Enjoy a culinary journey of refined and contemporary West Coast cuisine at the newly opened Leeto Restaurant by Chef Proprietor Garth Almazan. Authenticity and local specialities merge with sophistication in both the menu and restaurant design. Leeto (Khoi language: ’journey’) stays true to its unique beach location, capturing local flavours whilst at the same time boasting spectacular views.

Chef Garth Almazan has opened his much-anticipated restaurant in Paternoster. LEETO (the name is interpreted as ‘a culinary journey’) overlooks the beach and is located on the north eastern side of the village (driving into Paternoster, on the edge of the village on the extreme right-hand side).

Seating 60 diners, but up to 80 for weddings and private events, the restaurant presents refined and contemporary West Coast cuisine showcasing local culinary treasures including sustainable seafood and free-range venison, as well as a selection of creative vegan and vegetarian dishes.

LEETO is a welcome addition to the growing ‘foodie-scene’ of Paternoster, and is one of a very few restaurants here that are open seven days a week, right through the year – welcoming diners for both lunch and dinner.

The restaurant design and decor is clean and modern with a ‘beachside sophistication’ that pays homage to its unique location. Designed to incorporate the natural elements of authentic Paternoster, LEETO is a tranquil, stylish and modern space in muted natural colours set as a backdrop to the surrounding ocean, beach and fynbos. It comes with a fully stocked bar with excellent coffee and a good selection of local craft gins and beers, as well as a wine list that promotes wines from the West Coast region.  Dining areas are located on the wind-protected wooden deck overlooking the beach, as well as indoors adjacent to a comfortable lounge with wood burning fireplaces for chilly evenings.

Almazan and his wife Cecile operate LEETO as a destination restaurant in partnership with Simone Jacke and Deon Brand. Seasoned hospitality experts and property developers in Paternoster and abroad, the Jacke/Brand couple are also the owners of the award-winning 5-star Strandloper Ocean Boutique Hotel, neighbouring the new restaurant. LEETO is proud to support and help upskill the Paternoster community with employment and in-house training of kitchen and waitron staff.

For Almazan (43) LEETO is a dream come true as some of his earliest food memories include the delicious, spicy seafood family dinners prepared by his Philippine grandmother when he was a young boy. Born and bred in Cape Town, Almazan trained under Garth Stroebel at the Belmond Mount Nelson for three years before working as Head Chef at Shamwari for two years. This was followed by a record 18-year stint as Executive Chef at Catharina’s, the fine dining restaurant at Steenberg in Constantia, where he cooked to great acclaim and raked in several accolades over the years.

He says: ‘It’s been a wonderful culinary journey for me from the Constantia Winelands to the wild, natural beauty of the West Coast. Here in Paternoster, we live close to nature and in harmony with the ocean. The natural environment has been a great source of inspiration and it has greatly influenced my food concept at LEETO. I’m excited to present fine, contemporary West Coast cuisine using local treasures from the sea, such as oysters and mussels, and sustainable fish including Cape bream, which one will not easily find on menus in the city. West Coast rock lobster is unfortunately on the red endangered list, and therefore we will not serve this local delicacy until its status is not under threat anymore.

LEETO will focus on the specialities of the region, with fresh, seasonal and wherever possible, organic and sustainable produce presented in a compact menu of exciting and delicious, but accessible food that you can eat every day. For lunch and dinner, we offer a choice of about six starters and six mains and a variety of desserts, complemented by daily specials and depending on what is available fresh, and of top quality. I like to support our local producers, farming and fishing communities on a daily basis and promote the culinary highlights of the beautiful West Coast’, he concluded.

LEETO

RESERVATIONS TEL: 060 927 0403

EMAIL: [email protected]

WEBSITE: www.leetopaternoster.co.za

West Coast Way is Your Route To Nature

West Coast Way is your ultimate gateway to experiencing the natural beauty and cultural richness of the Cape West Coast of South Africa. As a premium tourism brand, we offer six uniquely themed trip plans that promise an unforgettable journey: Cape, Culture, Foodie, Tractor, Berg, and Wild.

Discover over 101 incredible things to see and do with West Coast Way: Savour the delights of wine, craft beer, olives, and Rooibos tea tastings. Indulge in authentic Weskus cuisine and the traditional braaivleis (barbecue). Feel the thrill of swinging into Citrusdal on a zipline or challenge yourself with Cederberg bouldering. Rejuvenate in natural warm pools and embark on serene cruises across lagoons and rivers. Explore the diverse landscapes of nature reserves and a National Park, or embark on exciting game drives. Hone your skills in archery and angling, or amp up the excitement with sandboarding and quad-biking. Enjoy horse riding, immerse yourself in the unique San culture, and experience the vibrant Riel dancing. For water sports enthusiasts, kite- and windsurfing, surfing, and kayaking trips await. Go beach hopping, learn about bees and whales, and delight in birdwatching in a twitcher’s paradise – all within South Africa’s renowned wildflower reserve. For more information on the best places to visit on the West Coast, road tripping routes, hikes, tours, and trails, explore westcoastway.co.za or call West Coast Way on 0861 321 777.  Follow us on  on Instagram, Facebook, X and LinkedIn @WestCoastWaySA.

West Coast Way is a unique collection of themed routes that can be enjoyed by locals and visitors when they do an adventure-filled Cape West Coast self-drive trip for a day trip or a West Coast Holiday. The new West Coast Way “basket” of free routes on offer include the West Coast Way Tractor Route, the West Coast Way Berg Route, the West Coast Way Foodie Route, the West Coast Way Cultural Route – as well as the newly launched West Coast Way Wild Route, all of which are designed to showcase the many attractions and activities that are already on offer on the Cape West Coast and inland areas – but may be unknown to many.

For more information on West Coast Way, the other routes on offer, and the list of 101 Things to Do on the West Coast visit www.westcoastway.co.za or call West Coast Way on 0861 321 777. Connect with West Coast Way on Facebook and Twitter at WestCoastWaySA.