Tag Archives: Simonsig

Shimmy Beach Club: friendly and inexpensive, sushi superb!

Shimmy Beach Club exterior Whale Cottage PortfolioWe were invited to try Shimmy Beach Club recently, not having had a chance to have a meal there since it opened six months ago, the restaurant, bar, and beach not being visible to visitors to the V&A Waterfront as it is hidden away in the port.  Given the client profile, and the R40 million expenditure invested in the new building, we were surprised about the good value and friendly dining we experienced.

One drives to the harbour entrance near the Caltex garage, and initially signage leads the way.  However, almost as one reaches a dead end, there is no further signage, until one sees a faded sign on top of a building with a guarded gate.  We were told that there had been an issue with the Transnet National Port Authority about the signage, and it had to be removed.  The building is adjacent to the Cape Town port authority, which regulates the shipping traffic entrance to and exit out of the port.  There was enough parking, but it could be limited Continue reading →

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

WhaleTalesTourism, Food, and Wine news headlines

*   The number of Indian tourists is likely to grow further, as the Rand weakens further, says Hanneli Slabber, the SA Tourism Country Manager in India, reports the Southern African Tourism Update.

*   South Africa is advanced in embracing online tourism sales and marketing, says an international online consultant.

*   Simonsig is hosting a Vintage Wine Day on 24 August, showcasing a selection of older signature wines which were held back for release at optimal maturity, some vintages dating back to the early 1990’s. Cellarmaster Johan Malan will offer Simonsig flagships such as the Bordeaux style Tiara, the Cape blend, Frans Malan Reserve, the award winning Redhill Pinotage and Merindol Syrah.  Rare vintages of Simonsig Pinotage, Simonsig Cabernet Sauvignon and Simonsig Kaapse Vonkel Méthode Cap Classiques will also be available to taste, and will be available at special prices for the day only.  Johan will offer master classes free of charge, being interactive vertical wine tastings.  Tickets cost R150  (information received from GC Communications).

*   Bad news for tourism to Cape Town is the report by Travel Mole that bookings with online travel agencies have dropped by 20% due to the heatwave in the UK. Continue reading →

Cape wine drinkers and restaurant-goers are misled by unethical ‘reviews’!

Tweeters are starting to express their frustration at being misled by two Cape Town based reviewers, Lionel Lelyveld, Tweeting about restaurants as @IntertwEAT, and Michael Olivier, Tweeting as @FoodWineGuru about wines.

What the two Tweeters have in common is that neither reveal to the readers of their blogs/websites nor in their Tweets (nor to the Fine Music Radio FMR listeners) that they have received their meals for free in the case of Lelyveld, and that the wine reviews are part of an advertising package offered by Olivier, showing that both the reviewers have no ethics in misleading their Twitter Followers and blog readers, and radio listeners.

Michael Olivier has been around for a while, and appears to have needed a new source Continue reading →

Autumn and Winter 2013 Cape Town and Winelands Restaurant Specials!

The Autumn and Winter 2013 specials for Cape Town and Winelands restaurants follow below, and are updated continuously. We welcome information about new specials, and feedback about your meals at these restaurants:

*   Pepenero in Mouille Point : Sirloin and chips R89, Lamb shank lasagne R99, Seafood platter R149, Sushi platter R129, Crayfish tails R169, Chicken schnitzel R85, Minestrone R65, Chicken liver pasta R80, Prawn platter R119. Half price sushi all day. Daily. Tel (021) 439-9027 (updated 2/9)

*   Theo’s on Beach Road, Mouille Point: Oysters R8 each, Seafood soup R55, Prawn special R110, Linefish and prawn combo R99, Linefish and calamari R99, Sole and Calamari R99, Rump or sirloin R99, Spare Ribs R99, Rump Espetada R99, 250g Lobster and prawn platter R139; Seafood platter R125. Tel (021) 439-3494 (updated 12/6)

*   Sevruga in the V&A Waterfront: 2 course lunch R125, 3 courses R165, 4 courses R195;  half price sushi and dim sum Monday – Saturday 12h00 – 18h00; 25 % off sushi and Continue reading →