up the presentation. When kingkip is properly cooked, it has to be rested to release those juices - a bit like a good steak. Especially if it's presented "naked" like that piece is. If it isn't, this watery, milky substance lies all over the plate, making it look less than appetising. The last time I ate a piece of kingklip this good, was with an international client (in my old day job) at a seven star (I kid you not) establishment.
Win(n)ing
Remember I said I'd come back to the wine?
Well, this is a family establishment and in addition to De Brasserie, they own a wine farm over the mountains in Elgin. The wine list is all their own eponymous brand - Almenkerk. I chose their entry level sauvignon blanc (living in a wine region, I know that entry level wines are often as good, if not superior to, their "senior" siblings). I was not disappointed: not sharp like a sauvignon blanc often is. Crisp, but soft and just the right amount of acidity. Of course we finished the wine, but the wine wasn't finished with me.
A couple of days later, I said to The Husband, that I remembered something on the menu, to the effect that the wine was available to buy from the restaurant. At cellar door prices.
I think we should...
Anyway, we did. Go back. We went back to enjoy that view and an almost sundowner. I took the opportunity to taste their dry rosé and enjoy a glass while The Husband had a beer. That rosé didn't disappoint, either. It was promised to be dry. It was and didn't leave the cloying sweet after taste on the palate that rosés - even dry ones - often do.
We had a decision to make. It wasn't the cellar, so single and mixed cases are not options. We had a decision to make.
It's been a long time since we've bought nice other than local wine, so I decided, to hell with things and to give this cat another canary and we bought a case of each.
All because we had a stunning supper on our first evening out in our first holiday in almost forever.
When I get round to it, I'll share more about our equally, but differently delightful second evening's supper.
Until next time, be well
Fiona
The Sandbag House
McGregor, South Africa
Photo: Selma
Post script
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Original artwork:
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