Do you remember when you were a child, waking up after you’d been to the circus the night before and pinching yourself the morning after to remind yourself that you’re back in reality after the most wondrous experience?
Well. Today I felt like that, except that a visit to La Colombe is no circus. Magical and enchanting, it most certainly is.
I’ve eaten in many, many Michelin-starred restaurants in my life, spoilt brat that I am, and not a single one has ever brought me even close to tears. La Colombe did, with each and every single course. Superlatives escape me. It was FUN. And delicious. An other-worldly experience.
Can’t remember when I last experienced so much happiness, and joy.
I took my daughter for her celebratory 18th birthday lunch (thanks to Luxury Brands, who kindly hosted us) and my child and I were both enchanted, bewitched and thoroughly well-fed from start to finish.
The venue is exquisite, perched high on the hill at Silvermist, with views that will make your jaw drop in awe.
I had no expectations whatsoever. I knew that the restaurant was good, but I had NO idea just how good it would turn out to be. A good restaurant, in my experience, makes you feel more human and better about life than before you entered it and experienced it.
The atmosphere and decor, for a fine-dining restaurant, is relaxed and easy-going. The service (our waiter was Jean) is friendly, warm, easy-going, expertly trained and a good guide for newbie visitors like us. They made us feel completely at home.
The presentation of each single dish was a delightful surprise. I was so busy taking photos as our ‘Enchanted Forest’ Garden Snacks were brought to the table, it took me a minute to realise that the goddess at our table was none other than Head Chef Jess van Dyk. How special is that?
La Colombe has just extended their Winter Lunch Menu at R495 for 4 courses (with many special treats inbetween) from weekdays to weekends as well and I urge you to drop everything you are doing right now, and book a table while it lasts. (Winter is probably the best time to experience the very best of Cape Town’s finest restaurants!)
Some highlights of our meal:
The bread course, prepared at table:
This was the incredible La Colombe Tuna.
And there was the palate cleanser, simply named ‘Naartjie’
La Colombe has also just been appointed 114th position on the World’s 50 Top Restaurants by whomsoever deign themselves qualified to make such judgements. I don’t really care about restaurant beauty competitions, though, because for me personally, La Colombe is #1. I like having fun when I eat out, and I also like to eat a lot.
La Colombe delivers on all counts, and then some.
It’s among the very finest dining experiences Cape Town has to offer, in my opinion. Because it’s personal, friendly and relaxed; a little piece of heaven high up in the mountains. And the food is sublime.
What truly astonished me was that the staff were all so young: chefs, waiters, receptionists, everyone. In my own experience of a long, long lifetime of eating out, this quality of food and service is generally only delivered by staff who have been in the industry for a very long time; most of them fairly jaded.
La Colombe is fresh, energetic, dynamic and super-accomplished on every level. I was truly astounded.
Fine dining can be super-intimidating, sometimes belaboured, boring and downright dull, and that is precisely what La Colombe is not. It’s just fun. And delicious. Beautiful. And refreshing.
I’m not going to spoil your experience of La Colombe by describing what exactly awaits you – just go with an open mind, go with the flow, and savour every second.
It will change your mind about food, service and pleasure, for ever.
Yeah, I’m a fan. Unashamedly.
But wait, there is more!
Petit Fours from La Colombe:
