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ARKESTE

Reviewers' Choice 2023 - Top 50 Reviewers' Choice Awards 2022
Bistro Fine Dining French South African
Chamonix Farm, Cottage 1, Franschhoek, 7690, South Africa
(1665 reviews)
RRR

Attributes

  • Romantic
  • Outdoor Seating
  • Wine Estate
  • Gourmet Guide Plated
  • Reviewers' Choice 2022 - Top 100
  • Reviewers' Choice 2023 - Top 50

Bookings for EAT SLEEP DRINK Franschhoek open on 1 May 2024.

At ARKESTE. we present seasonal ingredients by revisiting classic techniques in a contemporary, modern way.

Chef Richard Carstens has returned to the Franschhoek Valley and Chamonix where he was head chef during the mid 90s to showcase to diners his modern take on seasonal ingredients.

Voted Chef of the Year by EatOut in the past and chef de cuisine at numerous top 10 and top 20 restaurants in South Africa. For the past eight years, Richard dazzled diners at the award-winning Tokara Winery and restaurant.

Gourmet Guide Description

Chamonix Wine Farm in Franschhoek is the perfect backdrop for Richard Carsten’s culinary ability. The forest setting is serene and the heritage building charming, but diners come for the food. Richard has returned to Chamonix after 30 years of notching up an impressive pedigree at top restaurants that included a successful tenure at Tokara, giving him time to cement his reputation and following. Known for his modern twists on classics, Carstens creates dishes that celebrate the seasons and heralds local.

Choose from an a la carte menu with inventive starters like the squid, either with togarashi, dashi black rice, wakame, cucumber and chili garam or a rendition with risotto, parsnip, wakame and a yuzu-ginger sauce.

Mains could be a citrus-glazed linefish with pommes, greens, rouille, heerenboon and a sauce bouillabaisse, showing chef’s love of traditional, notched up with a contemporary flair. Or the kapokbos-glazed springbok with creamy and dreamy Robuchon pomme, greens, sake-pears, and a sauce that he calls ‘Cape senses’. Dishes are sure to appeal to all your senses. His signature baked Alaska of rainbow trout and the Franco-Jap interpretation of seafood are a must. Vegetarians are well respeced and catered for. Be sure to order a delectable dessert – watch out for the gorgonzola ice cream with walnut, pears and honeycombe – and your appetite for deliciousness will be sated. The wine list reflects wines of the estate and the Cape. Here’s casual fine dining at its best.

Reviews (1665)

4.8 out of 5.0
Based on the past 12 months
Food 4.9
Value 4.8
Service 4.8
Ambience 4.7
  • RAULT Dined: 2 days ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0
  • Val V. Dined: 1 week ago
    4.8
    Food 5.0
    Value 4.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Mon 15 Apr 24
    We held an evening function for 54 people. The food, the service and the ambience were superb. The staff were responsive to our needs on the night. We would definitely consider holding another event there in the future and congratulate Richard, Anneline and the team for their part in making the evening a huge success.

  • Pierre A. Dined: 6 days ago
    4.3
    Food 5.0
    Value 4.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 3.0

    Reviewed on: Mon 15 Apr 24
    We still love that food. It would be nice to also have white linen when sitting outdoor.

  • Lucy F. Dined: 1 week ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0
  • ANDREW P. Dined: 1 week ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Fri 12 Apr 24
    Excellent quality food and very enjoyable all round. The Specials were particularly good. Also great that it isn’t too formal and welcomes children / offers a good children’s menu - very unusual for high end dining

  • Michelle R. Dined: 1 week ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Fri 12 Apr 24
    Wonderful dinner! The food is fantastic and the service was exceptional!

  • Annette P. Dined: 1 week ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Fri 12 Apr 24
    Really enjoyed everything. Especially liked the fact that waitrons did not keep asking and interrupting our conversation to ask if we were enjoying our food. Once during a meal is polite .Will certainly return.

  • Kate J. Dined: 1 week ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Wed 10 Apr 24
    Had a great meal in lovely surroundings Highly recommend

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Opening Hours

  • Monday 12h00 - 14h30, 18h00 - 20h15
  • Tuesday 12h00 - 14h30, 18h00 - 20h15
  • Wednesday 12h00 - 14h30, 18h00 - 20h15
  • Thursday 12h00 - 14h30, 18h00 - 20h15
  • Friday 12h00 - 14h30, 18h00 - 20h15
  • Saturday 12h00 - 14h30, 18h00 - 20h15
  • Sunday 12h00 - 14h30, 18h00 - 20h15