WhaleTales Blog

In my writing, I am extremely fortunate to be exposed to such interesting news. Last Thursday I attended the launch of the 2018 vintage of  Constantia Royale, a blend of 85% Sauvignon Blanc and 15% Semillon, a blend of three and 14 year old vine grapes grown on 7 ha of the Nova Zonnestraal wine, olive and equestrian estate, hidden away, located near The Alphen Hotel in Constantia. (more…)

My Parisian friend Aurélie Jullien is nearing the end of her holiday in Cape Town, and being a restaurant lover too, she is anxious to fit in her last eating experiences in our city. Just as I was about to head off for a morning walk, she messaged me, suggesting lunch at the newly opened Chef Luke Dale-Roberts restaurant Salsify at the Roundhouse in Camps Bay. It was an amazing experience, a marriage between classical heritage, crazy wall art, and classic cuisine with modern twists.  (more…)

In my passion of writing about food and restaurants in the main, I am very lucky and often spoilt. Yesterday I attended a historic event for the food and restaurant industry, the launch of the new Ruby RB1 chocolate by Callebaut, an iconic new pink chocolate, the first new chocolate launch in 80 years since the introduction of dark, milk, and white chocolates. It was developed over a period of ten years by Callebaut with a University in Germany. (more…)

In Cape Town Tintswalo is a magical word. An exclusive destination with a password, or a special connection to be able to dine there. My Parisian friend Aurélie Jullien and I had the pleasure of enjoying our dinner there on Saturday evening, the crowning glory of a fantastic False Bay sightseeing trip.  (more…)

The Sweet Service Award goes to Sorbet Sea Point, and its Manager Marie-Zanne, who patiently listened to my service complaint about a visit earlier this week. I was left with wax marks on my legs that I could not clean with nail polish remover (the only remedy I could think of!), and she invited me to come back for the marks to be removed. I also told her about the poor service when I paid, the Clicks Club Card having to be swiped too when one pays, for points, but I realised that this had not been done for a number of my past monthly visits! While she could not give me the points retrospectively as they have changed their computer system, she was honest enough to acknowledge that there have been service issues at their reception. The receptionist Megan also refused to give me the number of the Manager. Kindly she has given me her cellphone number directly! (more…)

About three weeks ago I visited Franschhoek for the day, and saw an amazing collection of brand new SA gin brands at Siegies on Huguenot, all being striking in being unknown to me, and each having very distinctive packaging. Autograph Gin was one of these, and it was one of the brands which I photographed and posted on Instagram and Facebook. On Monday I ‘met’ the brand and its Master Distiller Matt Beech, at the Autograph Distillery in Stellenbosch, a goosebump experience, the second of my day!  (more…)

In an interesting move not seen before, La Colombe announced that its Restaurant Manager Jennifer Hugé would be leaving, after 14 years, to join a new city centre restaurant, but without providing details. Yesterday, the details were revealed, Hugé joining forces with Chef Ashley Moss in Chef Peter Tempelhoff’s new FYN Restaurant. The La Colombe restaurant group has no link to the new restaurant. 

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Yesterday I had the goosebump experience of being introduced to the new-in-the-making Gåte at Quoin Rock restaurant at the Quoin Rock winery outside Stellenbosch, which is destined to become a superlative Fine Dining dinner experience, probably the best this country has ever seen!  (more…)

A chance bumping into the new Table Bay Hotel Pastry Chef LeeAndra Govender on a walk in Camps Bay a week ago, led to her invitation to try the new Afternoon Tea offering, which she had redesigned. I brought my Parisian friend Aurélie Jullien with me, to enjoy this treat. (more…)

The Sweet Service Award goes to Chair Crazy, for its good and quick service in the purchase of a table I was looking for to write at, white, square, and 750 mm high. I had looked at three other furniture sh0ps, and would have had to compromise on the size of the table, its color, and its availability. The table at Chair Crazy was the last one I saw, offered a choice of legs, I choosing the one with the most leg space, in black, was half the price to those I’d seen before, and was available immediately, quickly wrapped up in bubble wrap, and carried to my car a few blocks away. It is perfect in all respects! (more…)