In a small square room embodied by virginal white — except for a touch of colour in the form of single ethereal yellow flower on each table — I have found heaven… the food in my mouth sending signals of ecstasy into my cranium.

I feel like I've entered a world set apart from the chaos of life, into the lair of a sacred gastronomic society, where flavours from a different planet abound.

'Nova' which simply means 'new', is a restaurant recently opened by award-winning chef Richard Carstens, and is exactly that — a new experience in fine dining.

But Nova also refers to 'a cataclysmic nuclear explosion', which I think is a more apt representation of my experience of the restaurant — the food causing an out-of-this-world taste-explosion in my mouth.

Situated below Relish in New Church Street Cape Town, it's an intimate space where décor and atmosphere don't take centre stage — the mood being so slight that you're not distracted by location, sound or service — only the food.

Carstens combines ingredients in the most outlandish way, and you're bound to wonder if the artwork on your plate is edible or not. Believe me it is, and you're going to want to savour every mouthful.

Tasting heaven

Carstens' playfulness is also captured in the introduction of flowers, and food essences to the plate, as well as the addition of unexpected ice-creams and sorbets.

A degustation (tasting) menu, is available at R325 per person, and with a line up of: Frozen Citric Dome; Oyster with sesame pudding; Togorashi Salt Salmon; Passata Foam; Hibiscus Elderflower Tea Sparkling sorbet and citrus; followed by Veal with roasted peanuts, broccoli florets, shavings, and smoked truffle crème — you're bound to get your money's worth and a lot more than your tastebuds bargained for.

It could be a rather stimulating experience, but we opted for the al a carte option instead...

Our waitress brought us a amuse-bouche of salmon sushi just to wet our palates and awaken our senses.

For starters I had the Prawns (R90) — lightly battered warm tempura prawns which come with cold apple sorbet, and hints of wasabi, almonds and orange, on a bed of ravioli, tucked neatly beneath a duvet of pink and green foam.

It's unearthly to think that this hot and cold dish could bring such pleasure, but it's a magic concoction, true poetry, and a decent size portion too.

My partner opted for the strips of Calamari (R80) which come with black risotto, mange tout peas, and hints of garlic and tomato. Rather salty in comparison to my prawns, it made for nice diversity of flavour, especially if you're sharing starters.

Simply mesmerising

Wine is available mostly by the bottle at hugely outrageous prices, with a few choices by the glass.

I had a refreshing glass of Waterford Pecan Stream 2007 (R30) to start, followed appropriately by a glass of Kevin Arnold Shiraz (R75), while my partner Richard savoured a glass of Tokara Zondernaam Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 (R40).

For mains, I just had to try the Ostrich Fillet which comes with a combination of fascinating flavours: beetroot, yoghurt and a hint of curry (R115). The sliced ostrich was rare and juicy, and was heavenly with the tastes that accompanied it.

Richard tried one of the evening's specials — The Pork Belly — which was a neat square of pork belly served on butternut puree with a block of roast potato. A remarkable choice, but beware it's also rather rich and hearty.

We ate just enough, which isn't always the case at a fine dining restaurant, but I still had space for dessert.

I had the slither of Chocolate Mousse which comes with flavours of cardamom and orange sorbet (R50). A minute helping, it's the ideal way to end your meal. I wouldn't recommend sharing.

Richard tried the house speciality of a trio of sorbets, which was a rather intense combination of kiwi, strawberry and one other flower flavour which might have been juniper (R45).

We ended off the evening with two glasses of the Port Boplaas Ruby Port (R20 each).

As we left our waitress bid us good morning. Good morning? It was already 12.15am. Clearly Richard Carstens had kept us captivated for hours, without us even noticing the time...

For a treat that's out of this world, you have to try Nova, but be warned bank balance will be at war with your will.

Nova Restaurant, 70 New Church Street, Cape Town. Contact them on +27 21 422 3585