Lovers of cuisine and wine should be well acquainted with Franschhoek’s main artery — Huguenot Road — that runs past some of South Africa's best restaurants. This stretch contributing its fair share to the little town's big reputation as being the country’s gourmet capital.

Driving to Franschhoek for a leisurely Saturday is common practice for Capetonians. It is close enough and the 'village' provides ample to-do's and to-return-fors.

However, there are also a whole lot to-stay-longer-fors, making it a worthy destination for food and wine enthusiasts from all over.

Eateries in Franschhoek have made the most of the natural surroundings. Many offer al fresco dining, and, if weather drives you inside, interior spaces typically make use of big windows to allow for view enjoyment while fireplaces keep you warm.

I visit this town on a tee-shirt autumn weekend in May. Approaching Franschhoek on the R45 from the N1 in Cape Town, it feels like entering a centrefold in a winelands coffee table book, the oak trees and vines that line the lanes in town are wearing their yellow, copper and muscadel robes, with the sun lending just enough shadow and contrast.

The months to visit?

May and June seems to be the months to visit — berg winds can make for balmy days and, this being 'off-season;, finding an affordable stayover is easy. Also, winter months (stretching from May until end September) are perfect for those who like to avoid the tourist herds.

There are numerous places to stay in Franschhoek - ranging from A-rate - (R1500 plus per person) to F-rate (from as little as R200 per person).

What's beautiful, is that an 'F' rate does not necessarily translate into "shabby", since establishments are very much focused on maintaining a level of style complementary to what the village has come to represent. Therefore, if you are visiting on a budget, booking into a lower-rate establishment makes sense.

Accommodation:

Franschhoek Wine Valley & Tourist Association (www.franschhoek.org.za) lists over 100 establishments offering accommodation, so you're spoilt for choice.

My travelling companions and I booked into Bo La Motte cottages, just outside the village but still within easy walking distance to the town centre.

Run by Jenny Troth and Maarten de Graaf, Bo La Motte over-delivers on price.

Separate, cosy self-catering cottages allow for absolute privacy. It is winter friendly too, with a fireplace in each "country house" to warm up the country-chic interior.

The stoep is the perfect location to open a bottle of Colmant bubbly, produced by Jean-Philippe and Isabelle Colmant on a farm adjacent to Bo La Motte. These Cap Classique wines are some of the best produced in South Africa. Rate: R600 to R1200 per cottage. Tel: +27 21 876 3067, www.bolamotte.com.

Rose Cottages from R700 to R1250 per night (May to end-September) also come highly recommended by locals. Tel: +27 21 876 3425, www.rosecottages.co.za. Also ask for winter packages as most establishments offer seasonal specials.

Restaurants:

Le Quartier Français

The village is home to numerous award-winning eateries, none more renowned than Le Quartier Français.

A boutique hotel, LQF is perhaps best known for its restaurant The Tasting Room, recently awarded 37th place in the S.Pelligrino's 50 Best Restaurants 2009.

When visiting Franschhoek, a visit to LQF is a must-do. The Tasting Room is a dinner-only restaurant and offers only a four or eight-course menu (with prices to match).

Definitely worth it, but for those keeping an eye on the finances, iCi, LQF's "relaxed café-style restaurant", offers patrons all-day dining, and generous portions prepared by the same chef, Margot Janse. Local diners are also attracted by The Screening Room, a private movie house, where movies can be paired with an early dinner at iCi, followed by a 8pm screening.

Recommendation: iCi is perfect for light lunches and casual dinners. Have 
to have: Duck liver parfait with pear chutney. Starter: The organic fig and buffalo mozzarella salad with bacon and pine nut crumbs and pomegranate dressing is also a fresh lunch option. Main: The slow cooked pork belly with hazelnut, cabbage and honey roasted pear. Enjoy it with: Stony Brook SMV 2006.
Tel: +27 21 876 2151.

French Connection Bistro

Another local love is chef Matthew Gordon's fresh mussels. Patron-chef at the French Connection Bistro in town, Gordon also holds fort at Cabrière.

"The freshest mussels in the country" according to Cabrière's Achim von Arnim, who recommends pairing it with a few glasses of Pierre Jourdan Belle Rose.

Opting to have the starter portion at the French Connection is a good call — although you might want to ask for french fries on the side, as these are made sinfully well. The bistro also has a friendly, relaxed atmosphere — and it is oh-so-French with its red-checkered tablecloths.

Recommendation: Best for a hearty lunch. Have to have: Crème Brûlée. Main: Free range slow roasted crispy duck or the fresh mussels. Enjoy it with: Porcupine Ridge Sauvignon Blanc. Tel: +27 21 876 4056, www.frenchconnection.co.za.

La Petite Ferme

This restaurant provides the perfect post-lunch lull setting. Situated higher up opposite Haute Cabrière on the Villiersdorp road (just before Franschhoek Pass), it boasts one of the best views in Franschhoek.

Run by winemaker Mark and wife Josephine Dendy Young, the restaurant is tastefully decorated, with guests served at tables on an enclosed veranda that makes the most of the spectacular vistas. The winelist features various handcrafted wines, made to complement the food on offer. They also make for perfect companions when sprawled on the grass outside.

Recommendation: The restaurant offers a late lunch menu between 3pm and 4pm to settle those just-too-early-for-dinner munchies. Go for: The farmhouse cheese platter. Try it with: Baboon Rock Unwooded Chardonnay 2008 or a glass of La Petite Ferme Sieste. Tel: +27 21 876 3016, www.lapetiteferme.co.za.

Mon Plaisir at Chamonix

If it's authentic French dining you are after, then Mon Plaisir at Chamonix wine farm must be first on your list. Recommended by winemaker Marc Kent from Boekenhoutskloof, Mon Plaisir is run with true French flair by Celine Mandaglio and David Sadeh. Meal choices are scribbled on a black board with Mandaglio on hand to explain. On the menu you'll find traditional frogs' legs, duck, sweetbreads of veal, and rabbit, although they cater equally well for the less adventurous diner.

Recommendation: Mon Plaisir is perfect for a romantic dinner to round off a weekend getaway. Have to have: The almost wafer-thin apple tart. Starter: Traditional frogs’ legs with butter, pepper and garlic. Main: Fillet topped with foie gras. Enjoy it with: Chamonix Pinot Noir Reserve 2007 or Bourgogne 2001 Pinot Noir. Tel: +27 21 876 2393, www.monplaisir.co.za.

Salmon Bar

Make sure you visit the Salmon Bar at the yard sooner rather than later during your visit, since chances are you would want to
return. Match imported salmon or local trout with bubbly and while away the day. Locals highly recommend the Salmon Bar's bowl of noodles tossed with hot smoked salmon, chilli and lime as an inexpensive lunch option.

Recommendation: The Salmon Bar is an excellent brunch venue. Have to have: Smolax (lightly smoked, marinated Leso-tho Highland trout with lime mayonnaise) or poached eggs with buttered spinach and hot roast salmon. Enjoy it with: Graham Beck Brut. Tel: +27 21 876 4591, www.salmonbar.com.

For the outdoor spirit

• Pieter Hugo from Robertsvallei offers horse rides, which include wine tastings at Rickety Bridge Wines and Mont Rochelle, Tel +27 21 876 2160.
• Rob Armstrong from Haut Espoir offers biodiversity walks,
Tel +27 21 876 4000.
• Geddan from Manic Bicycles rents out bicycles but also offers tailormade bicycle tours to include wine tastings at various farms. Tel +27 21 876 4956.
• Vrede en Lust runs a 'wine-safari' that take guests up to Simonsberg in an open Land Rover for a wine and food pairing at R350 per person. Tel +27 21 874 1611. Want to know more? See www.winemag.co.za for trip highlights and best finds and also winter package deals in Franschhoek.

Get your bubbly fix

• Graham Beck wine cellar runs an excellent tasting room, tel +27 21 874 1258, www.grahambeckwines.com.
• Colmant Cap Classique & Champagne, for über-delicious bubbly, tel +27 21 876 4348, www.colmant.co.za.
• Let winemaker Achim von Arnim show you traditional sabrage at Cabrière, tel +27 21 876 8500, www.cabriere.co.za.

Other local recommendations:

• Môreson's Deli for delectable products such as marula-infused balsamic vinegar, tel 021 876 3055, www.moreson.co.za. The restaurant Bread and Wine should also be paid a visit, tel +27 21 876 3692.
• Bouillabaisse offers the most delicious oyster snacks, tel +27 21 876 4430, www.bouillabaisse.co.za.
• La Cotte Inn Wine Sales & Fromage de France, stocks French cheeses and rare wine finds from the underground cellar, tel +27 21 876 3775.
• Kalfi's restaurant offers home cooked meals and photographs of Franschhoek in the olden days. Tel +27 21 876 2520.
• Visit the Motor Museum at L'Omarins, tel +27 21 874 9000, www.lomarins.co.za. Solms Delta's Museum van den Caab features a history of the Cape Winelands, tel +27 21 874 3937, www.solms-delta.co.za.
• Masquerade Antiques & Things for fine linen and French interiors. Tel +27 21 876 3944.
• And if you want to party with the local chefs and villagers, Elephant and Barrel is where it is happening after 10pm. Tel +27 21 876 4127.