Ah, AtholPlace Hotel & Villa. The relaxing terrace, the lush gardens, the tropical trees, the glistening pool … we could swoon over this beautiful property in Atholl all day, especially when delighting in the food served at AtholPlace Restaurant. The boutique-styled hotel’s restaurant is one of those ‘hidden gems’ that just about everybody seems to know about but luckily its tables are filled with mostly savvy Joburgers rather than self-snapping tourists.
Heralded as one of the top restaurants in the city, AtholPlace Restaurant draws foodies and the fashionable set who come to worship the carefully crafted three-course dinner menu. Soft, flattering lighting that bounces off the delicate wallpaper? Check. An artful, decadent menu that’s perfect for sharing bites with a friend or your other half? Double check! The menu consists of just three starters, four mains and three desserts and changes regularly, so you can expect every experience at AtholPlace Restaurant to be exciting and unique.
For starters we chose between cauliflower soup with rye crisps and baby fennel; wild mushrooms with quinoa, garlic espuma and Parma ham crisps; and tempura prawns with avocado, spring onion mayo and chilli caramel. We chose the tempura prawns – the tempura was airy and crisp, and the dish tasted just like summer. For mains we were spoilt for choice with a beef fillet with vine tomatoes, truffle butter and new potatoes; sea bass with fennel and citrus curry, squid ink and baked fennel; duck breast with pea arancini, red cabbage and gooseberries; and risotto with beetroot and Parmesan foam. So, my dinner date and I ordered the beef fillet and sea bass dishes to share.
The beef fillet came out of the kitchen sizzling on the plate with the truffle butter just starting to melt into the steak. It was an absolute delight! On the other hand, the sea bass was balanced in flavours but still very aromatic. The fennel and citrus curry packed a flavoursome punch. To end our meal on a sweet note, we were tempted to order the dark chocolate torte with berry soup and berry ice cream as well as the orange cake with bitter orange ice cream and textures of orange to share but decided on the local cheese board instead. The luxurious platter that included lavash and preserves was a feast for the eye and delicious to share.
AtholPlace Restaurant is open to hotel guests and outside guests for breakfast (between 07h00 and 10h00) and dinner (between 18h30 and 21h30). Lunch is available for hotel guests only (between 12h00 and 14h30).
In the mood to woo?
If you want to encourage your love to reach full bloom, we recommend booking a one-night stay at AtholPlace Hotel & Villa, which offers the right kind of vibe. Breakfast in bed, cocktails at the pool and pampering massages are the sort of special touches that can make all the difference when you’re looking to turn up the romance … or maybe even pop the question.
AtholPlace serves splendid breakfasts in bed, which is great for those who plan to spend most of their time behind closed doors. Couples will also love the intimate bar and library where you can sip timeless cocktails or craft beer in cosy surroundings. Feeling extra-indulgent? AtholPlace is also known for its fabulous weekend brunch, which takes place every Saturday and Sunday between 10h00 and 14h00.
Don’t hesitate to book though – AtholPlace only offers nine suites (five superior and four deluxe), so space is limited!
90 Pretoria Avenue, Atholl
011 783 7553
Facebook: @atholplacehv
Instagram: @atholplace_hotel_and_villa
Caffeine & Cashmere 