My friend Erica was invited with a partner to the fourth edition of Expressions at the Taj Hotel, and as her husband was meant to be away she asked me to join her. Our party for two turned into a table for 6 as both our husbands joined us, as well as another couple. We started off by tasting a LOT of wine, and some of them were really fantastic. I was pleased to have another few tastings of the Fraai Uitzicht merlot as this is really a superior wine.
After the tasting we went into the dining room to start our six course meal. Unfortunately, the evening dragged on a bit and we did not get home until after midnight. I am not sure where the slowness of the service started, but by the time the third course was served I had had enough wine to drink! Some people left after the mains due to the delay in courses coming out of the kitchen.
We started with a ravioli amuse which was paired with Esona’s Single Vineyard Chardonnay 2010. This was followed by a grilled steak tartare accompanied by Lamberg Estate Pinot Noir 2011.
Our third course was a vanilla prawn pasta served with Arendsig Wild Yeast Chardonnay 2011. We then had a wrapped springbok served with a choice of Graham Beck Viognier 2009 or the aforementioned Fraai Uitzicht Merlot 2006.
Dessert was a beetroot and Belgium sorbet followed by goats cheese wontons. The last course was not the best and ended our meal on quite a low when combined with the time delays.
The cost of the dining experience was R325 and even though I was a guest, Dave paid for his own meal. The wine tasting is free so do pop in on any Thursday to have a try of the wines that are being showcased for the month. This month it is the Stellenbosch region and 96 Winery Road is the featured restaurant.
Sounds like a long night. It’s a shame when so much is offered and the kitchen can’t get it right. At all events, you enjoyed a few good glasses.
I think the kitchen was the problem here, but the wine was plentiful 🙂
Despite the delays, it sounds like a fun evening with lots of beautiful food and wines 🙂
and the company was great 🙂
A shame about all the lateness but the at least the dishes look exquisite 🙂
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
the food did look good indeed, and some of them tasted great 🙂
Such a feast!! I’ve done this sort of dinner before and it’s always my favorite and always so memorable with the pairings of wine for each dish! Lovely!
I also enjoy a meal and wine pairing 🙂
The food is so beautifully presented, Tandy. Maybe that’s why the service was slow. They wanted to make it look perfect or you. 😉 I think the hand in the beetroot sorbet is quite ghoulish really. Looks like someone cut their wrist. 😉
the hand is their ‘signature’ on the wine and restaurant etc. I think the staff were not quick enough for sure in the plating 🙂
Well, in spite of the delay, the food and the presentation look awesome…
Hope you are having a great week Tandy 🙂
it all looked good indeed Juliana 🙂
That looks very special food, Tandy. I find myself envying your visit!
It would be lovely to have you join us one evening 🙂
looks divine. I’ve also been to functions when the food takes forever to arrive. Why do they do that, surely they must realise it takes the shine of the event/food.
I don’t think they realized just how slow everything was 🙂
All of the food dishes look irresistable & divine looking! I love the presentation too! I love the cookie of that waving hand! So funny! 🙂
That hand is their signature on their wine bottles 🙂
Glad you were able to join us, it was a jolly group of six and I found the conversation as engaging as the food – which I thought was lovely, albeit rather late! 🙂 Lesson learned on this one I think in terms of the delays. Did you see Norman’s piece in the Bolander?
I did see his piece – it was very good 🙂
I lov ethe look of the wrapped Springbok!
it was a lovely dish 🙂