Tag Archives: Chris Mare

‘Astronomy Gastronomy’ a star at The Cafe Grill at Twelve Apostles!

12 Apostles Astronomy Gastronomy Poster Whale Cottage PortfolioWhat a clever idea of the Twelve Apostles Hotel & Spa to combine its special location at the foot of the Twelve Apostles and its starlit sky with a special dinner, calling it strikingly ‘Astronomy Gastronomy‘!  

I had invited my friend Bettie Coetzee Lambrecht to join me, and by luck we had chosen the perfect evening for the stargazing, having been offered a choice of two dates by FIVESTAR PR, from whom we had received the invitation on behalf of the Twelve Apostles.  The dinner was held at The Café Grill, but with a special reduced menu for the evening having been compiled from the Azure menu, and having been prepared by Executive Chef Christo Pretorius and his deputy Chef  Chris Mare.  We were welcomed with a glass of Nederburg Brut NV, and 12 Apostles Astronomy Gastronomy interior Cafe Grill Whale Cottage Portfoliosoon Kechil Kirkham, one of our astronomy guides came to greet us, being one of two partners of Over the Moon Astronomy Tours, with Chris de Coning.  Kechil is a presenter on FMR on Fridays at 18h00, talking about astronomy, Bettie shared, listening to her program regularly. Michael Nel, the new General Manager of the hotel after Horst Frehse was promoted to Executive Director of the Continue reading →

Many Mediterranean-style restaurants open in Cape Town!

La Parada Kitchen with Bull head Whale Cottage PortfolioDespite one of  the worst winters ever experienced by the Cape hospitality industry, most restaurants appear to have survived it. A surprise trend is the number of Mediterranean style restaurants opening, with true Spanish and Italian owners and/or staff. This list of restaurant openings and closings is updated continuously, as we receive new information:

Restaurant Openings

*   The Harbour House group has opened La Parada Spanish Tapas restaurant on Bree Street, with a subterranean bar/nightclub (above).

*      Café Puerto Cabo has opened on Loop Street, a Spanish eatery and men’s clothing shop.

*    The House of Machines has opened on Shortmarket Street, building motorcycles, offering good Evil Twin coffee, and serving very healthy food.

*   Orphanage Cocktail Emporium is opening Orphanage Club upstairs, with 1920’s style music by live performers, later this year.

*   Equus restaurant on the Cavalli stud and wine farm on the R44 has opened. Continue reading →

New Restaurant openings celebrate Spring in Cape Town & Winelands!

Beerhouse Bottled Beers Whale Cottage PortfolioDespite one of  the worst winters ever experienced by the Cape hospitality industry, few restaurants have closed down recently.   A surprise however is the movement of staff between restaurants. This list of restaurant openings and closings is updated continuously, as we receive new information:

Restaurant Openings

*    Beerhouse has opened on Long Street, with 16 beers on tap and 99 bottled beers from around the world.

*    The House of Machines has opened on Shortmarket Street, building motorcycles, offering good Evil Twin coffee, and serving very healthy food.

*   Pure Good has opened downstairs in the Associated Magazines building opposite Parliament, and is owned by Shannon Smuts, the first MasterChef SA Finalist to have been eliminated.

*   The Harbour House group has opened La Parada Spanish Tapas restaurant on Continue reading →

Gentleman Spirits brings art of German master distilling to Stellenbosch!

Gentleman Spirit range Whale Cottage PortfolioOn Friday a number of writers was invited to to the launch of Gentleman Spirits, a German-speaking trio of three gentlemen who are producing spirits of the highest quality, led by Master Distiller and alchemist Hubertus Vallendar from Germany, on the Blaauwklippen wine estate, its Managing Director and Winemaker Rolf Zeitvogel being one of the spirited trio. Nine products have been launched initially.

Rolf shared over lunch that he met Hubertus, a leading distiller with 25 years experience and a string of awards, as well as Swiss citizen Urs Gmür, a Pinot Noir collector and a connoisseur of wines, two years ago at a dinner party in Germany.  Hubertus had travelled to South Africa regularly since 1999, and loves our country, having had two associations with local distillers Wilderer and Continue reading →