Tag Archives: Dublin

Cape Town ranks third on The Telegraph Greatest Cities on Earth list!

 

In March The Telegraph announced that Cape Town is the greatest city in the world to visit right now. Last week it ranked Cape Town as the third greatest city on Earth, scoring 549 out of 810 points.

Utilising a list of 50 Top city contenders, its annual reader survey, and input from its Travel writers, it ranked the list of cities on a number of factors, including the number of museums, galleries, UNESCO heritage sites, Michelin restaurants,  5-star hotels, beaches, air cleanliness,  transport, tourist attractions, legalized same-gender marriage, and LGBTQ+ community safety. Additional points went to cities with a symphony orchestra, and a metro system.

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The Ivy Sweet Service and Conrad Gallagher Sour Service Awards!

imageThe Sweet Service Award goes to The Ivy in Franschhoek, which invited me to try their Apartment 3 on Monday evening. I did not spend much time in the apartment, but slept there in a very comfortable bed that was warm, with an electric blanket, and an air conditioner in the bedroom. The apartment is very spacious, with two bedrooms, each with a bathroom, one en suite. The kitchen is equipped with quality appliances, and everything one would need for a self-catering stay. I did miss a converter plug to be able to use the two-prong hairdryer and to charge my phone. Parking is available on the property, and employee Wellington was very friendly in showing me the apartment, in helping me to set up the wifi, and switching on the air conditioner. Breakfast the next morning was at the nearby The Village Tart, owned by Lisa Adams, who also oversees the management of The Ivy.

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Mark Moriarity of Dublin inaugural S.Pellegrino Young Chef 2015!

imageLast week the whole of Cape Town, if not South Africa, was rooting for Chef Angelo Scirocco of The Chef’s Warehouse in the S. Pellegrino Young Chef 2015, representing Africa and the Middle East, but it was not meant to be.  Chef Mark Moriarity from Dublin won the title in the inaugural competition, which received 3000 entries from Continue reading →

Café Chic reopens with slick service, excellent cuisine, hands-on but controversial Chef Conrad Gallagher!

Cafe Chic exterior Whale CottageCafé Chic opened in Gardens in 1999, a Victorian building with a chic interior created by French owner Francoise Queyroi.  A year ago the restaurant was closed and placed on the market, but has not yet found a buyer. It was a surprise that Chef Conrad Gallagher has taken over the building, renting it lock, stock and barrel, including its cutlery (by Helcometals from Egypt/France), crockery, glassware, table cloths, and serviettes, with a view to buying it in future.  Given Chef Conrad’s reputation related to a Cafe Chic Conrad Gallagher Whale Cottageprevious era of owning restaurants in Cape Town, it is brave of him to return!

Chef Conrad had opened Geisha in 2007 in the building alongside Newport Deli in Mouille Point, spending R3,5 million on its interior, when he received an eviction order, being informed that the building was to be demolished, to make way for a new building.  He moved to the Cape Royale Continue reading →