The trio of top Franschhoek restaurants – Eleven, Yama Asian Eatery and Ōku Restaurant – have raised the bar with their approach to accessible high end dining . Eleven led the change with the introduction of an à la carte menu to supplement the options available at Yama. Now Ōku follows with the introduction of an à la carte lunch menu to accompany its popular Kaiseki, or set menu, option.
“Hands down one of my favourite dining experiences,” reckons one Google reviewer following a recent visit to Ōku. On Dineplan, another reviewer writes: “We had a four-course à la carte dinner and it was amazing. Highly recommend!”
“The responses show the expansion has been right on-target,” says chef proprietor Ryan Shell. “We’ve always sourced our ingredients locally and according to what is in season, but being in tune with our guests is also part of getting the magic just right,” he says. “The introduction of the à la carte options provides a new reason for patrons to fall in love with Ōku, Yama and Eleven, all over again.”
In essence, the à la carte options provide more freedom for customers to curate their own culinary experience.
Eleven: Contemporary dining in a chic setting
Eleven, the team’s high street venue named for its address, has been delighting guests since its opening in August 2023. The introduction of an à la carte menu in March this year added a new layer of appeal to its already popular offering of global contemporary cuisine served in a chic, relaxed setting.
Star attractions on the menu at Eleven, include the likes of Franschhoek trout carpaccio with ginger, chilli, orange, tozazu dressing; truffle falafel, made with zucchini, green beans, almond and verjuice; and, pork agnolotti served napolitana style with pancetta, basil and beurre noisette.
Be sure to try sides like the parmesan risotto with brown butter and parsley, or the Hasselback potatoes with butter, chives and cheese.
Whatever the choice, it’ll be cosy beside Eleven’s roaring fireplace. In addition to the à la carte offering, guests may opt for the comprehensive tasting menu.
Ōku: Exceptional cuisine imbued with history and spirituality
Ōku is Japanese for oak, a majestic species that like South East Asian culture evokes a deep sense of history and spirituality. These are elements at the heart of the restaurant’s menu and refined décor.
Among the highlights of its new à la carte offering are dishes that capture both the restaurant’s essence and the spirit of the autumn season — best enjoyed beside the indoor fireplace.
There’s beef broth made with Wagyu brisket, edamame, chilli dashi and daikon, served with Japanese marrow toast. The delectable mushroom dumpling dish comprises mushroom gyoza, truffle, roasted red pepper, mushroom soy and sesame miso. The chicken gyoza is a mesmerising dish incorporating tomato, white cabbage kimchi and basil. Don’t miss the springbok, a meat-lovers delight featuring coriander-crusted game with miso rice purée, bok choi and a black garlic jus.
The dishes are the ideal comfort-food as chillier weather sets in.
This is also the time to make the most of Ōku’s sake tastings, which offer premium spirits and an opportunity to try something rare and new.
Ōku’s diverse offering includes a shared lunch menu, a four-course option, and its signature Kaiseki wine pairing experience — the pinnacle of the experience.
Yama: Quality sushi and more
Cosiness is part of the recipe at Yama Asian Eatery, where diners can choose between indoor seating or a courtyard warmed by blankets and heaters – perfect for catching the last afternoon sun.
Plus, there’s a so-called hot menu of dishes alongside its sushi offering.
Reviews here too are a golden thread linking the trio of restaurants. “The best Asian food we’ve ever eaten—and we’ve been to many Asian countries,” enthuses one Google reviewer. “Every dish was fresh, flavourful, and beautifully presented.”
Apart from the food, the restaurant is well-known for being the answer to a quick lunch or full dinner spread. Its high-quality, precision-made sushi menu accompanies an Asian-themed à la carte menu the employs fresh seasonal ingredients. A big attraction is its children’s menu, making it the go-to venue for families.
For autumn, Yama ramen is the perfect warmer. There’s also Zenzai: Tom kha broth with Chinese cabbage kimchi, shiitake, coconut broth and tofu; Yakiniku: a long-standing favourite with guests and on the menu since the beginning; Donburi dishes, which are great comfort dishes; and the signature offering: Bao Buns!
To book at Yama, call 079 737 1849 or email reservations@eat-yama.co.za. Its website address is https://eat-yama.co.za/. Follow YamaEatery on Facebook and Yama_Eatery on Instagram.
Business hours: 12pm to 9pm (last seating).
To book at Eleven, email to reservations@eleveneats.co.za. Contact on tell 021 023 3755 or via its website www.eleveneats.co.za. Follow ElevenEats on Facebook and Eleven_Restaurant on Instagram.
Business hours: 12pm to 2:30pm (last seating) and dinner, 6pm to 9pm (last seating)
