Tag Archives: Le Petite Colombe

Only 16 of the 2019 Top 20 Restaurants in SA are still operating! How has our Gourmet scene changed in the past year?

In preparing for an interview conducted by Süd-Africa Magazin newsletter writer Werner Klein about how the restaurant scene has changed in Cape Town and the Winelands since Lockdown started over a year ago, I looked specifically at the Eat Out Top 20 Restaurant List of November 2019. Eat Out did not Award any restaurant awards in 2020, and appears unlikely to do so in 2021.

Of the latest Eat Out Top 20 Restaurants shortlisted, only 16 of our country’s Top 20 are still operating, I was shocked to discover.  Three of the four the top restaurants closed down in 2021. Two of the restaurants were on the Top 10 list, and two on the List of 11 – 20 ranked local restaurants in 2019.

The four restaurants which have closed down permanently are the following:

#   Restaurant at Waterkloof: The Chef Gregory Czarnecki owned restaurant operating at Waterkloof Winery in Somerset West closed on 22 November 2020. There has been no sight or sound of Chef Gregory, last posting on Instagram on 22 February. The restaurant held the number one slot of the Eat Out Top 10 list in 2018, and was ranked third in 2019.

SA Top 10 Restaurant List loses one of its stars as Restaurant at Waterkloof closes down in two weeks!

#   The Shortmarket Club was the first Fine-Dining restaurant to close down in Lockdown, almost immediately after it began last year.  In December 2020 it reopened with most of its chef team, who left Tintswalo to reopen the restaurant.  It has since ‘closed indefinitely’ but is still on the website of the LDR Group of Restaurants owned by Chef Luke Dale Roberts.  The site currently operates as The Test Kitchen Fledgelings, a Burger joint only operating on Fridays, and a training ground for new chef talent. In 2019 The Shortmarket Club was ranked at number 18 in 2019.

Is Chef Luke Dale Roberts scaling down his Restaurant Group? Salsify at the Roundhouse no longer part of the Group!

#   Mosaic at The Orient is the saddest closing, very unlikely to be due to the Lockdown. An Eat Out Top 10 restaurant for most of its existence, yet never given the number one slot, Chef Chantel Dartnall and her restaurant received better international recognition than local!  She appears to be investing in herself, taking time off at a local coastal retreat, and to spend time in Paris, to learn French and to work at a restaurant there. At the Eat Out Awards in 2019 Chef Chantel announced that she would no longer participate in the Eat Out Awards, wishing to make space on the Awards list for younger chefs and their restaurants. Many saw a different message in this announcement, given that she was not receiving the recognition she deserved locally. She was followed by Chef Luke Dale Roberts a few weeks later, in making the same announcement. Restaurant Mosaic closed down outside Pretoria at the end of March. It was ranked 9th in 2019, an insult to the restaurant  and its chef.

Top 16 women Chefs recognised by Michelin for International Women’s Day, Farewell to only Top SA Woman Chef! !

#.  La Tête also closed down, on Bree Street, on 6 February. It was ranked 17th in 2019.

 

The remaining Top 20 restaurants, in order of their 2019 ranking from number 1, are:  La Colombe, The Test Kitchen, Wolfgat, FYN, La Petite Colombe, Eike, Salsify at The Roundhouse, Chefs Warehouse at Beau Constantia, Camphors at Vergelegen, Overture, LivingRoom at Summerhill Estate, Chefs Warehouse at Maison, Greenhouse at The Cellars-Hohenhort, Le Coin Français, Tjing Tjing Momiji, and Rust en Vrede.

 

The interview about the changing restaurant scene in the past 13 months highlighted the following:

#   The restaurant industry has been doing well in the past two months, when the regulation regarding the sale of alcohol in restaurants was normalized, and the Curfew start time moved to midnight. Restaurants are reporting excellent trade, especially on weekends.

#   A total of 100 restaurants have closed down in Cape Town and the Winelands. Chef Luke Dale Roberts has lost two restaurants in his stable, only retaining The Test Kitchen and The Pot Luck Club.

#   More than 70 restaurants have opened, Chef Liam Tomlin having opened three in this period.

#.  A handful of restaurants announced their permanent closure, but managed to reopen again, including Clarke’s, Nelson’s Eye, and Perseverance Tavern.

#.  Franschhoek has been particularly hard hit by the Lockdown, losing Foliage a week ago, and Entrée and Fork recently. Yet restaurateur and Chef Darren Badenhorst has opened two new restaurants,  and has taken over the running of Tuk Tuk, in addition to his two existing restaurants.

#.  The ultimate fine dining restaurant has opened in our county, Restaurant KLEIN JAN at Tswalu Private Game Reserve, owned by Chef Jan-Hendrik van der Westhuizen, who also owns one Michelin Star JAN restaurant in Nice. The new restaurant is likely to fly right into the number one spot when Eat Out reintroduces its Awards.

Chef Jan-Hendrik van der Westhuizen finally opens his Restaurant KLEIN JAN in the Kalahari, most expensive restaurant in SA!

#. Capetonians can more easily access our city’s fine dining restaurants. It still takes three months to book at Wolfgat, and it took six months to get into The Test Kitchen. The latter restaurant now has availability for all dates in May. Most top restaurants now offer Reduced Tasting Menus, fewer courses offered making them more affordable.

I am grateful to have had the opportunity for an amended German version of this story to be published in the Newsletter of the Süd-Africa Magazin.  https://www.sued-afrika.de/artikel/newsletter-11-kapstadt-gastroszene-im-wandel. And for the magazine using a photograph of Utopia Cape Town restaurant.

 

Chris von Ulmenstein, WhaleTales Blog: www.whaletalesblog.com  www.chrisvonulmenstein.com/blog Tel +27 082 55 11 323 Twitter:@Ulmenstein Facebook: Chris von Ulmenstein Instagram: @Chrissy_Ulmenstein @MyCapeTownGuide

 

More than 40 new restaurants have opened in Cape Town and the Winelands during Lockdown: November 2020.

 

News about restaurants closing down during Lockdown has almost ground to a halt, which is good news in itself. Even better news is that a number of new restaurants have opened or are planning to open in Cape Town and the Winelands, the latest count being 44 new restaurants.

The latest Lockdown Restaurant Closure list stands at 77 Restaurants in Cape Town and the Winelands, an increase of only two Restaurant Closures in the past month. Clarke’s, The Shortmarket Club, Koffi Terapi,  Ocean Blue, and Dahlia on Regent announced their permanent closure due to Lockdown, but have reopened.

The Test Kitchen and The Food Barn have changed their offerings and their restaurant names in reaction to the Covid Lockdown.

The Test Kitchen and The Foodbarn Restaurants transformed to cope with aftermath of Covid Lockdown!

Franschhoek saw a number of Lockdown Restaurant Closures, but has five new restaurants opening, some restaurants relocating, and some changing their offering.

Franschhoek Restaurants during Lockdown: which are open, closed, and opening soon!

 

Restaurant Closures since Lockdown:

#   The Shortmarket Club (has reopened)

#    La Bottega in Woodstock.

#    Empire Café in Muizenberg.

#    SMAK Delicatessen and Eatery.

#    Buitenverwachting Restaurant in Constantia.

#    The Deli Coffee Co in the V & A Waterfront

#    Under Oaks, Paarl (re-opened for Sit-Down, previously reported as Closed Down)

#    Craft Burger Bar, Sea Point

#.  The Butcher, Camps Bay

#   La Franca, Gardens

#   Go Go, Bree Street

#   The Butcher, Sea Point

#.  Cold Gold Artisanal ice-cream (reopened for Delivery in partnership with For Food’s Sake)

#   StarGarden Café, Fish Hoek

#   Oven Baked, Muizenberg

#   Noordhoek Café & Deli

#.  Kalk Bay Theatre

#   The Kitchen, Woodstock

#   Bay Expresso

#  Mugg & Bean, Constantia

#   Jessy’s Waffles, Camps Bay

#   Chi Cha in Sea Point

#   Ocean Blue in Camps Bay (reopened 18 July)

#   The Trumpet Tree, Stellenbosch

#   Tolhuis Bistro, Ceres

#   Maker’s Mark, Tulbagh

#   Thai Food Sushi, Sea Point

#   Meraki, Stellenbosch

#   All Things Good, Stellenbosch

#   Mama Cucina, Riebeeck-Kasteel

#   Brownies & Downies, City Centre

#   Dahlia on Regent, Sea Point (has reopened)

#   The Larder, Claremont

#  Café Blouberg,  Bloubergstrand

#   Jason’s, Bree Street Branch

#   Koffi Terapi, Willowbridge (reopened)

#  Blasters Family Restaurant, Cape Gate.

#  Fláva, Wilderness

#  The Fat Greek, Table View

#   Myoga, Vineyard Hotel, Newlands

#   Schwarma Express, Sea Point Branch

#  The Stack, Gardens

#   Two and Sixpence Tavern, Simon’s Town, after 21 years

#   Perseverance, Gardens, oldest pub in Cape Town

#   Fire Monkey, Claremont

#   Cattle Baron, Tokai

#   Clarke’s, Bree Street (has reopened)

#   Masala Dosa Restaurant, Long Street

#   Vicious Virgin Bar, Wale Street

#   Exhibit A, Bree Street

Exhibit A in Cape Town the first Fine-Dining Restaurant to close down due to the Corona Lockdown!

#  Frankie Fenner, Durbanville

#   Dale’s Black Angus, The Paddocks, Milnerton

#  TableThirteen, Green Point

#  Ton Khoon, Tyger Waterfront

#   Terroir, Stellenbosch.

#   Daniela’s Deliciously Decadent, Cape Quarter.

#   Batavia Café, Bo-Kaap

#   Addis in Cape Ethopian Restaurant

#   Fork on Long Street

#   Yumcious Café, Durbanville

#   Aces & Spades, City centre.

#  Guilio’s Café, Loop Street

#  De Wijnhuis, Stellenbosch

#  Café Mozart, Church Street

#  Active Sushi, Hudson Street

#  Amore, Kenilworth

#.  Primi Muizenberg

#   Primi Eden on the Bay

#   Primi Willowbridge

#   Mink & Trout, Bree Street

#   Lou Lou’s, Cape Quarter

#   Knead, The Point Centre

#   Pastis, Constantia

#   Viande at Grande Roche, Paarl.

#   95 Keerom Street, Cape Town

#   95 at Morgenster, Somerset West

#   Tintswalo Kitchen at Tintswalo Atlantic

#   Will’s Café and Deli, Oranjezicht

#  Jerry’s Burger Bar, Stellenbosch

#   Maison J in Camps Bay

#   Beluga in Green Point

#   Goloso in Sea Point

#   Restaurant Seven in Somerset West, owned by Chef George Jardine

#   Baker Brothers in Green Point

#   Bodega at Dornier, Stellenbosch

#   Doppio Zero, Stellenbosch

#   Restaurant at Waterkloof closes on 22 November

SA Top 10 Restaurant List loses one of its stars as Restaurant at Waterkloof closes down in two weeks!

 

Restaurant Openings (During Lockdown)

#   Regent Burger Bar has opened where Craft Burger Bar was on Regent Road in Sea Point.

#  Chef Liam Tomlin is opening Local at Heritage Square, a retail collection of local food products, fresh and packaged, in the former HQ space.

#   Chef Liam Tomlin is opening Mazza upstairs in the former HQ, as a Middle Eastern eating bar.

#   Ciao Pizza, Long Street.

#   Firefly Café in Camps Bay

#   Chef Chen Sushi Bar pop-up, The Point Mall, Sea Point.

#   Floozies has opened on Kloof Street.

#  Fork has opened in Franschhoek

#   Entrée in Franschhoek

#   Flower Café opened in Woodstock.

#   Jooma has opened in Sea Point

#   Starbucks is to open in Camps Bay

#   Yama Sushi Emporium opens in Franschhoek in December

#   Oku opened in Franschhoek on 14 October

#   Blue Coriander Indian restaurant has opened in Place Vendome in Franschhoek, the owner being a former chef at Marigold

#   Oxalis Eatery has opened on Wale Street.

#   Fat Harry’s in Wynberg has reopened, with new owners, an interior makeover, and new menu and staff.

Fat Harry’s in Kenilworth transformed from Bar to Restaurant with a Bar, with new owners, new decor, new kitchen and chef, new menu!

#   Chefs Warehouse Tintswalo Atlantic has opened

Tintswalo Kitchen at Tintswalo Atlantic to be transformed into Chefs Warehouse at Tintswalo Atlantic!

#   Barstaurant is opening at Glencairn Hotel in Simonstown, by the Tintswalo Group.

#   Bo-Kaap Deli has opened in Bo-Kaap.

#   Restaurateur Stuart Bailey is opening De Vleispaleis,  a meat restaurant in the Black Horse Centre on Dorp Street in Stellenbosch.

#   Curry Cave has opened on New Church Street

#   Ideas Cartel Bar at Casa Labia, Muizenberg

#   Mexicola Locale opened at the end of October in Hout Bay, another new Chef Cheyne Morrisby Restaurant

#  FreeBird has opened in Kloof Street Village.

#   Sharon’s Cafë has opened at The Palms

#   Clay Café has opened on Bree Street.

#   The Pokémon Co Claremont has opened

#   Rosetta has opened on Bree Street

#    Forneria Italia Beachfront has opened in Table View

#    I Sapori has opened in Table View

#    Seed & Circus has opened in Zonnebloem/District Six

#   The Manor at Nederburg has opened, in Paarl

#   Culture Wine Bar has opened on Bree Street, a joint venture between Chef Matt Manning and wine fundi  Chris Groenewald

#   Royale Eatery has opened on Vineyard Road in Claremont.

#   Salushi Express has opened in Cavendish Street, Claremont

#   Vadas Pasteis de Nata & Café is to open in Stellenbosch in November

#   All Things Edible (ATE) has opened at Silver Forest Boutique Lodge in Somerset West, with  her Michael Broughton

#   The Shortmarket Club is reopening as The Shortmarket Grill.

#.  OK JA has opened in Camps Bay (former Maison J)

#   My Sugar is opening in Claremont in November

#   Bokeh Creative Studio has opened on Regent Road in Sea Point.(Photograph)

#   Chef Peter Tempelhoff is to open a Street Food restaurant on Shortmarket Street.

#   Ernie Els Wines Restaurant has opened in Stellenbosch

#   Kleine Zalze Restaurant, with Chef Nic van Wyk

#   Drum has opened in the Black Horse Centre in Stellenbosch

#   Old Town Italy in the V& A Waterfront

#   Old Town Italy in Durbanville

#  Lime Tree Café has opened a Deli.

#   Chef Peter Tempelhoff is opening Beyond at Buitenverwachting in Constantia, with Nicholas Walker as Manager, and Chef Julia du Toit heading up the kitchen.

#   Chef Kevin Grobler has opened The Restaurant at Grande Roche in Paarl at the beginning of November.

The Restaurant at Grande Roche opens in two weeks, just after Viande Restaurant closes down at the Paarl hotel!

The Restaurant Closure and Opening Lists are updated continuously throughout the month.

For a list of Restaurants currently open for Food Delivery and Collection as well as Sit-Down Service, see the Facebook Group I created at the beginning of May: https://www.facebook.com/groups/261165661682371/?ref=share

 

Restaurant News

  1. Chef Calvyn Metior is the new Executive Chef at Monneaux Restaurant, previously Head Chef at La Motte.
  2. Chef Kayla-Ann Osborn has left The Chef’s Table in Umhlanga, now heading up the kitchen at Delaire Graff.
  3. Chef Scott Armstrong has rejoined JAN Restaurant in Nice as Sous Chef.
  4. Chef Nico Vorster has left La Paris Bistro outside Franschhoek, and has bought The Good Food Co in Franschhoek.
  5. Bossa Stellenbosch and Die Strandloper suffered extensive fire damage during Lockdown.
  6. Chef Bell McCleod has left Bones in Woodstock, now heading up the Hemel & Aarde Brewery.
  7. Chef Henry and Mari Vigar have left La Mouette, now solely owned by Gerrit Bruwer, and have moved to take over their restaurant Upper Bloem in Green Point.
  8.  Chef Neill Anthony Vaughn has been appointed as the Culinary Advisor to La Mouette.
  9. Chef Arno Janse van Rensburg has left his restaurant Janse & Co, his next venture not yet known.
  10. Stellenbosch has introduced an innovative community-supported incentive to restaurant diners to pay by SnapScan, offering them a 50% discount, with a maximum of R400, presented as a voucher.
  11. Epice will be moving to the space of Le Petite Colombe at Le Quartier Francais in Franschhoek.
  12. Le Petite Colombe will open at Leeu Estates on 6 November.
  13. The Foodbarn in Noordhoek has transformed into Foodbarn Café & Tapas.
  14. The Test Kitchen has changed its offering and its name to The Test Kitchen Origins

Details of new restaurants opening, and of restaurant closures, are highly appreciated. chrisvonulmenstein@gmail.com

 

Photograph:  Bokeh Creative Studio in Sea Point (Own photograph)

 

Chris von Ulmenstein, WhaleTales Blog: www.chrisvonulmenstein.com/blog Tel +27 082 55 11 323 Twitter:@Ulmenstein Facebook: Chris von Ulmenstein Instagram: @Chrissy_Ulmenstein

About Chris von Ulmenstein

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First restaurants close down in Cape Town this month, a sign of things to come? March 2020

 

Two Top restaurant chefs, Wesley Randles and Ash Heeger, have announced that they are throwing in the towel in Cape Town, at the Shortmarket Club and Riverine Rabbit, respectively, a sign of the times? Added to this, Chef Luke Dale-Roberts has announced that The Commissary, next door to The Shortmarket Club, is to close at the end of this month too. And HQ is said to have closed down last week.

Chef Peter Tempelhoff announced the opening of a new ‘funky’ restaurant in Cape Town on Kfm over 3 months ago, but no further details of its name, location, or opening date are known. 

 

Cape Town restaurant openings 

#  Exhibit A fine dining restaurant has opened on the 3rd floor of the Villa 47 building in the city centre, for lunch and dinner on Tuesdays – Saturdays

Restaurant Review: New Exhibit A Fine-dining restaurant serves fine fun food, but service does not match cuisine quality!

#  Ochre has opened at the One&Only Cape Town, in the place of Reuben’s 

#  Tryn has opened at Steenberg, under the stewardship of Chef Kerry Kilpin, also heading up Bistro Sixteen82 

Catharina’s at Steenberg transformed, renamed, modernised into a younger and lighter Tryn Restaurant, offers ethically sourced fish and locally sourced ingredients!

#  Gigi has opened in the gorgeous Gorgeous George Hotel in St George’s Mall, with Guy Bennett at the helm.

Gorgeous George Hotel and its GiGi Rooftop Restaurant & Bar simply…Gorgeous, bowled over by the design, differentness!

#  Blockhouse Kitchen has opened at Constantia Uitsig, in the former Open Door space, headed up by Chef Brad Ball. 

#  Patina Steak & Fine Wine is to open at D’Aria wine estate in Durbanville. 

#  Cause Effect Cocktail Kitchen has opened in the Waterfront, next to Mitchell’s.  

#  KONG has opened as a bar and grill in De Waterkant. 

KONG Bar & Grill has unique decor, excellent chef team, friendly service, and dancing too!

#  VIXI Social House has opened on Bree Street, 

#  Big Dog Café has opened on Kloof Street, sister restaurant to the Terbodore-owned restaurant with the same name in Franschhoek. 

#  Mozambik Portuguese restaurant has opened in the Waterfront, where Seelan’s used to be. 

#  Syrup has opened on Bree Street 

#  SurfShack has opened in Camps Bay, where Umi used to be, belonging to the Kove Collection. (Photograph)

Restaurant Review: SurfShack perfect for a lunch at Camps Bay beach!

#  Boudha Lounge has opened on Buiten Street

#  The Korner has opened in Mandela Rhodes House, belonging to Giles, the owner of The 41 restaurant in Camps Bay,

#   Cowboys and Cooks has opened in De Waterkant, and is opening on Kloof/Rheede Street

Restaurant Review: Cowboys & Cooks De Waterkant serves excellent food, but service lags!

#   Plant Café vegan restaurant has opened in Camps Bay 

#   Mykonos Taverna has opened in Camps Bay, in the former Dizzy’s Bar/pool area. It has also opened in Newlands.

#  Sloppy Sam is said to be reopening in a new unannounced venue. 

#  Arthur’s Mini Super has opened in Sea Point 

#  The Kind Kitchen vegan restaurant has opened at Constantia Uitsig. 

#   Harvest Café has opened in Muizenberg

#. Stellski Coffee Bar has opened on Loop Street  

#  Yu Asian Tapas & Bar has opened in the Onyx Hotel in the city centre 

#   Iron Steak and Bar has opened on Bree Street, where Charango used to be. 

#   117Kloof has opened on Kloof Street, belonging to Yours Truly Café

#  GoodFood has opened as a multi food and beverage offering under one roof, in Woodstock. 

#  Scarpetta has opened as an Italian restaurant in Woodstock.

#  Unfiltered has opened as a taproom with a beer and food offering, in conjunction with the chefs of Woodlands Eatery. 

#   Shakespeare’s Restaurant has opened in Durbanville. 

#   Punjab has opened in Kenilworth

#  The Jagger Lounge has opened where Café Roux used to be, on Shortmarket Street. 

#  EatStanbul Turkish restaurant has opened on Kloof Street. 

#  I love the Dough has opened on Bree Street. 

#  Chef Seelan Sundoo has opened Three Wise Monkeys on Kloof Street.

#  Step Brothers has opened in Bantry Bay 

#  BrewzKrew has opened in Rondebosch 

#   DipnDip Chocolate Café has opened in the Waterfront. 

#   Chef Peter Tempelhoff is to open a new ‘funky’ restaurant. No further details are known.  

#  Dahlia on Regent has opened in Sea Point.

#  Quince Restaurant at Little Orchard Nursery has opened in Diep River by Chef Graham Isaacson.

#  Tindlovu has opened in Camps Bay, as a restaurant offering South African cuisine. 

#  Infusions on Long has opened in the city centre, 

#  Fire Monkey has opened in Claremont, the newest restaurant owned by Chef Cheyne Morrisby.

#. Maaya has opened as a Peruvian/Japanese restaurant on Loop Street.  

#   ERTH Eatery has opened in Green Point, a ‘nutricosmetic eatery’. 

#.  Old Town Italy is said to open in Cape Town. 

#   Vicious Virgin rum bar has opened in Wale Street, serving light meals too. 

New Vicious Virgin Rum Bar not vicious at all, brings French Polynesian Tiki cocktail culture to Cape Town!

#   Chef Jan-Hendrik’s new KLEIN JAN restaurant in the Kalahari Desert is to open in November 2020.

Chef Jan-Hendrik van der Westhuizen’s new KLEIN JAN Restaurant at Tswalu Kalahari opens its doors for a first peek inside!

#.  The Crypt Jazz Club, restaurant, and cocktail bar has reopened on Wale Street. 

The Crypt Jazz Club reopens in Cape Town as restaurant, cocktail bar, and jazz club, with new owners and energy!

 

Winelands Restaurant openings 

#  La Chêne has opened at Leeu Estates in Franschhoek, its owner Chef Darren Badenhorst of Le Coin Français taking over all food and beverage operations in the hotel. 

#  Arkeste has opened where Racine used to be, on Chamonix wine estate, operated by Chef Richard Carstens of RiffelCarstens. 

#.  Le Petite Colombe moves into a separate building at Leeu Estates in Franschhoek in May 2020. 

#  Marilyn’s Sushi restaurant has opened in Franschhoek, a third restaurant with the two Rocas in the village. (Main Photograph)

#  Café Furlough has opened on Dorp Street in Stellenbosch 

#  Viande has opened at the Grande Roche Hotel, the latter with new local owners, and the restaurant headed up by Chef Pete Goffe-Wood. 

#  Jewells has opened at Spice Route outside Paarl, with Neil and Tina Jewell in the kitchen, in conjunction with Chef Liam Tomlin. 

#  Legado Coffee Bar has opened at Technopark, outside Stellenbosch 

#   Schoon Bread Café has opened in Franschhoek, where De Villiers Café used to be, 

#  Chef Chris Erasmus and Haut Espoir are planning an eatery in the Franschhoek wine estate. 

#  The Table at De Meye outside Stellenbosch has reopened, with new owners Brendan Thorncroft and Leigh Williamson.

#  The Farmer’s Café has opened at Spier. A Deli has opened where Eight was at Spier. 

#  Bodega at Dornier has reopened after a long closure. 

#   Fritz Schoon is opening where Vida e Caffe was on the corner of Church and Bird Street in Stellenbosch. 

#  Ernie Els is said to be converting his Tasting Centre in Stellenbosch into a fine dining restaurant. 

#  Chef Jess van Dyk is the new Head Chef of Protégé Restaurant  in Franschhoek, having moved across from La Colombe.

#.  Epice has opened in Franschhoek, where Marigold was located, with Head Chef Charné Sampson.

#  The Four Square Club has opened at Môreson outside Franschhoek, owned by Chef Chris Erasmus of Foliage. 

#.  Char’d Hermanus has opened. 

Restaurant closures

#   Umi in Camps Bay has closed down

#   Seelan’s in the Waterfront has closed down

#   Reuben’s at the One&Only has closed down 

One&Only Cape Town and Reuben’s part ways after nine years, new spicy Ochre restaurant opens!

#  Open Door at Constantia Uitsig has closed down 

#  Catharina’s at Steenberg has closed down

#  Charango on Bree Street has closed down 

#  Bertus Basson @ Spice Route has closed down 

#   Marigold has closed down in Franschhoek 

#   De Villiers Chocolate Café has closed down in Franschoek 

#   Café Roux in the city centre has closed down.

#   Reuben’s at Abalone House in Paternoster has closed down

#   Racine in Franschhoek has closed down.

#  Eight at Spier in Stellenbosch has closed down. 

#  The Boschendal Bistro on Church Street in Stellenbosch has closed down.

#   Del Mar in Camps Bay has closed.

#   Macau has closed down. 

#   The House of H has closed down 

#   HQ and Roast Chicken have closed down.

Restaurant News

  1.  Chef Ash Heeger has announced that she is closing Riverine Rabbit and moving to the United Kingdom in the next few months.
  2. Chef Wesley Randles of The Shortmarket Club is leaving the restaurant and Cape Town for personal reasons at the end of March. 
  3. Chef Calvyn Metior is the new Executive Chef at Monneaux Restaurant, previously Head Chef at La Motte. 
  4. The Commissary is to close down at the end of this month. 

 

Details of new restaurants opening, and of restaurant closures, are highly appreciated. chrisvonulmenstein@gmail.com

 

Chris von Ulmenstein, WhaleTales Blog: www.chrisvonulmenstein.com/blog Tel +27 082 55 11 323 Twitter:@Ulmenstein Facebook: Chris von Ulmenstein Instagram: @Chrissy_Ulmens

Will Cape Town and Winelands restaurants survive until winter?

 

The only new restaurants which opened last month are Epice in Franschhoek, headed by Chef Charné Sampson, belonging to The La Colombe Group, and located in the former Marigold restaurant; as well as Tindlovu in Camps Bay. This reflects the state of the economy, 2019 being one of the worst years for the restaurant industry.

Chef Peter Tempelhoff announced the opening of a new ‘funky’ restaurant in Cape Town on Kfm over a month ago, but no further details of its name, location, or opening date are known. 

 

Cape Town restaurant openings 

#  Exhibit A fine dining restaurant has opened on the 3rd floor of the Villa 47 building in the city centre, for lunch and dinner on Tuesdays – Saturdays

Restaurant Review: New Exhibit A Fine-dining restaurant serves fine fun food, but service does not match cuisine quality!

#  Ochre has opened at the One&Only Cape Town, in the place of Reuben’s 

#  Tryn has opened at Steenberg, under the stewardship of Chef Kerry Kilpin, also heading up Bistro Sixteen82 

Catharina’s at Steenberg transformed, renamed, modernised into a younger and lighter Tryn Restaurant, offers ethically sourced fish and locally sourced ingredients!

#  Gigi has opened in the gorgeous Gorgeous George Hotel in St George’s Mall, with Guy Bennett at the helm.

Gorgeous George Hotel and its GiGi Rooftop Restaurant & Bar simply…Gorgeous, bowled over by the design, differentness!

#  Blockhouse Kitchen has opened at Constantia Uitsig, in the former Open Door space, headed up by Chef Brad Ball. 

#  Patina Steak & Fine Wine is to open at D’Aria wine estate in Durbanville. 

#  Cause Effect Cocktail Kitchen has opened in the Waterfront, next to Mitchell’s.  

#  KONG has opened as a bar and grill in De Waterkant. 

KONG Bar & Grill has unique decor, excellent chef team, friendly service, and dancing too!

#  VIXI Social House has opened on Bree Street, 

#  Big Dog Café has opened on Kloof Street, sister restaurant to the Terbodore-owned restaurant with the same name in Franschhoek. 

#  Mozambik Portuguese restaurant has opened in the Waterfront, where Seelan’s used to be. 

#  Syrup has opened on Bree Street 

#  SurfShack has opened in Camps Bay, where Umi used to be, belonging to the Kove Collection.

#  Boudha Lounge has opened on Buiten Street

#  The Korner has opened in Mandela Rhodes House, belonging to Giles, the owner of The 41 restaurant in Camps Bay,

#   Cowboys and Cooks has opened in De Waterkant, and is opening on Kloof/Rheede Street (photograph)

Restaurant Review: Cowboys & Cooks De Waterkant serves excellent food, but service lags!

#   Plant Café vegan restaurant has opened in Camps Bay 

#   Mykonos Taverna is opening in Camps Bay, in the former Dizzy’s Bar/pool area. It has also opened in Newlands.

#  Sloppy Sam is said to be reopening in a new unannounced venue. 

#  Arthur’s Mini Super has opened in Sea Point 

#  The Kind Kitchen vegan restaurant has opened at Constantia Uitsig. 

#   Harvest Café has opened in Muizenberg

#. Stellski Coffee Bar has opened on Loop Street  

#  Yu Asian Tapas & Bar has opened in the Onyx Hotel in the city centre 

#   Iron Steak and Bar has opened on Bree Street, where Charango used to be. 

#   117Kloof has opened on Kloof Street, belonging to Yours Truly Café

#  GoodFood has opened as a multi food and beverage offering under one roof, in Woodstock. 

#  Scarpetta has opened as an Italian restaurant in Woodstock.

#  Unfiltered has opened as a taproom with a beer and food offering, in conjunction with the chefs of Woodlands Eatery. 

#   Shakespeare’s Restaurant has opened in Durbanville. 

#   Punjab has opened in Kenilworth

#  The Jagger Lounge has opened where Café Roux used to be, on Shortmarket Street. 

#  EatStanbul Turkish restaurant has opened on Kloof Street. 

#  I love the Dough has opened on Bree Street. 

#  Chef Seelan Sundoo is opening Three Wise Monkeys on Kloof Street.

#  Step Brothers has opened in Bantry Bay 

#  BrewzKrew has opened in Rondebosch 

#   DipnDip Chocolate Café is opening in the Waterfront. . 

#   Chef Peter Tempelhoff is to open a new ‘funky’ restaurant. No further details are known.  

#  Dahlia on Regent has opened in Sea Point.

#  Quince Restaurant at Little Orchard Nursery has opened in Diet River by Chef Graham Isaacson.

#  Tindlovu has opened in Camps Bay, as a restaurant offering South African cuisine. 

#.  The Crypt Jazz Club, restaurant, and cocktail bar has reopened on Wale Street. 

The Crypt Jazz Club reopens in Cape Town as restaurant, cocktail bar, and jazz club, with new owners and energy!

 

Winelands Restaurant openings 

#  La Chêne has opened at Leeu Estates in Franschhoek, its owner Chef Darren Badenhorst of Le Coin Français taking over all food and beverage operations in the hotel. 

#  Arkeste has opened where Racine used to be, on Chamonix wine estate, operated by Chef Richard Carstens of RiffelCarstens. 

#.  Le Petite Colombe moves into a separate building at Leeu Estates in Franschhoek in May 2020. 

#  Marilyn’s Sushi restaurant has opened in Franschhoek, a third restaurant with the two Rocas in the village. 

#  Café Furlough has opened on Dorp Street in Stellenbosch 

#  Viande has opened at the Grande Roche Hotel, the latter with new local owners, and the restaurant headed up by Chef Pete Goffe-Wood. 

#  Jewells has opened at Spice Route outside Paarl, with Neil and Tina Jewell in the kitchen, in conjunction with Chef Liam Tomlin. 

#  Legado Coffee Bar has opened at Technopark, outside Stellenbosch 

#   Schoon Bread Café has opened in Franschhoek, where De Villiers Café used to be, 

#  Chef Chris Erasmus and Haut Espoir are planning an eatery in the Franschhoek wine estate. 

#  The Table at De Meye outside Stellenbosch has reopened, with new owners Brendan Thorncroft and Leigh Williamson.

#  The Farmer’s Café has opened at Spier. A Deli has opened where Eight was at Spier. 

#  Bodega at Dornier has reopened after a long closure. 

#   Fritz Schoon is opening where Vida e Caffe was on the corner of Church and Bird Street in Stellenbosch. 

#  Ernie Els is said to be converting his Tasting Centre in Stellenbosch into a fine dining restaurant. 

#  Chef Jess van Dyk is the new Head Chef of Protégé Restaurant  in Franschhoek, moving across from La Colombe.

#.  Epice has opened in Franschhoek, where Marigold was located, at the end of November, with Head Chef Charné Sampson.

#  The Four Square Club has opened at Môreson outside Franschhoek, owned by Chef Chris Erasmus of Foliage. 

Restaurant closures

#   Umi in Camps Bay has closed down

#   Seelan’s in the Waterfront has closed down

#   Reuben’s at the One&Only has closed down 

One&Only Cape Town and Reuben’s part ways after nine years, new spicy Ochre restaurant opens!

#  Open Door at Constantia Uitsig has closed down 

#  Catharina’s at Steenberg has closed down

#  Charango on Bree Street has closed down 

#  Bertus Basson @ Spice Route has closed down 

#   Marigold has closed down in Franschhoek 

#   De Villiers Chocolate Café has closed down in Franschoek 

#   Café Roux in the city centre has closed down.

#   Reuben’s at Abalone House in Paternoster has closed down

#   Racine in Franschhoek has closed down.

#  Eight at Spier in Stellenbosch has closed down. 

#  The Boschendal Bistro on Church Street in Stellenbosch has closed down.

#   Del Mar in Camps Bay has closed.

#   Macau appears to ha e closed down. 

#  Cassis in Camps Bay has closed down, about two months after its opening. 

 

Details of new restaurants opening, and of restaurant closures, are highly appreciated. chrisvonulmenstein@gmail.com

 

Chris von Ulmenstein, WhaleTales Blog: www.chrisvonulmenstein.com/blog Tel +27 082 55 11 323 Twitter:@Ulmenstein Facebook: Chris von Ulmenstein Instagram: @Chrissy_Ulmenstein