The Sweet Service Award goes to Liberty’s Restaurant at DoubleTree by Hilton Cape Town Upper Eastside in Woodstock, for their invitation via their PR company to taste elements of their new summer menu as canapés, prepared by Chef Simon Kemp and his team, and paired with wines supplied by Siris Vintners. Dishes we tasted included Tuna Tataki (photograph); hot smoked duck breast; pulled Moroccan spiced lamb pita pockets; pan-fried gnocchi with sage, pine kernels, wild mushrooms, Parmesan and wild truffle cream; warm fig salad; and death by brownie with Caffe Latte ice cream. The hotel has a herb garden growing in boxes on the terraces, which Chef Simon and the kitchen staff take responsibility for, and pick fresh herbs from daily for their dishes. Continue reading →
Tag Archives: herb garden
WhaleTales Tourism, Food, and Wine news headlines: 27/28 July
Tourism, Food, and Wine news headlines
* A beautiful and informative coffee table book about chocolate has been written by Di Burger, called ‘Chocolate’s African Odyssey‘, reports WineStyle.
* Eleven finalists of The Wines of South Africa (WOSA) Sommelier Cup, from a diversity of countries including China and Russia, have been shortlisted.
* The Spur Corporation, which owns Spur Steak Ranches, Panarottis Pizza Pasta, and John Dory’s Fish & Grill, has grown sales by 16% in the past twelves months ending June, its advertising (by Haas) driving feet into their restaurants.
* Chinese tourists are ‘smitten by the charms of Africa’. Direct SAA flights between Johannesburg and Beijing as well as visa processing centres in Beijing and Shanghai have pushed China as a tourism source market for our country into fourth position! Continue reading →
Anthonij Rupert Wines has largest wine range in Franschhoek, introduces High Tea!
Yesterday we visited the Anthonij Rupert Tasting Room, one of two tasting rooms at Anthonij Rupert Wines, which previously belonged to Graham Beck Wines, and was bought by Johan Rupert from L’Ormarins next door, to enhance his access to water. Anthonij Rupert Wines has five wine brands, and 25 sub-brands, the largest range in Franschhoek, to our knowledge. Our invitation via PR consultancy Smart Communications & Events was to see the new tasting room and to try their new High Tea.
It was a grey wintry day, and the lit fire in the lounge was welcome and made the room cosy. Hospitality Manager Gidi Caetano, whom we know from her days as Manager of Salt Restaurant at the Ambassador Hotel, and then as GM of the previous French Toast Wine & Tapas Bar, explained the tasting room and company structure to us while we enjoyed the treats from the three tier High Tea stand, 
which consisted of scones, cream and jam, chocolate cupcakes, and candied orange and gooseberry tarts, prepared by Chef HW Pieterse and his team, beautifully decorated with rose buds, lavender, and pansies. We were served The Wellness Group teas, with its tea leaves in muslin bags. A range of flavours is available. One can book the High Tea with 24 hour notice, and organise a tea party to celebrate a special birthday, anniversary, stork tea, or just a special spoiling. 
The High Tea will usually include smoked salmon blinis, and cucumber, dill and horseradish sandwiches too. The treats offered change regularly, and could also include orange infused koeksisters, mini chocolate and hazelnut mousse pots, chocolate salami, and red berry tarts. Gidi told us about the herb garden growing alongside the manor house, with 32 medicinal (for educational use) and cooking herbs, the latter used in the food preparation on the estate. It was started from scratch a year ago.