At Dusk We Dine

Dusk is a small restaurant nestled in the heart of Central Stellenbosch, in the Western Cape of South Africa. In a region renowned for fine dining options at wine farms with stunning views, Dusk is something different. You aren’t going find a massive open concept dining room with floor to ceiling glass walls looking out on panoramic views of the mountains towering over neatly manicured rows of grape vines. Dusk is the antithesis of the best of Stellenbosch.

There are a small number of tables available for dinner each day. Seating is only available from 6-8 pm and a deposit is required to make a reservation. The address brought me to the middle of a busy street. Outside I spotted a well dressed host waiting in anticipation of my arrival. I was directed into underground parking and followed down so they could remotely open the security gate enclosing the small parking garage. After parking they accompanied me up the elevator to the building’s lobby, out the front, and around to the entrance of Dusk.

Upon entering it was clear this dinning experience was going to be different. I was greeted by name and they took my jacket. The restaurant was dark. The only light was supplied by a single hanging fixture over each table that spot lit its bright white settings, and some bleed-off from the open concept kitchen. The ambiance was incredible. It was clear the impressive view was not meant to be out the window, but right in front of you on your table.

I was walked to my table, and as I slid into the booth the host laid a napkin across my lap while informing me of the wine cellar location and providing an open invitation to go in and look around. On my table was a folded letter printed on textured card stock paper and sealed with a wax stamp.

I opened the letter to a list of the 11 course chef’s menu that was to come while the wine sommelier welcomed me with a glass of champagne.

He explained the drink options. There were a few cocktails, a wine list, a wine pairing, or Pandora’s Box. If you choose Pandora’s Box the sommelier takes you on a personal tour of the cellar and at the end you choose a number between 1 & 11. The number would correlate to 1 of the 11 mystery wooden crates that each contain a unique combination of 4 different bottles compiled from some of the best wines across the world, expertly chosen to pair with the chef’s menu. The experience also includes an array of specialty drinking waters from different regions.

The whole premise was amazing. The Pandora’s Box experience sounded incredible, but I just couldn’t get excited about it. I like wine and South African Shiraz is my favorite varietal, but it’s no secret that tequila has won me over. I wanted to do Pandora’s Box, but all I could think about was how much Morgan would have loved the experience. It would have hit home for her on an entirely different level and it didn’t feel right to indulge without her. I opted to start the night with an Old Fashioned complete with their own house made bitters.

“Your Choice” was the name of the first course. I was given two spoons – one light and one dark. The task was to pick your preference. The flavor profile you select was going to be used to steer some of the fine nuances of your meal. I’m not going to say which one I went with.

Next up was an incredible Japanese milk bread with handmade butter smoked over Diablo coals.

My cocktail arrived just ahead of the first round of appetizers — Little corn bite, snails and their roe, and tuna ceviche.

I asked for a glass of Shiraz, the sommelier asked some questions about my palate preferences and choose a bottle of Hidden Secret.

The next round was purdon wagyu tartare with leek emulsion, black garlic, balsamic, and pomegranate relish. As well as a Dusk Egg Mc Muffin with ham nuts.

All night long the presentation was phenomenal. I thoroughly enjoyed the detailed explanation of each and every ingredient and how they were prepared for every course that came out.

Roasted line fish with citrus sabayon, abalone XO, and pickled kohlrabi.

Followed by wild suckling boar ragü, aged leg Iberico, local porcini, Parmesan, mirepoix, and café-au-lait.

Then is was time to “Wash your mouth out with soap”.

This was one of the highlights of the night. The waiter brought a delicious little bar of edible soap embossed with the metallic gold letters F – U – C – K that sparkled bright under a bath of house made limoncello. The origin of the palate cleanser was obvious but they explained it anyway. While I certainly enjoy fine dining, I was feeling pretty out of my element, like maybe I stepped it up a little bit too far. If you’re here, reading our blog on A Guy A Girl and A Trail, you know living out of the back of the 4Runner in remote locations is where I feel at home. This one course grounded the whole experience. When they set it down and removed the lid I lost it. I couldn’t help myself, I laughed – a lot and out loud. Genuine laughter is contagious and it spread. It really brought a sense light hearted fun to the dining experience that almost felt a little too stiff and uptight. It changed the tone of the rest of the evening, it was the perfect course.

That was followed by smoked and dry aged duck breast with celeriac, wild allium root, seasonal leaves, and truffle.

Butternut gateaux with lacto fermented plum.

A lovely glass of Port dessert wine.

To go with a coffee and dark chocolate crème, roasted chestnut cremeux, feuilletine, hazelnut shortbread, and vanilla ice cream.

And finally, petit fours on a decorative box that contained the final bill.

The ambiance, the service, the food — this was hands down the best meal I have ever had. And the “Wash your mouth out with soap” course made it one of the most enjoyable as well. The only thing missing was the company of this gorgeous woman who was back in the states.

Dinner was phenomenal and I’m already looking forward to coming back again. But next time I want to be fully present and in the moment with my heart right there in the booth next to me instead of 10,000 miles and 8 time zones away.