Wolfgat in Paternoster wins "World's Restaurant of the Year" in Paris
New York, Paris, London? No. Paternoster. Where on EARTH is that I hear you ask? Well, South Africa to be precise. Head Chef Kobus van der Merwe was on hand in Paris last night to receive his well-deserved accolade.
So why haven't we heard about this West Coast gem? Firstly, a little bit about Paternoster. The seaside village is a dreamy blend of driftwood, white beaches, quaint fisherman's style cottages and ocean. Located a 2 hour drive north of Cape Town, Paternoster is not often on the beaten track of international visitors but is should be, even more so now this little restaurant situated in a Heritage Cottage overlooking the Atlantic Ocean has scooped the World's Restaurant of the Year award.
Don't expect starched white table cloths and silver service - that's certainly not what Wolfgat is all about. Think back-to-basics. Many of the ingredients are hand-foraged in the local area by Kobus and his team. The name is derived from the Wolfgat Cave on top of which the heritage cottage is situated. A seasonal tasting menu consisting of seven courses often features sustainable seafood, local lamb and venison all enhanced by indigenous wild herbs and seaweeds from the local rock pools and pickings from the kitchen garden.
With only 5 staff and seating for maximum 20 diners, it's not going to be easy to get in, particularly after this accolade! The Seasonal Tasting menu is available for Lunch and Dinner and costs ZAR 850.00 per person, a very reasonable £ 48.00 a head!
Paternoster is an easy drive from Cape Town. While there are few hotels as such in the area, why not spend a couple of days exploring the stunning West Coast? We recommend renting one of the gorgeous white-washed cottages in Paternoster and going off-grid for a couple of days.
Contact the Colonial Traveller team for more information. www.colonialexpeditions.com