Chef Bertus Basson of Overture and his catering company partner Craig Cormack are to open a new restaurant called Sofia’s at Morgenster, at the wine and olive estate in Somerset West, at the beginning of November.  The restaurant is named after Morgenster owner Giulio Bertrand’s passion for Sophia Loren, choosing to spell her name for the restaurant the Italian way. Photographs of Sophia Loren will adorn the restaurant.

The restaurant will be Bistro-style, with the emphasis on ‘real food’, simpler than at Overture, with only four choices per course, of which two will be Italian, and with good plating.  The menu will change weekly.   Craig will run the restaurant and will work with Bertrand’s wife Mirella in developing true Italian style dishes. Fresh ingredients will come from the farm in part, and Morgenster’s olive oils and wines will be a strong feature.  Affordability will be a focus.  A three-course meal will cost R210. 

Chef Bertus also reports that Overture has launched its first wine, made by Hidden Valley consultant winemaker Louis Nel, a Chenin Blanc called Collaboration.  More varietals are to follow next year.  Collaboration will only be sold at Overture and Sofia’s at Morgenster initially.

Always looking to reinvent himself, Chef Bertus recently visited Australia, and was impressed with the restaurants he ate at, including leading Sydney restaurant Rockpool.   Bertus says that South African food and service standards do not lag far behind those of Australia.   He is very excited about the season lying ahead, despite the tough winter the hospitality industry has gone through.

Chris von Ulmenstein, Whale Cottage Portfolio: www.whalecottage.com