Good, Better, Idiom

Packing up and traipsing all over the countryside is not the only way to relax after a busy year. We stayed at home, enjoying simple pleasures and the company of friends. Our home was our base for making day trips, reminding us that true relaxation often comes from shared moments and comfort.

All our creature comforts were in their place, easy to come by, never forgotten or misplaced. But to ensure my hangdog look didn’t turn into a snarl, we’d plan our days with interesting excursions. Make no mistake, Worcester is not a holiday destination, no matter how one looks at the guidebooks.

Celebrating New Year's Eve has never been a highlight for me; my idea of fun is a movie, takeaway pizza, and early into the feathers. I prefer to wake up 6 hours after the clock struck 12, knowing all is well in the world. I haven’t been a house guest for as long as I can remember. This year was an exception. And was it fun? Hell yeah! For four days we were treated like royalty. We joined other revellers and enjoyed a relaxed braai with old and new friends, listening to their stories, adventures and hearts' desires for a new year.

At the tender age of 9, my son announced with much bravado, “Mom, Uncle Peter says, it’s not what you know, it’s who you know that’s important!”  No one can deny that the cement that binds us together is friendship. Human beings need friends in the same doses that we need water, air and sustenance. We have very special friends who keep us grounded and add constant value to our lives. They inspire us, motivate us and add to our enjoyment of both special times and quiet, peaceful times.

For Christmas, they were gifted a meal voucher at the new, very chic Idiom Restaurant situated on the slopes of the Helderberg Mountains just off Sir Lowry’s Pass village.  We were invited to share the experience; how lucky we were.  The fires had hardly been doused when we went—a sad and tragic sight. The once-green mountain was a ghostly, powdery black. Vineyards, homesteads and orchards had all come close to being destroyed. Millions of gallons of water had to be scooped out of our already over-stressed reservoirs and depleted dams. Situated atop a foothill facing False Bay, with 360 ° views of the vineyards, Table Mountain, and the Helderberg basin, this must surely be one of the best views around.

Beautiful art is dotted around the garden, celebrating local sculptors and artists. As we meandered through, admiring the gardens, views, and art, we couldn’t help but notice the destruction, yet were also awestruck by the vision, passion, and foresight that went into creating this beautiful farm with its winding roads, vineyards, orchards, and, finally, restaurant and cellar.

Beautifully appointed rooms wrapped in glass, making sure every diner can enjoy nature, food, and superb wine. (The gentleman’s loo has a view too)

The menu will certainly please all palates; for the not-so-hungry, a designer burger can be whipped up, and the pizzas looked crispy with toppings to match. We chose the 3-course fine dining experience, where each dish was a feast for the senses-beautifully plated, flavorful, and filling. The divine amuse-bouche, a perfect soup in a glass, set the tone for a memorable meal that looked as good as it tasted, making it irresistible to photograph.

I will say this again: the path to my heart goes straight through my stomach. I’ll succumb to a perfect risotto as most people fall for a brunette. The smells from an open oven make me swoon, and my heart is all a-flutter when a perfect prawn is served. At the sight of a puffy pudding, I am putty in anyone’s hands. Flushed cheeks, damp palms, and a racing heart are just some symptoms of my condition; I go weak at the knees when I see a well-run kitchen.

Service is slick and smooth at this restaurant; our server was clued up, very knowledgeable about the farm and the menu, and could answer our questions. We’re a nosy lot and like to know all the finer details. We got the scoop.

I wholeheartedly recommend Idiom to anyone seeking excellent food in a relaxed setting with breathtaking views. The prices are reasonable, the quality outstanding, and you can truly taste the passion in every dish. Thanks again to our hosts for sharing their Christmas celebration with us; we’re still savouring the flavours and memories from that special day.

Idiom - a characteristic mode of expression in music or art or food.

IDIOM WINE DA CAPO VINEYARDS
Sir Lowry’s Pass,
Knorhoek Estate entrance,
Sir Lowry's Pass,
7130,
South Africa
Telephone: +27 21 858 1088
Website: www.idiomwine.co.za