During the month of August, Cassia Restaurant on Nitida Wine Farm will be offering the Matriarch menu, created by chef Warren Swaffield, in celebration of South African women. The menu includes a glass of Nitida Matriarch or Matriarch in Red MCC, three courses, and a glass of Modjadji Noble Late Harvest with dessert.

Cassia Restaurant offers tables basking in natural light inside, or a spot overlooking the dam and vineyards under the open Durbanville skies. Chef Warren Swaffield’s delightful menu appropriately includes a glass of Nitida Matriarch or Matriarch in Red MCC, both of which were produced as a tribute to the mother of Nitida co-owner, Peta Vellar.

Peta says, “Our Nitida Journey began just over 20 years ago when we fell in love with a small 37 hectare farm in the gorgeous Durbanville Valley. The dream evaporated when we learnt that the property was too small for a land bank loan and too big for a commercial loan. Fortunately we could turn to my mother, Christine, to help us with some finance.”

A woman of great tenacity and strength, Christine created an incredible home environment for her five children, always full of people, debate and laughter. “She personified the name, Matriarch,” explains Peta.

Starters on the Matriarch menu consist of a sundried tomato, goat’s cheese and basil tartlet or a hearty minestrone soup. For mains, choose either the richness of a classic coq au vin served with mustard mash and garnished with green beans, or the pan-seared Norwegian salmon served with saffron risotto. For dessert, a chocolate fondant with a molten centre is served with rose petal cream and paired with a dram of Nitida Modjadji Noble Late Harvest, fittingly named after the most powerful rain queen in Southern Africa.

Enjoy this special menu in honour of Women’s Day throughout the month of August for lunch or dinner at R185 per person. Call 021 976 0640 or email info@cassiarestaurant.co.za for reservations.