Tourism, Food, and Wine news headlines
* The price of petrol went up by 44 cents a liter at midnight, the increase being blamed on the weakening Rand, and increased demand for petrol in Europe and Asia, reports EWNews.
* The inaugural Ethiopian Airlines flight landed in Cape Town yesterday, the airline flying between Cape Town and Addis Ababa six Continue reading →
Tourism, Food, and Wine news headlines
* From 25 October FlySafair will offer flights between Cape Town, Durban, and East London, as well as between Johannesburg and the two cities. Costs start at R399 one way, reports Southern African Tourism Update. The routes were selected after a vote by 20000 passengers.
* Saronsberg is the wine estate which has been ranked highest in the South African Wine Index 2015 Wine Awards Report, of all local wine Continue reading →
I don’t visit Paarl very often, usually disappointed with the restaurant offering of the town. Last week I spent a day there, to visit Jan Willem & Seuns, and Melissa’s newish branch. I had given up on Bosman’s at Grande Roche, after repeated poor experiences in the restaurant. However, a chance meeting of Bosman’s new Restaurant Manager and its Sous Chef at Maison in Franschhoek a few days prior led me to return.
During the busy festive season days I took a break at The Kitchen at Maison in Franschhoek, and sat next to a table with a couple, which turned out to be Austrian Chef Christoph Terschan and Restaurant Manager Onwaba Maholwana of Bosman’s. We chatted for ages, talking through the whole Eat Out Top 20 restaurant list, and our respective experiences with the restaurants. Onwaba was well-informed about my previous Bosman’s disasters, and Continue reading →
A month ago we were given the scoop of the then planned opening of Lanique Restaurant & Bar within Andiamo in the old Cape Quarter, which opened in the record time of two weeks thereafter. The former Andiamo Deli space is unrecognisable as the new Lanique Restaurant & Bar, and its new look reflects the history and heritage of the Lanique spirit.
The venue is named after the exclusive Lanique 200 year old Polish crafted liqueur made with Attar of Rose, the oil said to be worth its weight in gold. A former employer of Nigel Price, Lawrence Huggler from Jersey, liked the liqueur so much that he bought the brand! Nigel has
been given the right to distribute Lanique in Africa, and Australia and New Zealand will follow. The Lanique Restaurant and Bar within Andiamo is a collaboration between Nigel and Andiamo owner Bruce Walker, who got to know each other as Nigel’s mineral water company aquav supplies Andiamo.
The previous Deli space has been cladded with red brick, to give the space an old world feel. A 
stage for live music, a dance floor, and a door separating Andiamo restaurant and Lanique have been built. Tables and bar stools have been made from wood, a banquette has blue and gold upholstery, and chandeliers have been added. During the day the Lanique Bar counter will be closed off, but lunch will be served and its coffee bar will be open throughout the day. The Lanique Bar within Andiamo will stock a full complement of spirits, beers, and wines, and its liquor licence will allow it to remain open until 2h00. Electro Swing Alternative is played when the dance floor operates. Free wifi Continue reading →