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A record 111 South African wines received a coveted 2018 Platter’s Guide five-star rating at the Awards ceremony held at the Table Bay Hotel tonight. Raats Family Wines was named as the 2018 Winery of the Year. (more…)

Tags: 2018 Wine Guide, A.A. Badenhorst, albeit, Alvi's Drift, Angela Lloyd, B Vintners Vine Exploration Co, Bartinney, Beaumont, Bellingham, Blind tasting, Boekenhoutskloof, botanical, bottle seals, Bouchard Finlayson, Bruwer Raats, Cape Point, cape Wine company, Carinus, Cathy Marston, Cathy van Zyl, Cederberg, Chamonix, Chris von Ulmenstein, Christine Rudman, Constantia Glen, Constantia Uitsig, daschbosch, Dave Swingler, David & Nadia, De Trafford, Delaire Graff, DeMorgenzon, Donkiesbaai, Eagle's Nest, Edgebaston, Eikendal, elemental, Fiona McDonald, five star wines, Flagstone, Greg de Bruyn, Gregory Mutambe, Groot Constantia, Hartenberg, Hennie Coetzee, Hermanuspietersfontein, Highlands Road, JC Wickens, Jean-Pierre Rossouw, Joanne Gibson, Jordan, Julien Schaal, Kaapzicht, Kanonkop, Klein Constantia, Kleine Zalze, Lanzerac, Le Sueur, Lingen, Longridge, Meryl Weaver, Miles Mossop, Moreson, Mount Abora, Mullineux, Muratie, Mvemve Raats, Nederburg, Neil Ellis, Nico van der Merwe, Oak Valley, Olifantsberg, Orange River, pasarene, paul clever, Perdeberg, Philip van Zyl, Platter’s by Diners Club, Raats, Raats Family Wines, Radford Dale, Remhoogte, reverie, Richard Kershaw, Ridgeback, Rust en Vrede, Rustenberg, Sadie, Samarie Smith, Savage, Shannon, sighted, Spier, Stark-Conde, StellenRust, Table Bay Hotel, The Foundry, The Stellenbosch Reserve, The Winery of Good Hope, thistle & weed, Tim James, Tokara, Trizanne, Van Loveren, Vin de Constance, Warwick, Waterford, WhaleTales blog, Winnie Bowman, Zorgvliet

Yesterday I met Urban Lime Marketing Director and friend Katie Friedman for lunch at Kleinsky’s, a New York Deli-style, kosher-style, Jewish cuisine eatery on Church Square, being developed as an exciting new inner-city food hub. Kleinsky’s is the second Delicatessen to be opened in Cape Town, its Sea Point branch having opened two years ago. (more…)

Tags: Adam Klein, Adderley Street, Afro’s Chicken, Bagels, cape Foods, Cape Town, Chris von Ulmenstein, Church Square, craft beer, Durban, Fortis, Goldcrest, Groote Kerk, Heritage site, Jan Hendrik Hofmeyr, Jewish, Jonny Friedman, Katie Friedman, Kleinsky's Delicatessen, kosher style, latkes, London, Manga, Michelin star, New York, Nova, Parliament Street, Sea Point, Seattle Coffee Company, Speakers-Corner, Spier, The Piazza, Urban Lime, Warwick, WhaleTales blog

The 33rd Nedbank Cape Winemakers Guild Auction held at Spier yesterday raised R13,2 million, and set a new record price for red wine, Kaapzicht Estate The Ultimate Vision Red Blend 2015 made by Danie Steytler, achieving R16600 for a case of six. (more…)

Tags: Ataraxia, Audi Badenhorst, Beyerskloof, Boekenhoutskloof, Chris von Ulmenstein, Danie Steytler, Duncan Savage, Grootbos, kaapzicht estate, kevin grant, Leeu Passant, Miles Mossop, Mosaic, Nedbank Cape Winemakers Guild, Paul Cluver, Paul Sauer, Protege Programme, Signature Restaurant, Silverthorn, Singita, Spier, Stellenbosch, Tsogo Sun, Waterford, WhaleTales blog

In less than a week after opening its newest Tiger’s Milk Restaurant & Bar on Kloof Street in Cape Town, the restaurant is operating smoothly, as if it has always been there. It is already busy, attracting custom with little marketing effort to date by the Harbour House Group. A hugely exciting attraction is that DJ René Tanguy will be playing at the newest Tiger’s Milk on Fridays, starting this week. It is the 26th Harbour House Group restaurant to open. (more…)

Tags: Apricale, Bar splendido, Bidvest, Bistro 1682, Brad Ball, brandon londt, Cape to Cuba, Cape Town, Century City, Charango, Chris von Ulmenstein, Claremont, DJ Rene Tanguy, Emily's, False Bay, fourways, GH Mumm, Graham Beck, Grand Africa, Guernica, Hampton & Co, Harbour House, Harbour House group, Heinz, HQ, Ian McMahon, Jack Daniel's, Juergen Welp, Kloof Street, La Parada, Live Bait, Long Street, Lucky Fish, Lynwood bridge, Mabu Vinyls, marlon Brando, Michael Townsend, Muizenberg, Music playlist, Nova Vision, Oscar, Pablo Picasso, part wolf pilsener, Peter Veldsman, Pongracz, Regent stainless steel, Rheede Street, Rodrigues, Saronsberg, simon Rudd, Sinnfull, sirocco cafe, Spier, Stellenbosch, Stuart Bailey, Tabasco, the book, Tiger's Milk, Villiera, WhaleTales blog, Wynberg boys high

For a number of years I have attended the Chenin Blanc Top 10 Challenge, sponsored by Standard Bank, but had to decline the awards earlier this week, held at Delaire Graff, due to travel. I received the media release, announcing the Top 10 Chenin Blanc wines. (more…)

Tags: Cathy van Zyl, Cederberg, Chenin Blanc Association, Chris von Ulmenstein, Delaire Graff, DeMorgenzon, Fleur du Cap, James Pietersen, Ken Forrester, Nederburg, Spice Route, Spier, Standard Bank, StellenRust, WhaleTales blog, Willie DJ Plessis, Windmeul

Yesterday the 2017 Winemag.co.za Prescient Cabernet Sauvignon Report awards were presented at the colorful The Stack, a well attended function, and offering good lighting for photography. Winemag goes to great lengths to find interesting venues to host its awards. It is the sixth Cabernet Sauvignon Report presented by Winemag.
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Tags: Bartinney, Bordeaux, cabernet sauvignon, Chris von Ulmenstein, Christian Eedes, Craig mockford, Ernest Hemingway, Groot Constantia, Huguenot High School, Jacqueline Lahoud, James Pietersen, Johann Jordaan, Jordan, Karl Lambour, Klein Optenhorst, Klein zalze, Le Riche, Leinster Hall, Matt finch, Neil Ellis, Nigel Pace, Peter Falke, Pieter Ferreira, Prescient, proudly-South African, Report, Rianie Strydom, Roland Peens, Rose Jordaan, Rustenberg, Sarah Ord, Sjaak Nelson, Spier, Strydom rex, The Stack, Tokara, Vergelegen, Warwick, warwick king, Waterford, Wellington, WhaleTales blog, wine cellar, winemag

After a few weeks of closure for a complete renovation and expansion of its facilities, the Grand Café & Beach has re-opened, ready for the summer season lying ahead. Yesterday a number of writers was invited by Manley Communications to experience the Grand, on a perfect sunny summer beach day. (more…)

Tags: Absolut, Amy Hopkins, Asoka, Aubrey Ncgungama, Camps Bay, Chris von Ulmenstein, Dominique Faict, Grand Café & Beach, Granger Bay, Harbour House group, Ilse Nel, Kloof Street House, La Parada, Malibu, Plettenberg Bay, Pongracz, Radley Duijkers, SA Breweries, Spier, Susie Main, Suzie Main, Tanqueray, V & A Waterfront, WhaleTales blog

Multi-wine and brandy brand company Distell was crowned as top producer at the Veritas Awards Gala Dinner at the Cape Town International Convention Centre on Friday evening, winning two Double Gold and 12 Gold Awards. Distell also won Best Performer by Enry, in the 10+ Entry wine category. A total of 30 Double Gold and 130 Gold awards were awarded to 1760 entries. (more…)

Tags: Boplaas, Cape Town International Convention Centre, Chris von Ulmenstein, Distell, Flagstone, Garth Stroebel, Giorgio dalla Cia, Henrico Grobbelaar, KWV, Lourens Smith, Nederburg, Nico Retief, Rustenberg, Spier, Veritas Awards, Warwick Thomas, WhaleTales blog, Wynand Retief

villa-47-restaurant-daytime September has seen the opening of new restaurants Restaurant at Villa 47, La Parada and Harbour House at Constantia Nek, Wolfgat, Tiger’s Milk Claremont, Tea in the Park, Open Wine Pair Shop and more, with a number of October openings imminent.

We update information about newly opened and closed restaurants continuously, and welcome information.

Restaurant Openings

# Villa 47 has opened on Bree Street, with Locanda restaurant on the ground floor. Stuzzico Italian finger-food and bar has opened on the second floor. Cool contemporary The Restaurant at Villa 47 on the third floor has opened, (more…)

Tags: Adam Whitehead, Adele Grewar, Alice Mfundisi, Angelo Scirocco, ASH! Publik, Baconville, Baked Bistro, Baked bistro Bakoven, bar dough, Beau Constantia, Ben Kirsten, Bertus Basson, Bertus Basson @ The Ritz revolving restaurant, Bird's Cafe, Black & Co, blanko, Borage BIstro, Bree Street, Burger & Lobster, Cabana, Cafe Chic, Cafe Dijon, calim Anderson, Carl Habel, Cavalli, Chandani, Chef's Warehouse, chefs, Cheyne's, Christophe de Hosse, coco safar, Conrad Gallagher, Constantia Nek, Creation, David Higgs, Dennis Strydom, Duncan Doherty, Dunkin Donuts, Easy Tiger, Equus, Eric Bulpitt, Faber, Four&Twenty Cafe, Foxcroft, Frankie Fenner, Gallagher's on Stanley, Garth Almazan, Garth Johnson, Gelb williams, Ginja, Glenelly, Harbour House, Hard Rock Cafe, Haskell, Haute cabriere, House of h, I Love Coffee, Isabella Immenkamp, Isola, Ivor Jones, Jamie's Italian, JAN Cape town, Jan-Hendrik van der Westhuizen, Jarryd's, Jason's Bakery, jochen Heathcote, Johann Breedt, John Van Zyl, Julian Smith, Kan10, Kobus van der Merwe, La Cuccina, La Parada, Liam Tomlin, locanda, Longridge, Luke Dale-Roberts, Mangata, Marble, Marie-Louise Oosthuizen, Marigold, Maritz Jacobs, Martell Smit, Massimo's, Melissa's, Mimmi to Go, minion wines, Mink & trout, Mobi, Mon Desir, mThe Catch, Naturalis, Nick Oosthuizen, Nobu, open wine pair shop, Original deli, Orinoco, Overture, OYO, Palma, Paternoster, Pikant, Pot Luck Club, power and glory, Rafiki's, Ravish, Restaurant at Villa 47, Restaurant Jardine, Reuben's Franschhoek, Rivendell, Scot Kirton, Scott and Mel shepherd, She go, Sheldon Raju, SHIO, Shortmarket Club, silo, soul cafe Hermanus, source, spasie, Spek & Bone, Spier, Stuzzico., Takumi, tea in the park, Terra Madre, Thali, The 41, The Alphen, The Ames, The CReamery, The Fat Butcher, The Grand on the Beach, The long table restaurant, The Maslow, The NUnnery, The salt yard, The Stack, the station, The Test Kitchen, Thomas Sinn, Three wise monkeys, Tiger's Milk, Tiger's Milk Smokehouse, Tokara, Tre steampunk, Tuscany Beach, Unframed Ice Cream Parlour, Urbanologi, village tart, Villains, Viva Cafe, Warwick Taylor, Wolfgat

On Tuesday, its second day of operating, my friend Graham Goble and I dined at Chef Luke Dale-Roberts’ new The Shortmarket Club, just off Bree Street. It exceeded our expectations, in differing from The Test Kitchen (tasting menu) and Pot Luck Club (tapas) in its offering, and stood out in its strong use of colour for its starters and mains. However, some aspects disappointed. (more…)