If you have time to kill while waiting for inbound passengers or a departing flight at Cape Town International Airport, then the Nuovo Restaurant at Hotel Verde is the perfect place to grab a wholesome "Farm to Fork" meal - especially if you're an eco-conscious...traveller.
Nuovo Restaurant recently showcased its new menu to guests at a private function when Executive Chef Adrian Shreuder and his green team presented a seven-course tasting from the new menu during the restaurant’s weekly Earth Hour.
The courses served included an amuse-bouche of white bean and truffle velouté followed by gin and tonic cured trout starter; a fresh and colourful superfood salad; succulent lamb with aubergine, beetroot and peas; tender chicken with samp and sour cream, game with a juniper and cacao nib crust; and finally rounded off with two sublime desserts of pear and ginger as well as a delightful milk and cinnamon sago pudding.
Delectable and beguiling are two words that best describe the taste experience. But there's more to this story than just the taste. What lies behind the food procurement and preparation is equally fascinating.
Nuovo Restaurant aims to source ingredients within a 160km radius of the hotel, as this is most sustainable. “We are able to reduce our carbon footprint by cooking with what is on our doorstep and available at the time - in doing so, we are also able to support local and small businesses. Care is also taken to procure fish only from the SASSI green list," says Chef Adrian.
Then, there is a considered focus on the consumption of resources. For example, water is saved by using low-flow fittings, and blast chillers over ice baths to cool food. The kitchen keeps the use of extraction fans to a minimum to lower electricity usage, employs induction cooking methods, and the staff switch off gas burners when not in use. The food and beverage department also filter, bottle and carbonated water on site, using reusable glass bottles. Green cleaning is essential and the kitchen uses only non-toxic, eco-friendly products to sanitise and keep the kitchen clean.
In summary, Nuovo aims to create fresh, simple, delicious, locally-sourced dishes from conception to the final product, whilst staying true to sustainable and local influences.
Highly commendable, and highly recommended.
Nuovu is open for breakfast (04h30 – 10h00), lunch (12h00 – 15h00) and dinner (18h30 – 10h30).More
