I recently sampled spring menu items at Marc’s in Paarl’s Main street, prepared by new young chef Nandé-Mari Versnel. Originally from Paarl, she is back in her home town after training at Warwick’s chef school and working here and there.
Versnel is still finetuning her dishes and although I found the Med theme taken a little too far – a profliferation of olives in various fish and meat courses - there are some promising flavours. The Marc’s menu will have seasonal specials.
Tian of avocado and tiger prawn with a gazpacho sauce needs no tweaking whatsover – it’s delightful. Her spring desserts are great as is – you can’t go wrong with a pear tarte tatin, served here with Van der Hum parfait and sugar-almond crisp. Or a little more unusual: vibrant strawberry soup is combined unusually with fresh mint panna cotta and a dark chocolate-wrapped pastry cigar.
Noteable features: Med-style food and Lebaneze specialities (Marc Friederich is from Alsace and wife Maya is Lebanese). Delicious take-away Alscace flammkuchen from the pizza oven. Extensive yet affordable wine list overseen by owner-sommelier Friederich. Child-friendly. Free wi-fi.
MARC’S MEDITERRANEAN CUISINE & GARDEN, 129 Main Road, Paarl. Lunch and dinner.
Tel 021 863 3980.