Challenge # 13: Tokara Delicatessen

| The Stellenbosch Culinary Challenge |

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

before her final graduation - 

My boyfriend has been trying for a while to get me into cycling - with no avail. However, things quickly changed when we tried out tandem cycling. It's great because I sit at the back and let him do all the cycling :-)  but it really is a fun way of exercising and spending time together simultaneously. Because you have quite a lot of momentum, when cycling downhill we decided to put it to the test on Helshoogte Pass, just outside Stellenbosch. Our goal was to see if we could set of the speed camera at the bottom of the Pass, in a 60km/h zone. However, what goes down, must go up, so early Saturday morning we set off for a steep ride, breakfast at Tokara Delicatessen (which would hopefully add to our momentum) and then the downhill challenge.

Set among olive groves and vineyards, overlooking Simonsberg Mountain and the Stellenbosch Valley Tokara is a worthy competitor to the views that Tuscany and the Bordeaux regions in Europe offer. To me, Tokara is like a mini overseas trip!

One of the Delicatessen's best features is that it caters for everyone. They are extremely family orientated, with ample space for kids to play, jungle gyms, toys and other activities. Yet they also have a very stylish and simplistic interior, adding elegance to the venue. Cyclists are also welcomed and seeing as they are situated at the end of the Helshoogte Pass, they are a popular stop-over. Especially the Delicatessen is quite inclusive. 

After cycling to Pniel and back, we were in search of a good breakfast. I had the Avocado on toast, with grilled cherry tomatoes and radishes (R 55) and my boyfriend had the continental butter croissant with eggs and bacon (R 55). It was a cold, drizzly morning, so I had a Earl Grey & Blue Flower loose leaf tea (R20) while the boyfriend indulged in a belgian hot chocolate (R25). The hot chocolate is served with  frothed milk and ample real belgian chocolate which provides for a rich, comforting drink. Their food is of very high quality and since having the avocado toast on my first visit to Tokara a few years ago, it has become my standard choice.

Belgian Hot Chocolate indulgence

Loose leaf Earl Grey & Blue Flower tea

Hungry after a good cycle

The Delicatessen hosts breakfast and lunch. Options that you can look forward to include salads, open sandwiches and more substantial options such as Pork Belly Cassoulet (R 125), Braised Lamb Neck and various platters. An average main meal is about R 80. The majestic view is however free and is my favourite part of Tokara. 

The Delicatessen also sell their own olive products, various delicacies, fresh produce, charcuterie, imported coffees and a selection of handmade belgian chocolates as well as providing a complimentary olive & oil tasting. If a bicycle is not your mode of transport, I can recommend their wine testing hosted in the adjoining cellar and tasting room. 

The estate is also home to a fine dining restaurant, with terroir focused cuisine under the guidance of chef Richard Carstens. The restaurant shares in the magnificent view that the area offers and promises a taste sensation as one of South Africa's leading fine dining restaurants. Clothed in our cycling gear however, we gave the restaurant a miss. :-)

The Tokara estate has a lot to offer, most importantly it cultivates a deep appreciation for and celebrates the beauty of South Africa. 

To finish our outing, we hopped onto our bicycle and started our journey down Helshoogte Pass -  3 kilometres of downhill cycling in which we hoped to gain enough momentum to offset the camera at the bottom of the hill. It was quite an exhilarating experience, whizzing down the hill on a bicycle with only a few centimeters separating you from the very unforgiving tarmac. We gained our maximum speed at 71 km/h, but unfortunately the bicycle was too light to be picked up by the camera - I knew we should have had a bigger breakfast! 

Delicacies available for sale 

Comfortable seating area

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Trading hours | Tuesday - Sunday 09:00 -  17:00

Address | Top op Helshoogte Pass, Stellenbosch

Telephone | 021 808 5950

Email | deli@tokara.com

Website | www.tokara.co.za

Challenge # 12: Lanzerac Deli

| The Stellenbosch Culinary Challenge |

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

before her final graduation - 

Following the most beautiful stretch of road, a magnificent lining of oak trees welcome you to the Lanzerac Estate - a better welcoming can surely not be had.The Lanzerac Deli is a new addition to the Lanzerac Estate and serves as a great in between. The Estate also boasts with a number of other restaurants such as the Governors Hall, Lady Anne Courtyard and Terrace restaurant and Esquire Whiskey & Cigar Bar to only name a few. 

The most magnificent entry, leading up to the Lanzerac Estate

The estate itself dates back to 1692, whereas the Lanzerac Deli is a new addition and opened its doors late 2013. It enjoins the newly renovated wine tasting room and is a fitting companion. Like most deli's, the Lanzerac Deli offers freshly baked artisan breads, cheese and charcuterie platters, cakes and pastries as well as picnic baskets which can be enjoyed while overlooking the vineyards.

We stopped over for a lazy lunch and I was pleasantly surprised by their efficient service, quality food and presentation. Very often, new restaurants take a while to find their feet - however joining the rest of the Lanzerac family, the Deli is setting a high standard. I had the Grand brie & coppa open sandwich, served on light rye bread, with chardonnay onion marmelade, butternut hummus spread and rocket (R 60). This was quite a feast and an option I can definitely recommend. My mom and brother had the Beetroot and orange cured salmon sandwich, with herb cream cheese and avocado butter (R 65).

Grand Brie & Coppa Sandwich on light rye bread 

Orange & Beetroot Cured Salmon on Ciabatta 

The outside seating area overlooks the vineyards

Other delectable lunch options which caught my attention, is the spice roasted sirloin, cumin boerenkaas, cucumber relish & sweet dill mustard (R 45) or the tuscan salami, creamy taleggio and grilled peppers (R55). They also have platters available for sharing, ranging between R 125 to R 140. These platters will be ideal, when accompanied by a bottle of wine and good company. 

You can also design your own picnic basket  from a selection of meats, breads, savoury and sweet items and add your preferred beverages. They also offer a pre-selected heritage picnic and wine basket for two with a grande selection of their finest products and wines (R 535).

For dessert the Lanzerac Deli offers a wide variety of treats, cakes and pastries which you can enjoy there and then or as a take-away. Their freshly baked breads can also be bought at the deli, to enjoy later. The Deli is a perfect getaway and the peaceful atmosphere on the estate contributes to the success of this enterprise. 

When visiting, make sure you have enough time to do a wine tasting. They standard wine tasting, includes 4 wines (R35). Other options include the chocolate and wine pairing, (R40) and cheese & wine pairing (R75). They also have a kiddies pairing at R 35, where the young ones pair three different chocolates with grapetiser. The Lanzerac Estate is family friendly, we have had big family luncheons at their other restaurants and they easily accommodate big groups, especially with their Sunday Buffet option. 

The interior of the Lanzerac Deli

Happy patrons! 

The Lanzerac Deli is a fresh, alternative to the other restaurants on the estate  - whilst keeping up the high standards of their counterparts. 

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Address | 1 Lanzerac Road, Stellenbosch

Telephone | 021 887 1132

Website | www.lanzerac.co.za

Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/LanzeracWineEstate?fref=ts

Twitter | @LanzeracHotel_