The Sweet Service Award goes to Isabella Page of The Hair Company in Sea Point, my hairdresser of almost three years. I met Isabella when she was referred to me by Anita Farr, when I complimented her on her hairstyle. Isabella was instrumental in shaping my hair look and style during my transformation, an important part of looking and feeling good. She has recently opened The Hair Company with Linnea Campabasso, operating from the 3rd floor on the Sea Point Medical Centre. Isabella invited me to visit her new salon for a cut and blow, which I timed to be just before the launch party of Cowboys & Cooks Steakhouse & Bar, but was in a scheduled load shedding time slot. There was no power cut (more…)

It was a surprise announcement to read that Chef Bertus Basson has been exorcised from Spice Route wine estate outside of Paarl, and that Chef Liam Tomlin with Neil and Tina Jewell are taking over this space. It makes for an interesting discussion as to why the top chefs of our country are so determined to open one restaurant after the other, and to ask if they make any money out of it!  (more…)

Yesterday a group of ten writers was invited by Jack & Jill Communications to attend a Media Lunch at the recently opened Cowboys & Cooks, the new steak restaurant and bar in Sunset Beach, owned by Michael Townsend and operated by Stuart Bailey of the C & C Group. We tasted various starters, main courses, and desserts, and were told what good quality Chalmar Beef the restaurant serves, and were shown the cuts, and explained the taste profile of each. Writers were astounded by the reasonable prices of the dishes, when they perused the menu. (more…)

A new silver service training service has been launched by Rufus Scholtz, promising to turn front of house staff into 5-star fine dining staff within fourteen days. His Etiquette Modern Silver Service training service promises to train staff to create delighted loyal patrons when they leave the restaurant, to return for future eating experiences.  (more…)

Doubleshot in Plettenberg Bay is a cosy friendly coffee shop with a range of freshly baked sweet and savoury treats, and excellent coffee. It is worth giving this establishment a shot, the best breakfast venue on our Garden Route trip two weeks ago.  (more…)

The highlight of our Garden Route trip last week was having lunch at Bramon, a pioneering boutique wine estate outside Plettenberg Bay. This was one of the first wine estates in the area, and has established itself not only as a good wine destination, but as having a good friendly restaurant too. My French friend was blown away by us eating …. and drinking ……in the vineyard!  (more…)

At the end of a Garden Route tour with my Parisian friend last week, we spent one night at Temenos in McGregor. As Tebaldi Restaurant at Temenos was fully booked, we chose to eat at Open Kitchen, a restaurant which opened in winter last year, but which I had not experienced previously. It serves good steak and Tapas, but the service is very slow! (more…)

It was a shock to wake up to the news that the main restaurant, lounge, and kitchen building caught fire earlier this morning at Tintswalo Atlantic Lodge, the Boutique Hotel beautifully located at the foot of Chapman’s Peak, and looking onto The Sentinel mountain in Hout Bay. It is the second fire at the lodge in four years. This follows the devastating fire on Lion’s Head just over a week ago.  (more…)

The tough conditions for the restaurant industry in Cape Town and the Winelands continue, with few restaurants opening or closing. A surprise is that Bertus Basson @ Spice Route is no longer operating, a killer negative review late last year possibly being the nail in the coffin. Now Basson only has five Stellenbosch restaurants plus all his catering assignments and TV appearances to juggle! Interesting is that Chef Liam Tomlin has opened a ‘contemporary ecological tapas’ restaurant in Barcelona, well-suited to his tapas restaurant offerings!

Restaurant openings

#   Ellen Jay has opened inside Constantia Fabrics. (more…)

In November I was privileged to experience the 16-course Tasting Menu of the then newly opened Gåte Restaurant at Quoin Rock wine estate. On Friday my Parisian friend and I returned to Gåte, to experience the lunchtime Food and Wine Experience, pairing the restaurant’s homemade charcuterie and cheese dishes with the excellent wines of Quoin Rock. (more…)