A Glamorous Affair At Piccolo Mondo Gourmet Dinners

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The Michelangelo Hotel, 135 West Street, Sandton, Johannesburg.
           

Darlings, don’t you just adore the Michelangelo Hotel? It exudes such elegance and luxury … in my opinion, it’s simply divine! I’ve visited many times for a champagne breakfast or late-night cocktails, but it wasn’t up until last Friday evening that I attended a Gourmet Dinner at their top-class establishment, Piccolo Mondo. Proudly living up to its name, the restaurant truly is “a world in one”!

Piccolo Mondo Gourmet Dinners take place one Friday each month. At a cost of R545 per head, you’re treated to a sublime five-course wine-pairing menu. Each month, a different wine estate is involved to keep things interesting. This month, it was the wonderfully unique Kloovenburg Wine & Olive Estate, situated in the picturesque little town of Riebeeck Kasteel down in the Cape. 

I arrived at the Piccolo Mondo Gourmet Dinner at 7pm sharp with my partner. Upon arrival, we were greeted by the highly professional and tremendously friendly staff. The ambiance was truly luxurious, with everyone all dressed up, sipping on a fine glass of white wine while waiting for the dinner to commence. During this time, we were able to meet and socialise with our dinner companions who were just as delighted as we were to be present at such an exquisite event.

At 7:30pm, everyone was shown to their tables, which were stunningly decorated and lit up by the golden glow of candles. We were then each handed a beautifully embossed menu that revealed the dishes we’d be indulging in throughout the evening. 

Before our first course was served, one of the winemakers from the featured wine estate took the floor and gave diners some insight into the estate as well as the wine we’d be drinking with each dish. Being a total wine connoisseur, I found this to be immensely interesting, not to mention a very sophisticated touch to the dinner.

Our first course was then served … fresh barramundi, or Asian sea bass, served with shrimp ravioli and fennel fricassee, with a glass of unwooded Chardonnay. Darlings, this was by far my favourite dish of the night, just so you know … the fish itself was cooked to perfection, while the wine was the perfect accompaniment to the dish. It was light and simple, yet ever so delicious. 

Next up was the spiced duck breast served with crispy confit duck, glass noodles, textures of broccoli and a toasted sesame seed dressing, with a glass of barrel fermented Chardonnay. I found this dish to be tremendously interesting … the lovely tender duck breast somewhat complimented the broccoli florets so well, and the dish overall brought out a variety of different notes in the wine.

As a palate cleanser before the main course, we were served a litchi and orange sorbet, which was sweet and refreshing. The main dish, which was a tandoori rubbed rump of lamb served with spicy lentils, carrot halwa and garam masala sauce, then arrived. It was served with a glass of one of Kloovenburg’s signature red wines, Eight Feet … a rich Shiraz, Grenache, Mourvedre and Carignon blend.

At first sip, I found the wine to be far too heavy and spicy for my liking, but after a few mouthfuls of the dish it accompanied, I began to enjoy it. I found it rather incredible how perfectly this dish was paired with the wine … the spiciness of the blend almost disappeared completely halfway into the dish. In the end, I found it to be an absolutely divine match!

Next was the Ploughman’s Platter, which was a combination of Lanquedoc and Belnori Balmoral, green peppercorn salami, chourico, coppa and tomato chutney, served with a glass of merlot. The different flavours and textures in this dish were fantastic, and once again really brought out the best notes in the wine, which weren’t at all apparent at first sip.

Last, but certainly not least, was dessert, which was something rather different yet very much decadent … baked goat’s milk cheesecake with rhubarb ice cream, fig and cashew nut terrine and berry salsa, served with a glass of White From Red Brut. Darlings, I thoroughly enjoyed this – it managed to be rich but not at all too sweet at the same time. As for the glass of sparkling wine that it was served with … well, that was equally fantastic!

Overall, I must say that I had the most exquisite evening at Piccolo Mondo Gourmet Dinners. The well-thought-out menu paired with excellent service made for a truly fabulous – not to mention memorable – occasion, Darlings. 

I must also add that the interaction that the hotel and wine estate affiliates had with the diners throughout the evening, through speeches as well as bids on wines and hotel offerings, made the atmosphere just that much more engaging … I can’t think of one thing that I didn’t enjoy about the evening!

If you’re looking to expand your food and wine horizons, treat that special someone to a stunning dinner, or simply socialise with fellow foodies over world-class eats and drinks, be sure to book your seat at the next Piccolo Mondo Gourmet dinner. It’s the perfect excuse for you and your partner or friends to get all dolled up, and is sure to be an absolutely thrilling experience! For more information on the monthly dinners, go here.




by Candice

Your comments...

 
9 March 2016 at 10:35 am
Ria I went here with a few friends. It is indeed a stunning venue but the only thing worth eating was a beef dish and desert. The rest was plain awful irrespective of the price. I went home starving after a 3 course meal and I do not have a huge appetite.
 

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