Mogg's Country Cookhouse in Hermanus, Walker Bay, South Africa | Restaurant

At the foot of the Babylonstoren Mountain in the beautiful Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, lies Mogg's Country Cookhouse. This gem of a restaurant is worth the extra ten minute journey, and especially in view of the fact that there are no less than five notable wine estates en route. Housed in an old farm labourer's cottage, the décor is pure country with deep orange walls both inside and out, a large stone fireplace, cosy pine ceiling, and an assortment of wooden tables and log-style chairs. The interior walls bear testimony to owner Jenny Mogg's talented family and are filled with paintings, embroidered pictures and pottery produced by one family member or another.
A cook's garden supplies plenty of home-grown vegetables for use in the kitchen, and Jenny confirms that absolutely everything else is homemade including the irresistible bread and wonderful ice-cream. For a delicious combination of tastes and textures try the Fresh Asparagus Salad with hazelnut and orange dressing, followed by Kassler Chops with goats cheese and fig sauce. Save room for one of the legendary desserts such as the Gourmet Cheesecake with pineapple and ginger syrup.