Valentine’s Day can loom large whatever your relationship status. The pressure to pick the perfect venue, the right flowers and connect meaningfully can be quite overwhelming. In my opinion, there’s a trusted formula for this potentially awkward situation, the main conditions being delicious food and a memorable view, ideally at sunset.
Savour Restaurant at 15 Orange. Image credit: Melissa Crous
Savour Restaurant, at the beautifully refurbished 15 on Orange Hotel, serves up these elements perfectly. Created as a light-filled urban oasis with uninterrupted views of Table Mountain and Lion’s Head and the old-world charm of UCT’s Michaelis campus next door, the restaurant is warmed by the romantic sunset glow. Sitting next to the floor-to-ceiling windows admiring this backdrop, my husband and I can see the stone steps where we met as students, and coming here on this day (many) years later has an unexpected synchronicity.
Savour Restaurant at 15 Orange. Image credit: Melissa Crous
Executive chef Tamsyn Wells has created a decadent five-course menu paired perfectly with award-winning Ayama wines. From the first crisp sip of wine and mouthful of rich duck liver brulee, to the final taste of bitter chocolate semifreddo with meringue, each dish is seductively complex yet perfectly balanced. The main course of roast chalmar beef is so artistically plated and fused with unexpected flavours, it’s a bit like eating a piece of art. In between courses, we wander out onto the deck to catch the last rays of sun disappearing behind Kloof Nek and reminisce about our student days spent close by, and yet a world away.
Amuse Bouche. Image credit: Louise Topping
We linger into the night, enjoying Francesca’s Baincoli’s beautiful voice as it drifts from the bar, feeling contentedly full. Savour appears to have solved the romance equation, perfectly balancing atmosphere and flavour with that ‘x-factor’ mystery variable.
Book a table for two for that romantic date, bring friends for a group occasion or hang out on the deck enjoying fruity cocktails and cooling off in the pool.
Contact: 021 469 8000 or email [email protected]
Text: Louise Topping
