THE PEARL OF PAARL
Owners Hansie and Theresa Britz – Paarl residents who bought the property in 2019 – are thrilled to once again welcome guests and locals to a re-energised Grande Roche Hotel.
Perhaps the most exciting new development comes with the appointment of Kevin Grobler as Head Chef of the Restaurant at Grande Roche. The hotel has long enjoyed a reputation as a destination for gourmands, and Grobler’s arrival in the kitchen marks a pivotal moment in that journey.
Q&A with Kevin
What have been the highlights of opening your restaurant at Grande Roche? The best thing about establishing at Grande Roche is the great support I have received from my business partners and owners of the property in terms of getting to do whatever I feel is the best for the business. The venue itself is absolutely amazing with so many different areas to utilise and keep it interesting for the guests and my team.
What have you discovered about Paarl? The absolute cherry on the top for me was the sheer amount of amazing wine farms in Paarl. Having spent a lot of my career in Stellenbosch, I didn’t realise what amazing wines there are in this area and as soon as I discovered the wide variety, we started to team up with the local wineries for our monthly wine dinners.
How does your cuisine pair with the setting? I have always loved taking classic dishes and putting a new spin on them, and I feel that the Grand lady that is Grande Roche lends herself perfectly to that as the new interior mirrors that concept.
Tell us about the summer menu? We are not focusing on any heavy Jus based sauces. Instead, we will be focussing more on fresh and lighter style of sauces, as summer in Paarl gets ridiculously hot!
What are your recommendations to visitors to Paarl? One of my favourite estates is Under Oaks, for the simple fact that the wines are delicious and they also have a wonderful Pizzeria. On a beautiful sunny day, I get to run around with my kids in an amazing natural environment, with good food and great wine. That to me is a perfect off day with my family.
Make sure to pay a visit to the Grande Roche bar, if only to try the delicious Pearl of Paarl cocktail. Specially created by mixologist Kurt Schlechter in collaboration with the SA Brandy Foundation, it’s incredibly moreish and even comes topped with a meringue!
Stay the Night
For overnight guests the hotel’s spacious suites offer an elegant address amid the vineyards of Paarl. While each suite offers its own unique charm, a celebration of both local flora and the farm’s rich history is a common thread throughout the property. Wooden beams and exposed thatch neatly encapsulate the rich winelands heritage of Grande Roche, while striking fynbos-inspired signature wallpapers provide a vibrant splash of colour.
To celebrate the hotel’s 30th anniversary Grande Roche is offering two fantastic accommodation packages for guests to experience all that the hotel has to offer.
Package #1
- One night’s accommodation for two guests in a Terrace Suite [breakfast included]
- Sunset canapés and signature cocktail of the day
- A four-course gourmet dinner experience at the Restaurant at Grande Roche
- A bottle of selected Under Oaks estate wine to be enjoyed with dinner
Priced at R5 450.00, based on 2 persons sharing. Valid from March to June 2023.
Package #2
- One night’s accommodation for two guests in a Terrace Suite [breakfast included]
- Sunset canapés and signature cocktail of the day
- A 4-course gourmet dinner experience at Grande Roche Restaurant
- A bottle of selected Under Oaks estate wine to be enjoyed with dinner
- A 60-minute couples’ massage
Priced at R6 950.00, based on 2 persons sharing. Valid from March to June 2023.
Get in Touch
Facebook: @GrandeRoche
Instagram: @Grande_Roche
Call: +27 [0]21 863 5100
Website: granderoche.com
