The Boat House – lunch with Chef Bruce Robertson

Published May 20, 2013 | By Lesley

The Boat House, Scarborough - lunch with Chef Bruce Roberston

Phil Gainey (UK) celebrated his 60th birthday with partner Chrissy and was looking for a special experience for lunch.  I booked lunch with Chef Bruce Robertson at his home in Scarborugh, The Boat House.

Chef Bruce Robertson has created a niche lunch idea for the visitor looking for a personalised and intimate lunch experience.  The number of diners is limited to 12 and Chef Bruce Robertson creates a delicious five course lunch with the ingredients he has shopped for that morning.

The dining table is located on the upper deck of his home so you can enjoy wonderful sea views in between the courses, and over coffee at the end learn a little about Bruce, some cooking tips or what life is like in Scarborough.  Bruce shared his baboon encounters with the guests, much to their amusement.

I collected Phil and Chrissy around 8.30am and traveled along the Indian Ocean side with a stop at the penguin colony at Boulders beach.  Next we explored the Cape Point nature reserve and Cape of Good Hope and the wonderful thing about leaving Cape Town slightly earlier than the tour buses is that there were hardly any visitors in the reserve.

We arrived at The Boathouse at 12.45pm – perfect timing for the leisurely lunch.

I returned to Cape Town via the Chapman’s peak scenic drive – a perfect end to a perfect 60th birthday celebration.

Victor and Hollyman, assisting in the kitchen at The Boat House to ensure the perfect lunch

Chrissy & Phil - enjoyed a wonderful lunch at the Boat House in Scarborough with Chef Bruce Roberston

Phil Gainey and Chef Bruce Robertson at The Boat House, Scarborough

For those with more time, Bruce is offering gourment weekends and you can check out his website for details.

In the wine region we are spoilt with many choices for some lovely lunch experiences but on the Cape Peninsula route, The Boat House is a wonderful lunch experience which we can offer our guests on private tours of the Cape Peninsula route.

www.chefbrucerobertson.com

info@chefbrucerobertson.com

Tel 021 780 1789 or 083 305 8533

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Decorex at the CTICC

Published April 26, 2013 | By Lesley

World Design Capital 2014 stand at Decorex at CTICC

I visited Decorex at the CTICC this morning and there is just about everything you can think of for the home on exhibit.   Plenty of stands with kitchenware,  furniture, flooring, linen, crafts and art.

I spent a bit of time with Gabrielle Aquadrio on the World Design Capital 2014 stand – they have launched their Design Scout App to encourage us to get involved with ideas and projects which will shape the transformation of Cape Town.

Through their face book page www.facebook.com/wdc2014 click on Design Scout and begin getting invloved with sharing photos for design in Cape Town

Right in the centre is a beautiful tea room which was put together by the catering of the CTICC.  Graham Beck has a large lounge area serving their wine and cheese.  Check the programme for the variety of free presentations on offer, Honest Chcocolate, Barista (Truth Coffee and Bean There Coffee), and cocktails from Orphanage.

For the hungry there is a small food court at the back of the arena with a variety of tasty treats on offer.

Entrance fee is R70 (students and pensioners R60).  It is open today until 7pm.  Saturday 10am – 7pm and Sunday 10am – 6pm).

You can buy your tickets in advance on Webtickets

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Wine & chocolate pairing at Lanzerac vineyard, Stellenbosch

Published April 18, 2013 | By Lesley

Wine & chocolate pairing at Lanzerac vineyard, Stellenbosch

Lanzerac vineyard are now offering a wine and chocolate pairing to show case their wines.

First pairing is a white chocolate which has been infused with lemon and brings out the citrus flavours within the Lanzerac chardonnay.

Guests are encouraged to taste the wine first.  Then take a bite of the chocolate and while the chocolate is still in your mouth, take another sip of wine and see how the flavours of the wine have been enhanced with the chocolate.

The Rose was paired with milk chocolate infused with rose geranium and at R50 per bottle offers great value for money.

The Merlot 2010 vintage was paired with cherry dark chocolate and Pinotage 2011 with a fresh cherry dipped in dark chocolate.

Lanzerac was the first vineyard to produce Pinotage commcercially, the first vintage was 1961. As a tribute to this first vintage, Lanzerac have launched Pionier Pinotage 2010 as part of their Reserve range of wines at R280 per bottle but this is for purchase only and not for tasting.

Finally, their Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 was paired with Cape Malay spice chocolate.

All the chocolates are available for purchase, plus a selection of truffles priced at around R5 each.

The wine and chocolate pairing is R65pp and if you only want to try the wines alone a standard tasting is R30pp which is waivered on purchasing wine.

Bourgein family enjoy a wine & chocolate pairing at Lanzerac vineyard, presented by Rozanne

Lanzerac is open Mon-Fri 9.30am until 5pm and Sat-Sun 9am – 5pm.  It is advisable to arrive no later than 4pm for a wine and chocolate pairing to give the experience the time that it deserves.

You are welcome to enter the cellar and see how wine is made between 11am- 3pm and of course the Lanzerac hotel and restaurant is an ideal place for cup of coffee or light lunch.

Lanzerac Tel 021 886 5641

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South African National Art Gallery – new exhbition of photographs for the centenery of the Land Act 1913

Published April 5, 2013 | By Lesley

South African National Art Gallery, located in Company Gardens

There is a fascinating exhibition of photographs currently on show at the National Art Gallery, located in the Company Gardens.

2013 is the centenary for the 1913 Native Land Act (also known as the Black Land Act), which created reserves for Blacks and prohibited the sale of White owned land to Blacks.  Blacks were able to live outside the reserves, providing they could provide docmentation that they were being employed by Whites.

On exhibit are an extraordinary array of photographs, dating back to 1913 right up to the recent demonstrations at the Marikana Platinum mines.  Photographs have been harvested from 18 different archives and 31 individual photogrpahers.

Photography was prohibited so I can only highlight some of favourites.

On loan from the Photographic museum in Polokwane are a selection of portraits by Hugh Exton.  Exton was a self-taught photographer known for his portraits of all races and religions.  He had a natuaral abilty to capture all walks of life at their best.

Activist and photographer, Eli Weinberg photographed a policeman checking an African man’s dompass – (translates to stupid pass as the Blacks thought it was a stupid idea to carry a pass).

There are many photographs around the mining industry.  Cecil Rhodes at Kimberly diamond mines in discussion with miners and miners leaving the Big Hole at the end of their shift.  Plus some historical occasions like the inauguration of the Vootrekker Monument (1949) , and a family of Boers on The Great Trek.

The end of the exhibition leads into the rest of the National Art Gallery where you can see work from a variety of South African artists ranging from pieces by Urma Stern right through to up and coming young South African artists.  In an alcove, one of the popular exhibits were The Butcher Boys, by Jane Alexander.  Three life-size sculptues depicting three spooky looking men with animal horns, representing the brutality of aparteid.

It is only R30 to enter the South African National Art Gallery and for this price you have access to the gallery itself, plus the 1913 Land Act Centenary exhibition of photographs (which finishes at the end of July).  Open seven days per week Tel 021 481 3970 and located on Government ave, Company Gardens.

 

 

 

 

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Franschhoek Motor Museum, L’Ormarins wine estate

Published January 2, 2013 | By Lesley

Lawrence Warriner (UK) in front of the Masserati, Franschhoek Motor museum, L'Ormarins wine estate

The Franschhoek Motor museum (located on the L’Ormarins wine estate) is a must see for any car enthusiast.

Lawrence Warriner and his partner Sue from the UK, were on a private tour of the wine region when they decided to take break from wine tasting and allow Lawrence to be indulged by his passion for cars.

The Franschhoek Motor museum is located on the L’Ormarins wine estate and really offers the motor enthusiast a feast for their eyes.

There are 220 cars, of which 80 are on show at any one time in four halls.  The cars are rotated every six months so locals can visit again and view different vehicles.

Entrance fee is R60pp (a small discount is offered to those with a car membership association) and visitors can wander at a leisurely pace through the four halls in a clockwise route.

Eighty cars are located in four halls on the L'Ormarins wine estate, Franschhoek

 

The cars are grouped in dealerships and each car has a board to explain their main features.  Allow approximately 15 minutes in each hall so your visit will take around an hour (you can stay as long as like and return to the first hall and begin wandering through again if you wish).

Jaguar, on display at Franschhoek Motor museum

There is security in each hall, but only a rope separates you from the vehicle – so you can really see in detail what perfect condition they are all in.

There are also some vintage bicycles and and motorcycles.

Vintage bicycles are also on display at the Franschhoek Motor museum

After you have been to the museum you can enjoy a wine tasting.  L’Ormarins are one of the few producers of the Italian grape varieties Sangiovese and Pinot Grigo.    Their Sauvignon Blanc is one of my favourites.

Ford on display at the Franschhoek Motor museum, L'Ormarins wine estate

In the Platters wine guide 2013 they are listed under Anthonij Rupert but at the entrance to the vineyard there is still the L’Ormarins sign.

Tel 021 874 900

Website www.fmm.co.za

 

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Eziko restaurant & catering school and Vamos Township tours, Langa

Published December 11, 2012 | By Lesley

Eziko restaurant & catering school, Langa

Last Friday I met up with tour guides from Vamos Township tours (tours of Langa), Footsteps to Freedom (city walking tours), and the owners of The Township winery and Eziko restaurant and catering school.

The meeting place was the Eziko restaurant and I was surprised that it took only 25 minutes from Cape Town and was very easy to find as it is located on Washington drive which is one of the main roads running through Langa.

Victor Mgulqulwa, owner of Eziko restaurant welcomed everybody and while sampling some of the dishes created by chef David, afforded everybody the opportunity to introduce themselves and explain what they can offer our visitors.

Victor established Eziko catering school in 1996 as a means to provide skills to the youth in the area, to empower them to achieve a career in the catering and hospitality industry.

Successful candidates spend six months at Eziko and then a further six months working in a restaurant or hotel ktichen in Cape Town and so far they have a 80% success rate with students enjoying their new careers.

Funding is obtained from donations and profits generated by the Eziko restaurant, which is why Victor invited the Langa tour guides from Vamos as many are bringing their guests to Eziko for lunch or a cool drink at the end of the Langa walking tour.

I have been on a few township tours and certainly a big advocate for visitors including a visit to these areas and learning about community projects as part of their itinerary in Cape Town.  It was refreshing to hear from the Vamos tour guides about the projects and families they are visiting during their walking tours and how many tourists are self-driving to Langa and taking a walking tour with one of these guides who are also Langa residents.   So profits generated from the townships tours are going towards Langa residents.  After two hours at a leisurely pace, visitors are in need of a cold drink and a break and Eziko restaurant is the perfect place to end your township tour.  Eziko is Xhosa for hearth or fireplace.  The hearth was the focus point in the home where family and friends gathered to share good food and conversation.

The guides are very happy to be open with visitors and explain aparteid, the history of Langa and discuss their Xhosa culture and traditions including male circumcision which occurs at 18 years of age.  If you really want to learn about Xhosa traditions, then a half day township tour with Vamos in Langa is the way to go.

For visitors taking the afternoon half day township tour, you are likely to end up at the delightful project Happy Feet.  An after care centre for children of all ages.  On arrival at Happy Feet on Friday afternoon there were many excited children as there was a film crew preparing to make a music video of a Swiss singer – knowing they were about to be part of a movie they were only too delighted to show off some of their dancing skills to us.

Happy Feet, after school project in Langa

 

The little man who stole the show

 

I was equally surprised and excited to learn about the Township winery. It certainly made sense when I learned that Phillippi is rich in limestone soils and has the perfect climate.  Two years ago I visited some farmers in Phillipi successfully growing organic vegetables to supply Cape Town.  Currently the Phillipi Sauvignon Blanc is being made from grapes purchased from the Durbanville area until they consider their grapes are ready for wine making.  It is very common for vineyards to make wines from locally grown and bought in grapes these days.  Phillipi wines can be tasted and purchased at Eziko restaurant.

David (Chef of Eziko), Nomhle Zondani (Township Winery), & Victor Mguqulwa (owner of Eziko)

If you don’t have a rental car, Vamos tour guides can easily collect you from your hotel in Cape Town.  For visitors with an interest in the history of Cape Town, there is a full day combination tour with a city walking tour in the morning, followed by and afternoon township tour.

Siviwe, Vamos Tour guide in Langa handed out treats at Happy Feet

Vamos Township tours www.vamos.co.za

Eziko restaurant and catering school www.ezikorestaurant.co.za

Footsteps to Freedom city walking tours www.footstepstofreedom.co.za

The Township Winery www.townshipwinery.com

 

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Whale watching in Hermanus – final opportunities before the season ends

Published November 20, 2012 | By Lesley

Hermanus Whale Cruises - sets off from the new harbour for a whale watching cruise

As the whale watching season draws to a close it is worthwhile jumping into your car and heading towards Hermanus to catch the final glimpses of mothers and calves before they return to the Antartic.

Established in 1998, Hermanus Whale Cruises operates daily (weather permitting) on a two-hour cruise to view the Southern Right Whales.  Their boat is practical in that everybody on board has space, is comfortable during the cruise and has equal opportunities to view and photograph the whales.  They have a whale-watching permit and operate within the strict regulations for approaching whales.

The Southern Right Whales migrate to our coastline from June to early December to mate and calve.  After the whale-watching cruise we were able to enjoy mother’s and calves hugging the coastline in the sanctuary area.  Wilson explained in his briefing that they swim close to the coastline as the new calves need to build up their strength before swimming in the open water.

The sanctuary area is located right in front of the cliff tops of the town centre for Hermanus.  There are plenty of restaurants with great sea views or you can grab a take-away and sit on one of the many benches lining the cliff tops

The Southern Right Whales will begin migrating back to the Antartic in the next couple of weeks so there are some good opportunities for seeing whales close by as the mothers prepare their calves for the journey back.

Hermanus is located in the Elgin wine region.  You can see the ocean from many of the vineyards and the cool ocean breezes makes this region ideal for Pinot Noir.  Before returning to Cape Town, try a wine tasting at Hamilton Russell, Bouchard Finlayson or Newton Johnson.  They produce some of the best Pinot Noir in South Africa and located only 15 minutes by car from Hermanus.

Wilson (Hermanus Whale Cruises) gives a briefing about Southern Right Whales prior to the cruise

 

Southern Right whale in the sanctuary area of Hermanus

 

For boat based whale watching contact www.hermanus-whale-cruises.co.za Tel 028 313 2722

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Black Marlin restaurant – great for groups on a Cape Peninsula tour

Published November 13, 2012 | By Lesley

Group of Norwegian visitors enjoying lunch at the Black Marlin seafood restaurant

As we are approaching the summer busy season, travelling around the Cape Peninsula on a full day tour with a group provides more timing challenges as we have to compete with road works and longer lines to pay for entrance fees.

Our three-course lunch at the Black Marlin restaurant was served to my Norwegian group of business people in an efficient and friendly manner.  The crayfish was cooked perfectly and gave a wonderful impression to our first-time visitors, who over lunch were discussing returning as soon as possible with their families for a holiday.

The garden table showcased the peninsula in all it’s glory – inspite of the South-Easterly wind picking up as dessert was served.  Many agreed though, that weather wise we have little to complain about living in our mother city.

During coffee, the group pulled back their chairs to grab the rays of sunshine and watched the snoek fishermen in action.

 

Snoek fishermen in front of the Black Marlin seafood restaurant

 

For reservations at Black Marlin please contact Tel 021 786 1621 www.blackmarlin.co.za

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Mulderbosch – wine tasting, pizza and the Angel of Wine

Published September 11, 2012 | By Lesley

Mulderbosch Chenin Blanc vertical tasting, three bottles for R150

It has been quite some time since I visited the original Mulderbosch and Kanu vineyards, and when I heard that these two premises had switched around I decided to pay the new Mulderbosch a visit.

Lunch time was the perfect opportunity as we had heard about their pizzas and were ready to try them out.

On entering the tasting room, we received a vibrant welcome from Cobus (tasting room manager) and the transformation in decor from Kanu to Mulderbosch was beyond recognition.

We decided to order two pizzas and enjoy them on the refurbished deck.  This is ideal for families as there is plenty of space for children to run around, a boules deck, and a range of comfortable lounge seating and regular dining tables and chairs.

Still in the winter season and the only guests, Cobus joined us on the deck and took us through the Mulderbosch wine tasting with our pizza.  Cobus has worked here for the last 14 years and presented the wines with the same enthusiasm as if it was his first week of employement.  With his knowledge and humour it didn’t surprise me to learn that he is known in the community as The Angel of Wine.

The Mulderbosch Sauvignon Blanc has been one of my favourites for years, so I was keen to try the Chenin Blanc vertical tasting as Chenin Blanc is a grape variety which is sometimes ignored.  They were delicious and I took advantage of the special they are running with a vertial pack of Chenin Blanc (three bottles), for only R150.  In addition they give you a tin wine box with a slit in the top and doubles up as a money box.

Only pizzas are available on the menu – this was not an issue for us.  They are prepared fresh to order in a clay oven, and at R75 each, great value.  Depending on your appetite, one pizza between two is probably enough.  If you are group of friends, share a selection between you.

Historically, Mulderbosch put was onto the map by Mike Dobrovic with his racy Sauvignon Blanc and the recognisable wine label, inspired by a Cuban cigar.  Due to the nature of this label, Cobus informed us that each bottle is still labeled by hand.

Mike Dobrovic has recently moved on to new opportunities, and the vineyards were recently purchased by Terroir Capital, the California based investment group and headed up by the American, Charles Banks.

The Mulderbosch vineyards are open Tuesday – Sunday 10am – 6pm.  Pizzas are served between 12pm – 4pm.

Cobus, Tasting room manager (The Angel of Wine)

 

Lady preparing pizzas to order

 

 

Pizza at Mulderbosch vineyard

 

 

 

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Scheduled walking tours in the historic city bowl – first day of spring

Published September 2, 2012 | By Lesley

Carina Korsgaard (Denmark) & Kate Dugger (USA) in the Company Gardens enjoying the walking tour

September 1 and the first day of Spring.  For those of us living here it really did feel like the first day of spring after several weeks of intermittent stormy weather.

Footsteps to Freedom are offering scheduled walking tours around the historic area within the city bowl.  They start at 10.30am from the Taj Hotel and last for around two hours.

It is a leisurely pace and on route we pass heritage buildings, museums and churches.  It is not a regurgitation of facts and figures – but stories are shared about how Cape Town started and the arrary of colourful characters who have shaped our city into what we have today.

There isn’t time to enter the museums and churches.  The 2- hour tour orientates you and suggests ideas about where you would like to return to, either during the afternoon or perhaps another day.

During the tour we will pass by the vibrant African market, Adderley street, the City Hall, the Castle of Good Hope, The District Six museum, The Slave Lodge, Parliament, the Company Gardens and St George’s Cathedral.  On route, any questions are welcome regarding our political history and the wonderful arrary of diverse cultures we have living together in South Africa.

Many flights from Europe arrive in morning and hotel rooms are not available until 2pm.  Time to freshen up and make your way to the Taj hotel to start your walking tour at 10.30am.  On route we can also point you in the right direction for those interested in antiques, boutique shops, art galleries and exclusive African curios.

All the guides are knowledgable with many years experience.  It is also an opportunity to grab some travel advice about other things to do within the region.

It is not essential book, but a good idea to send an email and let Footsteps to Freedom know to expect you.  The price is R200pp which is payable directly to the guide in cash (sorry, no credit cards are accepted).

The tour ends at the Taj Hotel in Cape Town at 12.30pm and you will probably be ready for a break.  Suggestions for a light lunch or coffee:

  • Mint restaurant - located at the Taj Hotel
  • Cafe Mozart – church street (by the art galleries and antique shops), walking distance from the Taj Hotel

Contact Footsteps to Freedom, Garth Angus on mobile +27 83 452 1112 or email inf@footstepstofreedom.co.za

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