When I visit Franschhoek, I love to revisit the shops in the village, and am always on the lookout to see what is new. A surprise discovery was the new Café Roca in the village, a hidden gem tucked away behind an art gallery, formerly the home of the now defunct Melissa’s. I loved it so much, that I went back on three consecutive days, Continue reading →
Tag Archives: Mont Rochelle
Whale Cottage Franschhoek sold!
Today we can announce that we have accepted an offer for our Whale Cottage Franschhoek, in a drive to reduce the size of our guest house property portfolio.
Eleven years ago we bought the house of the late artist Errol Boyley, Continue reading →
WhaleTales Tourism, Food, and Wine news headlines: 22 April
Tourism, Food, and Wine news headlines
* Only two South African hotels have made the Conde Nast Traveler list of 60 Hot Hotels, on the basis of ‘Good Food’. This is a surprise award for the Mont Rochelle Hotel & Vineyard (now owned by Sir Richard Branson, but not much is new or ‘hot’ in this restaurant, having the same chef and waitron staff since he took over!). The Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff has also made the list in this category, with a chef unknown to most.
* Travel agents and tour operators are no longer marketing South Africa as a destination due to the new Continue reading →
WhaleTales Tourism, Food, and Wine news headlines: 24 March
Tourism, Food, and Wine news headlines
* Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden has won the Garden of the Year award at the International Garden Tourism Awards 2015. The awards are presented to those ‘who have distinguished themselves in the development and promotion of the garden experience as a tourism attraction’. The new Centenary Tree Canopy Walkway (Boomslang), recently named as South Africa’s best design, has enhanced the attractiveness of Kirstenbosch, the gardens receiving more than 1 million visitors in 2014.
* Richard Branson’s Mont Rochelle wines will be made and marketed by UK Litmus Wines, offering Continue reading →
Ryan’s Kitchen opens spicy small-plate space in Franschhoek! (reposted)
Ryan’s Kitchen has re-opened in Franschhoek, in a space double its former size, in Place Vendôme at the entrance to the village. The restaurant now focuses on ‘small plates’, even though ‘small’ is a relative term! Chef Ryan Smith has simplified his dishes, reducing the number of ingredients, and added more spice to those on his new menu, each dish introducing itself through its fragrance before one tastes it.
For the past four years the restaurant operated from what was the breakfast room of Rusthof Guest House higher up the main road, a tiny space that could serve no more than 30 guests at a stretch, and up to 400 plates in an evening. A major blow to the restaurant in July was the sale of the guest house to Mr Analjit Singh, and Continue reading →
Franschhoek ‘Magic of Bubbles’ Cap Classique & Champagne Festival to sparkle this weekend!
One of Franschhoek’s most popular festivals take place this weekend , on Saturday and Sunday 29 and 30 November, ending off a year of festivals which Franschhoek is so good at organising. The MasterCard Franschhoek ‘Magic of Bubbles’ Cap Classique Champagne Festival is a mouthful of a title, but the 22 Méthode Cap Classiques (MCCs) and champagnes make the pilgrimage to Franschhoek worth while.
Taking place in a marquee close to the Huguenot Monument, top South African MCCs and imported champagnes are available to taste. Bubbly brands available to taste are Pierre Jourdan, Morena, Môreson, La Motte, Boschendal, Leopard’s Leap, Noble Hill, Plaisir de Merle, Anthonij Rupert Wines, JC le Roux, Krone, Pongracz, Steenberg, Continue reading →