WanderCurtis Wine

Wine tastings, corporate events, reviews and recommendations

Tag Archives: restaurants


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Epice restaurant, Franschhoek, South Africa

The restaurant name means spice that that is exactly what you get but in the most amazingly nuanced and innovative way.

I hate to say it was a ‘journey’, as that word is so overused, but the tasting menu with wine pairing really was quite an experience. The theatrics of table side prep, and wafts of dry ice all helped but the food was just incredibly complex and delicious.

For me the stand out dish was the normally humble bread course. First a large brass plate is sprinkled with spices: caraway, cumin, coriander, turmeric, black pepper and more, then warm wagyu dripping is poured over it. I had to soak up every drop with the bread it was so good.  Actually the pairing with this was a wheat beer which worked very well.

Every member of the team was warm and friendly and super attentive. Book ahead to make sure to get a table, you do not want to miss out.

Link to Epice.


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Osteria Fernanda, & Osteria Giulia Rome

A cab ride from the ancient centre of Rome this restaurant is located on the ground floor of decidedly unhistoric looking apartment block, 1980’s at a guess! One wonders if you are in the right place.

This is obviously not the Osteria but the incredible Pantheon on the Piazza della Rotonda

However the interior is very stylish with tall shelves of wine lining the walls, wooden tables and simple lamps hanging from the tall ceiling.

This is the place to come for contemporary Italian food, a great tasting menu and a superb wine list.

Worth the journey.

Link to Osteria Feranda website.

Osteria Giulia is within walking distance of the Pantheon but again slightly off piste. The food as well as the decor is also contemporary and the atmosphere friendly and relaxed. Ask for by the glass wine pairing with your meal and the waiters will happily do this for you.

We also ate at a couple of the many restaurants lining Piazza della Rotonda and Piazza Navona where you can sit outside and enjoy the very scenic outlook and soak in the atmosphere but for great food and wine you need to explore further afield.