Tucked away in the magnificent establishment that is Le Quartier Français is a restaurant that has had an incredible reputation for as long as I can remember. Its a place that I have been dying to visit - but for some reason never materialized, until now.
I finally got to experience La Petite Colombe and I can wholeheartedly confirm that it was well worth the wait.
Sister to the magnificent La Colombe, where I recently dined (you can find out more about that here); this intimate restaurant might be the little sister but it certainly doesn’t shy away from boldly stepping into the limelight in the flavour department.
Situated just 45 minutes from Cape Town in the wine-loving town of Franschhoek this restaurant is run by the talented La Colombe team and each and every dish is an artwork, with dramatic servings reminiscent of a Rembrandt.
The space is clean and elegant with minimal art on the walls and a beautiful view of the garden outside. Visiting on a rainy day meant that we were tucked into the warmth of the restaurant. My favourite thing about the experience is that the table setting is yours for the afternoon. This means that you can indulge in every aspect of the meal at your own pace until you ready to part (which will be an undertaking of sweet sorrow, I assure you). Each course is bought out in due course and the intervals between dishes allow you to appreciate and appraise each subtle flavour offering at hand paired with exquisite wines by sommelier Elton Damon.
When you find yourself in the hot seat at La Petite Colombe, you will certainly not be disappointed.
I recommend finding overnight accommodation or returning to your home in an uber because the truth is, you should be appreciating the full tasting menu and with the wines being as good as they are, you will want to enjoy every last drop.
You will start the journey with a variety of amuse bouches such as porcini, sherry, hazelnut, and thyme to spiced chicken chawanmushi. My favourite was the smoked snoek and curried labneh that was served with the Morena Brut Rose. There is something about smoked snoek that just makes me feel like I am home. Maybe it's the Capetonian in me?
We then moved on to the bread course. Butter shaped into sweetcorn, which was a reminder about the attention to detail that you can expect from the La Colombe kitchens, served with oatmeal and honey bread. What's not to love? Paired with a gorgeous local beer Hey Joe 'special Beige' - I have to admit; I don't usually drink beer but I absolutely loved the pairing with the beer’s crisp flavours and lightness.
I always think to myself - can it get any better if this is just the bread course and the amuse bouche rounds? The answer when visiting La Petite Colombe is a resounding YES! It does only get better.
Next was the Malay Tuna, avocado and coriander paired with one of my favourite estates; Hidden Valley's sauvignon blanc Voignier 2019. It has the perfect sweet note to compliment the curried spices that enveloped the tuna.
When I see scallop its the same as you had me at hello. It is one of my all-time favourite buttery textures and flavours. Not much compares and when it is treated with respect as an ingredient it sings. And sing it did in the scallop, pork, wild garlic, celeriac, and katsuobushi.
Paired with the La Chataigne Semillon 2015. Could it be possible? Had I found a favourite? So early on in the game?
Oh wait, the heavy hitter was yet to arrive. So for those that don't know this about me, duck is my death row meal. Yes, if I could have one last final dish, it would be a beautifully prepared duck. So, of course, the duck, langoustine, mussel and ham paired with Domaine Des Dieux 'Josephine' Pinot Noir 2011 was beyond spectacular. Maybe I am biased, you are going to have to go visit and let me know. All I can say is that if this was my last meal and glass of wine, I would be very happy.
Nothing clears the palette on a taste journey like the perfect sorbet and of course in true fashion the sorbet at La Petite Colombe is just out of this world. Frozen bowls that have edible flowers in this as if capturing a moment in time arrive with a perfect watermelon hit followed by a burst of geranium.
To be honest Karoo lamb can be a little, well, robust in flavour. Which is, of course, probably what you are after if you are eating lamb. Truth be told though, not on this round. The lamb was utter perfection. It was delicate in all the right places yet hit all the spots of big flavour that you would expect on your final course before wandering down the road to the sweet valley. Served with salsa verde, pumpkin and smoked olive this dish was paired with Mooiplaas 'Rosalind' 2011 bringing in the big red and leaving you sucker-punched in pure taste sensation.
Quick Sidebar Ok? - so let's take a moment. Not only were all the dishes absolute perfection but so was the service. The staff is beyond knowledgeable on each and every ingredient and I found myself in an incredible conversation on sustainability and the power that these types of establishments have in the sustainability and sourcing top-quality ingredients from ethical farmers and fisheries. This is where I choose to eat my meat and this is where I choose to vote with my dollar. The utmost care has been taken from the inception of these ingredients to honour them and to support farmers that are doing better in this current climate of mass production vs free-range.
Next was the cheese. Yes, that perfect little twirl and piece of art is the cheese course. La Colombe and their creativity never cease to amaze. The pastry as delicate as hand-woven lace and the cheese Boerenkaas paired with buckwheat and rhubarb. You will find yourself sipping on Avondale 'Armilla' Brut 2011. Just because it was the second last course didn’t mean it was missing anything.
It delivered on texture with its crunch, creaminess with the cheese and the perfect sweetness with the wine. If I haven't said it enough, perfection.
How better to finish such a spectacular lunch than with the perfect sweet/tart taste explosion. Possibly one of my favourite desserts to date. Simply because of its balance in flavours. The fresh tropical punch of the passion fruit and perfect sweetness of the pineapple left me wanting more. But more I could not. Winding down the road of flavour town is not to be taken lightly. I was full to the brim. I couldn't possibly fathom another bite.
Then in walked the sweet treats of roasted marshmallows inviting you down the road of childhood nostalgia and making you find space, because, well… no one says ‘No!’ to a roasted marshmallow. The perfect final bite to a world-class meal and experience.
There is something to be said for collecting fine dining experiences the same way we collect art. It's not a thing that you can buy but rather an experience which is better shared but also wonderful alone. To marvel at what is possible with food and to experience creativity on this level is truly something I cherish. Thank you La Petite Colombe. I can assure you it won't be so long before I wander down your road again!
-Melissa