There’s few eateries in Cape Town that can top Tintswalo Atlantic’s spectacular restaurant setting – close proximity to mountain and sea provides an awesome backdrop to this culinary experience. The five-star boutique lodge’s restaurant is open to both in-house hotel guests, as well as other diners by prior arrangement – with breakfast, lunch and dinner served daily.
‘Ocean & Ash’
The good news is that from May Executive Chef Guy Clark is also presenting a new ‘Ocean & Ash’ dinner tasting menu once a week for a maximum of 10 guests.
The eight-course ‘Ocean & Ash’ tasting menu will be based on different themes, where local ingredients and foraging are important components of the process. Unusual plating and presentation add colour to the dining experience. The first course includes three variations of one of his new favourites – seaweed, which is in abundance on the venue’s doorstep.
Three courses themed ‘smoke’
Subsequent three courses carry smoke as a central theme – diners can expect Springbok, snoek and pistachio ash balls and Rooibos smoked kudu with wild garlic smoked ‘skattie’ cheese and ocean water cured egg yolk, presented over burnt wild garlic ash – which is then also used for the fourth dish, Liquid umami.
Fynbos and buchu
A fifth course of Atlantic line fish, burnt lemon rind, scallop and seaweed velouté highlight Tintswalo Atlantic’s awesome seaside location. This is followed by another local theme – fynbos. Here fynbos rabbit is wrapped in a fermented goats cheese ash case and served with wild sorrel butter. The final main course comprises unique textures of six different mushrooms, including shimeji, king oyster and shitake. Then Buchu vitalizes Buchu ice cream, ash meringue and ocean salt itakuja valrhona chocolate.
About the executive chef
Clark only recently returned to his hometown, after honing his skills in India and Florida (US). He replaces Jeantelle van Staden. Clark hopes to bring to light his signature stamp on Tintswalo Atlantic cuisine, aiming to make it the ‘go-to’ restaurant for Capetonians. ‘I would like to offer diners a new perspective on food and a unique taste experience, with dishes that are simple yet sophisticated, and beautifully presented.’
Self-taught, he only took cooking up professionally at 30 when he competed in the first season of MasterChef South Africa in 2012 (he finished in the top 11). After a stint as a chef at the Madame Zingara restaurant group, he traveled the globe refining his skills.
In India he ran the family kitchens of Analjit Singh (now owner of Leeu Collection, Franschhoek). And launched Euro/African fusion restaurant Uzuri in New Delhi in 2013. In 2014 he moved to Miami working as Executive Sous Chef at Seaspice, and then as Executive Sous Chef at artisan kosher bakery Zak the Baker. In 2015 he won episode 11 of the Food Network’s popular Cutthroat Kitchen (season 8) in Los Angeles. In 2016, Clark headed home to the Western Cape. He teamed up with fellow MasterChef contestant, Samantha Nolan, to set up 1693, a pop-up restaurant at Bellingham Homestead in Franschhoek.
Says Clark: “I believe in celebrating ingredients in their purest form, using methods and techniques that enhance flavour, presentation and texture. Sourcing and utilising local, sustainable and organic is key to delivering an ethical and superior menu.”
The deck of Tintswalo Atlantic is the perfect setting for a pre-dinner sundowner while watching the sun set. The open-plan kitchen inside meanwhile allows diners to enjoy an interactive dining experience.
This winter, guests can also take advantage of a ‘Winter Warmer’ package from 1 May – 31 August, 2017. The overnight offer includes accommodation, breakfast and a five-course dinner (Note: this is not the 8-course Tasting Menu) with a bottle of house wine, at R7000 for two people sharing.
What: Exec Chef Guy Clark’s Ocean & Ash dinner tasting menu once a week, max 10 guests
When: From May, 2017
Where: Tintswalo Atlantic, Hout Bay, Cape Town
Cost: Tasting menu without wine R1100 pp. Reservations essential
Book: +27 21 201 0025, reservations2@atlantic.tintswalo.com
Social media: https://www.facebook.com/TintswaloAtlantic/, https://twitter.com/tintswalolodges, www.instagram.com/Tintswalo_lodges/, @Tintswalolodges, guyclark777
Web: http://tintswalo.com/atlantic/
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