EXCITING NEW FOOD, BEVERAGE AND DINING OPTIONS NOW OFFERED AT BUSHMANS KLOOF

Notwithstanding the inclusion in the 2004/5 Wine magazine Top 100 Restaurant guide, the cuisine at Bushmans Kloof is set to enter a new era with a number of exciting additions to the menus and current dining options. As part of the re-birth of Bushmans Kloof, guests may now make dining choices from a la carte menus, and dine in a variety of breathtaking locations – with a flexible and exciting choice of venues in and around the reserve, so no meal experienced is quite alike!

Renowned Executive Chef Floris Smith brings a touch of magic to the new, original, a la carte menus of Bushmans Kloof. Floris first joined the lodge as Head Chef in March 2001. Under his management Bushmans Kloof was, for the first time, rated as one of Wine magazine's Top 100 Restaurants 2003/4. He has a National Diploma in Hotel Management and gained experience working at several top establishments including the Palm Garden Protea Hotel in Cape Town, Park Hyatt Hotel in Johannesburg and Hartfod House in Mooi River. In August 2003 Floris accepted a position at Londolozi Game Reserve, where he was part of many accolades received during the past year, before he recently returned to Bushmans Kloof for a new taste venture.

Floris says that his food philosophy and style of cooking is not specifically linked to any particular type of cuisine. “For me it’s all about good food and I enjoy using elements from various types of cuisine, whether South African, Italian or Asian - to mention but a few! I like to challenge and seduce the palate, and enjoy the current trend of deconstructive cooking with exciting and unusual, delicate touches, such as our popular parsnip ice cream or chocolate oil served with Springbok loin. Expect the simplicity of quality ingredients combined with meticulous construction of every dish - the food at Bushmans Kloof is all about sight, sound, smell, taste and texture – with all these elements intrinsically linked.”

Guests at Bushmans Kloof may now indulge and taste a profusion of gastronomic, healthy or home-style comfort foods, made from the best local fresh produce, and harvested daily from our own organic gardens. Greet a new morning with delicious homemade croissants next to a cascading waterfall, and toast the end of yet another glorious day at the new River Boma, which provides a perfect setting for sundowners or nightcaps in the moonlight, accompanied only by the nocturnal sounds of Africa. Or delight in an unforgettable brunch at Makana (‘to feast’ in the San language)  - the newly improved ‘Spanners’ which offers glorious views across the dam and river, with an expanse of rocky cliffs and the reserve beyond.

There is a secret new location for Embers, providing a matchless dining experience under the star-filled African sky where guests may enjoy a traditional South African braai (barbecue) in an exciting outdoor setting within the reserve, overlooking wildlife drinking below at the recently completed Khabo dam (‘dream’ in the San language).

Delight in the glorious Fine Dining experience that is offered in the dining room or terrace of the Homestead, or choose In-room Dining, where guests may enjoy the a la Carte menu in the privacy of their room, or served on their own private veranda.

Bushmans Kloof is furthermore proud to offer Full Service Extraordinary Dining, where guests may choose to have a private, romantic dinner-for-two enjoying a braai menu (barbeque) at a specially chosen location on the reserve. Alternatively, order a self-service Picnic-for-Two and take a basket of tasty treats to the rock pools or feast at any of the other magical locations in the reserve.

If a light snack or a cappuccino takes your fancy, there is of course a full Room Service menu, or head for Makana or the new Manor House Deck with its riverside setting under the ancient fig trees. 

Complementing the award winning cuisine is an acclaimed wine cellar with a wide choice of superb South African wines, French champagnes and cognacs, as well as a refreshing choice of beverages including herbal infused, home-brewed Rooibos and Honeybush tea, organically grown in nearby Wupperthal.  The proprietors of the hotel also own the South African award winning wine estate, Bouchard Finlayson in Hermanus. These sought after wines feature on the Bushmans Kloof wine list and may be purchased at the gift shop at Bushmans Kloof at cellar prices.