Paulina’s restaurant at Rickety Bridge Winery revamped

Published: November 30, 2012

Following on the success of its elegant new Tasting Centre, Rickety Bridge has carried out a total revamp of its restaurant. The Restaurant in the Vines has made way for Paulina’s, named in honour of the original owner of the property in 1797, Paulina de Villiers.

In keeping with current culinary trends, the restaurant features a variety of half and full portions of its exciting bistro style menu, allowing diners the opportunity to sample and share dishes.

Executive chef, Melissa Bruyns (previously at Haute Cabrière and Westin Grand) explains: “The half portions are larger than a conventional tapas serving, so are ideal for sharing, or as a starter. I believe in using fresh seasonal ingredients, and letting them speak for themselves, beautifully prepared and presented, but without over-elaboration. We have planted a herb and vegetable garden at Rickety Bridge to ensure that I have plenty to work with.”

“Favourites include the seafood risotto (served with braised fennel and topped with Café de Paris butter and pecorino), crisp pork belly (with fried greens, wasabi mash and sweet chilli and ginger sauce), chicken and tiger prawn coconut curry (served with fragrant Jasmine rice) and salmon trout fish cakes (served on a beetroot roll and topped with a lime aioli). Vegetarians are well catered for, and the leek and asparagus flan (drizzled with chive oil and greens) and vegetable tempura (with 3 dipping sauces), are especially popular.”

Some of the dishes are served as main portions only, for example the rib eye steak, line fish, gourmet burger and pan fried gnocchi with truffle oil.

Newly appointed restaurant and functions manager Joanna Hurlston explains: “The menu recommends a pairing of each dish with one of Rickety Bridge’s excellent wines, many of which are available by the glass. This is a great way to taste a variety of dishes with wines that are perfectly suited to the food.”

Paulina’s is open for lunch seven days a week, and will open for dinner on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, from December. In the evenings guests will have the choice of either a four course or six course tasting menu, preceded by an amuse bouche. These menus will change regularly, depending on seasonal local produce.

The restaurant spills out from a cosy thatched area onto decks with views over the vineyards and mountains. Umbrellas and a Bedouin tent provide cover and shade.

Bookings are recommended. Call Rickety Bridge on 021 876 2129, or Joanna Hurlston on 083 377 4103.

 

Franschhoek salmon trout fishcake burgers on homemade beetroot rolls topped with a lime aiole	Seafood risotto served with braised fennel and topped with Café de Paris butter and pecorino	Crispy pork belly with fried greens, wasabi mask and sweet chilli-and ginger sauce

 

Tasting trio of chocolate desserts dark chocolate brownie, milk
chocolate tart, white chocolate mousse served with chocolate