Overture

Food:

Some of the best food in the country. With Bertus Basson running things, there seems to have been a concerted effort to ‘grow up’ by simplifying dishes and concentrating on flavours. The irony is that this simplicity has produced food that is better than it’s ever been. The menu changes daily so it’s tough to recommend a specific dish, but seasonal ingredients are often showcased in textbook-perfect risottos. Expect creations like lamb-tongue ravioli with mustard sauce or decadent chocolate fondant, made interesting with fennel ice cream. Bertus also has a fondness for pork, and takes pride in championing the highly underrated meat.

Wine:

As expected, the list is heavily weighted towards Hidden Valley. The winemaker’s own label, Lands End, also features.

Service:

The service is friendly and engaging. Everyone is knowledgeable and quite comfortable in explaining the menu and recommending wines.

Ambience:

Packed stone and black steel frames form the backbone for oversized seamless windows, which boast one of the greatest views of all the winelands restaurants. In summer, guests can sit outside and enjoy scenery of Stellenbosch Valley, Table Mountain, and – on a good day – Robben Island. It’s nothing short of breathtaking. The restaurant has one communal table acting as a wine tasting area. For the quality of food on offer, there’s a refreshingly relaxed atmosphere.

And...:

The tasting menus are great value for money, and offer the best way to properly appreciate the chef’s food philosophies. (AF, October 2011)

Geraldine Redfern
14-Feb-2012

Absolutely outstanding - from the service to the setting to the food. We will definitely be back.

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Marianne Engvall
17-Jan-2012

If it's time for fine dining, Overture at Hidden Valley Estate is one tempting option. Ambitious menu, well known chef, great wines from the estate itself, and fantastic reviews. The venue itself offers stunning views over wine fields and False Bay. So - we had very high expectations when we arrived for a long foreseen lunch. It was a sweltering hot day so it became a very warm lunch - as Overture does not have air conditioning. Reason is to avoid unnecessary use of electricity. Good enough reason, but very hot. Before the lunch we had a very nice wine tasting, just next to the dining area. Indoors, phew. A restaurant like Overture will have to live with quite a critical eye from its visitors - it's ambition of serving haute cuisine and a high price level. So when the butter is left to melt in the sun onto the table cloth, and the wine arrives after the starter, it's not really acceptable. One of the guests decided to just have one glass of wine of one choice, instead of having the recommended wines that goes with each course. We could all see a raised eyebrow from our waiter, and that is not in place at such a venue. Please. It all started with simple and yummie olive tapas and fresh good bread. Starter with raw tuna was marvelous, while gazpaccio soup was too creamy without the usual punch. Everyone had the most wonderful sweetbreads and polenta pure. Fantastic! Hake was a genereous piece of well grilled fish, matured sirloin with gnocchi was cooked to perfection but not the most tender sirloin we have had. The cheese platter is top top notch! Excellent with great cheeses, figs, almonds - and lots of it! Chocolate tarte was absolutely melting in the mouth, while the tarte with berries and sherbet a little too messy - but maybe it was the heat. All wines good and well chosen. We enjoyed our wine waiter, while the rest of service was not really on top. We had to wait for our water, the black pepper, and we just has a feeling of not getting all the attention you expect in such a restaurant. All in all a nice and delicious experience, but not without room for improvements.

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Marion du Plessis
13-Jan-2012

Brilliant food and superb service.

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Marion du Plessis
13-Jan-2012

Brilliant food and superb service.

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