La Petite Colombe: A Culinary Fairytale
I hosted Mommy in Cape Town for the first time, with one mission – get her to fall in love with the city. Anything less than extraordinary would’ve been a fail. That's why La Petite Colombe was a no-brainer. Nestled in the gorgeous Mullineux & Leeu Estate in Franschhoek about an hour outside of Cape Town, this culinary institution boasts a sculptural garden, vineyard vistas, and mountain panoramas - basically, Mother Nature collabing with artistic genius.
We opted for the "reduced" lunch tasting menu (seven courses, yall!), which somehow managed to stretch into a delightful three-hour experience. Each dish was a masterpiece, presented beautifully, blending playful whimsy and flavor surprises. The menu descriptions barely scratch the surface; trust that your senses will be on an adventure.
I opted against the wine pairing so I could play around with the wine list. Mom ordered the truffle-shaved Wagyu for one of the courses (I lost count), which I paired with the 2016 Boekenhoutskloof Franschhoek Cabernet Sauvignon. (Absolutely no idea how to pronounce this, Afrikaans doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue for me). This South African gem is worth a try. I asked them to decant it (fancy term for pouring wine into a gorgeous vase-looking thing), and that was a whole experience in itself. The decanter they used was a work of art, and the additional contact between the wine and oxygen unlocked a world of aromas.
Here's the breakdown of the wine:
Looks like: a deep, opulent red, catching the light with glints of ruby. It’s giving wealthy.
Smells like: eating freshly picked cherries while strolling through the orchard on a breezy day (I've never done this, but now I really want to). The aroma is a fun dance between fruitiness and woodiness.
Tastes like: mulled wine for the sophisticated palate. Cinnamon, black pepper and a hint of orange add a touch of playful spice to the aforementioned forest cherries.
Mom, a woman with impeccable taste, absolutely adored the entire experience, which is the ultimate validation. Cheers to La Petite Colombe for providing the perfect backdrop for another unforgettable mommy-daughter memory. Next time you’re in Cape Town, book ahead and block a few hours to spend at LPC – you won’t be disappointed!