Challenge # 4: Helena's at Coopmanhuijs Hotel

| The Stellenbosch Culinary Challenge |

- a student's quest to visit every restaurant in Stellenbosch, 

before her final graduation - 

I was fortunate enough to attend the "Lunch with my lecturer" initiative, organised by the Judicial Society. This event took the form of a luncheon held at Coopmanhuijs Hotel, with Professor Annika Rudman an expert in International Law as our guest. Having her as one of my lecturers this semester I was really excited when I first heard of this opportunity.

The hotel itself is  a 5 star boutique hotel, with 16 rooms. Helena's Restaurant forms part of this venture and even though preference is given to hotel guests, walk-ins are welcomed and accommodated. The restaurant has two dining areas, one being the inside area where you can absorb the rich heritage of this building dating from 1713. The second dining area is covered by a glass roof and opens up to the swimming pool and courtyard.

Helena's Restaurant operates according to their motto: "Where the familiar is made spectacular." They aim to serve dishes known to us, with a certain finesse. 

We were treated to a three course menu. For starters we had a mezze platter consisting of roasted red and yellow peppers, lightly fried aubergine sticks, pork rillettes, pate and lightly toasted baguettes. I can definitely recommend the starter, it is an excellent combination of flavours and was the highlight of my meal. For mains we could choose between a creamy mushroom and chicken soup served with potluck bread or a new take on cottage pie served with a side salad. I enjoyed the soup, especially the enoki mushrooms. The cottage pie was apparently nothing new. 

For desert we had the option of either a cape gooseberry and apple crumble served with amarula ice-cream or a trio of ice-cream. As I was really content by  now, I opted for the trio of ice cream with amarula, vanilla bean and strawberry ice-cream, served with fresh berries and mint. This was a good way to round off the meal and a perfect, light dessert. 

Being a table of eleven people, I must commend the staff at Helena's on their excellent service. All patrons received their food at the same time, were cleared simultaneously and everyone's orders arrived correctly without the staff having to ask who ordered what once the food arrived. This is not often the case with larger tables. 

Even though Helena's is a more upmarket restaurant, you get what you pay for. This is an ideal restaurant for a treat, while not leaving you entirely bankrupt! 

* I take no credit for these photo's - they are not my own and I do not intend to use or process it any further. 

Find Helena's Restaurant at: 33 Church Street, Stellenbosch
Telephone: 021 883 8207 / 021 883 3132
Website: http://helenasrestaurant.co.za/