{"id":38613,"date":"2012-12-12T09:37:52","date_gmt":"2012-12-12T07:37:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.whalecottage.com\/blog\/?p=38613"},"modified":"2014-09-02T20:31:13","modified_gmt":"2014-09-02T18:31:13","slug":"va-market-on-the-wharf-opens-at-the-va-waterfront","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.chrisvonulmenstein.com\/blog\/cape-town\/va-market-on-the-wharf-opens-at-the-va-waterfront\/","title":{"rendered":"V&A Market on the Wharf opens at the V&A Waterfront!"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>The long awaited V&A Market on the Wharf has opened in the historic building near the V&A Hotel in the V&A Waterfront, which once housed Planet Hollywood, David Kramer’s Theatre, and Musica, with more than fifty vendors displaying their food and beverage offerings. It is Cape Town’s first permanent market, operating from Wednesdays to Sundays, from 9h30 – 19h30.<\/p>\n

Owned by Greg Anderson, or ‘Bubbles’<\/em> as Vaughn Johnson informed me, who took over the management of the Market when the previous operators pulled out, the Market offers a kosher deli, fresh seafood, meat, fruit and vegetables, baked ware and delicacies. \u00a0Greg impressed with his passion, and kindly offered me a V&A Market on the Wharf branded \"\"<\/a>shopping bag, to ‘hide’ my Woolworths bag! \u00a0Greg is proud of the large number of new business owners that have joined as vendors, very few\u00a0having been seen at any other markets in Cape Town. \u00a0V&A Waterfront tenants Vaughn Johnson and Ian Halfon had come to have a look, and we had coffee and tea together.<\/p>\n

A last-minute building regulation hitch saw the opening of the Market delayed by two days to last Friday.\u00a0The space is large, one main hall with an upstairs section housing the craft beer bar and seating for eating, which is not available at the stalls themselves. \u00a0It will also be the space of the ‘Test Kitchen’, <\/em>in which MasterChef SA runner-up Sue-Ann Allen will be doing cooking lessons for children, and will host food and wine pairings. There are two smaller side halls, upstairs and downstairs. \u00a0Upstairs a collection of spades decorates the wall, to give it a farm feeling, and downstairs a collection of chairs tries to create a similar effect less successfully. \u00a0Tables have been placed outside too, looking out on Noble Square, and more are to come facing Table Mountain. \u00a0It is a wonderful place to sit in the breeze and enjoy one’s ice cream, and to chat to the vendors having a break, as well as to other customers eating and drinking their Market shopping.<\/p>\n

The vendors are housed in cheap looking pine booths, but it is up to each vendor to dress up his\/her stall, some doing so successfully and building a brand, and others just using their space functionally. \u00a0The Little Denmark\"\"<\/a> stall impressed me the most, with its branding, and use of the Danish red and\u00a0white to attract attention, and to show how different its food is, being typical Danish dishes of hotdogs (R25); Smorrebrod (R30), being tiny sandwich bites on rye bread with different toppings; and a typical Danish Christmas dish of Aebleskiver (R20), being pancake puffs sprinkled with icing sugar and served with strawberry jam, offered with red and white serviettes. \u00a0Other interesting stalls were The Creamery, the first permanent outlet for the delicious ice cream brand, which has been very active in obtaining exposure at a variety of markets; The Mozzarella Well,\u00a0owned by Puglia Cheese, the well still to be installed, and will contain various mozzarella cheeses for one to fish out of it, if I understood \"\"<\/a>owner Ursula Ostuni correctly. They also sell a range of Italian products, as well as baguettes; Bubble Tea is an international drink, which makes its South African debut\"\"<\/a> at the Market; the Royal Bavarian Bakery branch in the Market is far friendlier than the one run by Lucy Marston inside the V&A Waterfront’s re-opened Food Court, with the owner Harald Mittag\u00a0of the company hands-on; \u00a0Jean-Pierre Fortain Chocolatier with Belgian chocolates has an impressive looking stand, but they do not do tastings; and Deluxe Coffeeworks and Origin coffees and Nigiro teas are quality beverages.<\/p>\n

The full list of vendors has been supplied by the Market:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n

Adams Apple<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Fruit and Veg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Angus Meats<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Meat<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Around Cheese<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Cheese<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Aspen Flowers<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Flowers<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Bandoeng<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Indonesian<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Berkies On The Wharf<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Kosher Deli<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Bite Me’s Gourmet Panini<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Gourmet Sandwiches<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Blue Sky Organics<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Olive and Olive Products<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Books On The Wharf<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Books<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Bosini Bros<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Fruit and Veg and Cookware<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Bubble Tea Company<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Tea based Gourmet Drink<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

By Nature<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Dried Fruit and Nuts<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

Cecilia’s World<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Dried Fruit and Nuts<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Chrisna’s Olives<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Olives and Olive Products<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Classic Marmalades<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Preserves<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Clothing Store<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Branded Merchandise<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Como Foods<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Latino<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Coniglio<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Rabbit and Duck Meat<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Costa the Greek<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Greek<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Dr Juice<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Juice<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Durban’s Finest Curry<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Curry Dishes and Soft Serve<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Flannerie Bonaparte<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Waffles and P\u00e2tisserie<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Fortain Chocolatier<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Belgian Chocolates<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Gourmet Pantry<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Baker<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Gourmet Samosas<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Samosas<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

International Deli<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Salamis and Sausages<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Mr Pizza<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Pizza<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Munch-a-Chimney<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Cakes<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Naked drinks<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Juice<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Nap and Deluxe<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Cakes<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Nigiro Tea Merchants<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Tea<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Origin Coffee<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Coffee<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Oryx Desert Salt<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Gourmet Salt<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Pasta Deli<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Italian<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Prontomama<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Gourmet Sauces<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Royal Bavarian Bakery<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Baker and Gourmet Sandwiches<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Salmon Run<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Salmon, Trout and Argan Oil<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Salushi eXpress<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Sushi<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Seared<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Specialist Food<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Squirrels Bavarian Nuts<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Nuts<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Stokkiesdraai Biltong<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Biltong<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Sweet Dream The Fudge Makers<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Fudge<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Taste Buddies<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Vegetarian Burgers<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Taste of Taiwan<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Taiwanese<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

The Cape Malay Deli<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Cape Malay (Halaal)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

The Creamery<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Ice cream<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

The Danish Hotdog Stall<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Gourmet Hotdogs<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

The Deli Box<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Gourmet Sauces<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

The Mozzarella Well<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Cheese<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

The Oyster Lady<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Oysters<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Things I love<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Gourmet Salads<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Totally Wild (Pty) Ltd<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Aloe Products<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Waymenels<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Salt Beef<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

The benefit for the vendors is that the Market space is used exclusively for the purpose of selling their produce, and therefore they do not have to remove their tables nor their produce at the end of every day, making the Market a collection of little shops. \u00a0A vendor shared that a smaller stand costs a reasonable R6000 rental per month, with a turnover rental too, which commendably is halved in winter,\"\"<\/a> and includes water, electricity and gas. \u00a0More than one vendor expressed concern about what business would be like in winter.<\/p>\n

I missed cupcakes, macaroons, and cakes at the Market, an absolute minimum requirement, in my opinion, despite the Royal Bavarian Bakery selling German Christmas Stollen slices, and Nap selling a few treats, but not in any large numbers. I expected butchers, fishmongers, bakers, and more, selling fresh produce, and not having it all pre-packaged. \u00a0I expected more fresh fruit and vegetables, as one would see in European city markets, and which was depicted visually in early publicity photographs of the Market. \u00a0I missed the smell of fresh food in general in the Market building. I did not see a celebration of Cape Town being the food capital of our country. \u00a0It might be a good idea to hand out a floorplan of the location of each of the 54 vendors to everyone entering the building, and to have one entrance, and a different exit, to force one to see all the stalls. \u00a0Not everyone would venture upstairs, which means that they would miss out on about a quarter of the vendors. \u00a0I missed having counters near the stalls, to eat at while doing one’s shopping inside the Market – some barrels would suit this purpose. \u00a0While we wish all the very friendly vendors and the V&A Market on the Wharf all the best, I could not help but feel that it lacked some magic, and needs more amazing food vendors, to make one come back regularly.<\/p>\n

V&A Market on the Wharf<\/strong>, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town. Tel (021) 276-0200.\u00a0www.marketonthewharf.co.za <\/a> Twitter: @VA_Market_Wharf \u00a0Wednesdays – Sundays. \u00a09h30 – 19h30.<\/p>\n

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

The long awaited V&A Market on the Wharf has opened in the historic building near the V&A Hotel in the V&A Waterfront, which once housed Planet Hollywood, David Kramer’s Theatre, and Musica, with more than fifty vendors displaying their food and beverage offerings. It is Cape Town’s first permanent market, operating from Wednesdays to Sundays, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false},"categories":[3,124,266,21],"tags":[17839,17846,17847,17841,32366,32378,17848,14590,2049,15748,17843,17835,17844,1426,17845,17837,17842,17834,10794,17836,8439,17849,17833,9528,15971,17838,17850,15408,4,14077,14442,17840,13136,116,17827,32393,2048,32373,171],"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