Roberto's Signature Restaurant | WhaleTales Blog by Chris von Ulmenstein

Cape Town

* Roberto’s Signature Restaurant, Long Street: 7-course dinner at R539 per couple (R269,50 per person), or R699 per couple (R349,50 per person) with a bottle of Pongracz Rosé. Tel (021) 424-1195

* Five Flies, Keerom Street: 3-course dinner and glass of sparkling wine R295. Tel (021) 424-4442.

* French Toast: 3-courses and 750ml carafe of strawberry sangria R400. Tel (021)

* La Mouette, Sea Point: 4-course dinner R350. Tel (021)433-0856

* ACT Restaurant, Baxter Theatre: 2-courses and glass of sparkling wine R180. Tel (021) 685-3888

* Casa Labia Café, Muizenberg: 3-course meal R250. Tel (021) 788-6062

* Catharina’s, Steenberg Hotel: Seafood platter R1700 for two; Gourmet Menu R850 without wine pairing/R1150 with wine pairing. Tel (021) 713-2222

* Grand Daddy, Long Street: two picnic options with a movie – R250 or R375 (with bottle of Van Loveren). Tel (021) 424-7247

* Nobu, One&Only Cape Town: cocktail and two 6-course meal options R665/R765. Tel (021) 431-4511

* Signal, Cape Grace Hotel: 3-course meal R 375. Tel (021) 410-7080

* Tobago’s, Radisson Blu: welcome drink, flower, live music, and 5-course dinner R375. Tel (021) 441-3414

* Il Cappero, Barrack Street: ‘Vacanze Ronane’ with Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck screened during meal with a la carte menu, 11 – 19 February. Tel (021) 461- 3168

* Dash, Queen Victoria Hotel, V&A Waterfront: 5-course dinner R 495. Tel (021) 418-1466

* Salt, Ambassador Hotel, Bantry Bay: 4-course dinner R450. Tel (021) 439-6170

* 1800 Degrees Grill, Cape Royale Luxury Hotel, Green Point: 5-course dinner paired with wines R495, monies raised go to Newborn Groote Schuur Trust. MC is radio and TV personality Liezel van der Westhuizen. Tel (021) 430-0500.

* Trees, Townhouse Hotel: 3-course dinner R250, 4-courses R295. tel (021) 465-7050

* Cape Point Vineyards: Crayfish picnic and glass of 2007 Cape Point Vineyards Blanc de Blanc MCC R500 for 2 persons (R250 per person), from 18h30. Tel (021) 789-0900

* Addis in Cape Ethiopia: Valentine’s Day Buffet R190. Tel (021) 424-5722

* Five Rooms, Alphen Hotel: 5-course dinner R295; 6 oysters and a glass of bubbly R100. Tel (021) 795-6300

* Café Chic, Gardens: 3-course dinner R235. Tel (021) 465-7218.

* Buitenverwachting Restaurant: 3-course dinner R325 (with R125 extra for wine pairing), and 5-course dinner R495 (with R195 extra for wine pairing), includes glass of bubbly, rose and a slice of Sacher Schnitte to take home. Also St Luke’s Hospice Valentine’s day picnic with band Spectrum and a bottle of Buitenverwachting, R475 per couple (R237,50 per person. Tel (021) 794-3522.

* Altydgedacht wine estate: 4-course Italian dinner R300. Tel (021) 975-7815

* Rhapsody’s, Green Point: A la carte menu with complimentary glass of wine. Tel (021) 434-3004

Stellenbosch

* Jordan Winery: 2 glasses, ice bag, bottle of wine, red rose, and 2 chocolate mousses R200; 2 glasses, ice bag, bottle of wine, red rose, picnic basket with cold meats, cheese and bread, 2 chocolate mousses R300. Tel (021) 881-3441

* Waterkloof, Somerset West: ‘Valentines with a View’: 6-course dinner R450 per person, and paired with wines R 550 per person. Tel (021) 858-1292

* Warwick Winery: Moonlit picnic from 17h00, with jazz, picnic basket, personalised red velvet cupcakes, glass of sparkling wine with rose-petal syrup, R399 per couple (R199,50 per person). Tel (021) 884-4410

* Sofia’s, Morgenster, Somerset West: 3-course dinner plus canapés and glass of sparkling wine R260. Tel (021) 847-1993

* Slaley’s: Dinner Dance, 3-course dinner and bottle of Rosé R550 per couple (R275 per person). Tel (021) 865-2123

* Cuvée, Simonsig wine estate: 5-course Aphrodisiac Valentine’s dinner with glass of Simonsig Brut Rosé Cap Classique R350. Tel (021 888-4932

* Morgenhof: 3-courses plus glass of Morgenhof MCC R295. Tel (021) 889-2032

* Clos Malverne: 5-course dinner, each course paired with wine R295. Tel (021) 802-2022

* Makaron Restaurant, Majeka House: glass of bubbly and 3-course dinner R 325. Tel (021) 880-1549

Franschhoek

* Franschhoek Kitchen, Holden Manz wine estate: 3-course dinner plus glass of sparkling wine R550 per couple (R275 per person). Tel (021) 876-2729.

* Pierneef à La Motte, La Motte: 3-course dinner R295, and with wine R395. Tel (021) 876-8000

* Allée Bleue: 3-courses plus glass of MCC Brut Rosé R295. Tel (021) 874-1021

* Mange Tout, Mont Rochelle Hotel: 3-courses R280, 14 – 19 February. Tel (021) 876-2770

* Country Kitchen, Mont Rochelle Hotel: 3-courses R180. Tel (021) 876-2770

* Grande Provence: 3-course dinner R320. Tel (021) 876-8600

* Salmon Bar: 2-courses R220, 3-courses R270, paired with Haute Cabriere wines and a welcome glass of bubbly or a cocktail. Tel (021) 876-4591

* Cosecha Restaurant, Noble Hill: Picnic for two plus welcome drink R 295 (R147,50 per person) or a la carte menu. Tel (021) 874-3844

* Boschendal: Valentine’s Day picnic with glass of Boschendal Brut Rosé R190. Tel (021) 870-4275

* Fyndraai, Solms-Delta: 3-course lunch R210 Tel (021) 874-3937

* Café BonBon, La Petite Dauphine: welcome drink, live entertainment and 3-course dinner R 375. Tel (021) 876-3936

* Leopard’s Leap and Liam Tomlin Food: 4-course dinner cooked ‘live’ by Liam Tomlin, with bubbly and wines R 650. Tel (021) 876-8822

* Haute Cabriere: 7-course dinner, each course paired with wine R 650. Tel (021) 876-3688

Paarl

* Harvest, Laborie: 3-course dinner R245. Tel (021) 807-3095

* Backsberg: Breakfast R250; picnic lunch R 250 per couple (R125 per person); dinner platter and Danièlle Pascal show R250. Tel (021) 875-5952

Hermanus

* Annie se Kombuis: Platter for 2 plus dessert, live music, bottle of sparkling wine R290 (R145 per person). 10 – 14 February. Tel (021) 028 313 1350

* La Vierge: 4-course dinner paired with wines R220. Tel (028) 313-2007.

* Season: 4-course meal R170. Tel (028) 316-2854

Chris von Ulmenstein, Whale Cottage Portfolio: www.whalecottage.com Twitter: @WhaleCottage

Whilst I dislike going into the city centre during the day, due to the irritating parking guards, I am pulled to the city centre more and more due to the ever-growing collection of good restaurants and coffee shops. This blogpost is a summary of some of Cape Town’s inner-city highlights:

* Hemelhuijs– owned by interior and restaurant consultant Jacques Erasmus, previously from Manna. Emphasis is on freshness. Creative unusual menu. Breakfast and lunch served. Monday – Friday 8h00 – 15h00. Saturday 9h00 – 15h00. Open for dinner on Wednesday evenings. 71 Waterkant Street. Tel (021) 418-2042.

* Dear Me Foodworld – a hot new addition, with a Francois du Plessis decor emphasis on green (both interior colour and herbs grown from the ceiling, see photograph above) and health, with most dishes offered as lactose-free and/or sugar-free alternatives. Menu changes daily. Great creative chef Vanessa Marx. Monday – Friday 7h00 – 15h00. Open for dinner on Thursday evenings. 165 Longmarket Street. Tel (021) 422-4920.

* Tjing Tjing Bar– when Dear Me Foodworld closes late afternoon, its upstairs Ting Tjing Bar opens, serving tapas, changes regularly. 165 Longmarket Street. Tuesday – Saturday from 16h00 until late. Tel (021) 422-4920.

* Escape Caffe– one of the hottest coffee shops in the city centre, featured in the media for its lemon cheese cake. Owner Lameen Abdul-Malik has a Nobel Peace Prize for his joint efforts to ensure the safest possible use of atomic energy for peaceful purposes. Serves organic blend artisanal coffee from Espresso Lab. Monday – Friday 7h00 – 16h00. Saturday 9h00 – 12h00. 130 Bree Street. Tel (021) 422-1325.

* What’s On Eatery– probably the restaurant with the friendliest owner (Trevor Jordaan) in town, serves Breakfast and Lunch on weekdays from 7h30 – 16h00, and Dinner from Tuesday – Saturday. Coffee by Origin. Excellent value. Exciting news is the appointment of Chef Oliver Cattermole from 1 October. 6 Watson Street. Tel (021) 422-5652 CLOSED DOWN 2011

* Rhubarb Room– coffee shop inside decor shop, previously in Bo-Kaap. Serve cakes, coffee (by Deluxe), soup, quiches, and salads. High tea offered for baby showers, kitchen teas and birthdays. Monday – Friday 9h00 – 17h00. Saturday 9h00 – 13h00. 227 Bree Street. Tel (021) 424-2004. CLOSED DOWN 2011

* Valora– stylish new restaurant, bar and café. Try Chef Andrew’s Two Tone soup. Extensive menu choice, includes tapas. LavAzza coffee. Great for late snack and drink. Monday – Friday 7h00 – 22h00, Saturday 17h00 – 23h00. Corner Loop and Hout Street. Tel (021) 426-1001. CLOSED DOWN 2012

* Skinny Legs & All – interior decorated with paintings from co-owner João Ferreira art gallery. Emphasis on freshly made food. Advised by Brad Ball of Bistro 1682. Run by sweet pair of twins Jamie and Jessie. Monday – Friday 7h00 – 16h00. Saturday 8h30 – 14h00. 70 Loop Street. Tel (021) 423-5403.

* Roberto’s Signature Restaurant – expect interesting things to come from Roberto de Carvalho, leader of the SA chefs team in Culinary Olympics, and ex-chef at Twelve Apostles Hotel. Simple food, mainly in Portuguese style. Excellent Tiramisu. Located below On Broadway, so very busy between 7 – 8 pm to cater for the theatre crowd. Tuesday – Sunday 12h00 – 15h30, 18h00 – 23h30. 44 Long Street. Tel (021) 424-1195. CLOSED DOWN 2013

* 6 Spin Street – unusual restaurant setting inside the IDASA book shop. Well-known for its cheese soufflé and duck. Monday – Friday Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner from 8h30. Saturday dinner only. 6 Spin Street. Tel (021) 461-0666.

* French Toast – focus on its large range of wines by the glass offered, but interesting tapas offering. Monday – Saturday 12h00 – 23h00. 199 Bree Street Tel (021) 422-3839. CLOSED DOWN 2012, BUT RE-OPENED AS THE ODYSSEY IN 2013

* Jason’s Bakery– recently opened where Jardine’s used to be, owned by Jason of ex-Jardine’s Bakery. Bakery and Café. Sandwiches, breakfast, soul food, and vegetarian. Monday – Friday 7h00 – 15h30. Saturday 8h00 – 14h00. 185 Bree Street. Tel (021) 424-5644.

* Haas Coffee – increasingly popular city hot-spot without any parking guards, and usually a parking spot available close by. Friendly and welcoming, and part of Haas Collective decor and art. Cakes, tarts and food menu, including cooked breakfasts. 67 Rose Street. Monday – Sunday. Tel (021) 422-2239.

* Piroschka’s Kitchen – Hungarian Flammkuchen with Gluehwein on cold days. Monday – Friday 11h00 – 19h00. 106 Bree Street. Tel 083 327 3203 CLOSED DOWN, NOW ONLY AT MARKETS

* Bread, Milk and Honey – busy breakfast and lunch spot, for take-aways or sit-down. 10 Spin Street. Monday – Friday 6h30 – 16h00. Tel (021) 461-8425.

* Il Cappero – hard-working Sicilian chef and charming husband Aldo in front-of-house. Not-so-usual Italian and Sicilian specialities. Monday – Friday lunch. Monday – Saturday dinner. 3 Barrack Street. Tel (021) 461-3168. MOVED TO CAMPS BAY

* Charly’s Bakery – famous for its cake creations and cheeky cupcakes, one can also sit down for coffee, cake, pies and cupcakes. Ample parking, no parking guards. 38 Canterbury Street. Monday – Saturday. Tel (021) 461-5181.

* Maria’s – Owners Kate and Cleon Romano are charming hosts, and the restaurant has a lovely buzz, and many tapas-like Greek dishes as well as mains. Monday – Saturday lunch and dinner. Great lunch spot after City Bowl Market. To open for Sunday lunch soon. Dunkley Square, 31 Barnett Street, Hatfield. Tel (021) 461-3333.

* Bird Café and Gourmet Eatery – Quirky milk-crate seating, decor change has opened up the kitchen, great quality food, friendly service. New owners Keith Mink, and Leigh Trout (ex-chef at Mange Tout, Mont Rochelle Hotel in Franschhoek), opened on 1 September. 127 Bree Street. Tel (021) 426-2534.

Chris von Ulmenstein, Whale Cottage Portfolio: www.whalecottage.com Twitter: @WhaleCottage