marianas in stanford: a truly special spot

nicky and dirk outside marianas home deli and bistro in stanford

On Friday I had a magical day.  I got to lunch with two treasured friends at one of my favourite restaurants, in a very beautiful place.

I have been reading Mariana’s Esterhuizen’s column in Taste magazine every since she started writing it.  She is one of my local food heroes, and I simply love her quaint, home-style restaurant in the picturesque hamlet of Stanford in the Overberg.

When I day dream about an idyllic country life, images quite similar to the ‘Owls barn’ come into my  head.

Mariana makes her food with love, and her husband Peter will charm the socks off you in the front of house. The ingredients are sourced locally or come straight out of their own herb and vegetable garden.

This is a place that resonates with me on so many levels, I find it difficult to articulate it all.  Some of the words that come to mind are: quaint, homely, rustic, authentic, pretty, fresh, seasonal, artistic, inspiring, vintage, rural and scenic.

Most of all its just very real and the food is simply delicious.

This is a little bit about what it looks like:

a magnificent Stephen Inggs piece hangs on one of the walls which I will dream about owning for a long time to come
the tables are spread throughout the house and onto the stoep
the menu for the day inspired but local and seasonl produce
we shared all 4 of the starters
and idyllic setting for lunch
the herb and vegetable garden
beautiful cosmos
our main courses of pork neck, lamb shank and one of the best chicken pies I have tasted
on the stoep
inside
the immaculate kitchen
in the kitchen
a jug of flowers

Booking is essential and be prepared to book way in advance during the busier holiday months and over week ends.

Marianas: 028 341 0272

10 Comments

  1. What a devine place – sigh…. wish I lived in Cape Town.

  2. martie smith says:

    Goeie dag.

    Ons is n groepie van 10 dames wat graag op die 21 ste desember 2014 n verjaarsdag
    daar wil kom vier ASB! Laat weet my of dit moontlik is asb sodat ek die deposito kan betaal.
    Het nog net die beste van jul gehoor en wil dit graag kom beproef. Ek peobeer al drie jaar in n ry
    sonder sukses hoop ek is hierdie keer vroeg genoeg.
    U antwoord sal waardeer word.
    Pretoria groete.
    Martie; sel; 0722244580.

  3. HI Martie – this is not Marianas webiste you will need to contact the restaurant directly. This is my blog where I did a review.
    thanks
    sam

  4. Hi

    I am a blogger working at the accommodation and travelling website lekkeslaap.co.za and I’m writing a blog about 10 restaurants where clients can experience authentic South African food. I want to feature Marianas as one of these places, but cannot find photos without copyright of it except on your page. Can I perhaps use your photos with the proper credits?

    Thanks!

    Ankia Wolf

  5. Hi Ankia – yes and with pleasure.
    Best
    sam

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