Posh Nosh On A Friday In November

To stop me smoking in the tickey box (phone booth), my Mom dangled the “once you’ve written your Matric you can do as you please” carrot. It didn’t work. But what I did do once I was my own boss was have a large slab of my mom’s delicious Chocolate Cake for breakfast.  I did it guilt-free; it was fabulous.

On Saturday morning, I didn’t wake up craving chocolate. Still, I kept thinking about the flavours from Friday night, imagining each course with vivid clarity-seeing, smelling, and tasting every bite.

It was winter in Hermanus, and as I stepped out of The Restaurant at Newton Johnson, the rain poured, but the cozy atmosphere inside made up for it.  Our second visit to this beautifully revamped spot,  formerly known as Heaven, was just as memorable despite the cloudy skies.

I love open restaurant kitchens; seeing the bustling chefs with their bobbling toque blanche jauntily balanced on their heads, chopping and plating cheerfully using their ingredients with utmost respect adds to my dining experience and pleases me. 

There are two menu options:  a 4-course meal or a 6-course meal.  We settled on four courses, and didn’t miss out on the Amuse-bouche or the sorbet palate cleanser.  Being gluten-intolerant never stops me from having bread, of course, and the black bread was light and packed with nuts, seeds and dried fruit.

My selection was a Duck Liver Crème caramel, smooth, and the flavours were perfectly balanced.  Here, the duck liver was the star, but the techniques used to create the dish were the real showstoppers.  The entrée was Steamed Black Mussels, which were plump, delicately flavoured, and plated with care; I could’ve had more of those.  My main course was Beef Sirloin, perfection in every way.  For dessert, I had the Lemon Meringue. 

Wines are from the Farm’s Cellars.

If you’ve had the pleasure of dining at the table of my friend, the Queen of Tarts, you’ll understand why my dessert course didn’t quite make it on the magic scale.  Only slightly, mind, but it did not meet my indulgent dessert palate.  Normal Friday nights will not measure up to these standards for a while, so I’ll relish the memories of this wet, wintry evening.  Our meal was so good that I couldn’t spoil the memory with a greasy egg breakfast, nor did I have the chocolate cake; instead, I settled for a mug of Vietnamese coffee and thick cream.

Bookings are essential, especially with the Summer Holidays coming up.  Planning ensures you won't miss out and can fully enjoy the experience. Make the effort and get up there -it's a perfect date night or special outing.

The Restaurant at Newton Johnson is ranked 25th on TripAdvisor, reminding us that ratings can be subjective. Still, it's a helpful guide for directions, contact details, and reading reviews to get a sense of the place before visiting.

---oOo---

THE RESTAURANT AT NEWTON JOHNSON

R320 Hemel en Aarde Road, Hermanus 7201, South Africa

Tel: +27 21 200 2148

“The only time to eat diet food is while you're waiting for the steak to cook.”― Julia Child.