Head Chef Gordon Manuel and his wife Emma enter the scene as new partners at The Pool Room Restaurant on Oak Valley, one of Elgin’s historic family estates.
The Pool Room, now in its fourth season, sought to expand on the regions tourism offering by creating a destination venue in its own right. The restaurant overlooks a turquoise swimming pool in an open garden setting with views of the Groenland Mountain.
The Pool Room serves as the perfect platform to showcase Oak Valley’s free-range meats, reared ethically on open pasture, and packed with natural flavour.
In partnering with Gordon Manuel, The Pool Room enters an exciting new chapter, while still retaining its soul by staying true to a menu that focusses on Oak Valley’s meat products. These include free-range beef and acorn-fed pork, along with a range of dry-cured meats crafted by Richard Bosman.
The greenery, including fresh veggies, salads and herbs, are sourced from a 200m²shadehouse behind the restaurant.
Gordon Manuel brings French culinary flair combined with his years of experience in the valley, having previously worked as the Head Chef of South Hill and as the owner of Gordon’s Country Kitchen on Thandi Estate.
“The Pool Room really gives me the opportunity to work with the best ingredients in the valley. I’m thrilled to be a part of the farm-to-table movement and we are committed to upholding the integrity of all products that define Oak Valley,” says Manuel.
One of the challenges facing Gordon is finding creative ways to make use of the whole animal, head-to-tail. Gordon’s skill as a saucier supports a range of dishes to utilise a variety of cuts. This is strongly reflected in the menu, where items range from the normal primals (sirloin, rump & rib-eye) to the more adventurous braised shin and pork rillettes.
A small deli offers items such as cut-flowers (also from the farm), preserves, fresh wood-fire breads and a variety of baked goods.
Gordon’s country cuisine is complemented by a full range of Oak Valley wines, characterised by their delicacy, elegance and purity of fruit.
Gordon is joined by his wife Emma Manuel who manages front of house. Emma has many years’ experience in hospitality and is relishing the challenge of once again managing a restaurant.
Key to their vision is the development of staff in the area. The evolving hospitality sector has the potential to offer new opportunities, and, as Gordon says, ‘it’s exciting to watch these youngsters develop and grow in the industry that I have come to love, perhaps they will be the next generation.’
TRADING DETAILS:
Opening Hours:
Tuesday to Sunday: Breakfast 09:00 – 11:00
Tuesday to Sunday: Lunch 12:00 – 15:00
Friday: Dinner 16:30 – 22:00
Picnics: Available from 1stNov to 30thApril and can be enjoyed on the restaurant lawns beneath the oak trees. Picnic orders must be placed 24 hours in advance.
Table reservations are essential on weekends and during holidays.
ADDRESS AND CONTACT DETAILS
The Pool Room, Oak Valley Estate, Oak Avenue, Elgin
www.oakvalley.co.za/the-pool-room
poolroom@oak-valley.co.za
Bookings: 021 859 4111