La Residence in Franschhoek

Arrival was a breeze. Fortunately, we arrived at a real gate and no a tarmac position like so many other airlines we saw.  

Passport control was easy as we were the only international flight arriving late morning.

We met our guide/driver Dave just outside customs and headed outside for the hour drive to Franschhoek.

So cool to pass the set of "Black Sails" which is being filmed in Cape Town.

The picturesque drive to the Winelands.

And the lovely Yountville-like town of Franscchoek.

To tony La Residence, our home for the next two days.

Cuter than Bambi springbok, which is everywhere on the menu here.

Gorgeous grounds and hotel.

[B]La Residence
Franschhoek, South Africa[/B]

Our Suite 9, the Armani Suite.

The spectacular view from our suite.

We both lay down to try to a power nap before we headed out to dinner.  However, about 20 minutes later, a worker bee decided to rev up his humongous and loud hedge trimmer.  LOL.

Off to the pool for some peace and quiet... and gorgeous scenery.

Back at our suite.  Dinner!

For dinner tonight, we had a reservation at Foliage, one of Franschhoek's hot new restaurants.  Celebrated chef/owner Chris Erasmus opened his own place only 6 months ago.  In a word:  Spectacular.

Chris is into foraging and his dishes feature fresh local ingredients with some amazing, indeed orgasmic taste combinations.   

Tonight's wonderful menu.

We both started with the amazing Curry-seared yellowfin tuna, basil and lime crushed potatoes, warm chili and tomato vinaigrette.

As Chris is still waiting for his liquor permit, we BYOB'd from the hotel.  I selected the 2014 Hamilton Russell Chardonnay from nearby Hemel-en-Aarde Valley.  One of the most incredible Chardonnays from anywhere in the past year.  

Mrs. SFO's pan fried smoked cauliflower, watermelon glaze, beets and cashews was divine.

My slow roasted pasture fed pork belly, dandelion and pumpkin seed crushed potatoes, mushroom purée and wilted wild greens was fabulous.

And finally dessert. O-M-G.  

Honey roasted peaches, walnut frangipane, mint bouchu panna cotta, almond and white chocolate velouté was to die for.

As was the Caramelia délice, salted peanut butter, macerated strawberries and honey comb.

This was one of the best meals of the year.  But the most shocking part of this was the price, thanks to the strength of the USD and/or weakness of the Rand.  
Excluding wine and tip, our amazing meal cost a grand total of 623 ZAR which converted to US$51.70.  Simply unbelievable.