From the start, in May 1996 it has been our goal to delight each guest with a superb dining experience in our warm, relaxing venue set in the heart of the glorious Helderberg countryside. We use only fresh, often organic and where possible local ingredients to prepare our dishes. They are inspired by South African favourites and flavours from around the world. The fresh seasonal and inspirational menu changes almost every day, the main menu four times a year.

Founded by ex-Johannesburg restraurateur Ken Forrester and Devon Valley wine maker Martin Meinert, the opening was preceded by lengthy debates in Ken’s kitchen about the butternut colour of the interior and the name – Butternut? Wine plays a major role in the partners’ lives and many of the local winegrowers are regular patrons. And so situated on Winery Road, it remained only to put a prefix in front of the name. No erf number, no twisted Freudian logic, just the abbreviation of the founding year designating
the beginning of good fortune.

Ken’s grapes from his near by “Scholtzenhof Farm” are vinified by Martin in the winery on the latter’s property, Devon Crest. The vineyards distinguish the Ken Forrester and Meinert ranges of premium wines. (Available for tasting and sale at the restaurant) Ken, as he showed with his award winning wine list at Gatriles in Johannesburg as long had a fascination with the liquid. A list of around 250 wines puts our commitment to the industry and enjoyment of every meal beyond doubt.