Today I’m transporting you to one of my favourite places. The little seaside town of Paternoster on South Africa’s West Coast. Just under a two-hour drive from Cape Town, Paternoster is a small white-washed town with an expansive sandy beach, sparkling sapphire horizons, and several surprisingly good restaurants – my idea of paradise. One of my favourite eateries there is Leeto.
It’s in the swanky Strandloper Boutique Hotel with fabulous views of the dazzling white beach and the azure sparkle of the sea beyond. Just the place to settle down to the tastiest of lunches with local chef Garth Amazan showing off the best the West Coast has to offer. And there’s a lot to show off with a menu offering such a range of seafood and other delights making it almost impossible to choose. But of course, we had to!
What’s on the menu
Seafood offerings are always exceptional at Leeto. This velvety Malay-spiced West Coast mussel soup was rich and gorgeous with its curry spices and coconut cream. Topped with an onion bhaji and tomato, red onion and coriander sambal. And the juiciest of tasty mussels.
And then of course there’s oysters. I’ve been eating a lot of oysters this summer in South Africa (they’re so affordable here. This season’s offerings have been exceptional. Three oysters makes the perfect starter for me, just enough to get those gastric juices going. Served today with lime wedges instead of lemon – what a great idea, it’s lime all the way for me from now on.
This is one of Chef Gareth’s regular masterpieces. Tiger prawns are served with a chilli and lime veloute, pineapple, grape and coriander salasa, a delicate potato samoosa and micro herb salad. It looks delicate and tastes stupendous – the perfect combination of delicious ingredients on a plate. And those prawns!
Magnificent Main Courses
Today I did something I never usually do. Ordered chicken in a restaurant. I cook a lot of chicken (and pretty well even if I say so myself) so usually avoid it on a menu. But today’s offering sounded so sensational I couldn’t resist. And I was right. Possibly the best chicken dish ever with each element so perfectly prepared and cooked. The chicken breast was beautifully moist and perfectly seasoned. Served with cauliflower both pureed and charred, crispy pancetta and melt-in-the-mouth gnocchi. Love it when I break my own rules and it turns out to be so good.
Today’s sustainable fish was Kingklip – a beautifully fleshy, sweet local favourite. Perfectly pan fried and served with a prawn spring roll, spring vegetables, saute chilli and red onions, a potato croquette, lemon butter sauce and tomato, olive and caper salsa. Kingklip is always a treat and again this was a delectable combo.
Another break from tradition and my husband ordered a vegetarian dish. The waitress actually gasped with delight when he ordered it, exclaiming that she thought it was the best thing on the menu! Well, it was spectacular. The chickpea, lentil and spinach curry had a delightful spiciness. All served with an extravaganza of sides including an onion bhaji, potato samoosa, carrots sambal, basmati rice and tomato, red onion and coriander. Fabulous flavours, and doesn’t it look beautiful?
Satisfied sighs all round. And why wouldn’t there be, it’s a magical place Leeto with those expansive views. And there’s plenty of magic going on in the kitchen, too. I always want to extend my time spent here as much as I possibly can – so today I ordered dessert for the table. Well, cheese actually! Warm Dalewood Camambert served with gooseberry jelly, candied walnuts and the thinnest of crisp ciabatta toast. The perfect yummy ending to another superb afternoon experiencing the joys of Leeto and its delicious West Coast offering and warm welcome.
Today’s Price Point
There were five of us for lunch. We each had two courses (starter and main) and we shared the cheese.
The total for the meal was R1,719 which is around £80 (yes, that’s for five people) at today’s exchange rate. That’s quite simply incredible!
Leeto is in the Strandloper Hotel at Patterson Slot, Paternoster, Western Cape 7381.
Your writing and photos transported me there for virtual treat of exquisiteness. I am so thrilled i have found your Blog. Great work.