Two winelands newcomers

There are two exciting newcomers to the outlying Cape scene. The first is a new restaurant by celebrity chef Reuben Riffel called Racine, situated on the Chamonix wine farm in Franschhoek. Riffel started his career at a restaurant on Chamonix — hence the French name, Racine, meaning roots. The menu suggests bold, comfort food with a French twist. Pickled tongue as a starter, or confit duck salad, while the mains include roasted rack of lamb and steaks. There is a kids’ menu as well as an “express” section (the root, indeed, of a “bistro”), which features a sourdough sandwich or a charcuterie and cheese plate. Uitkyk Street, Franschhoek, (021) 876-2393, www.chamonix.co.za.

The second is The Restaurant at Newton Johnson in premises previously called Heaven — and though the name changes, the beautiful views over the valley don’t. Chef Eric Bulpitt is at the helm and his visit to the famed Danish restaurant, Noma, has clearly moved his style further towards “foraging” for ingredients from the surrounding lands. An introductory lunch saw, for example, bullrush on the menu — surely a first for any South African restaurant. Newton Johnson’s wines have long been of the best in the land, so it’s fantastic they can now be enjoyed with quality, contemporary cuisine. R320 Hemel-en-Aarde Road, Hermanus, 072 905-3947, www.newtonjohnson.com.