Stoepsit in the middle of nowhere
Continuing with our quest to introduce readers to eating places off the beaten track and interesting eateries in the Garden Route, I wonder how many readers will have heard of Stoepsit.
What a great find it is! South of Mossel Bay on the N2 past PetroSA, there is a turn-off to Vleesbaai, Boggomsbaai and Gouritsmond. About 7km down the road, you will see Stoepsit - virtually in the middle of nowhere, and where you least expect to find a restaurant.
With great food and a great wine list, you really can't go wrong driving there for lunch. It seems that during the year they are only open for Sunday lunch, but in December it's every day. They also offer coffee and cake on Saturdays. Built primarily as a function venue, it is set in the countryside with lovely views and gardens for the kids to play. It is owned by Attie and Elnida van Zyl. Attie is a wine lover, and he compiled the wine list with the motto that "life is too short to drink bad wine". A sentiment I echo wholeheartedly!
Our meal started off with a lovely thick homemade pea and bacon soup, which was served with gorgeous freshly baked bread that we spread thickly with butter.
This was washed down with copious amounts of Springfield Miss Lucy, a white blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon and Pinot Gris.
On the wine list there were quite a few gems which are not often seen, making the choice of wine quite difficult. Wine estates like Raka, Hermanuspietersfontein, Strandveld and Bon Courage were well represented, as well as local wines like Jakkalsvlei and of course the Boplaas Stoepsit Sauvignon Blanc! Yes, Attie's love of wine shines clearly through his wine list. The next course was a fishcake. Not any old fishcake, but probably one of the best I have ever tasted. It was full of flavour, and also full of fish! Not one of these excuses for a fish cake which consists of a majority of mashed potato.
We went to the buffet to help ourselves to hot mains, which were a choice of roast lamb, chicken and an aubergine and butternut lasagne with potatoes and vegetables, including my favourite, creamed spinach. They also had roast sweet potatoes that were a meal in themselves, they were just so gorgeous.
We were offered a choice of three different desserts, and as I was spoilt for choice and could not decide which dessert to go for, I asked if I could have a taster of all three.
The waiter obliged with my request, so I got a little bite each of the chocolate mousse cake, baked cheesecake and brandy pudding.
We finished off the meal with a glass of port and coffee from Baruch's in Mossel Bay, and then had a wander around Die Winkel, the small shop at Stoepsit selling a variety of gifts, home-baked products and jams.
Stoepsit, on the turn-off from the N2 just past PetroSA to Vleesbaai, Boggomsbaai and Gouritsmond, 076 190 3330.