THE bustle of city life, which induces more stress than euphoria, sometimes persuades one to seek a retreat from the madding concrete jungle.
And when the bug bites home, trepidation often succumbs to impulsiveness.
At the recommendation of a friend, I took a short drive from the traffic congestion of Sandton city to the northwestern border of Johannesburg for a touch of countryside hospitality.
The destination - the Bushveld Estate - seemed a perfect haven of tranquillity with its stunning views, which include the Magaliesberg a distance away.
The Bushveld Estate offers luxury accommodation and dining experience at its Alek's Kitchen Restaurant nestling amid a nature reserve inhabited by blesbok and springbok.
Dining within the gaze of the blesbok and springbok is a luxury that often involves a long and winding drive to the bush camps in the countryside to enjoy.
In a breeze one can enjoy lunch or dinner at a thatch-roofed establishment brimming with the laid-back ambience of the countryside.
In summer the restaurant's patio offers a magical ringside view of the sunset, which adorns the horizon with a beautiful haze of orange hues against the backdrop of the Magaliesberg.
It's a sight resembling God's window and one that begs for a cocktail or glass of wine in hand and good companionship and, of course, good meal. Being so close to nature replenishes the soul and unwinds the mind.
With the soft country music from the resident guitarist evoking the same feeling, the spirit warms to the sedative mood while connecting to snail's-paced countryside charm.
Top of the menu is choice of three starters with my all-time favourite - Avocado Ritz, which comprises the fruit served with shrimps, seafood sauce and lettuce. The resident chef's version of the starter is a perfect appetite primer, especially when savoured with a Sauvignon Blanc. The other choice, Caesar's Salad, appeals to weight watchers, who can relish it without a tinge of guilt over the calories.
Chicken or beef or yellowtail fish compete for guest's attention for the main course. All are grilled and enjoyed with a choice of either homemade or gooseberry sauce. With the fish, an unwooded Chardonnay was the choice for me; beef fillet with a Cabernet Sauvignon; and chicken a Sauvignon Blanc.
For many, excluding yours truly, no meal is complete without dessert, of course. Guests instantly drool over a tripartite selection of creme brulee, chocolate cake or mixed berry pavlova.
Alek's Kitchen is owned by Joanne and Rob Gallo, to whom hosting guests at their restaurant is as natural as welcoming friends to their home.
They have just finished putting final touches to a special meal to be served on Valentine's Day at R230 a person.
A perfect haven of tranquillity
THE bustle of city life, which induces more stress than euphoria, sometimes persuades one to seek a retreat from the madding concrete jungle.
And when the bug bites home, trepidation often succumbs to impulsiveness.
At the recommendation of a friend, I took a short drive from the traffic congestion of Sandton city to the northwestern border of Johannesburg for a touch of countryside hospitality.
The destination - the Bushveld Estate - seemed a perfect haven of tranquillity with its stunning views, which include the Magaliesberg a distance away.
The Bushveld Estate offers luxury accommodation and dining experience at its Alek's Kitchen Restaurant nestling amid a nature reserve inhabited by blesbok and springbok.
Dining within the gaze of the blesbok and springbok is a luxury that often involves a long and winding drive to the bush camps in the countryside to enjoy.
In a breeze one can enjoy lunch or dinner at a thatch-roofed establishment brimming with the laid-back ambience of the countryside.
In summer the restaurant's patio offers a magical ringside view of the sunset, which adorns the horizon with a beautiful haze of orange hues against the backdrop of the Magaliesberg.
It's a sight resembling God's window and one that begs for a cocktail or glass of wine in hand and good companionship and, of course, good meal. Being so close to nature replenishes the soul and unwinds the mind.
With the soft country music from the resident guitarist evoking the same feeling, the spirit warms to the sedative mood while connecting to snail's-paced countryside charm.
Top of the menu is choice of three starters with my all-time favourite - Avocado Ritz, which comprises the fruit served with shrimps, seafood sauce and lettuce. The resident chef's version of the starter is a perfect appetite primer, especially when savoured with a Sauvignon Blanc. The other choice, Caesar's Salad, appeals to weight watchers, who can relish it without a tinge of guilt over the calories.
Chicken or beef or yellowtail fish compete for guest's attention for the main course. All are grilled and enjoyed with a choice of either homemade or gooseberry sauce. With the fish, an unwooded Chardonnay was the choice for me; beef fillet with a Cabernet Sauvignon; and chicken a Sauvignon Blanc.
For many, excluding yours truly, no meal is complete without dessert, of course. Guests instantly drool over a tripartite selection of creme brulee, chocolate cake or mixed berry pavlova.
Alek's Kitchen is owned by Joanne and Rob Gallo, to whom hosting guests at their restaurant is as natural as welcoming friends to their home.
They have just finished putting final touches to a special meal to be served on Valentine's Day at R230 a person.
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