Tryn – Steenberg’s vibrant new signature restaurant opens
Restaurant designed by Bone Interior Design Studio

Tryn, a vibrant new signature restaurant opens at Steenberg in September with cherished Constantia chef, Kerry Kilpin, at the helm. Emerging from the chrysalis after the complete transformation of Catharina’s Restaurant which closed after 21 years, Tryn is a refreshed, youthful and stylish space that appeals with leisurely charm and inspiring cuisine. Dedicated to Steenberg’s 17th century founder, Catharina Ras, or Tryn as she was known to her nearest and dearest, the new restaurant is contemporary in spirit with fabulous food, bold accents and modern textures.

“My team and I are very excited about bringing Catharina into the 21st century with the opening of Tryn, and creating a dining experience that is more connected to her free and feisty spirit”, says Steenberg Executive Chef Kerry Kilpin. Tryn’s personality is splashed on bold and gutsy ruby and jade walls in the private dining areas. Solid timber and hardy stone convey her strength, whilst delicate layering of textured fabrics and wall effects coat the space with her femininity. Rich burnt orange and mustard tones in the soft furnishings add scatterings of her feisty character. An inviting bar draws guests into the heart of the space and beckons after-work encounters either indoors or on the tranquil outstretched terrace overlooking verdant vineyards.

At Tryn, Chef Kerry takes her culinary skills to the next level, featuring an abundance of fresh ingredients, honest flavours and intuitive service. Known for adding a touch of Asian and Middle Eastern flair to her classically prepared food, Chef Kerry enlivens the familiar with exciting twists and flavour combinations to delight all palates. Her menu is accessible and easy to navigate with an ample choice of deliciously prepared dishes. Meat lovers will find all their favourite cuts, while vegetarians can savour Chef Kerry’s signature brand of delectable tastes and textures. Her profound passion for ethically sourced fish also shines through on the Tryn menu.

When it comes to exciting your taste buds, bursts of traditional and exotic flavours are interspersed throughout the menu. Think ponzu, daikon, edamame and sriracha from the East, or sumac, cumin and harissa from North Africa – you will find them all on the Tryn menu. South African heritage ingredients such as rooibos and spekboom also take their rightful place in syrups and chutneys. Let Chef Kerry tempt you with her signature “sweet merriment”. True to her personal style, she has infused some unexpected savoury notes such as basil, coriander, thyme and cardamom into her desserts. Expect a sensory narrative for a refined dining experience and envision Tryn flirting and swaying amongst the guests, lavishing her role as hostess in a space that conveys her persona.

More about Catharina Ras AKA Tryn
The pioneering and courageous Catharina Ras, or Tryn as she was known to her nearest and dearest, was Steenberg‘s feisty founder. Tryn built a fruitful life in the Cape against great odds and misfortune when three of her string of five husbands succumbed to the wild, African landscape in a series of unfortunate mishaps. Regardless, her indomitable and fierce spirit never wavered. Tryn leased the land at the foot of the Stone Mountain in 1682 and transformed it into a flourishing farm with her fresh produce receiving particular praise. Today, Steenberg Farm continues to honour her name with the opening of Tryn and dedicating two signature wines to her: the flagship red blend, Catharina, and the prestige cuvée, Lady R Méthode Cap Classique.

“The heritage of Catharina was so tangible within the walls of the restaurant that we could not wash away the story with a new unrelated aesthetic and a few disconnected furniture pieces. To modernise the interiors meant we needed to modernise Catharina and bring her into the 21st century. She became Tryn, the nickname to which her friends and family referred-a name more connected to her free and feisty spirit. We allowed the base floors and walls to remain untouched and honest, paying homage to the past whilst splashing her personality into the private dining areas with bold & gutsy ruby and jade walls. She was complex and strong whilst remaining feminine. The use of solid timbers and hardy stones convey this strength whilst the delicate layering of textured fabrics, wall effects & art coat the space with femininity. Rich burnt orange and mustard tones within the furniture and soft furnishings add scatterings of her fiery character.

Structurally we moved the bar to become the main integral focus-drawing people through to the heart of the space. The bar offers a dynamic meeting point, a space that suggests a quick drink and a chat or a comfortable base for a long night ahead of friendly conversation. Aesthetically the bar is rooted with daring marbles and stones bringing all the eclectic colouring home. We envisage Tryn flirting and swaying amongst the guests-lavishing her role as hostess in a space that more accurately conveys her persona”.
Hayley Turner and Nicola Orpen

more. www.bonestudio.co.za