Tag Archives: RiffelCarstens

Franschhoek attracting most new restaurant openings, despite the state of the economy: December 2019!

 

The only new restaurants opening this month are Epice, in Franschhoek, headed by Chef Charné Sampson, belonging to The La Colombe Group, and to be located in the former Marigold restaurant, as well as The Four Square Club, opened as a lunch restaurant by Chef Chris Erasmus at Môreson. Chef Peter Tempelhoff announced the opening of a new ‘funky’ restaurant in Cape Town on Kfm last week. 

Other recent restaurant openings are Exhibit A of Chefs Rikku O’Donnchü and Warwick King on Bree Street in Cape Town, La Chêne was opened by Chef Darren Badenhorst at Leeu Estates in Franschhoek, and Cowboys & Cooks has opened in De Waterkant. Continue reading →

New Restaurant openings in Cape Town and Winelands for 2019/2020 season slow down dramatically: October 2019!

The poor economic conditions in our country currently is manifesting in the very few new restaurants opening for the new summer season, most such new openings usually taking place in September. Where many new restaurants are opening, they are changing the name and concept of existing ones, rather than being brand new, or adding other restaurants in a restaurant group’s portfolio. 

Two exciting top-end restaurant openings are those of Exhibit A (owned by highly acclaimed Chef Rikku O’Donnchü and Chef Warwick King, who left Gåte restaurant earlier this year), opening in the city centre on 1 November; and of La Chêne at Leeu Estates in Franschhoek. Interesting is that a number of new restaurants have opened on Kloof Street, our former Cape Town Restaurant Street before Bree Street took over,  Continue reading →

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

The announcement that Reuben’s at the One&Only Hotel in the Waterfront in Cape Town has closed down after nine years was sent to me as a media statement by Umme Khan, the Hotel Marketing and PR Coordinator on Friday, with a bizarre request in the email introducing the statement. The tone of the Hotel’s announcement, and.Chef Reuben Riffel’s response to it, sound world’s apart, making one suspect that the separation was less than amicable.

After receiving the media statement, I messaged Chef Reuben, asking him to comment about the nine year relationship with the One&Only having come to an end. He replied promptly, writing by What’s App as follows: ‘Hi Chris. Yes our contract comes to an end mid-October. All I can say from my side is that it was amicable. We had a good relationship for the 9 years through good and bad times. Obviously it’s a sad time that we have to say goodbye to our colleagues that side but we are confident the new restaurant will be a success. It’s been a pleasure for us to be involved with the OneandOnly (sic).  

The opening of Reuben’s at the One&Only in September 2010 created a stir nine years ago, when Chef Reuben and his team stepped into the shoes of Gordon Ramsay and his maze restaurant, the restaurant with which the Hotel opened its doors initially, alongside Nobu. Nobu appears to be staying, so the closure of Reuben’s sounds odd, given that the contract could have been renewed, as has probably been done twice during the nine year relationship. At the time, Reuben’s Franschhoek was the epitome of South African cuisine, and it was One&Only owner Sol Kerzner himself who came to eat at the Franschhoek restaurant and asked for the hand of Reuben’s to marry his Hotel.  The financial incentive must have been huge, in opening up a third Reuben’s (with Franschhoek and Robertson) at the time, with the obligation that Chef Reuben spend three days a week at the Hotel, a pressure he could not keep up over time, as he added on more Reuben’s restaurants to his portfolio, and took on other responsibilities, such as TV shows like MasterChef. 

Reuben Riffel becomes the One and Only Chef at One&Only Cape Town

On Saturday morning the following statement was posted by Manley Communications on behalf of Chef Reuben, for Reuben’s Restaurant:

‘NEWS FROM CHEF REUBEN RIFFEL:

“In 2011 I served lunch to one of South Africa’s iconic entrepreneurs at my original Reuben’s in Franschhoek. That person was none other than hospitality giant Sol Kerzner. The lunch was the beginning of a great 9-year adventure with One&Only Cape Town, Mr Kerzner’s first One&Only Resort on the African Continent.

It was a journey of memorable experiences and highlights including traveling to New York City on behalf of Kerzner International to be interviewed by Martha Stewart on the Martha Stewart Show as well as the Today Show.

My significant chapter with One&Only now comes to an end as I turn towards new ventures and collaborations.

Maryke and I will be forever grateful for the association with one of the globe’s most respected hospitality brands and I have no doubt that the new chef and team will be as happy in this space as we were. I wish them much success on the pass.”

Reuben Riffel
Chef’

Surprisingly this media statement gets the date of the iconic lunch which brought Mr Kerzner to Reuben’s Franschhoek wrong, it having been in 2010, as the new Reuben’s opened at the Hotel in September 2010!

It is an introductory paragraph to the email which accompanied the One&Only news that caught me by surprise, in its dictatorial instruction to remove all mentions of Reuben’s from my Blog, demanding not only the removal of the Reuben’s One&Only mentions. As this is the most outrageous request that I have ever received, I can only read a negative message in it, and that is that the Hotel no longer wishes its name to be associated with that of Reuben’s. This is the harsh paragraph:

’In the interest of keeping your site up to date, we would like to inform you that Reuben’s no longer trades at One&Only Cape Town, please can all mention of Reuben’s be removed from your site.’

The poorly prepared media release received from One&Only does not mention Reuben’s at all. It is purely focused in the new replacement restaurant Ochre. It follows below:

’OCHRE LAUNCHES AT ONE&ONLY CAPE TOWN A celebration of local flavours and heritage
Cape Town, 10 October 2019 – One&Only Cape Town announces Ochre, their new restaurant; offering a contemporary interpretation of age-old South African recipes. Bringing together a kaleidoscope of heritages to create uniquely re-imagined dishes and flavours.

Resort Executive Chef Chris Mare has created a unique menu inspired by local cuisine, adding his own interpretation to favourites such as Bobotie and West Coast Mussels. For local diners this means a nuance of “tuisgemaakde” nostalgia; and for visitors an exploration of South Africa on a plate.

The considered menu comprises 6 starters and mains, and 3 desserts; which are interspersed with surprise tastes and treats. In addition, there are show-stopper house specialties – designed for sharing.

Starter choices include Buchu Cured Gemsbok with sour figs, makataan, tomato jam, Gemsbok tartare, wild rosemary and honey dressing; and Cape Octopus with West Coast mussels, key lime, garlic chips and lemon grass sauce.

Mains include a Pulled Lamb Bobotie with short crust pastry, sweet potato and banana puree, brandied raisins and apricot chutney; “Pens & Pootjies” Braised pork belly, trotter skilpadjies, marogo, pampoen pofferties and malay curry sauce; or diners can choose to share one of the House Specialities such as a 1Kg Lamb Saddle or Beef Rib-eye.

Desserts are decadent works of art, and the in-house pasty team has out-done themselves on sensations such as Forest Flora Peppermint Crisp – whose presentation needs to be seen first hand in order to fully appreciate.

Noteworthy is the impressive wine list – curated by award-winning Head Sommerlier, Luvo Ntezo – containing unique and rare finds, as well as well-known labels. Diners have the opportunity to engage with one of the resort Sommeliers, who is able to assist them in navigating the choices available, and sharing wine insights and stories.

This vibrant new addition to Cape Town’s dining scene is set in an iconic and central location, and its space allows for group bookings, special occasions, business meetings and intimate dinners. Ochre is situated below a 15-metre long series of printed panels – Berni Searle’s “Offering” artwork – which depict abstract red and ochre crepe paper forms bleeding vibrant, swirling colour into water. The piece draws on the particularities of Searle’s Cape Malay heritage, the rituals and traditions that persist through generations. It’s these rich earthy colours and their stories that inspired the creative direction of Ochre – whose name is known to describe the family of pigments used to depict tales and celebrations since pre-history, as well as the rich colours of Cape Malay spices like turmeric, cinnamon and paprika.

“The spice trade has an immense history that connects people from the furthest corners of the globe,” says Mare. “This trading history includes the Dutch, German, and French influences to the Cape, which will be offered in the restaurant.”

Under-stated, stylish local inclusions thread through all aspects of the décor and dining experience. Shweshwe fabric – described as the denim of South Africa – has been incorporated in the uniforms, as well as bespoke rope necklaces designed by PICHULIK and handcrafted by local female artisans. The crockery has also been designed and custom-made especially for Ochre, by Cape Town based Diana Ferreira of Diana Ceramics. These special and unique elements, form part of the Ochre culture. The ambience and service-style is welcoming and familial, and holds an unstuffy elegance. Ochre will welcome diners from 10 October, and will forge a new and exciting melting pot in the Cape Town dining space, inspired by colours, flavours and the culinary history that has linked us all through time.

Ochre is open to the public as well as resort guests for breakfast daily from 06h30 – 11h00, and for dinner from Thursday to Tuesday 18h30-22h30. Groups and special occasions are welcome. Reservations recommended:
Restaurant.reservations@oneandonlycapetown.com
+27 21 431 5888 https://www.oneandonlyresorts.com/one-and-only-cape-town-south-africa/cuisine

About One&Only
Created exclusively for the ultra-luxury market, One&Only is conceived as a hallmark of excellence. Set in some of the most beautiful locales in the world, each award-winning resort offers guests a distinctive style and personality borne of its local culture, a genuine hospitality and a lively energy that is unrivalled. One&Only has announced the expansion of the portfolio with the inclusion of resorts in nature, urban centres and One&Only Private Homes. These new experiences will complement the existing resort collection including One&Only Reethi Rah in the Maldives; One&Only Le Saint Géran in Mauritius; One&Only Royal Mirage and One&Only The Palm in Dubai; One&Only Palmilla in Los Cabos, Mexico; One&Only Cape Town in South Africa; Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley in The Blue Mountains in Australia and One&Only Nyungwe House in Rwanda. As part of the new portfolio, One&Only has announced a second resort in development in Rwanda, One&Only Gorilla’s Nest, as well as One&Only One Za’abeel in Dubai. Other resorts in development include One&Only Desaru Coast in Malaysia, One&Only Kéa Island in Greece and One&Only Portonovi in Montenegro, the first properties for the collection in Europe, and a new resort in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, One&Only Mandarina. More information on One&Only is available at oneandonlyresorts.com’

The closing of Reuben’s in the One&Only Cape Town follows the closure of Reuben’s restaurants in Robertson and Paternoster, leaving only Reuben’s in Franschhoek and in Johannesburg. Reuben’s was the first Chef with a multi-restaurant Portfolio, and has gone back almost full circle, in only owning two Reuben’s restaurants, alongside other joint RiffelCarstens restaurant ventures. Riffel’s Racine in Franschhoek also closed down recently, now replaced with the RiffelCarstens restaurant Arkeste.

Ochre, One&Only Cape Town. Tel (021) 431-5888 www.oneandonlyresorts.com Twitter:@OOResorts Instagram:@oocapetown

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

 

Cape Town and Winelands Restaurant trade slows down at start of winter, yet exciting restaurant news lying ahead!

Winter is on our doorstep, the start of a long difficult trading period for our restaurants, with little news usually of restaurant developments. But not so this year!

The most exciting news of the year is the planned opening in November of the next level restaurant of former Gåte Chefs Rikku O’Donnchü and Warwick King in Cape Town. They are already enticing diners with their SŸN pop-ups. Details below. 

Chef Jan-Hendrik van der Westhuizen has announced the opening of a new KLEINJAN restaurant in the Tswalu Kalahari next year and a JAN Innovation Studio in Cape Town. The Grande Roche is being redone, with new owners, a new restaurant Viande, a new Chef Patron, and a new cocktail bar. Details are below. 

Gigi’s Restaurant has opened in The Gorgeous George Hotel in Cape Town, with Chef Guy Bennet at the helm. 

Restaurant openings

#   Chefs Rikku O’Donnchü and Warwick King have left Gåte Restaurant at Quoin Rock wine estate, creating the SŸN Group, and are to open a new restaurant in the Cape Town city centre in November. 

Rockstar chef team leaves Gåte Restaurant at Quoin Rock wine estate, set to open new doors in Cape Town!

#  Bones Kitchen & Bar has opened in the Palms Design Centre in Woodstock. It is owned and owner-managed by well-seasoned restaurateur Rudi Minnaar.

#  Stargarden Boutique Café has opened in Fish Hoek. 

#. Michael Townsend, founder of the Harbour House Group but no longer with the Group, has opened Cowboys & Cooks Steakhouse & Bar in Sunset Beach. He has also bought Sevruga in the Waterfront. A third restaurant, in Sea Point will open in September 2019. All three restaurants are/will be operated by Cowboys & Cooks CEO Stuart Bailey.

New Cowboys and Cooks restaurant operations and consultancy group starting to cook up a storm!

#  The new Cowboys & Cooks restaurant group is to open a Cowboys and Cooks restaurant in Stellenbosch; The Backyard BBQ in various locations; Cabron Tex Mex restaurants in Durbanville and Stellenbosch, alongside the Bree Street Branch; and Viva Tex Mex in Kenilworth. It has taken over Slug & Lettuce, a Gastropub franchise with six branches, for which a new look and menu will be developed, starting off in Durbanville. 

#  Chef Jenny Morris has opened Yumcious Durbanville.

#  The Skotnes Restaurant has opened at the Norval Foundation, with Executive Chef Phil de Villiers, previously of Primal Eatery. 

#  Paris Café has opened in Green Point.

#  The La Colombe Group has taken over the bar and restaurant at Le Quartier Français in Franschhoek, called Protégé. Stephen Raaff is the Head Chef.

#  Back’s Bar has opened on Main Road in Paarl, where Juno used to be. 

#   Chef Reuben Riffel has opened Reuben’s at The Capital Moloko in Johannesburg, his first Gauteng restaurant. 

#   A new breakfast and lunch eatery Reuben’s & Co Café has opened at Val de Vie, in conjunction with Chefs Reuben Riffel and Richard Carstens. 

Reuben’s & Co Café far more than a Café, the Val De Vie resident dining room!

#  Chef Jarryd has opened So Cal (for South California), a Bar above Charango on Bree Street. 

#  VIXI Social House has opened on the corner of Strand and Bree Street. 

#   Chef Bertus Basson has expanded his restaurant empire, opening Eike by bertusbasson as his  fifth in Stellenbosch. 

#  Bao Down Restaurant has opened in Oranjezicht. 

#   Upper Bloem has opened on Main Road in Green Point, where Maggie’s Café used to be, a joint venture between Chefs Henry Vigar and Andre Hill of La Mouette. 

#    TOSSD Salad Bar has opened on Sloane Square in Gardens, Cape Town. 

#   Chef George Jardine has opened Restaurant Seven with George Jardine in Somerset West.

#   Safari #7 Somali take-away restaurant has opened on Long Street. 

#   No 89 has opened on Bree Street.

#   Sans Ethical Green Grocer Deli has opened in the Artem Centre in Sea Point. 

#   Pauline’s Stand Up Coffee Bar has opened in the Artem Centre in Sea Point. 

#   Victoire Boulangerie, Pâtisserie, and Bistro has opened in Speakers Corner on Church Square, a joint venture between Chef William Galzin of Montpellier and Drikus Hancke of Cape Town, a former Melissa’s franchisee. 

#   Chefs Luke Dale-Roberts and Ryan Cole have opened Salsify @ The Roundhouse in Camps Bay.

#   Crayfish Wharf has opened in Paternoster.

#  Grande Provence in Franschhoek has opened The Bistro as an extension to its Tasting Room.

#   Garden’s Club has opened where Chalk & Cork used to operate on Kloof Street. 

#   The Santé Wellness Retreat & Spa restaurant has opened in Klapmuts, with Executive Chef Terrence Ford. 

#  Osetra has opened in Kalk Bay.

#   The Commissary has opened next door to The Shortmarket Club, with Chef Wesley Randles and Simon Widdison, under the mentorship of Chef Luke Dale-Roberts. It is a no-reservation, back to basics offering. 

#  Seattle Coffee Company has taken over the coffee shop at Exclusive Books in the V&A Waterfront. 

#  Chef Seelan Sundoo has opened Chicha in Sea Point. 

#   The Harbour House Group has bought Mondiall in the V&A Waterfront, and has turned it into a La Parada. 

#  Chef Peter Tempelhoff has opened FYN Restaurant and bar in Speaker’s Corner on Church Square. Jennifer Hugé is the new GM, and Ashley Moss is the Chef, moving across from the Greenhouse. 

FYN Restaurant legal settlement win-win for Chef Peter Tempelhoff and WhaleTales Blog!

#   Bobo’s Brasserie has opened in Mouille Point, where Pepenero used to be. 

#  Roca Café has opened where Melissa’s used to be in Franschhoek, open from midday to 21h00, and serving Tapas. 

#   Chef Chris Erasmus is said to be opening a restaurant at Haut Espoir, with Chef Nick Oosthuizen in the kitchen.

#  Riverine Rabbit has opened where ASH used to operate, by Chef Ash Heeger. 

#  Chef Ciska Rossouw has opened Loaves in Salt River, no longer operating Loaves on Long. 

#   BOCCA has re-opened on Bree Street, with new owners Guido Brambilla and Adnana Blaj

#   Haus & Laib Deli has opened in the former Eurohaus space on Loop Street. 

#  Chef Matt Manning has opened Grub & Vine Restaurant on Bree Street.

#   Anni’s Gourmet Pancakes & Belgian Waffles has opened in Franschhoek.

#   Vadas Smokehouse and Bakery has opened at Spier, taking the place of Hoghouse, which Chef PJ Vadas no longer appears to be associated with. 

#   Syrup Breakfast is opening on Bree Street.

#  The Creamery is to open a branch in Durbanville Village Square. 

#  Macau has opened in the former Savoy Cabbage space. 

#   The Hungry Monk has closed in Greyton and moved to Paternoster. In its place, a Portuguese/Mozambiquen restaurant will open in Greyton. 

#  Bush Café has opened as a safari-style restaurant in Gardens 

#  Charlie Bistro & Bar has opened in Gardens. 

#   Myog frozen yoghurt has opened as a pop-up in Camps Bay.

#  Chef Liam Tomlin has opened Brugarol in Barcelona, with Chef Angelo Duarte Scirocco in the Kitchen. 

#  The Harbour House Group has bought The Lookout Deck and Equinox in Plettenberg Bay. 

#  51 has opened in McGregor.

#  GiGi Restaurant under the helm of Chef Guy Bennett has opened in the Gorgeous George Hotel in the Cape Town city centre. .

#   Wingerd Vista has opened in the space of Dirtopia Restaurant on Delvera Estate outside Stellenbosch, a joint venture of Janine van Zyl of Cold Gold and Vanessa of Die 

#   The Dark Horse Rooftop Bar has opened in Kloof Street. 

#  Bootlegger Café & Grill in Constantia has changed its name to Botanicum Café & Grill, now 50% owned by Bootlegger and 50% by Mark Botes. It opened in March. The website is not yet operational.

#  Jewells is opening at Spice Route, with Neil and Tina Jewell. 

#   Marilyn’s is to open next door to Café Roca Speakeasy in Franschhoek in May, as a champagne and oyster bar, and Sushi restaurant. 

#  The Fat Man Restaurant has opened in Old Road Wine, in Franschhoek. 

#  The Grande Roche Hotel in Paarl has new owners, will expand the size of the former Bosman’s restaurant, will rename the restaurant to Viande, with Chef Patron Pete Goffe-Wood at the helm. 

Grande Roche Hotel wakes up from a long sleep, revitalizes with new owners and consultant chef!

#   Chef Jan-Hendrik van der Westhuizen is to open KLEIN JAN in Tswalu Kalahari, as well as a JAN Food Innovation studio in Cape Town. 

Michelin-star JAN restaurant gets a younger brother, KLEIN JAN to open at Tswalu Kalahari; to open JAN Innovation Studio in Cape Town!

Restaurant closures

#. The Ritz is closed, and with it its Top of The Ritz and CASA restaurants. 

#   Olami on Bree Street has closed down. 

#  The Restaurant at The Nek, with Chef Duncan Laity, has closed, six weeks after opening. No ‘Manley Magic’ could make this restaurant work. 

#  Beleef in Franschhoek has closed down. 

#  Bertus Basson @ Spice Route has closed down outside Paarl. 

#   Primal Eatery has closed down. 

#  The Melting Pot has opened as a pop-up where Marrow used to be on Loop Street. 

#   Thai World has closed down in Harfield Village. 

#   Open Kitchen has closed in McGregor. 

#   The Mess has closed down in The Rockwell. 

#   Delmar has closed down in Camps Bay. 

Chef changes 

#   Chef Evan Coosner has left Open Door/Bocca/Burrata, and is now a consultant chef.

#   Chef Archie MacLean has left Catharina’s and moved to Coco Safar. He has since left Coco Safar, and is said to have joined Café Bon Bon in Franschhoek. 

#   Chef Guy Clark has left Tintswalo, now consulting. 

#   Carmen Rueda is the new Pastry Chef of Coco Safar, formerly from El Bulli and The Fat Duck.

#   Chef Richard Carstens has left Tokara Restaurant, and now is part of a restaurant consultancy with Chef Reuben Riffel, called Riffel Carstens.

#   Carolize Coetzee has been appointed as Executive Chef at Tokara, moving from Dornier wine estate.

#  Christian Hellinger is the new Chef at Holden Manz

#  Chef Sebastian Smith from Nom Nom/Benguela on Main has moved to Pierneef à La Motte. 

#  Chef Matthew Ambruster is the new Head Chef at Hartford House. Former Head Chef Chris Papyannis is to open his own restaurant in Mooi River.

#  Chef Guy Bennet has left Grande Provence and has moved to Gorgeous George Hotel.

#  Nicole Killian is the new Head Chef at Gåte Restaurant at Quoin Rock. 

#   Chef Marvin Robyn is now heading up the kitchen at Grande Provence in Franschhoek. 

#   Chef Peter Tempelhoff is the new Consultant Chef to Ellerman House. 

Chef Peter Tempelhoff marriage to Ellerman House two months after divorce from The Liz McGrath Collection!

#  Chef Peter Tempelhoff has left Greenhouse and the Liz McGrath Collection, to concentrate on his  FYN Restaurant., 

Chef Peter Tempelhoff leaves Greenhouse and The Liz McGrath Collection quietly!

Restaurant changes

#. Culture Club Cheese has changed into Vredehoek Slow Food Club.

Please share news about restaurant openings and closures with me at 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: @Chris_Ulmenstein