Challenge # 14: Brenaissance & Cafe Blanc de Noir

| The Stellenbosch Culinary Challenge |

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

before her final graduation - 

Brenaissance is a wine and stud estate situated in Devon Valley. The estate offers a function venue, accommodation and produce their own wine - Cafe Blanc de Noir (literally translated as a "white wine, made from red grapes) is however my favourite part of the estate. 

The restaurant offers a small selection of dishes, but they are of such a high standard that the limited choice is not a concern. Their menu basically consists of a selection of pizza's, salads and desserts - which make for a delightful combination. 

Their thin-based, rustic wood oven pizza's are by far the best I've had in Stellenbosch, paired with a good vino and you are all set for a scrumptious meal. The first time we visited, my boyfriend and I both ordered our own pizza - we barely managed to finish one so I will definitely suggest that you share with someone, unless you are really hungry! 

On a subsequent visit, we celebrated a special friend's birthday at Cafe Blanc de Noir and both couples ordered a salad and pizza to share. Like their pizza', he salads are scrumptious and come in large portions. My boyfriend and I shared a biltong salad and a parma ham pizza with rosa tomatoes, avo and parmesan shavings. Our friends had the same salad, and for the pizza they combined the cajun chicken and biltong option. There is also a full house pizza option, where you receive all four different pizza's in one - which is a great choice for the indecisive patrons.  We enjoyed a lovely bottle of Lady H, Sauvignon Blanc which was the perfect compliment to our food. My favourite beverage however is the lemon, lime & mint cordial, which basically a virgin mojito cocktail served with lots of fresh, crushed mint. This is the best thirst quencher! 

Half biltong & Half cajun chicken & chorizo pizza

 The Biltong salad - protein packed! 

Parma ham & parmesan pizza

We visited on a Saturday for lunch and the venue was packed, their service was however excellent and our food arrived in record time. All in all, Cafe Blanc de Noir is a rustic spot, surrounded by amazing views and they sure do deliver on quality and service. 

At no extra cost, the Brenaissance team will be happy to host your special functions, offering relative exclusivity for events such as corporate lunches, kitchen teas and birthdays. A venue hire fee will however be charged for the exclusive use of the Cafe. For those with kids, Brenaissance is very accommodating towards the little ones and have a great outside play area to keep them entertained.

When we visited, we sat outside and the blossoms in the surrounding orchids have just started to bloom. Coupled with a small stream cobbling it's way around past the outside seating area it was the perfect spot to celebrate life. 

Birthday celebrations!

 Best way to spend a Saturday

With the special birthday girl

That mint cordial!

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Address | 75/2 Devon Valley Road, Stellenbosch 

Telephone | 021 200 2644

Email | cafe@brenaissance.co.za

Trading hours | Wednesday - Saturday 11:00 - 22:00

                          Sunday & Public Holidays 11:00 - 17:00

Challenge # 10: The House of JC Le Roux

| The Stellenbosch Culinary Challenge |

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

before her final graduation - 

The House of JC Le Roux lies at the end of the Devon Valley Road, just outside Stellenbosch and is a celebration of "le good life". The picturesque views, classic interior, stylish cellar and quality restaurant all combine to deliver an unique experience in the heart of the winelands. 

The history of JC Le Roux dates back to 1704 when a French Huguenot, Jean le Roux who planted vines in Stellenbosch. This tradition was continued by his descendants. In 1983 the first Sauvignon Blanc sparkling wine was made and soon became so popular a Pinot Noir Methode Cap Classique  followed in 1985. They now produce a wide variety of Methode Cap Classique and sparkling wines and have also added a non-alcoholic range. 

This unique venue has so much to offer, so make sure that you have enough time to spend here. Firstly, as the first cellar in South Africa dedicated entirely to making sparkling wines, you visit will not be complete without a cellar tour. These are offered for free and you are guided by informative videos mounted on the walls which describes the art of making Methode Cap Classiques and sparkling wine. 

Thereafter you have to treat yourself to a tasting, where you have five options available: 

• The mixed tasting is a variety of 5 pre-selected sparkling wines (R 40). 
• The MCC tasting offers a selection of 5 MCC's which are also preselected (R 50). 
• Bubbly & M&M's is a tasting of 5 different sparkling wines, paired with marshmallows and meringues at R 65. 
• The Bubbly & Nougat is what I would recommend. It consists of 5 different sparkling wines, paired with a variety of nougat and turkish delight (R 85). 
• They also have a non-alcoholic and fudge tasting, with two types of non-alcoholic sparkling wines, paired with various types of fudge (R 50).

Photo Credit: Spice4Life

Your tasting will be hosted by the JC Le Roux staff who are well informed and provide great service. 

For all of these tastings, booking is essential. There is also a gift shop on the premises where the whole range of JC Le Roux products is available as well as other souvenirs.

The last time I visited JC Le Roux we were part of big group of students for a breakfast organised by the Law Faculty with the Public Protector, Thuli Madonsela as the guest speaker. 

Le Venue is the restaurant at the House of JC Le Roux and they will ensure that your visit to JC Le Roux ends on a high note. The restaurant is open daily for breakfast and lunch and you will be treated to a stunning view on the mountains as you enjoy your food.

Interior of Le Venue

Photo Credit: JC Le Roux

During our visit, we had breakfast platters for the table and after which a full, hot breakfast followed. 

Their breakfast menu includes amongst others omelets with bacon, avo, brie, caramelised red pepper & pesto (R 70), Salmon stack with lemon zest scrambled eggs and salmon roses on toasted cranberry and nut bread with chive cream cheese and rocket (R 95) or Eggs Benedict  - toasted rye with candied prosciutto, poached eggs and spinach, topped with a hollandaise sauce (R 85). 

For lunch they offer plenty decadent options. What stood out for me was the MCC Prawn and Shrimp Risotto  (R105), Ostrich Burger served with bacon, roasted peppers, rustic ciabatta and hand cut chips (R98), Chargrilled Sirloin Steak with Cafe du Paris sauce, gratinated potato and mediterranean vegetables (R 135). They also have a oyster and MCC pairing, which should be exquisite.

Their menu changes on a two-weekly basis so you will never get tired of the same old options. They also offer a selection of desserts such as a red velvet cheesecake with pod creme anglaise and berry compot (R55), cheeseboard (R135) and a deconstructed banoffee pie (R55). 

Le Venue really has a fresh take on food and is clearly distinguishable from many other run of the mill restaurants. Their service is sharp and friendly and it definitely contributes to the general atmosphere at the House of JC le Roux. 

 Breakfast at Le Venue

Thuli Madonsela, Ms Beryl Botman and students at Le Venue

The House of JC Le Roux also host private functions - from bachelorettes to weddings and year end functions and have a variety of different locations on the premises. 

The House of JC Le Roux is truly a treat and an an uplifting experience.

I don't know if it's the bubbly, but leaving this venue you will feel refreshed and revived.

Time spent at JC Le Roux is never time wasted. 

Location | Devon Valley Road, Stellenbosch (travel for 6km's  until you reach the end of the road)

Telephone | Tasting Room 021 865 8200 ; Le Venue Restaurant 021 865 8222

E-mail | info@jcleroux.co.za ; levenue@hsvhospitality.co.za

Website | www.jcleroux.co.za

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

Twitter | +LeGoodLife