South Africa is a culinary haven. In fact, five South African chefs – some of whom have now opened their own fine dining establishments locally- have been awarded the globally coveted Michelin star. And if the secret to what makes fine dining were to be revealed by chefs at the country’s most adventurous establishments, they would certainly say that in some part, it is to view fine dining as an art.
This is an art that takes into consideration factors such as what kind of flavours to group together, what textures different ingredients on a plate will present, and the nuanced tastes that different wine cultivars will add to a particular dish.
From Asian fusion and classic French to Japanese and Continental fare, our shores are scattered with a diversity of top-tiered restaurants to enjoy. In 2022, Eat Out voted Durban’s Living Room at Summer Hill Guest House as their Top Restaurant for 2022. A Cape Town restaurant, Le Colombe, which serves modern French-meets-Asian cuisine, ranks 56th in the global rankings. And also in Cape Town, Radisson Blu Hotel Waterfront’s Tobago’s will be hosting ‘The Art of Fine Wining and Dining’ – a culinary exploration into fine dining – in September and October.
South Africa is also one of the most successful wine regions in the world, and establishments would be remiss not to pair our country’s top wines with their food creations.
- What sets fine dining apart from normal dining
Fine dining isn’t particularly attributed to a type of food. There are for example, fine dining establishments known for their sophisticated approach to plating and presenting, while others have received recognition for their extravagant takes on what would otherwise be standard pub fare – known as gastro pub food. The difference between a normal pub and a gastro pub is often down to the ingredients selected for a dish. For example, a normal steak and chips lunch can be transformed by using wagyu steaks, foraged truffles, or bubble and squeak with a fine dining twist.
Multiple course menus are also standard at many fine dining establishments, with a meal featuring, for example, an amuse bouche, a starter, another amuse bouche, mains, and a dessert. One would also typically see smaller-sized dishes – with the portion size belying the flavoursome tastes included on the tiny plate – as well as pairings with wines that have been carefully selected to match each of the main ingredients in a dish.
- Wine and beverage pairing
Wine pairing takes careful consideration and curation. Chefs often sit down with the restaurant’s sommelier and even team members from a wine farm to discuss the intricacies of a particular cultivar. Certain steps will be taken when considering pairing, such as ensuring that the wine is more acidic and flavourful than the dish it is paired with. This is so as to not drown out the notes of the wine if it is paired with a dish featuring stronger flavours. For example, an earthy Pinot Noir might be paired with a Beef Bourguignon or a deliciously fresh MCC with something salty, such as oysters.
- Bespoke experiences
At most fine dining establishments, guests will most likely experience beautiful decor, comfortable seating, and well thought-out lighting. The establishment might have great views or beautiful architecture. For most people, fine dining is a unique and special experience, so guests will want every detail of their meal to be a memorable one.
- Attention to detail
Attention to detail by trained staff is an important aspect of fine dining experiences. Waiters are trained by cue to know when a patron needs a refill of their glass, when a next course needs to be served and when a meal has reached its completion. Staff also go through training to thoroughly understand the wines and dishes being served. Chefs and entire teams are aware of the need to delight guests with beautiful plating and great service.
“The art of fine dining is a culinary tradition celebrated by chefs and restaurants at South Africa’s finest establishments, and for each fine dining experience, guests are promised an evening in which their senses are sure to be delighted. After all, fine dining goes beyond delivering a superlative plate of food, to creating an unforgettable experience,” says Clinton Thom, General Manager of Radisson Blu Hotel Waterfront.
“Having establishments that offer fine dining is an important part of any city’s restaurant mix, as it allows patrons the choice of an upmarket experience, provides job opportunities to skilled chefs, waiters, sommeliers and more, and creates a market for sophisticated ingredients and food products, often sourced locally in the area of the restaurant,” concludes Thom.
If you look at a city such as Tokyo, where people love to eat out, and which has the most Michelin-starred restaurants in the world – it has 203 eateries that have earned at least one star – the role of its diners undoubtedly also plays an integral part. Ultimately, by booking a fine dining experiences, patrons aren’t only assured of being able to indulge in a gastronomic delight, they’re also playing a vital part in supporting the local hospitality industry and fuelling its growth.
