I had not been to Stellenbosch since the beginning of Lockdown in March 2020. Last week I spent a day in the town, to walk through its centre, and updating my information of restaurants that have opened and closed in the town since my last visit.
I discovered multiple new coffee shops and informal eateries, and a growing number of wine bars. And the start of a challenge to Chef Bertus Basson’s dominance of the university town as far as fine-dining goes.
Utopia Cape Town has spoilt Capetonians with its incredible value for money Tasting Menus in the past two years, having become the talk of the town in offering its value Tasting Menus in its 15th floor location, with magnificent views over the city and its icons, and onto Cape Town Stadium, Lion’s Head, the Harbour, and Table Mountain specifically.
Utopia Cape Town launched not only a new Meat/Fish Tasting Menu last week, but added a Vegetarian as well as a Vegan option too. For the first time in two years it has increased its Tasting Menu prices to R245, still offering excellent value.
Booking well in advance is advised. Continue reading →
Friday 1 October 2021, Day 1 of Level 1, Vegetarian Day.
Corona Gratitude
# grateful for a wonderful day, the new month having a good feeling, and being in Level 1 is a bonus; for a sunny but windy day, but not too strong to do a walk to Pick n Pay; for the fabulous day, after 4 months of hell, that Franklin the Nigerian tenant of Sacha Jack’s apartment 201 has checked out of our building, as has the Nigerian in 202, leaving only one, with a new American lady arriving today, staying for 4 months, the two of us sure to sort out noise disturbances, the lift not having moved Continue reading →
Two weeks ago I needed to drop off a prize to Hazendal Executive Chef Michelle Theron, one of the 2021 Top 10 Women Chefs of the Cape. My road trip partner was Gary Peterson.
A mere 36 minute trip from Camps Bay via the R300 led us to a gem of more than a wine estate, not having visited it before. It contrasts the 300 plus year history with modernity through the use of glass structures. Continue reading →
Saturday 26 June 2021, Day 12 of Level 3. 😷
Corona Gratitude 🙏
#grateful for a long working day, but a fun and food-filled one; for a good Status meeting at Harvest Culture Eaterie, with Dilmah Tea and a slice of carrot cake baked by Chef Marc Redman, served with Vegan meringues filled with cherry gel, a wow; for a quick shopping visit to Hartlief at Garden’s Cente, luckily with no roadworks on the N1 incoming; for getting to Zest Restaurant ahead of a meeting, interviewing owner Chef Pavel for the Home Improver magazine; for meeting Instagrammer Kim Jacobs for a drink and a light bite at Zest, she teaching me some Instagram tricks, Continue reading →
Sunday 30 May 2021, Day 91 of Level 1 😷
Corona Gratitude 🙏
#Grateful for a very foggy morning turning into such a beautiful day, perfect for the Camps Bay Community Litter clean up we did this morning; for being spoilt with tea by The 41 restaurant, our sponsor; for a safe drive to the Tyger Waterfront and back, starting with an ice cream spoil at The Dairy Den in Willowbridge; for a good Status meeting with my new client Harvest Culture Eaterie, followed by its launch function this evening; for getting home safely, despite more roadworks Continue reading →
In speaking to Homespun Chef Matt Schreuder about his new restaurant opening at The Andros Boutique Hotel next month, he told me that his father, the well-known restaurateur Dale Schreuder known for the Dale’s steakhouses he has owned over the past more than 30 years, has opened a new restaurant with a completely different concept.
Harvest Culture Eaterie is Dale’s tenth restaurant, and describes itself as a ‘modern Bistro’, ‘celebrating Earth’s bounty’ .
Brother and sister Jason and Melissa Laing have taken over Roots Café and Kitchen in Roeland Square, across the road from Wembley Square, both having left Firefly Café in Camps Bay. The restaurant ownership change took place a month ago, the former owner Jess being friends with the siblings. I was invited to try the restaurant by Jason.
When Firefly Café opened seven months ago Chef Mel headed up the tiny open-plan kitchen, and she was always busy with food preparation, making it difficult Continue reading →
It was a chance photograph of the entrance to Noah Café that attracted my attention to this secret hideaway in Tamboerskloof, not even seeing a menu or any other details upfront. I decided to book, and invited my friend Gary Peterson to join me. I felt transported to a Mediterranean desert island, captivated by its uniqueness.
Located in the 10 bedroom Noah House and now run by new Dutch owners in the former Underberg Guest House, Noah Café pays tribute to a homegrown sourdough bread baked in Tamboerskloof by Ailine Liefeld of A Sour Story! Continue reading →
Firefly Café is a most unusual Café in Camps Bay, which opened in September. Expecting a coffee shop from the initial description, it opened with a tiny open -plan kitchen, serving largely dishes with air-fried chips, with coffees and teas too. I have visited the restaurant regularly, and have only two dishes which I would order there.
After some trial and error, it is flying now, and seems to attract an increasing number of patrons, locals in the main. Continue reading →