Tag Archives: Lindt Lindor

Cape Philharmonic Orchestra celebrates centenary at ‘Valentine under the Stars’ concert!

Valentine Orchestra and Table MountainA perfectly organised ‘Valentine under the Stars’ concert, held last night at The Castle, our country’s oldest building, paid tribute to the 100 year anniversary of the establishment of the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra, which performed a programme of music related to love and romance.

With not a breath of wind, and a sky lit with stars and a full moon, the open-air concert in The Castle astounded the attendees, for its excellent quality music, not only by the orchestra conducted by Brandon Phillips, but also by the three soloists Colin Lee, Nash Reed, and Selim Kagee, as well as striking teenage violinist Donné  de Kock.   The sound quality was perfect, with no wind noise on the microphones, nor music notes flying away when there was the slightest breeze.

The concert was organised by Barbara Lenhard, powerhouse driver of publishing company Opulent Living with her partner Florian Gast, which recently opened Opulent Living Experiences events company.  Orchestra CEO Louis Heyneman gave Barbara the green light to participate in the special concert.  Comfortable chairs were set out in the courtyard of The Castle, decorated with hearts on red ribbons, and most of the 600 attendees would have had a perfect view of the stage and would have heard the music perfectly.  Songs performed included ‘Dein ist mein ganzes Herz’, ‘Yesterday’, ‘The first time ever I saw your face’, the ‘Blue Danube’ waltz, ‘Granada’, and ‘Something Stupid’.

The first concert of the then-named Cape Town Municipal Orchestra took place in the City Hall on 28 Continue reading →

Restaurant Review: 65 on Main fresh find in Green Point!

65 on Main Interior 2 Whale Cottage PortfolioThe restaurant at 65 Main Road used to be one of Green Point’s most popular when it was called Miss K, but nose-dived when it was taken over by an Italian owner and he renamed it after his daughter Giulia a year ago.  He lasted a few months before returning to his homeland, as his wife did not like Cape Town. This left the space for Whitney Wentzel to take it over and to open 65 on Main within two weeks, at the beginning of August.  It was a surprise discovery, following a most mediocre Camps Bay experience earlier that day!

I underestimated Whitney on first appearance, and thought her to be the manager, as a waiter came out to greet me even though she was outside as well.  I was left in the care of a second waiter Sheldon, who informed me that Whitney is in fact the owner.  Whitney studied at the Hotel School in Granger Bay, having graduated just before the World Cup, and worked as F&B Manager at The Taj, The Cullinan, Zimbali, and the Arabella Kleinmond hotels since then.  She had a dream to run her own restaurant, 65 on Main Whitney Wentzel Whale Cottage Portfolioand told me that she dutifully saved as much as she could, having been taught by her portfolio asset manager mother.  Although only 25 years old, I sensed that Whitney pays attention to detail, and knows exactly what she is doing, and that her establishment Continue reading →