If you’re looking to get out of town, not too far but nevertheless into the country, somewhere with a spectacular view, wonderful food and wine, I would thoroughly recommend Jewell’s at Spice Route in Paarl.
What a setting!
This is the domain of charcuterie wiz Neil Jewell and his charming wife Tina, and, although Neil is renowned for being the charcuterie king in this part of the world, there are many other options on the menu, all delicious. The day we went, after many years of not going there, they had been foraging for porcini mushrooms in the surrounding mountainside, and they were superb.
Charcuterie board
Nevertheless, we started with, and shared, the charcuterie board which was cleverly divided into beef and pork sections with ham, various salamis and superb olives to add to the flavors.
Wonderful porcini
The porcini mushrooms were served with potato gnocchi, leek and garlic, in a delicious sauce.
Poorcini without gnocchi
One of us went for the grilled home smoked hake with steamed aubergines and Italian crisp which is featured on the lighter dishes. Also available are things like cheese and onion risotto and duck boerewors, of all things, with pumpkin and lentils.
Sticky toffee pudding
Only one of us had a dessert, which was a superb warm sticky toffee pudding with brown butter ice cream, absolutely irresistible.
Relaxing in the country
Service is friendly and snappy and the setting is incomparable, so fire up the Benz and get there—soon.
JEWELL’S RESTAURANT SPICE ROUTE DESTINATION SUID AGTER PAARL RD PAARL PHONE 021 204 4875