Tag Archives: Singita

Chef Liam Tomlin admits his Local, La Cantina, and Mazza food projects are not working at Heritage Square!

 

After a big fanfare about taking over the former HQ on Shortmarket Street, adjacent to his Chefs Warehouse Pinchos and Winebar in the same building, and turning it into a Local market of mini restaurants,  an Italian restaurant La Cantina, and a Lebanese restaurant Mazza on the mezzanine level of the building in 2020, Chef Liam Tomlin has admitted defeat and walked away from all three restaurant projects, all in Heritage Square in town, he announced on his Social Media accounts last month! Continue reading →

Eat Out announces the Top 30 Restaurant list for 2018: some surprise inclusions and exclusions!

This afternoon Eat Out announced its list of the Top 30 restaurants in our country for this year. The Top 20 restaurants will be revealed at the Awards ceremony on 18 November at GrandWest, and the Top 10 list within that ranking. There are some surprise inclusions and exclusions in this list.  Continue reading →

Little interference in making Springfield wines, focus on pH and balance of its wines!

opendoor-entranceYesterday I attended two tastings of the Robertson-based Springfield Estate wines at OpenWine Pair Shop on Wale Street, a central tasting facility offering a selection of South African wines. I was impressed with the personality of co-owner Jeanette Bruwer, which came through in the evening tasting in particular! She introduced her wines in a consumer-friendly fun and natural manner. Continue reading →

New Chef Archie Maclean creative with colour, goes wild at Catharina’s!

imageI love seeing how restaurants can reinvent themselves, and often a new chef can be the catalyst. Chef Archie Maclean has been at Catharina’s for about four months, and has gone back to the history and origin of Steenberg wine estate and its first owner Catharina Ras for inspiration for his creative new menu. Continue reading →

Breath of fresh air at Allée Bleue in Franschhoek, Blue Owl soaring!

imageAllée Bleue has new heads of wine and hospitality, and I met with them yesterday to find out about their proposed changes at the estate, which is on the outskirts of Franschhoek.  The dedication of the new managers is giving new energy to Allée Bleue. Continue reading →

Auf Wiedersehen ‘Mr Hospitality’ Horst Frehse!

imageThe turnout at the Twelve Apostles Hotel & Spa this afternoon, for the farewell tribute to its Executive Director Horst Frehse, was testament to his popularity and the respect in which he is held, it was clear to see by all who attended. He is one of two iconic hoteliers to retire this year.

Mr Frehse‘, as he has always been respectfully addressed by his Continue reading →

Communal Dinners at Salushi on #WolftrapWednesdays launched!

imageLast night I attended a Communal Dinner at Salushi Asian restaurant in Claremont, the first trial dinner to which 20 writers had been invited. They will be held every Wednesday evening, and are called #WolftrapWednesdays, the wine being sponsored by Boekenhoutskloof’ Winery’s The Wolftrap.

Coming from the other side of the mountain, I struggled to find Salushi, which I could not see from Protea Road, being set back.   Continue reading →