Raphael’s, Asara, Stellenbosch
A quick lunch yesterday, we thought we’d check out the Bistro at this modern winery but it’s closed on Mondays and Tuesdays (bizzarely, since you would think they’d rather close the “main” restaurant). Asara now have a very modern luxury hotel as of May 2008, complete with a Grand Ballroom for conferences and weddings and two restaurants, Raphael’s for French-inspired cuisine and Bistro & Tapas for lighter Mediterranean meals.So we ended up at Raphael’s which has a great setting, good service - and a very curious menu that could belong to a steakhouse, certainly not to this “fancy” hotel. However, the longer I looked at this place, the more anodyne international-hotel it looked and the less I liked it, notwithstanding all the money spent.
There’s also a fantastic home and kitchen-goods shop on the property that seems deeply misplaced - surely it belongs in a mall? Will people come to a winery/hotel to buy upscale coffee machines and plates?Anyway, the food at Raphael’s is ordinary and certainly not worth the drive (it’s the kind of food that, as soon as it arrives, you lose interest in eating it). However the Bistro menu is far more exciting and I have heard some good things, so perhaps next time?
Thanks for the warning.
Since I’m on your site now, don’t you want to find a restaurant in or around Cape Town that offers South African cuisine for our foreign guests so that we don’t always have to spend hours cooking when they do visit. Garth Stroebel’s Cape Malay curry at the Mt Nelson years ago has stuck out in my mind as a thing of beauty - fit for the gods, but if I want it, I need to make it myself nowadays. Now why is so difficult to find this type of thing. (If I am offered another slice of pie or bobotie as if that is all we can offer, I will “platz”)
August 15th, 2008 at 3:56 amWe had been wine tasting at Asara’s a couple of years ago before the buiders moved in. We arrived to find what can only be called a Hilton Hotel. We had Tapas in the Bistro part which was very good but very expensive. The cheapest bottle of wine was 120 rand!!!!!! I had a beer.
The whole place is “plastic” and reminded me of all the hotel/ restaurants around the world I have had lunch/dinner in when I couldn’t be bothhered to find a proper restaurant.
Can’t really understand what market they are going for when they are surronded by such beautiful down to earth restaurants and hotels.
Visitors don’t want to stay in the winelands in a Hilton and locals certainly know better where to eat.
Weddings ? No not me. Conferences perhaps but then if I had traveled to this hotel for one I would spend my life eascaping
Can’t understand what the cooking equipment bit is doing there!!!Note: Tasting costs
August 21st, 2008 at 10:13 amI agree that individuality and authenticity should be celebrated. It’s a pity so many places go for an “international” feel and end up being of no place.
August 21st, 2008 at 12:22 pm“What were they thinking?”. I assume they have gone for the upmarket German Package Tour market. It is faky, and without any soul. However, I bought the most stunning wine glasses that I could not find anywhere else in SA at the deli. Service was really good (although I was the only one browsing around).
I will never go back (unless one of my glasses brake)…
August 22nd, 2008 at 5:48 pmI can understand the the other posts perspectives, but when i had lunch at Raphael’s a few weeks ago with a large group of friends all elements came together really well. The service was good, ,maybe a little slow to start, the food mouthwatering (my girlfriend is still raving about the ceaser salad) and the setting impressive - huge chandeliers throughout the dining room, even if other decoration is a little sparse. Certainly the prices are high, but nothing out of the ordinary compared to other fancy restaurants. overall it left a good lasting impression, perfectly suited to a special occasion, and im looking forward to heading back to try the bistro as well.
September 2nd, 2008 at 4:13 pmHi
September 3rd, 2008 at 12:18 pmI have been there as well a few weeks ago as it was recommended by a friend who was guest of wedding at Asara. I have been to Bistro & Tapas and I can say that this was a delicious experience. Food brilliant (bite size dishes etc), Service outstanding (beautiful smiling waiters)and setting stunning (view on vineyards and dam). I haven’t been to Raphael’s but as I love this warm atmosphere with those chandeliers I have to visit this restaurant as well. If you go there - have a drink in the Whiskey Bar and sit in front of this huge fireplace.
Please guys - this place is new, give them a bit time to improve.