A Delightful Day at the Drostdy Restaurant - Swellendam. South Africa

Hey Food Lovers!

Today I bring you a fun new food adventure!
Lets take a peek at the the history, flavours and faces you might expect to find at the Drostdy Restaurant!

Nestled at the top of the hill overlooking the picturesque Overberg mountain range, in the calm and cosy town of Swellendam, South Africa, this homey-homestead delivers a unique experience, allowing you to relax and indulge as you drift through time.

The main structure holds much historical value as it dates as far back as 1757 and stands as a present example of a type of dwelling that has survived the years.

Beyond the history of the structure, there are many family heirlooms, trinkets and hand me downs that decorate the walls adding to the historical value of this ever ticking timeline.

My favourite discovery being the Old Camera and Snow White's Mirror ;)

Note the various table settings and eye for detail to suit your company, be it a romantic date by candle light or a delicate treat for the family and the taste buds, they have a cosy little spot to suit your needs...

Now onto the FOOD!

My family and I decided to spend our Christmas lunch at the little house on the prairie and what a distinctly flavoursome experience it was!

I was pleasantly surprised with the artistic delicacies that arrived at the table!

The attention to detail on a visual level forced me to get the camera out and in turn inspired me to want to share this experience with you...

Lets take an even closer look ...

Smooth Chicken Liver Parfait, Red wine Jelly, Health Bread and Caramelized Onion Marmalade

Creamy Garlic & Parsley Snails Served with Fresh Ciabatta Bread

Cherry Tomatoes & Basil Risotto with Avocado Salad, Balsamic Reduction and Basil Pesto

Sauteed Thai Style marinated Calamari, Egg Noodles, Roasted Peanuts and fresh Herbs Salad

The complex combination of flavours & textures in these starters really were all unique in their own way allowing you to forget about the past and experience the now.

The Liver Parfait was not liver lacking, the healthy raisin infused bread was well toasted and the creamy snails just melted away in your mouth without you really having to chew.

Armed with the neutral simplicity of a Windhoek Draught I was ready to break the contrast of flavours and refresh the tastebuds before swiping another bite.

The Texture of the Risotto was the perfect balance between cream and comfort with the hints of basil & tomato lingering long after you swallow.

The Thai-Style dish was one of my personal favourites as I recall having it the year before, I couldn't help but tear the beautiful layers apart allowing them to soak up the piercing flavours for full salivation activation!
Light, Crunchy and drenched in sharp Thai flavours.
I was reluctant to share this one with my family haha!
My only wish to complete the experience of this dish was for it to be served with chopstix ;)

After cleaning the plates with an extra order of soft baked Ciabatta bread, it was evident that the first course was done!

Even though it was filling I was now fully enthralled and could not wait for the next course... little did I know what I was in for...

Yet another surprise!

Crushed Frozen Strawberries & Mint

A sweet little touch to cool and cleanse the pallet in preparation for the main course.
Couldn't have asked for a more appropriate little treat on a summers day in S.A.

My family and I decided to take the party outside to take in the landscape and enjoy the time together as they carefully prepared our mains...

Traditional Beef Bobotie, Tumeric scented Rice, Roasted Vegetables, Banana Yoghurt & Homemade Chutney
(My Gran had already dug into the rice before I could get a snap lol)

Pan-Fried Kingklip with Crayfish Ravioli, Butternut Puree, Wilted Greens, Chives and Kingklip Creme

Chicken Ballontine with Fricassee of Gnocchi, Garden Peas, Porcini Mushrooms, Grilled Cherry Tomatoes and Thyme Jus

With the starters being as impressive as they were, our main courses not only followed suit but raised the bar.

The Beef Bobotie was well spiced, balanced between a dry heat & juicy sweet that make up the Traditional flavours of South African-Style Curry.
Add heat with spices on the side or cool it down by adding some sweet Banana Yoghurt as per your personal preference.

The Kingklip was beautifully layered, stacked and jam-packed with the flavours of the ocean. If you have an affinity for fish, then this is your dish.
Soft & Naturally Salty Kingklip dominates the flavour of the dish but allow you to dress and pair it with the Creamy Crayfish center of the Ravioli or top your bites with some of the smooth Butternut Puree.

And of course best for last!

The Chicken Ballontine was phenomenal.
With tastes, colours and flavours of Italy, this was just the right kind of dish for me, simple yet complex in the delivery.
Again, you could taste the chef's careful curation and attention to the finer details.
The Roasted Chicken Medallions were soft yet resiliently tender with lightly torched crispy skin for added texture.
The Gnocci, Garden Peas and the thick, creamy Porcini Mushroom sauce as well as the strong grilled tomato & thyme essence, when combine together, delivered a bit of each of these flavours without them overpowering one another, instead, complimenting eachother as they swirled around in your mouth.

"This will be the dish I will be returning for", my father announced.

Before we knew it, the meal was done...

With the day coming to an end and our bellies full, we were unable to indulge in their dessert delights but instead, managed to get a few snapshots of the friendly staff that tended to our every need as well as meet David Godin the French mastermind behind the menu and his wife, Annelie, who had been a lovely, welcoming host.

Hanelie, Moline, Leonie, Linette - "The Rosetta's" from left to Right

David & Annelie Godin of the Drostdy Restaurant

Alrighty Food Lovers!

That brings our adventure to an end, I hope your imaginations were able to indulge in my tasty experience!

Be sure to get in contact and pop in for an ultimately relaxing, flavour experience where time stands still at the Drostdy Restaurant.

Email: David & Annelie Godin at [email protected]
028 514 3825 or 079 6455 312
https://www.facebook.com/drostdyrestaurant/

Be sure to get a better idea of where in the world to find this lovely place via the Steemit-worldmap here at
http://steemitworldmap.com courtesy of @choogirl and #traveldigest. (Thank you for your suggestion <3)
[//]:# (!steemitworldmap -34.018946 lat 20.453808 long A Day at the Drostdy - NicKnightshade d3scr)

Until Next Time...

Rockstar, Gamer, Philosopher, Adventurer, Food-Lover, Dreamer, Believer, Achiever.