Zachary’s, the gourmet restaurant at Pezula Resort Hotel & Spa in Knysna, has been named one of the country’s Top 10 Deluxe eateries in the 2008 Dine Awards. This category recognises restaurants which offer “high-skill, innovative cuisine, exceptional winelists, high levels of wine knowledge, magnificent décor and faultless service”.
According to a press release from dine 2008, “a team of critics – headed by chef, culinary lecturer, award-winning cookbook author and editor of dine 2008, Anna Trapido – have determined what they believe to be the Top 100 restaurants in the country. The best of these award winners have been further recognised for their epicurean excellence by way of special awards for the Top 10 Deluxe, Top 10 Smart casual and Top 10 Everyday eateries.”
The other nine Top 10 Deluxe restaurants are: Auberge Michel, Linger Longer and The Saxon in Johannesburg, Roots in Krugersdorp, Cleopatra Mountain Lodge in KwaZulu-Natal, Hartford House in Mooi River, Aubergine in Cape Town, Bosman’s at the Grande Roche Hotel in Paarl and The Tasting Room at Le Quartier Français in Franschhoek.
As one of the Top 10 Everyday eateries – “familiar neighbourhood eateries offering quick but utterly delicious meals at reasonable prices in ultra-relaxed circumstances”, Ile de pain in Knysna was the only other restaurant in the Garden Route to receive Top 10 recognition.
diine 2008 is published by WINE magazine in association with Diners Club International.
Zachary’s opened in February 2005 and has been well received by critics internationally. At the helm is New York-born executive chef Geoffrey Murray who describes his cuisine ethic as “local produce with a global influence”.
All dishes are prepared using only the freshest ingredients, sourced locally or from the hotel’s own organic vegetable and herb garden. Murray’s eclectic yet honest approach to food has set trends and won hearts all over the world. “I believe in maintaining the integrity of the ingredients,” he says, “changing them slightly to enhance them, but keeping their integrity.”
Earlier this year Zachary’s received an Award of Excellence in recognition of an outstanding winelist from the prestigious American publication Wine Spectator and a 2007 American Express® Platinum Fine Dining Award.
For more information about Zachary’s restaurant at Pezula Resort Hotel & Spa, visit www.zacharys.co.za.
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