Tag Archives: Diemersdal Farm Eatery

bistro 13 lucky number for Chef Nic van Wyk at Stellenbosch Vineyards!

Bistro13 Logo Whale CottageChef Nic van Wyk needs no introduction, having been the judge for two seasons of Kokkedoor, and having made a name for himself as a sauce man of note whilst he was at Terroir with Michael Broughton, and more recently having served honest food at Diemersdal Farm Eatery.  Now he has opened bistro 13 at Stellenbosch Vineyards, in the same building as the new tasting room for the wine estate, also known as Welmoed.

Chef Nic’s partner Roxy Laker has been excellent at documenting theBistro 13 Stellenbosch Vineyards tasting desk Whale Cottage journey of the transformation from a construction site into the restaurant, showing us on Facebook how Chef Nic and she were hands-on in erecting shelving and adding the decor. Yesterday a new journey commenced, it being the official opening day.  I was inquisitive to see the new restaurant and tasting room, and a chat between Roxy and I on Facebook led to an invitation from Stellenbosch Vineyards’ Business Development Manager Guy Kedian to visit yesterday, whilst I was in Stellenbosch anyway. Continue reading →

Cape Town and Winelands restaurants have a heart for Valentine’s Day!

Valentine's DayNumerous restaurants in Cape Town are offering special Valentine’s Day offers for Friday 14 February. We will update the list as we receive new information.

Cape Town

*   Catharina’s at Steenberg: Seafood Menu platter R1750 per couple; 5 course Valentine’s Set Menu R750 per person; and Vegetarian Valentine’s Menu R750 per person.  All three options include a glass of Simonsig Kaapse Vonkel Rosé 2011.  Tel (021) 713-2222

*   The Restaurant at Cape Point Vineyards, Noordhoek:   4 course dinner R495, or R650 with wine pairings.  Nadine performing.  Tel 083 444 7088.

*   Frères Bistro:  3 course dinner with complimentary glass of Nicolas Feuillatte champagne R 395 per person.  Tel (021) 418-1609

*   Diemersdal Farm Eatery, Durbanville: Tapas platters and desserts as well as complimentary glass of MCC R 550 per couple.  Tel (021) 976-1810

*   Azure at the Twelve Apostles: Welcome drink, rose, and 4 course candlelight dinner R 795 per person, includes chance of winning half carat diamond from Uwe Koetter valued at R15000.  Tel (021) 437-900

*   The Kraal at the Twelve Apostles: Kir Royal welcome drink, picnic basket includes a bottle of Bouchard Finlayson Blanc de Mer, R1500 per couple.  Tel (021) 437-9000

*   Mondiall, V&A Waterfront: Oysters and glass of bubbly, 3 course dinner R350 per person.  Tel (021) 418-3003. Continue reading →

Top 2013 restaurant dining trends!

Dining TrendsAn American hospitality management company Benchmark Hospitality International has just released its ‘Top Dining Trends for 2013‘, based on observations by the chefs and culinary experts in its 39 hotels and restaurants.  The bottom line is that diners look for ‘Fresh, local, and in season‘!

The trend to fresh and seasonal food is not new, the hospitality group says, ‘it’s what our grandmothers did day after day. They knew exactly what their family dined on as they had grown it in the garden and purchased it from the local butcher. It was fresh, in season, and bursting with flavor’. This is what diners want today as well, they conclude.  These are the top dining trends they identify: Continue reading →

Kokkedoor Sweet Service and Blakes Sour Service Awards!

Kokkedoor logo Whale Cottage PortfolioThe Sweet Service Award goes to the Kokkedoor team of Errieda du Toit, who conceptualised and publicised the Afrikaans cooking reality TV show, flighted on KykNET, the production company Home Brew Film Company, the presenter Marietta Kruger, the judges Chef Nic van Wyk of Diemersdal Farm Eatery and Hetta van Deventer-Terblanche who consults to La Motte, and the twenty contestants, who gave up their home and business lives to participate in the show, at sometimes unbearable temperatures of up to 45°C in Prince Albert.  Being busy most Thursday evenings, I was unable to see most episodes, but did watch the final one last night.  The production values were fantastic, especially the food shots at the start to the show, equalling or bettering the quality of the Woolworths TV commercials made for MasterChef SA.  Kokkedoor has made our country’s ‘erfeniskos’ (heritage food) and cooking ‘sexy’ again, as columnist Martie Retief-Meiring wrote in Die Burger yesterday.  Congratulations to Mynhardt Joubert and Tiaan Langenegger, who are the Kokkedoor 2013 winning team, winning R250000 and a cookbook contract. Continue reading →