Sunday lunch at Sophie’s Choice, Willowmore |19 February, 2012

Decided to go to Willowmore for lunch at 'Sophie’s Choice'. It is a 68km drive from Uniondale, a good road and beautiful scenery through the mountains which separate the little Karoo from the Great Karoo and as I always do my thinking while driving, it gave me time for reflection and contemplation.

Sophie’s little restaurant is very pleasant and the food always beautifully presented on antique china and the tables covered with exquisite old linen. The interior is filled with antiques that create a fascinating and tranquil atmosphere. Service always excellent.

Patrons and manikins on the verandah

I had the chicken pie, which is my favourite, but there was also fish and calamari with salad, chicken salad and lamb curry amongst the many other dishes on the menu. The coffee is good, cakes are scrumptious and can be highly recommended.

Fish, calamari & salad

Chicken salad

My favourite, chicken pie and salad with added vegatables

Half-way through the meal, a group on Harley Davidson’s arrived on their way to Queenstown. Beautiful bikes and interesting people of all ages who thrive on open spaces and speed.

The antique shop is a haven for the collector and browser, stocked with many rare and beautiful items.

Before I left town, decided to investigate the historic cemetery. Pioneers arrived in the area in the early 1800’s and the first farms were granted by the Government on 20 November 1817. The town was founded and laid out on the original property known as Van der Westhuizen’s Kraal in 1858.

As I looked at the immaculately kept cemetery, read the names and dates of those founding fathers that established this town on the edge of the arid Karoo, I realized that they could not have envisaged that the area today would be exporting the highest yield and best quality mohair in the country.

As I drove back I noticed that the grey, blue karoo-bossies are now very distinct on the mountain slopes in expansive patches. February is the time in the Karoo when the veld is not at its best and everything is dry and grey as it is the hottest month when temperatures can peak at 45 degrees.

Sphie's Choice is in the main street as you come into town, you can't miss it!
Tel: 044 923 1117 Fax 044 923 2061 Cell: 073 140 5630
the willow@telkomsa.net
www.willowguesthouse.co.za/sophieschoice