Surprise news from Chef Bertus Basson is that fine dining restaurant Overture is closing down at Hidden Valley in Stellenbosch on 30 September, after operating for 15 years at the wine estate. It was the first restaurant Basson opened.
The informal restaurant The Deck at Hidden Valley is also closing down.
This reduces the number of restaurants which Chef Bertus owns in Stellenbosch to five.
In his most recent newsletter Basson wrote:
‘It is with great sadness that we announce that Overture Restaurant is closing its doors at Hidden Valley Wines on the 30th of September 2022.
In a world where restaurants come and go, Overture has survived and thrived for 15 years. We celebrated many successes, worked hard, shed tears, survived Covid 19 lockdowns and restrictions, and baked thousands of soufflés.
For 15 years I was the custodian of a very special space at Hidden Valley. The sale of the farm to its current owners in 2021 coincided with the expiry of our long-term lease. We have made every attempt to keep Overture at Hidden Valley, but regrettably have had no success in negotiating a new lease agreement with the owners of the farm.
The new owners would like to steer the property in a different direction which sadly does not include Overture. Despite this, we wish them well for the future and hope that they will remain committed to the custodianship of the farm.
Overture was my first restaurant. Never in my wildest dreams could I imagine that from that first service on 1 November 2007 with a tiny kitchen and handful of staff, that seven more restaurants would be born, or that some great culinary talents would start their careers in this space. Neither could I imagine that so many of you, our loyal patrons, would pass through our doors and keep returning for more. Our gratitude to you is unending.
If you have future reservations at Overture, our team will be in touch shortly.
Overture Restaurant also operates The Deck at Hidden Valley and it will no longer be under our management as of the 30th of September.
Naturally, the Bassons have exciting plans for the future. Every dark cloud has a silver lining, and in this case the silver lining is shining bright.
This is therefore not goodbye but see you later. Onwards and upwards!
Kind regards,
Bertus Basson’
Currently Chef Bertus has the following restaurants in the university town other than Overture and The Deck at Hidden Valley:
#. Eike by Bertus Basson
#. Clara’s Barn at Vergenoegd Löw
#. Spek & Bone
Restaurant Review: Spek en Bone has no bacon nor beans, little SA cuisine, crap in most respects
#. De Vrije Burger
# Geuwels at Vergenoegd Löw
POSTSCRIPT 17 August: Chef Bertus Basson is rumoured to open a restaurant at Waterkloof in Somerset West. It is not known whether he will use the same Overture name.
Chris von Ulmenstein, WhaleTales Blog: www.whaletalesblog.com www.chrisvonulmenstein.com/blog Tel +27 082 55 11 323 Twitter:@Ulmenstein Facebook: Chris von Ulmenstein, My Cape Town Guide/Mein Kapstadt Guide, Instagram: @Chrissy_Ulmenstein @MyCapeTownGuide
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