Tag Archives: Diemersdal

WhaleTales Tourism, Food, and Wine news headlines: 27 May

WhaleTalesTourism, Food, and Wine news headlines

*   SAA is now charging R570 for domestic flights and R 1140 for international flights per ticket for no-shows, reports Travel News Weekly.

*   Four Gold Awards went to South African wines (out of 16 entered) at the Councours Mondial du Sauvignon Blanc last week:  Delaire Graff Estate Coastal Cuvée 2014, Diemersdal 8 Rows 2014, Maastricht 2014, and Steenberg The Black Swan 2013.

*   Kleine Zalze is continuing its winning streak, having jointly been named New World Producer of the Year with Continue reading →

Restaurant Review: Sirocco in Knysna more than loadshedding problems, service-shedding too!

Sirocco facing Sushi Bar Whale CottageI had been led to believe that one of the better restaurants in Knysna is Sirocco, and I do recall having eaten there once before, when it was more of a fine-dining restaurant.  I was very disappointed when I spent part of my S&T allowance from the Department of Justice at Sirocco last night. Sirocco entrance Whale CottageLoadshedding was not the only problem the restaurant had to cope with, Manager Sonia de Lange having shed her service ethic too!

I had popped in at Thesen Island earlier in the afternoon, and had a look at the fire-damaged Ile de Pain, speaking to staff at a neighbouring shop, and they recommended Sirocco.  When I visited Knysna a month ago, also with the compliments of the Department of Justice, I had experienced
dreadful service at three restaurants I had attempted to eat at, in particular at the Island Café at The Turbine Hotel & Spa! On Facebook a number of visitors to Knysna shared that the town appears to have a problem with restaurant service.

It was hard to see the entrance to the restaurant, as there is a Col’Cacchio now, and Continue reading →

Restaurant Review: Palma on Bree Street authentic Italian family-run, but no passion!

Palma Interior candles Whale CottageAbout ten days ago Orphanage Cocktail Emporium co-owner Katie Friedman introduced me to new eateries Mother’s Ruin Gin Bar and Palma in the next street block on Bree Street, being landlord to both.  My experience of Palma on that evening differed vastly from that of our dinner last night.

I had invited my friend Whitney to join me, and we chose an outside table, given how hot it still was when we arrived.  It was lighter than on my previous visit, and the ‘less is more’ interior design impressed.  General Manager Roberto Carluzzo did not seem to recognise me, or to react to the Facebook posts and the blogpost I had written about the 26 eateries on Bree Street subsequent to my first visit.  The doorman did however welcome me back, a nice touch.  Mama Palma Carluzzo was in the bar, putting on finishing touches to leaving, and I was disappointed, as we had been told that she is the chef, in charge of Continue reading →

WhaleTales Tourism, Food, and Wine news headlines: 4 December

WhaleTalesTourism, Food, and Wine news headlines

*   The Bartho Eksteen Sauvignon Blanc Celebration held in Hermanus recently selected ‘the 10 best of the best’ Sauvignon Blancs locally over the past 22 years, and then compared them to 10 top Sauvignon Blancs from other countries.  The winning Sauvignon Blanc was judged to be Fryer’s Cove Bamboes Bay, 2013, followed by Diemersdal MM Louw 2013, Palliser Estate 2012 from New Zealand, Dog Point 2008 from New Zealand, and Von Winning 1 2011 from Germany. (received via media release from the Bartho Eksteen Wijnskool)

*   Uber supports the Department of Transport’s Festive Season Road Safety campaign, it says in a media statement.  The campaign makes road safety everyone’s responsibility, to enhance law enforcement, and to increase road traffic safety awareness. Uber GM Alon Lits said: ‘Uber fully supports government’s road safety Continue reading →