Micro-brewery opens its doors
2008-01-24
THE new restaurant in Franschhoek, Dieu Donné, might just have the best seats in a natural theatre overlooking the valley. And it alsoboasts the only beer brewery in the area. Mauritian Robert Maingard bought Dieu Donné Vineyards on the south-west facing mountain slopes in 1988. For the past ten years he and his South African wife Tanya, dreamt about establishing a very special restaurant in the vineyards. Saturdays saw the official launch of the provincial cellar-style restaurant with its fusing of nature with modern style. Overlooking the vineyards, the restaurant is reached by a staircase along which flowing water cascades. A spectacular view unfolds before every seat, on the lawns for sunny weather and besides fireplaces for winter. Beneath contemporary chandeliers and art works depicting bygone days, the setting is one of informal glamour, complimenting executive chef Jo van Staden’s cuisine which she calls “sexy nosh”. Not only can Dieu Donné’s wines be tasted adjacent to the restaurant on the upper terrace, but draught beer can be enjoyed from the underground glass-enclosed micro-brewery. They produce a light pilsner, a robust ale and a full-bodied stout. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner from 10:00 to 22:00, except on Sundays when meals are served from 11:00 to 16:00.
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