I had not been to Stellenbosch since the beginning of Lockdown in March 2020. Last week I spent a day in the town, to walk through its centre, and updating my information of restaurants that have opened and closed in the town since my last visit.
I discovered multiple new coffee shops and informal eateries, and a growing number of wine bars. And the start of a challenge to Chef Bertus Basson’s dominance of the university town as far as fine-dining goes.
The 100 year inauguration anniversary of Chapman’s Peak, or Chappies as it is known locally, was celebrated in Cape Town recently.
Work on the Drive commenced in 1915, cutting a road along a number of ridges, to connect Hout Bay and Noordhoek. The building of the road by prisoners, at a cost of £20000, was hailed as an engineering feat when it officially opened on 6 May 1922, inaugurated as Chapman’s Peak Drive.
Motorists were offered free access through Chapman’s Peak Drive on the anniversary weekend. The normal fee for motor vehicles is R54.
The Winter months are always tough on restaurants, as diners are not keen to leave their homes when it is cold and wet. With the reduced trade, added to Loadshedding, and the earlier Curfew start time, restaurants are keen to attract business by offering Winter specials.
I will compile an ongoing Restaurant Winter Specials list for Cape Town and Winelands Restaurants, updated regularly. I welcome all information about Winter Specials. Continue reading →
The Covid-19 pandemic has affected every person and business, and restaurants and their owners have not been excluded from its impact. One of our country’s top restaurants, The Test Kitchen in Woodstock, as well as The Foodbarn in Noordhoek, have transformed themselves in their offering, even going so far as to change their restaurant names. These are two restaurants which have reacted to the effects of the Corona Lockdown of the past six months. Continue reading →