la colombe

i finally got to tick one of the top 10 restaurants in cape town off my list! thefoodat la colombe was beautifully presented. so much so, that we frequently commented that we didn't want to eat it! most of it was delicious as well, but i can't give it a 5, simply based on my own opinion. some of thefoodwas just too adventurous and the flavours didn't quite work together for me. on the whole, though, it was a wonderful experience.

i haven’t had such an amazing fine dining experience in quite a while but this was really tops it . thefoodwas incredible - we had a 10 course meal with some lovely pallet cleansers in between. the service was incredible and the decor was lovely - really a beautiful experience. my favorite being the wagyu beef as well as the tuna

had to have the 7-course tasting menu, because it looked great. and it was. every course was superb, with unique taste combinations. the staff are incredibly well informed and service is excellent. thefoodis not unduly rich in flavor, as is sometimes the case at fine dining spots. fantastic wine selection too.

la colombe - one of the greatest fine dinning experiences i've had in a while. the setting was beautiful in new-lands forest. thefoodwas a great take on homemade taste, turned fine cuisine. the smoked ox tongue was by far the star of the meal.

thefoodwas a brilliant fusion of sublime tastes and visual stimulation . both flavors and presentation were on point ! the wines were sumptuous and superbly paired with their respective dishes. service was excellent both the waitstaff and sommelier were informative friendly and attentive . i felt the bland decorative style of the restaurant with average round tables did detract from the overall experience. all in all a wonderful and highly recommended spot!

i was so excited to come to la colombe for lunch. we brought an overseas friend to lunch and decided la colombe would be the right choice. upon arrival, we greeted by the hostess and offered something to clear our palates. they had charming white chocolate egg with a citrus fruit juice inside. the chocolate eggs were nestled amongst branches of a beautiful display of foliage. needless to say, if this was the introduction, we were in for a fabulousfoodjourney.
     we were shown our seats, perused the drinking menu and chose groot constantia 2017 pinotage. what a smooth, delightful wine! we then chose which menu we would choose, the spring menu or the chef's menu. i liked both but i felt the chef's menu would be a bit too much to eat for lunch, so spring menu it was. we all chose that menu. 
     our menu began with marlin tataki, burnt lime & lamb roti. 7 courses of delectable delights. i'm in trouble! out came this exquisite forest with the marlin tataki/burnt lime and the lamb roti was petite and presented in a rock carved out. it was delicately displayed and the aromas were tantalizing to the senses. the amazing waiter who served thefoodand explained the process of how you should eat thefoodand it was helpful. i wish there was smell-a-vision with pictures. it was mind-blowing.  
     we then followed up with sweet potato bread with waygu drippings/oxtail i had crumbs of the bread all over the table. it was worth it! so good is an understatement. beautiful, art, chefiness at it's finest. oh man. we then had a blind tasting of tuna "la colombe." it is crazy how the chef is able to beautiful balance the freshest ingredients which are artfully paired and arranged, nestled within a can with ingredients listed on one side and the "la colombe" on the front of the label. as you open your can, the smell wafts into the air, causing you to salivate. it was playful, and truly an experience that was interactive. so many highlights and not a single disappointment was to be had!! every single course was an explosion of flavor, mouth-watering aromas to tantalize the taste buds, a true feast of the eyes and senses.

i could go on but rather make a booking. go there. you won't be disappointed. our waitress, marion was a delight! she made our experience sublime! just know that this is on the pricy side but it's worth every single paper money spent! this is eating for the art of food, not just eat and fill your tummy.

lacolombe restaurant
silvermist (constantia)

so i haven't done one of these in a while because we have been going to the same places that i've already done a review for. however for lunch yesterday we were privileged to go to one of the top restaurants in the country again. we were not disappointed. from the minute we walked in, to the time we walked out. everything was truly amazing.

when you walk into la colombe, we start off with a chocolate-coated shell holding a citrus flavour palate cleanser that explodes in your mouth. we were then shown to our table, where philip our waiter would look after us for the afternoon. philip was friendly and funny and really made our experience perfect.

picking the winter special menu which was 7 courses and just as well we were hungry because there was more than enoughfoodfor lunchtime.

first course: marlin tataki, burnt lime, lamb roti. server in a mini garden on the table it was more like two little bite-sized morsels of flavour and deliciousness. the lamb roti was so tender you could pull the rib bone out of the roti without disturbing it.

second course: sweet potato, wagyu drippings, oxtail. this dish gets mixed at the table and the smells were amazing. the sweet potato bread was fresh and dipping them into the mix was a taste sensation.

third course: tuna ‘la colombe’. this is their signature dish and it has never tasted so dam delicious. perfect tuna with a little kick of spice. my dish of the day so i thought.

fourth course: kerala style quail, prawn, coriander. well, i had to change my mind and say that this was the best dish of the day. perfect little quail drumstick, with a yummy prawn and the perfectly cooked duck breast with the coriander dressing to die for.

fifth course: naartjie. the best sorbet i’ve tasted in years. served on a smoking tree, it looked as good as it tasted.

main meal (sixth course): malay style linefish. yellowtail cooked perfectly with crispy skin and delicious sauces and crispy squid and chargrilled corn.

or petit poussin, sweetbreads, truffle. great looking dish with yummy veggies and great tasting sweetbreads. the poussin was the only slightly disappointing part of the meal, which was a touch dry.

dessert (seventh course): bahibe, blood orange, smoked almond. sweet but not overpowering. just the perfect end to a perfect meal. smoked almond ice cream, chocolate mousse topped with blood orange and dark chocolate.

petit fours: speckled egg, rooibos macaron. served on the mini garden the speckled egg was amazing.

we couldn’t have asked for a better eating experience! for anyone thinking about going, i would highly recommend this as a must-do!!

lacolombe restaurant teeth rating:
food: 10 "teeth" out of 10
service and staff: 10 " teeth" out of 10
ambience: 10 "teeth" out of 10
overall: 30 "teeth" out of 30

thefoodis pretty tasty, the wine selection is good, waiters work as a team which makes for seamless dining. i would recommend it for a special dinner, the prices are a bit steep. overall satisfying.

la colombe

this venue has to be on any self-respecting foodies to-do-list. it’s is truly a remarkable experience, and it did not land at 7th on tripadvisors top fine dining restaurants in the world by accident.

 now, some might look at the menu and say that it is quite pricey (r1390pp for the gourmand menu and r2290 with wine pairing), but when you consider that you’re in the presence of sheer culinary wizardry and about to embark on arguably ten of the most delicious courses you are likely to experience…all it seems is forgiven. the attention to detail is astonishing, and you feel that if you about to blink you will be missing out.

i was lucky to get to spend a lazy sunday afternoon there, before they closed for winter renovations. i live maybe 10 min away and i can’t even recall how many times i’ve driven past the venue. it’s unassuming quite frankly. the road is narrow and winding as you make your way to the parking, with magnificent views on contantia and surrounds.

the courses were as follows:

1. sourdough, spiced pork lard, salsa verde

2. tuna ‘la colombe’

3. scarlet prawn, kerala style sweetbreads, snoek dressing, coriander and sweet potato

4. korean style wagyu tataki, dukkah, romesco, hoisin

5. seared scallop, glazed sous vide pork belly, sweetcorn, spiced coconut

lemongrass, ginger, watermelon, kalamansi

6. linefish, chicken, mussel, black forest ham, tarragon velouté

7. lamb loin, braised neck, tenderstem broccoli, turnip, pickled red onion,smoked garlic

8. boerenkaas, peach, foie gras and bourbon, pecan nut

9. roasted ivoire namelaka, pineapple, chamomile, sesame, honeycomb

10. petit fours

needless to say it was a lot offoodand we were well and truly stuffed at the end, this was a thoroughly memorable experience. a once in a lifetime …

my favorite place in cape town! absolutely loved thefoodexperience, the ambiance and the art behind every dish! i recommend ordering the chef’s menu!

what a great culinary experience. i don’t think my review or pics will do it justice.

service was amazing, keegan our waiter was great. all the waiters for that matter. your table was spotless at all times (love), waiters are well versed re the menu and all dishes. it’s just such a breath of fresh air.

thefoodwas something else. i decided to do the full vegetarian menu (10 courses i think). each dish was perfection. a treat for the palate and the eyes.

i am obsessed with their attention to detail, from the plating and presentation of thefoodright down to the fact that they have glass straws (love!) everything is meticulously thought out.

great experience. definitely one for thefoodbucket list.

i was over the moon when i was finally able to make (and keep) a reservation here and woke up in an excellent mood on the day. 

the journey to the restaurant once you drive through the gates is quite a steep trek but it the scenery is so captivating you would even drive past the restaurant if possible. i was warmly and efficiently greeted and not made to feel like a burden or left out for choosing to dine alone  - i hate it when restaurants do that. i had already ordered myfoodwhen making the booking so service started quite promptly - the bread course was laid out before me with each element explained by the chef as he came and pretty much made the "butter" from scratch on the table in front of me. 
the signature tuna course was fun and exciting as i got to open a tuna can to get to my meal - i'm all for gimmicks so this will always be a win. the wine that was suggested by the sommelier was perfect and he hit the nail on the head when suggesting it. there was a course that was served in a secret room and i would highly recommend that you pay that bit extra to try it out if you can, you won't regret it. 

the staff were great,foodexceptional, decor and scenery to die for and i would really call this place a theatre of cuisine. 

everyone should come here at least once in their lifetime.

had the testing menu & it was absolutely fantastic.
thefoodis unique and innovative. the service is great and setting is beautiful. felt like i was in a wood cabin in the alps. solid 10/10

exceptional experience that plays with every sense.foodwas magnificent. mad hatter experience was a bit forced. creative and innovative. quail was a winner. expensive but you really feel that it was worth it.

ticking the box, and that’s all for me tho
will i go again? probably not.
is bad? no not all!
wow me? no!
i just think there are so many restaurants offer similar qualityfoodbut in much cheaper price