New summer menu at Dornier Bodega Restaurant

Bodega chef, Naas Pienaar, said: “Bodega Restaurant and Dornier Wines are a lifestyle. It's not just about good wine or good food, but enjoying them in careful combination. This summer, I have worked even more closely with our winemaker, JC Steyn, and paired food with wines, rather than the other way round, which is the norm. The summer dinner menu has, therefore, been named the Winemaker's Dinner Menu, with the purpose of enjoying the estate's wines, which are perfectly matched to your meal. On offer is a delectable three-course menu accompanied by two matched glasses of wine for R250 per person. There is also a four-course option with three glasses of wine, so you definitely won't leave hungry.”

Beautiful sunsets

However, Pienaar said the most beautiful time of the day at Bodega is at sunset. “The mountain is bathed in red light that reflects off the cellar's roof, but lunch and dinner guests don't see this. So we've designed a special Summer Sunset Wine & Tapas menu for guests to enjoy this magical time of day in this magnificent setting.” The Mediterranean mezze platters are filled with delicacies; there are decadent cheese platters, freshly baked breads plus two glasses of red wine and two glasses of white wine for R150 per person - served daily from 6pm to 7.30pm.

Valentine's Day

For Valentine's Day, Pienaar has planned a three-course menu that is both a culinary and sensual experience. Guests are welcomed with a glass of bubbly, followed by the starter and then main course paired with a glass of wine. For the starter, think luscious red figs stuffed with Spanish cured ham and topped with melted gorgonzola cheese, or a decadent double-baked goat's cheese soufflé. The main course is sole with oysters poached in a heady champagne and saffron sauce, or kudu filet with a rich redcurrent jus and dessert is a velvety dark Swiss-chocolate fondue with home-made Turkish Delight, nougat, brandy snaps and a variety of other little tidbits to dip and share.

Cooked from the heart

“We cook from the heart,” said Pienaar, “our dishes are not from recipe books. We cook and taste as we go - so some dishes will taste a little bit different day to day. I also believe it's important to treat food with respect, and it shouldn't be touched too much. Each item on the plate is individually cooked too.”

Bodega is open seven days a week for lunch (12pm to 5pm), and for dinner (6pm to 9.30pm) on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

For more information and reservations call Bodega on +27 (0) 21 880 0557 or book online at www.dornier.co.za/bodega/book.php or follow the Dornier Wines Blog at http://dornierwines.blogspot.com/.