Exceptional Flavors and Presentation at La Petite Colombe This is the sister restaurant to the acclaimed La Colombe in Constantia. I tried and could not get a reservation at this restaurant due to high season. However, according to everything I’ve read online, the levels of the two restaurants are about equal. However, La Petite Colombe is pretty spectacular! Set deep into the grounds of Leeu Estates, La Petite Colombe is a beautiful venue amidst vineyards and manicured landscapes. The elegant and inviting ambiance immediately struck us upon arrival. We know we’re in for an elevated experience. We wandered through the breathtaking grounds, which offered stunning views of the Franzhoek Valley and the majestic Franzhoek Pass. The grounds are a blend of natural beauty and artistic expression, with state-of-the-art sculptures and artwork thoughtfully placed throughout. Upon entering the restaurant, we were welcomed and seated in the lounge area, where our dining experience began. We ordered our drinks, and the first course of canapés arrived. When you check in at the restaurant, they seat you in the lounge area for the first course of various canapés visually. We moved to the main dining room for the remainder of the meal after the canape course. The space is very nice and modern, with a lot of light wood and very large windows looking out to the manicured gardens. The service from the staff was excellent, and the staff were knowledgeable about the food and wine on the list. The combination of visual appeal and taste was a tantalizing preview of what was to come. Following our enjoyment of the canapés, our guide led us to the main dining room, where the true magic unfolded. The meal that followed was nothing short of extraordinary—each dish was a testament to culinary innovation, with flavors that were both complex and harmonious and presentations that were almost too beautiful to eat. One of the best things about South Africa is its wine, so you should not miss that. Even though many high-quality wines have extremely high alcohol levels, you can still enjoy the unique taste of wine without drinking. Nathan had the alcoholic wine pairing, and I enjoyed the same wine pairing without the alcohol! It was the exact wine Nathan had, but without the buzz!” Since 2016, Lautus has been using new ways to make wine that doesn’t contain alcohol. Processing grapes is the same as processing any alcoholic wine, with the addition of a step to remove the alcohol. This is done by centrifuging the mixture at a low temperature, which separates the alcohol into different phases and vacuums them out. Grape juice is added to make up for the volume loss. This method doesn’t get rid of all the alcohol, but it does get it down to less than 0.5%. The brand makes white, red, and rose wines that are sold in 750-ml bottles at grocery stores and wine fields. The non-alcoholic wine was amazing! Every aspect of our time at La Colombe Petite, from the stunning art-filled grounds to the unforgettable meal, contributed to an out-of-this-world dining experience that truly captured the essence of Cape Town’s culinary excellence. Kudos to the chef; every detail was extraordinary, and the eloquent food was sensational from start to finish. Every bite and every detail on the plate transported us to a realm where culinary artistry knew no bounds! La Petite Colombe Leeu Estates, Dassenberg Road., Franschhoek, South Africa
