The participation by restaurants in the Western Cape in the Diners Club Winelist Awards 2015 is a shock, declining from 80 restaurants in 2014 (already a decrease from 96 in 2013) to 65 restaurants this year! Diners Club will have to find a solution to the declining interest in its Winelist Awards.
The Diners Club Winelist Awards acknowledge restaurants which take pride and interest in their winelists, and how the wines match the food Continue reading →
Christmas Eve
* Il Cappero, Camps Bay: 6-course dinner and glass of Prosecco R350. Tel (021) 438-7074
* Planet Restaurant, Mount Nelson Hotel : 5-course menu R910. Tel (021) 483-1000
* Oasis Bistro, Mount Nelson Hotel: Buffet R650. Tel (021) 483-1000
* Tobago’s, Raddison Blu: 3-course R450. Tel (021) 441-3000
* The Franschhoek Kitchen, Holden Manz, Franschhoek: 3 courses R375. Tel (021) 876-2729
Christmas Day lunch
* The Square Restaurant, Vineyard Hotel: 3-course lunch R 415. Tel (021) 657-4500
* Azure Restaurant, Twelve Apostles Hotel: Buffet lunch, party hats, gift, crackers R945. Tel (021) 437-9052 (sold out)
* The Pavilion at The Marine, Marine Hotel, Hermanus: welcome drink, canapés, Christmas lunch, petit fours R 595. Tel (028) 313-1000
* Il Cappero, Camps Bay: 6-course lunch with glass of Prosecco R350 Tel (021) 438-7074
* Planet Restaurant, Mount Nelson hotel: 5-course lunch R 950. Tel (021) 483-1000
* Ballroom, Mount Nelson hotel: Buffet R700. Tel (021) 483-1000
* 1800° Restaurant, Cape Royale Luxury Hotel, Green Point: Christmas Lunch Buffet R320. Tel (021) 430-0506.
* Tobago’s, Radisson Blu: Buffet R595. Tel (021) 441-3000
* Le Franschhoek hotel, Franschhoek: Buffet R 395. Tel (021) 876-8900
* Le Coq Restaurant & Sushi Bar, Franschhoek: 3 courses R240. Tel (021) 876-4404
* The Franschhoek Kitchen, Holden Manz, Franschhoek: 3 courses R375. Tel ()21) 876-2729
New Year’s Eve
* Café Chic: 6-course dinner R485. Tel (021) 465-7218
* Il Cappero, Camps Bay: 8-course dinner and glass of Prosecco R 450. Tel (021) 438-7074
* Blues, Camps Bay: 4-course dinner, DJ, and unlimited bubbly R1700 Tel (021) 438-2040
* Zenzero, Camps Bay: 3-course dinner and welcome drink R 1000. Tel (021) 438-0007
* Hussar Grill, Camps Bay: 4-courses R475. Tel (021) 438-0151
* Azure at Twelve Apostles Hotel, Camps Bay: Buffet and live music R 1895. Tel ()21) 437-9000
* The Conservatory at The Cellars-Hohenhort, R750. Tel (021) 794-2137
* Constantia Uitsig: 5-course dinner R 850. Tel (021) 794-4480
* Five Flies: 4-course menu, masked ball, and sparkling wine R600. Tel (021) 424-4442
* The Greenhouse, Cellars-Hohenhort, Constantia: 9-course dinner R950, or R1250 with wine. Tel (021) 794-2137
* La Colombe, Constantia: 5-course dinner, DJ, sparkling wine at midnight R1600. Tel (021) 794-2390
* La Mouette, Sea Point: 5-course meal and glass of sparkling wine R795. Tel (021) 433-0856
* 1800° Restaurant, Green Point: 6-course dinner, and entrance to the VIP Sky Bar R1200. Tel (021) 430-0506
* Myoga, Vineyard Hotel, Newlands: 7-course meal at R850. Tel (021) 657-4545
* Nobu, One&Only Cape Town, V&A Waterfront: 8-course dinner and band R2250. Tel (021) 431-5222
* Orinoco: 3-course dinner, ‘Sixties’ theme, DJ, welcome cocktail, canapés, glass of sparkling wine R600. Tel (021) 418-4544
* Reuben’s at One&Only Cape Town: 5-course dinner and band R1750. Tel (021) 431-5222
* The Roundhouse, Camps Bay: 3-course dinner, live music and DJ, sparkling wine R1650. Tel (021) 438-4347
* Salt Restaurant, Ambassador Hotel: 8-course tasting menu, glass of sparkling wine, band R995. Tel (021) 439-7258
* Savoy Cabbage: Canapés, Christmas cocktail, gala dinner R995. Tel (021) 424-2626
* Signal, Cape Grace hotel, V&A Waterfront: 4-course dinnerR1950. Tel (021) 410-7100
* The Table Bay Hotel, V&A Waterfront: cocktail reception, Buffet dinner, sparkling wine R2100. Tel (021) 406-5000
* Tjing Tjing Bar, Dear Me: entrance fee, food, and party R300. Tel (021) 422-4920
* The Boat House, Scarborough: 5-course dinner and sparkling wine R980. Transfer R500 pp. Tel 083 305 8533
* Massimo’s, Hout Bay: Welcome drink, 4 course dinner R425. Tel (021) 790-5645
* GOLD: Cocktail on arrival, drumming, live music, ‘African Feast’, bubbly R1100. Tel (021) 421-4653
* Makaron, Majeka House, Stellenbosch: 4-course dinner R625. Tel (021) 880-1549
* Moyo, Spier, Stellenbosch: Welcome drink, 3-course meal, R495. Tel (021) 809-1133
* Restaurant at Clos Malverne, Stellenbosch: 8-course food and wine pairing R468. Tel (021) 865-2022
* Tokara, Stellenbosch: 8-course dinner R950. Tel (021) 885-2550
* Eat @ Simonsig, Paarl: Live band, 3-courses, bubbly at midnight R275. Tel (021) 863-3845.
* The Restaurant at Grande Provence, Franschhoek: Welcome drink and midnight glass of sparkling wine as well as dancing, 7-course dinner R790. Tel (021) 876-8600
* The Kitchen, Maison, Franschhoek: 8 courses, each paired with a Maison Estate wine, R950. Tel (021) 876-2116.
* Reuben’s, Franschhoek: 6-course dinner R1200. Tel (021) 876-3772
* Le Coq Restaurant & Sushi Bar, Franschhoek: 3 courses and a glass of sparkling wine R280. Tel (021) 876-4404
* The Restaurant at Waterkloof, Somerset West: 6-course meal R650, or R825 with wine. Tel (021) 858-1292
* The Pavilion at The Marine, Marine Hotel, Hermanus: Canapés, welcome drink, 6-course menu, R1150. Tel (028) 313-1000
Chris von Ulmenstein, Whale Cottage Portfolio: www.whalecottage.com Twitter: @WhaleCottage
April is Royal Wedding month, and the forthcoming marriage of Prince William and Kate Middleton has inspired The Square Restaurant at the Vineyard Hotel & Spa in Newlands to offer a ‘Best of British’ menu, changing every week, in the run up to the wedding on 29 April.
Currently The Square serves Welsh Rarebit, Fish Pie and Spotted Dick. The menu changes on 11 April, and Slow Roasted Pork Belly, Braised Lamb Shank and Treacle Tart will be served. From 18 – 24 April the ‘Best of British’ menu includes Bubble and Squeak, Beef Wellington and Poached Salmon Trout. From 25 – 30 April The Square will serve Warm Scotch Eggs, Beer Battered Hake, and Steak, Kidney and Guinness Pudding. The ‘Best of British’ costs R 140 for two courses and R 170 for three courses.
Alex Jenkinson is the new sous chef at The Vineyard Hotel & Spa, and he is driving the new ‘Tastes of 2011′ theme at The Square. “Each month we will feature a different themed menu. We devised a British menu for each week in April, building up to the royal nuptials towards the end of the month. Being half British and half South African, I really enjoyed developing the four different menus and hope this comes across in our guests’ dining experience”. The Vineyard Hotel & Spa GM Roy Davies added: “It’s no secret that winter months are slow months in the hospitality industry. As such, many restaurants offer ‘winter warmer’ specials, and do so with great success. But it’s necessary to be a step ahead of the competition, so we’ve tried to be a little more creative and relevant with ‘Tastes of 2011′”.
The Vineyard Hotel & Spa is planning to run a series of themes in The Square restaurant in the next six months, including 19th century menus in August, South African menus in September, Feel Good Food menus in May, and Classical Food menus in July.
The Square Restaurant, Vineyard Hotel & Spa. Collingwood Road, Newlands. Tel (021) 657-4500. www.vineyard.co.za
Chris von Ulmenstein, Whale Cottage Portfolio: www.whalecottage.com Twitter: @WhaleCottage
The following restaurants are offering Valentine’s Day specials, and the list will be updated as we receive more information about Valentine’s Day offers:
* Franschhoek Kitchen, Holden Manz Wine Estate, Franschhoek: Picnic at R295 per couple, including bottle of Rosé; 3-course dinner with glass of Rosé R200 per person. Tel (021) 876-2729
* La Mouette in Sea Point: 4-course dinner R290, or R420 with wine. Tel (021)433-0856
* Café Chic, Breda Street, Gardens: 3-course dinner R225. Tel (021) 465-7218
* Allée Bleue, Franschhoek. 3-course dinner (set menu) and performance by Nianell, Sunday 13 February 18h00, R350 per person. Tel (021) 874-1886
* Cosecha, Noble Hill Wine Estate, Paarl: Valentine’s Day picnic for two costs R218 on 14 February. 3-course set menu on 13 and 14 February with bottle of Noble Hill Chardonnay, R168 per person. Tel (021) 874-3844.
* Brunia Wines, Stanford: 3 course dinner, dance and welcome glass of sparkling wine, R180 per person. 12 February. Tel 028 341-0432.
* Five Flies, Keerom Street: 3 courses and a glass of sparkling wine R250 per person. Tel (021) 424-4442.
* Warwick Wine Estate, Stellenbosch: Picnic basket for 2 plus bottle of Professor Black Sauvignon Blanc R 375 per couple. 13 and 14 February Tel (021) 884-3144
* Salmon Bar, Franschhoek: cocktail and 3-course meal plus Porcupine Ridge wine “gift pack”, 14 February. R 265 per person. Tel (021) 876-4591
* Pappa Grappa, Paarl: 4 course meal plus grappa and ‘mystery gift’, R 245 per person. Tel (021) 8633 555
* Laborie, Paarl: Picnic plus Casablanca movie screening 12/2 R400 per couple; “Phantom of the Opera” theme, rose, glass of Rosé, 4-course dinner 14/2 R 315. Tel (021) 807-3390
* Buitenverwachting, Constantia: 3-course dinner R295, 5 course R 375, includes glass of sparkling wine. Tel (021) 794-3522
* Catharina’s, Steenberg Hotel, Constantia: Seafood grill for two R1400; 5-course dinner R695 per person 14/2 Tel (021) 713-2222
* Grand Daddy Hotel Rooftop, Long Street: Picnic basket with romantic movie R190 per person, add R50 for bottle of Beyerskloof sparkling wine. Tel (021) 424-7247
* French Toast Wine & Tapas Bar: 7 Tapas and glass of Graham Beck Brut Rosé R470 per couple. 14 February. Tel (021) 422-3839
* Rick’s Café, Gardens: 1 course R125, 2 courses R150, 3 courses R175 + glass of Pongracz Rosé. Tel (021) 424-1100
* Cape Town Hotel School, Mouille Point: 3-course dinner R250 per person. Tel (021) 440-5736
* Trees Restaurant, Townhouse Hotel: Glass of Simonsig Kaapse Vonkel and 3-course meal R180 per person
* Rickety Bridge, Franschhoek: 3-course gourmet lunch, R200 per person. 13 February. Tel 083 377 4103
* The Square Restaurant, Vineyard Hotel: Glass of sparkling wine, red rose, 3-course dinner, departure gift R295. Dinner at Liesbeeck River R425 per person. Tel (021) 657-4500
* 1800 Degrees, Cape Royale Luxury Hotel: Glass of sparkling wine, amuse bouche, 3 courses R250 per person. 14 February. Tel (021) 430-0506.
* Cuvée Restaurant, Simonsig wine estate, Stellenbosch: Candlelit 3-course dinner outdoors, bottle of Simonsig Kaapse Vonkel, and box of chocolates. 14 February. R 350 per person. Tel (021) 888-4932
* Jordan Restaurant with George Jardine, Stellenbosch: 6-course Tasting Menu and ‘lots of bubbly’. R1200 per couple. 14 February. Tel (021) 881-3612
* Ken Forrester Vineyards, Stellenbosch: Glass of sparkling wines plus 3-course dinner R 295 per person. 14 February. Tel (021) 855-2374
* Morgenhof, Stellenbosch: “Under the Stars Dinner Concert” – glass of wine and port, 5-course dinner, live music R 295. 14 February. Tel (021) 889-5510
* Hartenberg, Stellenbosch: 3-course dinner, with wine paired per course. R280 per person. Tel (021) 865-2541
* Adega, Willowbridge: Glass of sparkling wine, 3-course meal, Don Pedro, R 275 per person. Tel (021 914-5091
* Planet Bar, Mount Nelson Hotel: 12 oysters and bottle of Pongracz Brut Rosé R 220. Tel (021) 483-1948
* Planet Restaurant, Mount Nelson Hotel: 4-course dinner R 395 per person. Tel (021) 483-1948
* Il Cappero, Barrack Street: Glass of bubbly plus 3-course dinner R 300 per couple. 12, 13, 14 February. Tel (021) 461-3168
* Cognito Restaurant, Stellenbosch: 3-course dinner R 160. Tel (021) 882-8696
* Glenwood wine estate, Franschhoek: Bring your own picnic, taste wine R30, wine and sweets R50, cheese platter R60, play boules. Sunday 13 February. Tel (021 876-2044
* Pure Restaurant, Hout Bay Manor: 4-course dinner R440. 14 February. Tel (021) 790-0116
* Cafe Max, De Waterkant: Glass of bubbly and 3-course dinner R 220 per person. 14 February. Tel (021) 425-5102.
* Bovlei Valley Retreat, Wellington: 4-course dinner R 200 per person. 14 February
* Diemersfontein, Wellington: Glass of bubbly, picnic basket and bottle of wine R R450 per couple, lunch and dinner, 14 February
* Krugmann’s Grill, V&A Waterfront: Glass of bubbly, 4 prawns, 200g steak and strawberry daiquiri R 95 per person. 14 February. Tel (021) 418-9393
* Blakes, Gardens: Masquerade theme evening – glass of bubbly, DJ, platters of tapas. R120 (webtickets.co.za) or R150 at door. Tel (021) 426-2369
* Pavilion at The Marine, Hermanus: 3-course dinner, glass of sparkling wine, 2 oysrters and ‘sweet treat’ R 320. 14 February. Tel (028) 313-1000.
* Seafood at The Marine, Hermanus: 3-course dinner, glass of sparkling wine, 2 oysters, ‘sweet treat’, R295. 14 February. Tel (028) 313-1000.
* Café Benedict, Franschhoek: Glass of Dieu Donné sparkling wine and 5 course dinner R 200 per person. 14 February. Tel (021) 876-4404
* Trinity, Bennett Street: 3-course dinner R300 per person. Tel (021) 418-0624
Chris von Ulmenstein, Whale Cottage Portfolio: www.whalecottage.com Twitter: @WhaleCottage