For those keen to spoil mom on her special day, look no further than the Vineyard Hotel’s two delightful Mother’s Day options – a not-to-be-missed three–course lunch at the Square Restaurant, or a pop-up gourmet picnic in the hotel’s elegant garden.
Head Chef, Carl Van Rooyen, has crafted a lunch menu at the Square that’s fit for your ‘first lady’. For starters, mom can enjoy a roasted capsicum and pepper dew tart tatin with a goat’s cheese mousse, wild rocket, olive and crispy pine nut lavache, topped with balsamic caviar; or she can select the open-ended sushi with hot smoked charsui salmon trout and fresh avocado, apple, cucumber and spring onion salad, with pickled ginger gel and ponzu mayonnaise.
For mains, mom will be hard-pressed to choose between a sous vide sirloin with porcini dust, confit baby beets, sautéed wild mushrooms and butternut fondants drizzled with port jus; and the grilled linefish with fine herbs, semi-dried tomato and tatsoi sauté, accompanied by lyonnaise potato and pea shoots.
Rounding off the afternoon on a sweet note, mom can indulge in one of two delectable desserts – the cherry and dark chocolate terrine, macaroon laduree and chocolate sorbet; or the citrus sponge and dark chocolate cremeaux, with Grande Marnier ganache, candied orange and vanilla anglaise.
However, if your preference is to treat mom to an afternoon of relaxation in a tranquil garden setting, the pop-up picnic we have planned is sure to get the nod. Warwick Wine Estate will deliver 20 gourmet picnic baskets to the Vineyard Hotel, each filled with mouthwatering treats, but you will have to hurry as numbers are limited to 40 picnic guests. You and your partner can pick and choose from fresh farm bread; a pickled beetroot, pecan nut, goat’s cheese, quinoa and wild rocket salad; a gazpacho salad with spicy garlic dressing; a grilled beef tagliata with divine aioli and truffle oil; a popular Mediterranean pesto; a prosciutto, melon, bocconcini and basil skewer; and a selection of tangy matured cheeses to be enjoyed with fruit marmalade, all concluding with a firm favourite in the dessert line – a berry compote-topped cheesecake.
Each mom dining in the Square restaurant will receive a complimentary surprise goodie bag from the Vineyard Hotel. Those who prefer a specific cultivar or varietal with their meal can select from the array of Warwick Wines on offer. Their ‘First Lady’ range goes highly recommended and can be purchased at a special price on the day.
The three-course Mother’s Day lunch is priced at R295 per person, while the pop-up picnic option costs R350 per couple. Guests are expected to arrive from 12:30. Numbers are limited so guests should book early to avoid disappointment, and are encouraged to bring the whole family along, even the kids, who will be catered for in the form of a kiddies’ picnic option. To make a booking, call the Vineyard Hotel on 021 657 4500 or email eat@vineyard.co.za.
