Do you remember the traditional family Sunday Lunch Roast when your mom started cooking early in the morning and we all sat down for a long leisurely lunch, followed by dad reading the Sunday paper and the kids playing in the garden?
With our lives being so much busier and parents working full time the leisurely Sunday lunch is not something that many people get to enjoy these day.
I have to admit that my children won’t recall Sunday lunch as a defining memory from their childhood - which is why I eagerly accepted the invitation to the Sunday lunch buffet at the Peach Tree restaurant in the Southern Sun Cullinan Hotel.
While I was a tad apprehensive about taking my 4-year-old twin daughters, the staff were warm and welcoming and we were not made to feel uncomfortable - even as they crawled under the table, rolled on the floor and swayed to the music from Mike Perry who played soothing melodies on the grand piano throughout the lunch.
The Sunday lunch buffet at The Peach Tree restaurant at the Cullinan Hotel truly serves up an elegant all-you-can-eat dining experience with white linen tablecloths, crystal glassware and silver cutlery.
The team of skilled chefs prepare an assortment of fine culinary dishes.
Diners have plenty to choose from, and with the wide selection of dishes everyone is sure to find something they like.
There is always a soup of the day for starters and the cold salad selection includes Greek, Waldorf, potato, pasta, chickpea and an option of creating your own.
The cold salad bar at the Sunday lunch buffet
Be sure to bring a big appetite to take advantage of the indulgent hot dishes like oxtail casserole, lamb curry, beef ribs, roast chicken, macaroni cheese and a variety of vegetables. The carvery offered slithers of beef and lamb.
The main event at any good carvery is the dessert selection - and we weren’t disappointed.
Keep space for the selection of beautifully displayed sweet treats; warm malva pudding with custard, macaroons, vanilla bean crème brulee along with an array of beautiful bite-sized cakes and seasonal fruit platters.
The dessert selection at the Sunday lunch buffet.
I like to try a little bite of everything so started with a bowl of chicken and corn chowder, followed by a selection of salads.
From the warm selection I tried the oxtail casserole - which was quite possibly the best I have ever eaten, lamb curry, roast chicken and a selection of vegetables - including my favourite - creamed spinach.
The selection of decadent desserts meant it was hard to choose….I chose malva pudding with warm custard, and then went back for bite sized portions of crème brûlée, chocolate mousse and lemon meringue. Don’t judge me! My kids went back to the desserts 4 times and obviously I had to accompany them….
Birthday guests all receive a cake from the chef to take home with them
Ideal for special events or family gatherings, the Sunday buffet is available every Sunday from 12.30.
The Sunday that we were there, two people were celebrating their birthdays and both were given an exquisite birthday cake to take home - another reflection of the personalised service that one can expect from this 5-star establishment.
The Southern Sun Cullinan and the Southern Sun Newlands hotels both offer Sunday Buffets lunches from 12.30pm every Sunday.
Price and contact details:
The Southern Sun Cullinan R190 - tel 021 415 4000
Southern Sun Newlands R185 - tel 021 683 6562
Booking is essential.