Christmas by the sea

With staycations versus overseas trips on the radar this December, consider holidaying at the Overberg’s star destination, Hermanus. Famed for its “champagne air” and sea views galore, Hermanus is the toast of the coastline. And if you’re looking for a premier venue to raise a glass to life and the spirit of giving this Christmas, then look no further than Hermanus’s pinnacle hospitality property, The Marine. This five-star luxury hotel will be hosting a sumptuous Christmas feast this year, for Christmas Eve Dinner and Christmas Day Lunch, with bookings open to both resident hotel guests and visitors alike.

The meal begins with views of the ocean and the sea cliffs and pre-dinner drinks and canapés. These include a traditional combination of pork and cranberry that has been transformed into dainty sausage rolls. There are also chimichurri steak bites and grilled zucchini and goat’s cheese roll ups. For vegetarians, the sausage rolls make way for halloumi fries with roasted garlic aioli, and the steak is replaced with mushroom.

To start, the smoked white fish tartare is dressed with lime, crème fraîche, edamame beans and herb oil. The vegetarian option sees avocado and red onion in place of the fish. This is followed by burrata truffle ravioli with tomato and basil cream.

Main course offers a choice of stuffed turkey ballotine or grilled pork tenderloin. The turkey is served with oven-roasted cauliflower, new potatoes, buttered brussels sprouts, and a red wine and cranberry jus. The pork is sauced with a honey-orange glaze and served with apple snow, Tenderstem broccoli and miso sweet potato mash. The vegetarian main course is mushroom bourguignon, which is accompanied by oven-roasted cauliflower, Tenderstem broccoli and miso sweet potato mash.

For dessert, you can choose between the traditional Christmas pudding and a rum and raisin popsicle, and tonka bean crème anglaise; or, the cherry and white chocolate panna cotta with a blonde chocolate and almond snap, and citrus zest bark.

This delicious five-course meal ends with a suitably Christmassy flourish in the form a yuletide favourite – mince pies. These are served with either coffee or tea, and an array of petit fours.

The menu is subject to seasonal change and availability. The cost per person is R985 for the standard menu and R885 for the vegetarian menu. Booking is essential.

Tel: +27 28 313 1000 | Email: reservations@collectionmcgrath.com