Post & Pepper opens in Stellenbosch
Post & Pepper; a stunning new eatery in Stellenbosch has recently opened in the historic Post Office building on the corner of Bird & Plein Streets. Owner Jess van Dyk and restaurant manager Dimitri Hadzigrigoriou, both formerly of Franschhoek’s Protégé restaurant (La Colombe group) wanted to create a restaurant that they would love to eat at.
Post & pepper is about taking elements from a typical fine-dining restaurant experience and curating that in a less-formal environment and without the intimidating price tag. Food is served family-style to your table and designed for casual and convivial dining. You could just as easily pop in for a cocktail and a quick bite, or linger for an extended meal over bottles of wine. Both the wine list and cocktail bar are impressive.
Jess has reinvented childhood and South African classic flavours and ingredients in her menu. These include slangetjies adorning the ceviche which is a homage to Cape Malay pickled fish, and potato bread roosterkoek to start. She also does this so beautifully. I found everything beautiful and tasteful, from the décor and food to the menu and venue.
The Crispy sticky lamb lollipops were the dish of the day and triumph in technique.
A few snippets of the menu we ate on the day:
POTATO ROOSTERKOEK with whipped butter, sage oil & pickles
SSAMJANG OYSTERS – ssamjang dressing, green apple, lime, & curry leaf
CRISPY & STICKY LAMB with charred spring onion dip
CEVICHE – Cape Malay pickled fish, coconut, lime, slangetjies
FRIED MAC ‘N CHEESE – smoked short-rib, pickled mustard seeds & parmesan velouté
PORK DUMPLING – five-spice dumpling, water chestnut, Szechuan, peanut chilli crisp
CHICKEN PREGO flatbread, amasi dressing, coriander emulsion
Miniature koeksisters were a delightful ending to the meal.
Jess says “We don’t want to bind our patrons by any rules, they should feel comfortable and right at home. Our first goal is to create delicious food. Our second goal is to turn our guests into regulars, and ultimately: friends.” Jess and Dimitri want Post & Pepper to be your new favourite restaurant, and it certainly is one of mine.
For more information and bookings, check out their website:
To check out a little YouTube video of the restaurant made by Eat Out – click here.
*Disclaimer – I was invited as a guest to experience the meal & to share my experience as I wished to.
My guide to eating out in Cape Town