De Grendel

Over one hundred book lovers flocked to De Grendel Restaurant in the Durbanville Wine Valley on Saturday, June 16th to meet Auma Obama, author and sister of Pres. Barack Obama, over lunch.

At the literary lunch, organised at De Grendel by Gorry Bowes Taylor and Wordsworth, Auma Obama talked about her memoir And Then Life Happens, her life growing up in Kenya and her relationship with her brother Barack Obama. “We are just ordinary people with an extraordinary person as part of our family,” Obama concluded.

Says Jonathan Davies, spokesperson for De Grendel Restaurant: “It was most memorable to have Auma Obama as our guest. To get to know her over good food and wine added to the experience for everyone. We are also happy that many of the people attending the literary lunch visited the Durbanville wine valley for the first time, expressing their delight at De Grendel, the scenery and view onto Table Bay and Table Mountain – and tasting just how good the region’s food and wine are. We hope to welcome them all back soon to explore the rest of our valley.”

According to chef Ian Bergh the menu chosen for Auma Obama’s visit reflected De Grendel’s sense of place. “A tomato, shallot and goat’s cheese tartlet was served with De Grendel Sauvignon Blanc 2011; line fish and prawns, spiced with tika masala were served with De Grendel Winifred 2010, while Chocolate Torte and ice cream made with De Grendel Merlot rounded off the meal”.

Travelling with her is a football (autographed by her famous brother) which she takes with her everywhere she travels, as a symbol of hope. “Now this famous football can add De Grendel to the impressive portfolio of places it visited,” quips Chef Bergh.

And Then Life Happens – A Memoir by Auma Obama (published by St Martin’s Press) is described as a moving memoir by Auma Obama about her life in Africa and Europe, and her relationship with her brother, Barack Obama. While her younger brother Barack grew up in the U.S. and Indonesia, Auma Obama’s childhood played out at the other end of the world in a remote village in Kenya, the birthplace of the siblings’ shared father. Barack and Auma met for the first time in the 1980s, and they built a lasting relationship which led to travels together in Kenya, research into their family history and finally Auma’s support for her brother’s political career and eventual bid for the U.S. presidency.

About De Grendel Restaurant:
At De Grendel Restaurant it’s all about beautiful, uncomplicated food we all love to eat,” says Chef Ian Bergh.
With undoubtedly the most magnificent view on Table Mountain of any Winelands restaurant, under restaurateur Jonathan Davies’ hand De Grendel Restaurant is building a reputation as a jewel in the Cape’s culinary crown. This newcomer to the Durbanville Wine Valley is a collaboration between the De Grendel family and Crown Hotels and Restaurants, owners of the Michelin starred The Crown at Whitebrook (voted 2011 Best Restaurants in Wales).
De Grendel’s heritage and eco-caring ethos show in inventive, modern dishes made from farm produce and ingredients sourced from local suppliers. From starters such as free-range chicken with ravioli in a gorgonzola chardonnay sauce to slow-roasted springbok shank in a Shiraz sauce; pork belly with apple and sage or beef onglet with pink peppercorns and potato, the food is highly acclaimed by diners and food critics alike.

The farm has been in the Graaff family for three generations. Baronet Sir David Graaff, retired politician and leading wine farmer, continues the legacy left by his father and grandfather before him. A key player in the wine industry, De Grendel is also home to Holstein stud cattle, sheep and grain. De Grendel Wines are on the menu at cellar prices, making this dining experience accessible at realistic prices.

Restaurant opening hours:
Open for lunch and dinner. (Closed Sunday nights and Mondays).
Tuesday to Saturday: Lunch: 12:00 – 14:30; Dinner: 19:00 – 21:30
Sunday: Lunch: 11:00 – 15:00

De Grendel Restaurant, M14, Plattekloof Road, Plattekloof
t: 021 558 7035
e: restaurant@degrendel.co.za
www.degrendel.co.za
Twitter: @degrendelrestau
facebook: www.facebook/DeGrendelRestaurant