{"id":21399,"date":"2011-06-05T09:34:47","date_gmt":"2011-06-05T07:34:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.whalecottage.com\/blog\/?p=21399"},"modified":"2011-11-14T23:37:09","modified_gmt":"2011-11-14T21:37:09","slug":"restaurant-closures-sign-of-tough-times-in-the-cape","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.chrisvonulmenstein.com\/blog\/cape-town\/restaurant-closures-sign-of-tough-times-in-the-cape\/","title":{"rendered":"Restaurant closures sign of tough times in the Cape! Yet new ones opening!"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>It would appear as if the world-wide recession has only hit South Africa, and the Cape in particular, now\u00a0and with a severe\u00a0bang.\u00a0 There\u00a0is almost daily news of restaurant closures, three alone in the past three days, sad given how much the restaurants have invested in building a brand name and a\u00a0regular following for their businesses.<\/p>\n

The more than 100 restaurants in Cape Town and in the Winelands that are offering such generous Winter specials<\/a><\/strong><\/span> must be commended, and we will do our best to make their specials known to as many persons as possible.\u00a0 We encourage our readers to do the same, to prevent any further closures.<\/p>\n

We have created a new blogpost, with the restaurants opening and closing, and chefs moving, since spring 2011<\/a><\/span><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The following restaurants have closed down in the past few months, and these may not be the only ones as the winter takes its toll:<\/p>\n

* \u00a0 Jardine’s<\/a><\/strong> Restaurant<\/a> has closed\u00a0on Bree Str<\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0 Liquorice and Lime<\/strong> has closed down on St George’s Mall<\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0 Cheyne <\/strong>has closed on Bree Street<\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0 The Kitchen Bar <\/strong>in the Quarters’ Hotel in Hermanus has closed<\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0 The Bistro <\/strong>in Franschhoek has closed down<\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0 The Sandbar<\/strong> in Camps Bay has closed down<\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0 The Blonde<\/strong> <\/a>building\u00a0is up for sale, and does not appear to be re-opening in August, as was announced by The Caviar Group, owners of Blonde<\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0 The Green Dolphin Jazz Club<\/strong> in the V & A Waterfront has closed down<\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0 Mezzaluna<\/strong> in Loop Street has closed down<\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0 Eat Out <\/strong>Top 10 Restaurant judge Pete Goffe-Wood’s Wild Woods Restaurant<\/strong><\/a> has closed down.<\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0 Restaurant Christophe<\/a> <\/strong>closed down in Stellenbosch on 25 June.\u00a0Eat Out Top 20 Chef Christophe Dehosse will be back at Joostenberg from August.<\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0 Nando’s<\/strong> in Camps Bay has closed down<\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0 Haute\u00a0Cabriere,<\/strong> under the chefmanship of Matthew Gordon, closed on 7 June at the wine tasting venue\u00a0with the same name in Franschhoek.\u00a0 See below for re-opening.<\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0 Karma<\/strong> closed down in Camps Bay<\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0 Hermanos<\/a> <\/strong><\/span>in Hermanus has closed down<\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0 Fizz Affair Champagne and Wine Bar<\/strong> has closed down in Franschhoek<\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0 Doppio Zero<\/strong> in Green Point has closed down<\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0 Nzolo Brand Caf\u00e9<\/strong> has closed down in Church Street<\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0L’Aperitivo<\/strong> has closed down.\u00a0 See below for Valora.<\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0 On Broadway’s<\/strong> in-house restaurant has closed down.\u00a0 Re-opened as Roberto’s on 7 July – see below.<\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0 Doppio Zero <\/strong>Claremont has closed down<\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0 Brio 1893<\/strong> is closing down on 12 August<\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0 Chenin<\/strong> has closed in the old Cape Quarter<\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0 Cafe Max <\/strong>has closed down in De Waterkant<\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0 Bella Lucia <\/strong>has closed down in Wynberg<\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0 Iconic restaurant Linger Longer<\/strong> has closed down in Johannesburg after the death of chef Walter Ulz, 2010 Eat Out<\/strong> Lannice Snyman Lifetime Achievement Award recipient.<\/p>\n

* \u00a0 Postocini Express<\/strong> has closed on Greenmarket Square<\/p>\n

* \u00a0 De Huguenot Restaurant<\/strong>, only having open for six months, closes at the end of October. \u00a0The Harry Q<\/strong> bar will continue operating, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. \u00a0The De Huguenot Estate will concentrate on weddings and events.<\/p>\n

* \u00a0 Wildflour<\/strong> has closed down on Regent Road in Sea Point.<\/p>\n

* \u00a0The Olive Shack<\/strong> in Franschhoek has closed its restaurant operation, and will only operate as a shop selling olive-related products.<\/p>\n

* \u00a0 221 Waterfront <\/strong>has closed down in the V&A Waterfront<\/p>\n

* \u00a0 What’s On Eatery<\/strong> in Watson Street has closed down<\/p>\n

But all is not doom and gloom, and the restaurateurs that are opening restaurants<\/strong><\/span> in these difficult times must be congratulated and wished well.\u00a0 These restaurants opened their doors this year\u00a0:<\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0 \"\"<\/a>Etienne Bonthuys (ex-Tokara) has opened his long-awaited\u00a0restaurant on Dorp Street, Stellenbosch, called Casparus<\/a><\/strong>, in partnership with artist Strijdom van der Merwe (left).<\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0 DISH <\/strong>has opened at Inn on the Square, Greenmarket Square<\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The Olive Shack<\/a> <\/strong>at Allora in Franschhoek has opened as a deli, doing olive oil tastings, and serving\u00a0Breakfast, Greek lunches and picnics<\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0 Tables <\/strong>restaurant has opened at Nitida wine estate in Durbanville<\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0 Mozzarella Bar<\/a> <\/strong>has opened on Kloof Street, Gardens<\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0 Caf\u00e9 Benedict<\/strong><\/span> <\/a>has opened on the main road in Franschhoek.<\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0 Trinity<\/strong> has opened as a ‘super club’ in Bennett Street in Green Point<\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0 Il Cappero Italian Restaurant*<\/strong> <\/a>has opened in Barrack Street<\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0 Caff\u00e9 Milano*<\/strong> <\/a>has opened on Kloof Street, Gardens<\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0 The Stone Kitchen <\/strong>has opened at Dunstone Winery in Wellington<\/p>\n

*\u00a0 The Franschhoek Food Emporium<\/a> <\/strong>has open in Place Vendome, and is owned by legendary Topsi Venter’s daughter Danielle<\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0 What’s On Eatery<\/a><\/strong>*\u00a0has opened in Watson Street, between Loop and Bree Street<\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0 Haas Coffee Collective<\/a><\/strong> has opened on Rose Street in Bo-Kaap<\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0 Crunch:The Pastry Shop <\/strong>coffee shop and bakery has opened in Paarl, owned by Gerard van Staden, previously chef at Le Franschhoek Hotel\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0 Dear Me<\/a> <\/strong>Brasserie and Tjing Tjing Bar has opened on Longmarket Street (right).<\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0 Act Restaurant and Play Bar<\/a><\/strong> have opened at the Baxter Theatre<\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0 Le Coq<\/a> <\/strong>has opened in Franschhoek<\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0 Dash<\/a><\/strong><\/span> has opened in the Queen Victoria Hotel in the Waterfront<\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0 Caf\u00e9 Dijon<\/a> <\/span><\/strong>has opened another branch at Zorgvliet wine estate<\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0 Harbour House <\/strong>has <\/strong>opened a branch in the V & A Waterfront, where Fisherman’s Choice was<\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0 KOS Coffee & Cuisine<\/a> has opened in The Regency on Regent Road in Sea Point<\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Caf\u00e9 Extrablatt <\/strong>has <\/strong>opened where shu used to be, in Green Point<\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0 Skinny Legs & All<\/a><\/strong> has opened on Loop Street<\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0 Leopard’s Leap<\/a> <\/strong><\/span>will open its picnic facility, tasting room and cookery school outside Franschhoek in November\/December<\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0 De Huguenot Estate<\/a> <\/strong>has <\/strong>opened The Marianne, Harry Q Bar and Fraiche, with ex-Hunter’s Country Lodge chef Tanya Kruger in the kitchen. (The De Huguenot restaurant<\/strong> closes at the end of October – see in closures above, and Fraiche Deli will no longer open).<\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0 Cicciobella Pizzeria <\/strong>has opened in Hout Bay<\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0 Takumi<\/strong> has opened, with Chef Papa San the Sushi Master<\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Sunbird\u00a0Bistro<\/strong> has opened <\/strong>in the ex-Sandbar space on Victoria Road in Camps Bay, with Lana Doyle as chef and Pamela Trevelyan as Manager. Smart blue\/white interior. Serve breakfast, lunch, dinner, cocktails and tapas.<\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0 The Grand Camps Bay<\/strong> will be operated by the ex-Sandbar<\/strong> for Breakfast and lunch.\u00a0 The Grand takes over from 4 pm.<\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0 Mezepoli <\/strong>from Johannesburg is\u00a0opening in the Nando’s space in Camps Bay on 20 October<\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0 Saboroso <\/strong>has opened in Bakoven, where Marika’s used to operate<\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0 Caf\u00e9 Le Chocolatier <\/strong>has\u00a0opened a chocolate manufacturing and demo outlet Le Chocolatier Factory<\/a><\/strong>, next to its restaurant, in Franschhoek, utilising Lindt equipment and chocolate<\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0 Haute Cabriere Cellar Restaurant<\/a><\/strong> has re-opened,\u00a0with new chef Ryan Shell.<\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0 Cavallo <\/strong>restaurant is said to open on the stud farm on R44, between Stellenbosch and Somerset West, in 2012 or 2013<\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0 Roberto’s<\/strong> has opened underneath On Broadway, owned by Chef Roberto de Carvalho, ex-chef at the Twelve Apostles Hotel and the One & Only Cape Town<\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0 Luigi’s<\/strong> is opening in Paarl where Ciao Bella used to be<\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0 Our Place <\/strong> is opening in Durbanville where Avocado used to be<\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0 Friends Caf\u00e9 <\/strong>has opened at 44 Belvedere Street, Claremont. Tel (021) 674-5510<\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0 Valora<\/a> <\/strong>has opened where L’Aperitivo was, on Loop Street<\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0 Rococoa<\/strong> has opened in The Palms Decor and Lifestyle Centre in Woodstock<\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0 Luke Dale-Roberts <\/strong>(The Test Kitchen) is opening another restaurant in Wynberg, said to be where Bella Lucia is – this report, initially announced on the Spill blog, has been denied by Luke Dale-Roberts<\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0 Reuben’s <\/strong>is opening another Franschhoek branch off the main road, and will run it concurrently until its main road branch lease expires next year.<\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0 Toro<\/a> <\/strong>has opened in the old Cape Quarter,\u00a0near the back entrance of Andiamo, as a Wine\/Aperitivo Bar, with an ex-Overture chef<\/p>\n

* \u00a0\u00a0Goloso Italian Deli and Wine Bar<\/strong> has opened on Regent Road in Sea Point, next door to Wildflour.<\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0 Franschhoek Famous Pancake House<\/strong>, with owner Gideon,\u00a0has opened as a take-away pancake outlet, in Mont View Centre, next to the gym, in Fabriek Street, Franschhoek.<\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0 Cafeteria<\/a> has opened in De Waterkant, initially selling wraps, sandwiches, coffee, and beautiful pastries,\u00a0cakes and macaroons\u00a0by Martin Senekal\u00a0as take-aways, and planning to expand into a sit-down\u00a0coffee shop in\u00a0October.<\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0 A late night dinner and dance restaurant will open in the ex-Brio <\/strong>space in October, with a chef from St Tropez, and a DJ from Cannes<\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0 LM Grills<\/strong> has opened in Onrus, outside Hermanus, previous owners of restaurants with same name in Johannesburg and Mocambique<\/p>\n

* \u00a0 Chez Chez<\/strong> <\/a>has opened as an Espresso and Cheesecake Bar (serving 13 different cheesecakes), 3 De Lorentz Street, Tamboerskloof.<\/p>\n

* \u00a0 Bistro on Rose<\/strong> has opened at 35 Rose Street<\/p>\n

* \u00a0 The Slug & Lettuce<\/strong> has opened on Long Street<\/p>\n

* \u00a0 Rhapsody’s<\/strong> franchise restaurant, mainly in Pretoria, is to open next door to Caf\u00e9 Extrablatt in Green Point, where Doppio Zero used to be<\/p>\n

* \u00a0 Wale Rose Lifestyle<\/strong> has opened in Bo-Kaap, on the corner of Wale and Rose Street, serving Cape Malay as well as ‘cosmopolitan food’.<\/em><\/p>\n

* \u00a0 Andy Fenner (JamieWho?) and friends are opening Frankie Fenner Meat Merchants<\/strong> on Kloof Street, opposite McDonald’s, in December<\/p>\n

* The Kitchen at Maison<\/strong> opens on Maison wine estate in Franschhoek on 16 November, with Chef Arno Janse van Rensburg (ex-Ginja, ex-Myoga), and Manager Julian Smith (ex-Grande Provence, ex-Waterkloof, ex-Pierneef a La Motte)<\/p>\n

* \u00a0 McDonald’s<\/strong> is opening a ‘concept store’ in the V&A Waterfront, where 221 Waterfront used to be<\/p>\n

* \u00a0 Batho’s Place African Restaurant<\/strong> has opened in the township in Franschhoek. \u00a0082 090 8660<\/p>\n

* \u00a0 Liam Tomlim’s Cookery School<\/strong> opens at Leopard’s Leap at the end of November, next door to La Motte in Franschhoek, also serving picnics.<\/p>\n

* \u00a0 F.east Indian Restaurant<\/strong> has opened corner Long and Bloem Streets, in Cape Town<\/p>\n

Restaurant changes:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0 Chef Jacques de Jager, has left Salt Restaurant<\/strong>, after about 18 months<\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0 Restaurant Manager Darren Morgan has left Dash Restaurant, <\/strong>and is now at the One&Only Cape Town<\/strong><\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0 Food & Beverage Manager of Dock House, Queen Victoria Hotel <\/strong>and<\/strong> V&A Hotel,<\/strong> Alton van Biljon, has left<\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0 Chef Lucas Carstens has left Reuben’s at One&Only Cape Town, and joined Cuv\u00e9e Restaurant<\/strong>, at Simonsig wine estate<\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0 Blues<\/strong> in Camps Bay is reducing the size of its restaurant, and re-opens as Blues Beach House on 14 October<\/p>\n

* \u00a0 Chef Leigh Trout has left Mange Tout<\/a><\/strong> at the Mont Rochelle Hotel, and has bought Bird Caf\u00e9 and Gourmet Eatery<\/a> <\/strong>on Bree Street, with Kevin Mink. \u00a0They re-opened on 1 September with an amended interior and a new menu.<\/p>\n

*\u00a0 Ex-Hermanos chef\/owner Wayne Spencer is now at Burgundy<\/strong> in Hermanus<\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0 Carl Habel, Sommelier of The Mount Nelson Hotel<\/strong>, has been appointed Restaurant Manager of Planet Restaurant too<\/p>\n

* \u00a0 Peaches and Cream<\/strong> on the Main Road in Paarl has been taken over by Anica Bester<\/p>\n

* \u00a0 Mediterrea in Hermanus has changed its name to Grilleri<\/strong><\/p>\n

* \u00a0 Patron Chef Stefan Louw has taken over the running of Heaven<\/strong> on Newton Johnson wine estate in the Hemel en Aarde wine valley.<\/p>\n

* \u00a0 The Black Pearl <\/strong>is the new name of the Tapas, Restaurant and Cocktail Bar, with new owners, of the ex-Seven Sins on Kloof Street.<\/p>\n

* \u00a0 Chef Oliver Cattermole has left Dash restaurant at the Queen Victoria Hotel, and joined\u00a0What’s On Eatery<\/a><\/strong> on 1 October.<\/p>\n

* \u00a0 Cocoa Oola<\/strong> has opened on Kloof Street, where Oishii<\/strong> used to be<\/p>\n

* \u00a0 Chef Anri Diener has left Majeka House<\/strong>, and Chef Tanja Kruger from De Huguenot Restaurant<\/strong> takes over her position<\/p>\n

* \u00a0Chef Daniel Botha has left Le Franschhoek Hotel<\/strong>, and starts at Salt Restaurant<\/strong> on 1 November<\/p>\n

* \u00a0Chef Oliver Cattermole, previously with Dash and What’s On Eatery, has started as Executive Chef at Le Franschhoek Hotel<\/strong> on 7 November.<\/p>\n

* \u00a0 Chef Matthew Gordon<\/strong> in Franschhoek is opening a new restaurant in Paarl<\/p>\n

* \u00a0 Dieu Donn\u00e9\u00a0in Franschhoek has leased its restaurant to Martin and Marco from Durban, and they have renamed it La Rocca.<\/strong> Chef Jo van Staden has returned to Durban with her husband, Chef Gerard van Staden, who has returned to the Beverley Hills Hotel.<\/p>\n

* \u00a0 Chef Chris Smit <\/strong>of Caf\u00e9\u00a0BonBon has resigned<\/p>\n

* \u00a0 Chef Christo Pretorius<\/strong>, previously of De Huguenot, has started at 1800 Restaurant at the Cape Royale Luxury Hotel<\/p>\n

* \u00a0 Sommelier Neil Grant<\/strong> of Rust en Vrede has resigned, leaves at the end of November, and is said to open a new restaurant in the Old Biscuit Mill<\/p>\n

The following restaurants are taking a\u00a0winter break<\/span>:<\/strong><\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0 La Colombe: 30 May – 20 June<\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0 River Caf\u00e9:\u00a0\u00a0 10 – 30 August<\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0 Constantia Uitsig:\u00a0\u00a0 4 – 26 July<\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0 The Grand Caf\u00e9 Camps Bay:\u00a0\u00a0 June and July<\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0 Pure Restaurant: 1 – 31 July<\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0 Terroir: 1 – 11 July<\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0 Grande Provence:\u00a0\u00a0 18 – 31 July<\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0 Pierneef\u00a0\u00e0 La Motte:\u00a0 15 June – 15 July<\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0 French Connection: 30 May – 20 June<\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0 Freedom Hill: July and August<\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0 Overture: July<\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0 Waterkloof: 27 June – 20 July<\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0 French Toast Wine & Tapas Bar 18 – 24 July<\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0 Tasting Room and Common Room at Le Quartier Francais closed until 31 July<\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0 The Olive Shack at Allora in Franschhoek is closed until the end of September<\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0 Tokara Restaurant: closed\u00a08 – 22 August<\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0 Blues in Camps Bay is closing for a month from 22 August – 2 October, for renovations to reduce the size of the restaurant<\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0 All\u00e9e Bleue<\/strong> will not be serving lunch on Mondays and Tuesdays during September.<\/p>\n

* \u00a0 The Kove<\/strong> in Camps Bay is closed until mid-September for renovations<\/p>\n

* \u00a0 Laborie Restaurant<\/strong> in Paarl is closed for renovations until end October.<\/p>\n

POSTSCRIPT 28\/7<\/strong>: Pete Goffe-Wood, ex-owner of Wild Woods in Hout Bay, has written a frank article on Food24<\/strong><\/a> about why he recently closed his restaurant.\u00a0He blames Capetonians for not supporting restaurants in winter months, which means that they have to\u00a0cover costs out of savings created in summer, to keep the business afloat in winter\u00a0(this is a general Cape winter scenario for all businesses in the tourism industry – if one does not know about this, one should not be in the business in the first place!).\u00a0 He\u00a0writes that Johannesburg restaurants do not suffer this seasonality.\u00a0 The recent 2-week summery spell proved what an important role the weather plays – business was booming for restaurants and accommodation as Capetonians left their homes, went out, and spent money, a welcome cash injection in these difficult times.\u00a0 The Bastille Festival in Franschhoek had record attendance during this period.<\/p>\n

Restaurant Specials cause cost undercutting, which attracts business and provides cashflow, but does not help the industry, he writes.\u00a0If specials weren’t offered, one probably would have seen a far greater number of restaurants closing down. They are hugely popular, and on this blog the Restaurant Specials listings are the most popular of all blogposts.\u00a0 He also blames restaurant owners, often chefs, for being too ’emotional’ about their businesses, and for not seeing the signs of tough times early enough, which may call for closing one’s restaurant.\u00a0 Clearly opening any business at the moment is high risk, and for a hospitality business the risk is even higher.\u00a0\u00a0 Goffe-Wood also lashes out at the recent\u00a0Weekend Argus <\/strong>article about Restaurant Closures, using names from this blogpost.\u00a0 As much as he blames journalist Helen Bamford for getting her facts wrong, he does too, in calling her Linda!\u00a0\u00a0Describing\u00a0a non-renewal of a restaurant lease as not being a restaurant closure or failure is very debatable – if things were going well,\u00a0leases would have been renewed, especially for a restaurant like Haute Cabriere, where Chef Matthew Gordon had operated for 16 years!<\/p>\n

Chris von Ulmenstein, Whale Cottage Portfolio: www.whalecottage.com<\/a> Twitter: @WhaleCottage<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

It would appear as if the world-wide recession has only hit South Africa, and the Cape in particular, now\u00a0and with a severe\u00a0bang.\u00a0 There\u00a0is almost daily news of restaurant closures, three alone in the past three days, sad given how much the restaurants have invested in building a brand name and a\u00a0regular following for their businesses. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false},"categories":[3,124,14,20,31,21],"tags":[4814,1908,2388,10944,577,314,11005,4505,13224,6063,13840,13948,3924,12508,13946,12799,13695,2203,67,695,5047,1285,9216,10296,6117,11644,6142,3604,12831,10145,2157,1778,32366,9142,10735,11986,4732,2132,9749,13332,10908,32378,12139,3257,11774,13333,11294,10941,225,12465,12456,1514,10910,11123,11772,10812,250,1696,12359,2186,12800,6230,14007,11985,13806,32369,12690,9848,2121,1137,8421,12154,10645,12631,10241,11768,13234,10462,5035,581,12559,2501,2547,9540,7958,4331,11765,13945,11716,2944,11791,13275,11363,2639,39,1540,13947,8320,12176,10958,385,549,9653,4911,3769,7977,2296,11766,12972,6885,555,6045,12833,2485,4217,4187,11932,6072,7170,1326,9520,979,2880,2510,2833,12146,8407,11012,4951,12145,11991,33,12177,13223,1458,6611,9074,10950,13697,4191,8159,727,3259,4183,13,12664,41,13742,11771,9183,11990,12443,34,12292,11948,3063,12633,1654,230,11773,13696,32388,4822,13254,12175,8499,11790,9182,2689,447,10463,13289,11792,13839,11767,644,9387,12444,7061,9660,1362,10817,1443,12521,7816,109,116,12358,13838,8888,3056,2548,32373,10524,5339,12632,32382,1314,11770],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t