Thanks to a friend kilometers away only for matters not for elective affinities, we begin our journey through the restaurants that we like . We stress that will not be necessarily the most famous, or more beautiful or where the food is better than ever, simply those that we have an atmosphere, a plate, a wine to remember.
Paul Murray, professor of history, lives and works in Cape Town in South Africa, is educated and curious gastronome, a passionate art and Italian cuisine, and his "Culinary Trails" are clever and competent. This is what tells us:
"La Rotonda Beach Road, Sea Point and here we are! Here the view is spectacular. Fix the horizon beyond Table Bay and see the sea. Turn around and the mountains are there , in front of you. And there is also a building, characteristic of the panorama of Cape Town, which looks like a giant aquarium? E '"Pearl." This restaurant is one of the historical sites of Cape Town. Not long ago some friends hotel in Milan are back here for the twenty-seventh time. centers dedicated to treating around the city during those two weeks was an unforgettable experience for our last evening together, the choice of Mrs. G. was "Pearl." So B. Bishop, Mr. and Mrs. M. and other friends, we stood there: the delicious Italian appetizer occupied half of the table. Italian cuisine for Italians abroad? A proposal might seem meaningless! But no, energetic gestures and expressions met pointed to a general approval. It was not, in fact, the usual ham aged or not, but the true and unmistakable San Daniele! At that point, the Commander began to exhibit the noble origins of one of the largest delights of the Western world. The size courtly "La Perla" vanished and we were all in a conference room to hear the story of the Bishop of Aquileia, establishing his residence not far from the village of San Daniele, demanded and obtained that the fees were paid to him due in ham. Now, as then the shape of the leg is the same, like a guitar. Soon the Prosciutto di San Daniele emerged as a product of much culinary value. The King of Hungary was able to appreciate it, ordered large quantities and, wanting to ensure their quality, he put the mark that would have marked to this day. The Pearl our Italian hosts are in good company; before them the rooms of the restaurant has hosted politicians and dignitaries of South Africa past and present, singers such as Sting, divas like Marlene Dietrich and personalities like Christian Barnard. The beautiful people of Cape Town comes up here for cocktails, cigars and of course the great food. In the past fifty years the club has not changed much and, judging by the success that has not change even in the future. The menu, traditional dishes of about two hundred strong, is able to satisfy the taste of everyone, and the lounge on various levels is unrivaled in Cape Town. The atmosphere is emphasized by a distinct décor and original artwork. The extensive wine list offering the perfect accompaniment of meat and fish. Only an Italian, in this case the owner, he could conceive of such space, on a human scale. It 's almost taste the Renaissance to create a comfortable place: the freedom to roam with the left eye is enlarged by the space around you, making you feel good, relaxed, at ease and inspired. Emiliano Sandri, the original proprietor, has accurately transmitted the "tradition of La Perla in Baylon, one of his two children, graduated from the Bocconi University in Milan. All this means that eating at "La Perla" become a remarkable experience, where Milan and Rome are reconciled in a place where every seat is that of Caesar. How can we not feel Cesare same when you dine here, perhaps with Cornelia? If you come to "La Perla" regular staff will learn the tastes and preferences of each, so the service is always impeccable. The staff will remember the last time you had dinner and dishes which have been chosen, showing absolutely extraordinary attention to the customer. Baylon is not just about "La Perla", but also a winery located in the heart of Newlands. Wijnhuis Newlands is the latest acquisition of an already remarkable family of restaurants that includes, besides La Perla in Sea Point, also Wijnhuis Stellenbosch, founded eight years ago in the heart of the historic town of Stellenbosch, this place is run by Paul's brother Baylon. A Wijnhuis Newlands owners have preferred a touch more family decorating the various rooms with large crates and bottles of wine, creating a style more characteristic. After all the main wineries in South Africa are all here. This is a place where it's nice to come to drink and eat something before or after a game of cricket or rugby, because the stadiums are a stone's throw away. At the same time the restaurant has a breathtaking view of Table Mountain, a beautiful background to pursue the art of polite conversation, sipping the fruit of the vine. Nowhere else sounds so appropriate the saying "In vino veritas", especially during a rainy day, sit in the comfortable armchairs of the friendly library with fireplace. In all three restaurants, a family and then - Wijnhuis Newlands, Wijnhuis Stellenbosch and La Perla - the menu is decidedly Italian, although there is a selection of international dishes. The wood oven bakes pizzas particular, meat and fish. The pasta is served in a creative way. A Wijnhuis Newlands chef Brian Parker, who trained in the United States and in the best hotels in South Africa, prepares tasty dishes such as sliced \u200b\u200bmushrooms, artichokes and pine nuts, a favorite of mine when I have the opportunity to dine with his friend dr. JH A good shiraz is a perfect accompaniment. A Wijnhuis Stellenbosch Paul combines excellent cuisine, a variety of spaces to sit, facing the street, upstairs in the gazebo or in the room itself. The rich history of Stellenbosch comes alive in this elegant space in the city center, which soon became the place to be seen, where to eat, talk, read or just sit. I love my dinner in the company of old friends of the university, as Etienne, or with my god-daughter Kathleen, daughter of Martin, roommate and studies. The friendship, thoughts, feelings and experiences at university are still alive in Our conversations Wijnhuis Stellenbosch, corner of Church Street and Adringa. Our discussions have not changed much. And in addition to all this food is simply "to die". K. So I called, with a friend, when Uncle Paul took them to celebrate the twenty-first birthday, just the other night. K. quite right: the cut of beef young, a specialty of all three restaurants, is simply "to die". A Cape Town to Stellenbosch as the Sandri family has proposed a new model for launching a high-quality food in each of the restaurants, creating a trilogy of rooms each with its own characteristics. Wanting them to define with a single name, suggests the Italian trilogy, and although each retains its own flavor of all, they are all local excellence, not only where the food is great, but eating out is a particularly pleasant experience. And after all, there are three pearls! thank Paul would like to add that: there is now also at La Perla guesthouse has a terrace amazing, and these are the sites that you can peek to better understand what we're talking about, thinking maybe the World Cup ....
