Tag Archives: olive oil

WhaleTales Tourism, Food, and Wine news headlines: 16 April

WhaleTalesTourism, Food, and Wine news headlines

*   The Peace Table 2014 will take place on Tafelberg Road  below Table Mountain on 25 May, with a 3-course lunch for 700 prepared by Chef Peter Tempelhoff of The Greenhouse at Cellars Hohenhort in conjunction with Myatt in the V&A Waterfront.  There will be live music and a fashion show too.  Cost R480, all proceeds go to charity. (received via e-mail from The Little Black Book)

*   Schengen visa applications are likely to become more tourist-friendly from next year, reports Travel News Weekly.   The European Union wants to reduce the processing time of a visa, and to introduce a one-year touring visa in the 26-country Schengen area in Europe.   Regular travellers may receive multiple-entry visas for a three year period.

*   30000 Two Oceans Marathon runners are participating in the 45th race on Saturday, offered as a half and a full marathon and themed ‘Designed to Run‘ in recognition of Cape Town hosting World Design Capital 2014.  Western Cape Minister of Tourism Alan Winde is estimating the event contributing R200 million to the province’s economy.   The province has sponsored R350000 for the event. There appear to be mainly local runners participating this year, with few accommodation bookings received. (received via media release from Minister Winde’s office)

*   All Nippon Airways (ANA) will be serving Cederberg Merlot Shiraz 2010 in Business Class. Continue reading →

Saronsberg wines: celebrating 10 years of consistency, fruit-driven elegance!

Saronsberg Tasting sheet Whale Cottage PortfolioFor the first time in the ten years of wine production, Saronsberg invited a group of wine writers to a tasting of its wines, followed by lunch at the Cape Grace Hotel.   Saronsberg, with Rijks, is synonymous with Tulbagh.

Saronsberg was bought by Nick van Huyssteen in 2002, previously being the Twee Jonge Gezellen farms, which they renamed after the mountain in the area.  A year later a large part of the then fruit Saronsberg Nick van Huyssteen Whale Cottage Portfoliofarm was destroyed by a fire, making them start from scratch and planting vineyards on 51 hectare of the farm, making Nick’s dream of a wine farm come true, necessitating the building of a cellar.  The day-time heat in Tulbagh was taken into consideration in the design of the cellar, we were told, to cool things down. Two years later they made the first wines.

It was the wedding of a niece three years ago that brought me to spend a Continue reading →

WhaleTales Tourism, Food, and Wine news headlines: 4 December

WhaleTalesTourism, Food, and Wine news headlines

*   Morgenster Extra Virgin Olive Oil achieved a score of 98 out of 100 at the international Flos Olei 2014 competition, one of only eleven in the world and the only South African brand, and was named one of 20 ‘Made with Love‘ best olive farms in the world.  Morgenster owner Giulio Bertrand says that his Italian olive trees and expertise, the exceptional South African terroir, and a focus on quality throughout the production process has led to their success. Flos Olei’s described the Morgenster olive oil as follows: ‘We recommend the Extra Virgin Morgenster, which is an intense limpid golden yellow colour with slight green hues.  Its aroma is definite and elegant, rich in vegetal hints of freshly mown grass, artichoke and chicory, together with distinct notes of mint and rosemary.  Its taste is full and strong, with a flavour of thistle, lettuce and black pepper. Bitterness and pungency are distinct and balanced, with a sweet almond finish’. (received via media release from North & South PR)

*  The central information centre for Cape Town’s reign as World DesignClocktower WDC 2014 Capital 2014 will open its doors this week at The Clocktower in the V&A Waterfront. (received via newsletter from Cape Town Design NPC)

*   The Queen Mary will be docking in Cape Town next year, on its 10th anniversary world cruise.

*   British Airways is increasing the number of its flights to Cape Town during our winter compared to previous years, it announced in Cape Town yesterday. The airline will increase its services from Continue reading →

Restaurant Review: Mozzarella Bar serves mainly … mozzarella!

I have had my moments with Giorgio Nava, but must salute his bravery in zealously opening restaurants in Cape Town, in addition to the two established restaurants 95 Keerom Street and Carne.   Last month he opened Down South on Long Street and the Mozzarella Bar on Kloof Street, and on Saturday Café Milano opened, higher up on Kloof Street.  The Mozzarella Bar is run by charming Italians, and all its dishes, except the bakery items and desserts, contain a soft creamy mozzarella, offering good value for money.

Co-owner and interior designer, and friend of Nava, Matteo Amatruda, explained that Nava is trying to educate Capetonians about true Italian cuisine, and each of his restaurants, with the exception of Down South, focuses on a specific Italian aspect.  Café Milano, for example, will focus on baking, and bakes the bread and makes the croissants for the Mozzarella Bar. Nava runs between all his properties, we were told, and we saw this, as he popped in as we were about to leave, having been there earlier in the morning already.

The manager Simone explained that special equipment was brought out from Italy Continue reading →