Discover Vibrant Tasting Menus that Change with the Seasons at Gåte Restaurant, Quoin Rock
At Gåte Restaurant, Chef Paul Prinsloo showcases his exceptional skills with an exciting and unique menu.
Situated in the serene Knorhoek Valley just outside of Stellenbosch, Gåte Restaurant offers an extraordinary fine dining experience against the backdrop of Quoin Rock’s scenic vineyards. While it once dazzled with flamboyance, Gåte has now unveiled a new, sophisticated image under the leadership of head chef Paul Prinsloo. Prinsloo has taken the culinary delights of Southern Africa to new heights, combining local seasonal ingredients with innovative cooking techniques to create an elegant fusion of flavors.
“I draw inspiration from the beautiful fynbos that grows right here on our farm,” I say. “For instance, I love using garlic buchu butter and wild rosemary to smoke and confit quail legs.” Instead of strictly adhering to Southern African cuisine, I prefer to describe my approach as ‘modern’, allowing me the freedom to incorporate carefully selected ingredients from around the world, like jamon iberico, when the menu calls for it.”
Get to know me
When you look at a dish like the savory “beef” with sweet mustard and garlic, it may seem simple, but there’s so much more to it than meets the eye. The chef, Paul, has put his years of training and expertise to work in preparing this amazing meal. He trained in classic French cuisine with Chef Gregory Czarnecki at The Restaurant at Waterkloof before becoming a part of the Quoin Rock team in 2020. His dedication and passion for food earned him the title of Best Young Chef in Africa & Middle East at the S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy awards in 2019 when he was only 25 years old.
A journey through food
If you add up the bread, the fancy bite-sized canapés that look like little works of art, and the generous variety of desserts, the menu that’s supposed to have seven courses actually has ten (and the vegetarian version is just as complex). Take your time and enjoy the experience for three or four hours, and enhance it even more with wine pairings from the amazing selection at Quoin Rock. They have a wide range of white wines that go perfectly with the food. But if you prefer a shorter, but still incredible, dining experience, you can go for the Reduced Tasting menu. It lasts about two hours but is definitely not something to rush through.
Perfectly matched
When it comes to wine, Quoin Rock has a unique advantage. They source grapes from their Elim farm as well as the Knorhoek Valley, which gives winemaker Schalk Opperman a diverse terroir to work with. And let me tell you, the results are spectacular.
Picture this: a prawn dish with hints of ginger and coconut, beautifully complemented by the Quoin Rock chardonnay. Or a chicken, mushroom, and potato dish, perfectly paired with the spicy Quoin Rock Shiraz. And for dessert, a delightful play on raspberry and mango, enhanced by the zesty Quoin Rock Vine Dried. Are you drooling yet?
The new menu at Quoin Rock is a celebration of freshness, vibrancy, and warmth. It’s like taking a bite and being transported to sunlit vineyards and balmy evening soirees. Each dish is carefully crafted to evoke that feeling of spring and summer.
The restaurant itself is a work of art. It’s filled with natural light and offers stunning views of the Simonsberg Mountain. The service is warm and attentive, adding to the overall experience.
If you’re looking for a unique dining experience, Quoin Rock is the place to go. They offer a tasting menu with seven courses and wine pairings for R1,900. If you prefer to skip the wine, the price is R1,250. They also have a five-course menu for R1,400 or a non-alcoholic option for R900.
Ready to book your table? Give them a call at 021 888 4750 or send an email to gate@quoinrock.co.za. You can find Quoin Rock Wine Estate on Knorhoek Road (R44) in Stellenbosch. Don’t miss out on this incredible dining experience!
