Welcome stop on Karoo journey
HITTING the long road through the Karoo can be a hot and dusty business at this time of year, but if your journey is taking you through the small town of Willowmore then there’s one stop that is not to be missed.
It’s called Sophie’s Choice and it’s a double-storey building crammed with wacky and wonderful antique and vintage finds gathered over time by owner Sophia van der Merwe.
The historic house in Willowmore’s main road is an intriguing oasis in the town which now, thanks to enterprising locals like Van der Merwe, is slowly but surely becoming a place where you would certainly want to linger for a little longer.
Van der Merwe opened her business 11 years ago and, besides several rooms housing interesting old objects and books, also has a cosy restau- rant that is well supported by visitors as well as locals from the area.
Three of us stopped there for lunch on the way to Prince Albert via Steytlerville recently and enjoyed our meal so much that we simply had to call there again on the way home from the same trip.
The cafe menu offers lots of variety and the plating of each dish is attractively done.
There’s a lovely breakfast menu too but our timing didn’t work out for it.
You can either dine on the verandah outside – lovely on a sunny day – or sit inside if it’s cold or windy. On one of the days we visited it was unexpectedly chilly, so inside it was – and the crackling wood fire was a delightful, warming touch.
All meals are served using beautiful crockery, glass and cutlery from days gone by.
“I’m a details person,” Van der Merwe said. “Everything must look beautiful – that comes first. But then the food must taste good too.”
Even the salt and pepper cellars are the ornate, heavy silver type evocative of a time when entertaining was done in style.
Do try the bobotie, which is served differently than usual – in a phyllo basket with stewed dried fruit, rice and a choice of salad or stir-fry veggies.
The salads are beautifully fresh and the veggies still a little crunchy, as they should be.
The pies are hearty and there is also a lovely chicken dish with a deliciously creamy mushroom sauce that seemed a popular order while we were there.
If you’re in a mad rush then don’t leave without a takeaway coffee – we did not expect to enjoy such fine cappuccinos in Willowmore, of all places!
Sophie’s Choice is open daily, but will be closed on Christmas day. Contact (044) 923-1117.