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Eleven restaurant is redefining fine dining in Franschhoek with an exciting à la carte selection in addition to the current Chef’s Tasting menu. The fresh additions give you more freedom to curate your own culinary journey, making every visit a personalized and unforgettable experience at one of the region’s top dining destinations.
Taking its name from the address on the historic town’s main road of Huguenot Street, Eleven offers global contemporary cuisine in a chic, relaxed setting. Since opening in 2023, it has become a must-visit destination in the winelands for its foundation in exceptional cuisine and consistent evolution.
“A great menu is never static – it evolves with the seasons, the ingredients, and the tastes of our guests, says Eleven’s Ryan Shell. “By refining and reinventing dishes, we uphold our highest standards while giving diners the freedom to explore new flavours and experiences.”
A hyper-seasonal approach to the menu design built around sustainably produced ingredients remains a core part of the philosophy and golden thread that links all endeavours at Eleven.
Every journey starts with a great snack
The adoption of a snack menu was inspired by a sense of place. Early on, it became clear that Eleven’s corner location, balconies and large-pane windows are perfect for dining-with-a-view and watching the world go by. Light-bites – small, stand-alone dishes to enjoy, perhaps with a glass of wine – would make a great addition. Having established a loyal patronage, the restaurant now inducts such a menu.
The snack menu comprises a choice of fresh oysters with apple, nuac cham foam, coriander and puffed rice; a fish croquette with curry mayonnaise, a kimchi tartlet with sweet and sour gel, and a delectable duck liver taco served with the daintiest stone fruit gel.
Starters can either be enjoyed as part of the snack option, or as intended – the splendid introduction to a glorious meal. Explore tastes of the world through dishes such as mozzarella served with basil, confit tomato, balsamic and pumpkin seed; salmon ceviche with gazpacho, jalapeno, radish and summer herbs, or an aged beef tartar with chilli mayo, capers, a rice cracker and peanut.
The selection of main dishes on offer has been compiled with equal diversity and interest. Among them is pork agnolotti served with lemon cream, pancetta, sage and beurre noisette; and a delicious pan-seared yellowtail with tar ragon, caponata and a micro salad.
The offering of sides allows you even more opportunity to design the meal of your choice, with the addition of a true risotto, a pomme puree butter or cauliflower and cheese.
Desserts may well be last, but definitely not least when it comes to the team’s care and precision of preparation. Round off a sublime meal with, for example, a chocolate malt crѐme with coffee ice cream, sponge, meringue, vanilla; or a trio of cheeses.
The tasting menu is the essence
“Eleven has always been about showcasing the best of our experience and skills,” says Ryan. “In this sense, the tasting menu is the very soul of the restaurant’s kitchen.”
A number of the a la carte dishes are available on the tasting menu, so this option, available with wine pairing too, allows the kitchen to present its curated meal as the pinnacle experience. For the guest, it is the opportunity to just sit back and enjoy.
Wines selected are predominantly from leading producers in Franschhoek, and curated with the same intensity, diversity and focus that is attributed to the food.
To experience Eleven first-hand, book by email to reservations@eleveneats.co.za. Eleven is situated at 11 Huguenot Road. Contact on tell 021 023 3755 or via its website www.eleventeats.co.za. Business hours: 12pm to 2:30pm (last seating) and dinner, 6pm to 9pm (last seating).
Follow progress of the restaurant’s evolution via @eleveneats on Facebook and @eleven_restaurant on Instagram.