Salix at Willow Creek

PROFILED BY DE GROOTS MEDIA
The drive to Willow Creek is very pretty, and takes you past the older buildings to newer ones that sit well in the landscape. There are climbing roses like bouquets on the buildings, clipped lavender and rosemary in the garden beds, and upon arrival there’s the difficult choice of whether to eat in the restaurant or the cafe that’s part of the cellar door. Actually, it’s not as difficult as you think – if you haven’t booked for the restaurant at weekends or holidays, there’s a good chance your decision has been made for you. The view from the restaurant is truly, madly beautiful – a pastoral scene of hills, vineyards and bush.

It’s arresting food that manages to compete with this view; so sit down, relax and enjoy. The menus are small but well thought-out, and usually include some locally grown produce. There’s a separate menu for vegetarians as well. The entree of scallops with pork belly and cauliflower puree is a wonderful counterpoint of flavours and textures – densely soft pork meat with crunchy crackling, light scallops and creamy puree. There are pasta dishes and fish to choose from, plus dishes that require real cooking, like the slow-cooked shoulder rack of lamb. Clearly Bernard McCarthy knows what he’s doing. Wines are Willow Creek label only, available by the glass or the bottle, and the waiters can show you on which side of the hill the grapes were grown. Stay for dessert if you can and enjoy the atmosphere before you head home. The cafe has a simple blackboard menu listing small tapas-style dishes and a few heartier things, and is recommended for casual dining and for families with children.

Rita Erlich