With the specials running over the last year, if you haven’t been to blonde yet, then what’s been stopping you?
Sadly, the 50% discount everyday has come to an end but there’s still hope! The good news is that Blonde is currently running a 25% discount off the entire bill from Tuesday to Saturday but it gets better…
Blonde is offering 50% discount off the entire bill on Sundays… Yes! 50! To add to that, they’re now open for lunch on Sundays… So, really, you have no excuse to treat your folks to a great Sunday Lunch that won’t cost you a fortune.
RL and I were there on the weekend, as always the service was impeccable and I can highly recommend the newly added Deboned Lamb Ribs.
Blonde Restaurant / 129 Hatfield Street / Gardens / Tel: 021 462 5793 / Email:dine@blondedining.co.za/www.blondedining.co.za
At the suggestion of a family member we recently journeyed to Stellenbosch for a light lunch and settled upon Apprentice as our restaurant of choice. We were greeted by a wonderful street cafe feel and friendly management, and quickly realised from their newsletter that the name was more than apt as the restaurant is linked to the Institute of Culinary Arts (in case our heading didn’t give it away.) The last time we dined at a culinary school restaurant, we had an absolutely awful experience at Emily’s in the V&A Waterfront. Thankfully, Apprentice was a completely different experience.
The atmosphere was casual and relaxed with friendly staff and a quietly chic feel. An open kitchen allowed you to see the students at work, while large street side windows gave a great view of the buzzing Stellenbosch street.
Menu options were presented on a blackboard and, although small, offered a nice selection of choices from light meals, to vegetarian options and meat dishes. Prices were average for a Cape Town restaurant, but a little high for students, so they’re clearly catering for an older market.
Food itself was tasty with a subtle combination of flavours and elegant presentation. I found my pasta incredibly fresh, although the filling was a little dry and it could have used a touch more sauce while the Caesar Salad looked crisp and appetising. The deserts were perfectly decadent and hit the spot in the way only a good desert can - definitely give the Polenta Almond Cake a try!
Apprentice at The Institute of Culinary Arts / Oude Hoek Centre / Andringa Street / Stellenbosch / Tel: 021 887 8985 / www.icachef.co.za/team_olive.php
If the lunchtime soecials weren’t enough, here are 2 more specials valid every day until the end of the year;
Fillet Special
Buy a 300g fillet for R116, served with chips, rice or baked potato and onion rings and get a side greek salad or sauce of your choice and Ice cream and chocolate sauce for FREE
Rib and Prawn Combo
Buy a 400g juicy spare ribs & 5 succulent prawns for R105.95, served with chips, rice or baked potato and onion rings and get an Ice cream and chocolate sauce for FREE
Dros / Willowbridge / Willow village Lifestyle Centre / Corner of Old Oak & Charles Cornier Street / Tel: 021 914 9701 / www.dros.co.za
Posted on: November 18th, 2010 BHAaaah, Beer…
The Cape Town Festival of Beer is a gathering for beer enthusiasts, connoisseurs and those just wanting to learn more about beer. Set against the scenic backdrop of Table Mountain and the new Cape Town Stadium at Hamilton’s Rugby Club on Green Point Common a short walking distance from the V&A Waterfront.
There will be over twenty breweries, more than fifty different beers and no less than seven different styles of brewing to taste or buy.
At The Cape Town Festival of Beer size doesn’t matter, its about bringing everyone together into one experience, from the micro and home brewers to the mega brewers - it’s about SA’s collective passion for beer.
It’s about beer style and category competitions, master classes and gaining a better understanding of the golden liquid we hold so endearingly to our heart. It’s braai’s and tug of war competitions, lucky draws and taste-off’s. Watch world-class bands and entertainment whilst seated Oktoberfest-style at beer hall tables served by ‘geesfull’ frauleins. Also catch the live screening of the Springbok rugby clash against England on the Saturday.
With a wide variety of food stalls no one’s going hungry and there is secure parking for all.
Public tickets are on sale for each of the three days at R50, with gates opening from 17H00 on Thursday, 25 November and 12H00 on Friday and Saturday.
Corporate package tickets for Thursday, 25 November are on sale for R500 including 10 beer vouchers, tastings, designated table, memorabilia of a shirt and beer mug, meal and entry with the gates opening at 12H00.
The event will end at 23H00 each day with bars closing at 22H00 for alcohol sales.
Merchandise and memorabilia will be on sale throughout the event.
The Cape Town Festival of Beer / Hamilton’s Rugby Club / Green Point Common / info@capetownfestivalofbeer.co.za / capetownfestivalofbeer.co.za
Not just a great spot to watch the game on the weekend, the Dros also sports the following week day specials;
Sunday & Monday Nights - Pure beef and chicken burger served with chips, rice and baked potato and onion rings
Tuesday Night - Buy a 300g rump or sirlion grilled to perfection for R89.95
Wednesday Night - Eat as much juicy spare ribs as you can for R99, served with chips, rice or baked potatoes and onion rings and get a 500ml K-way coke/cream Soda or Fanta FOR FREE.
Thursday Night - Buy a 300g rump or sirlion grilled to perfection for R89.95 served with chips, baked pototoes or rice and onion rings. Get an ice cream and chocolate sauce FOR FREE.
Specials run from 17:00-22:00, No Sharing, No Takeaways.
Dros / Willowbridge / Willow village Lifestyle Centre / Corner of Old Oak & Charles Cornier Street / Tel: 021 914 9701 / www.dros.co.za
Bistro Sixteen82, the cellar door restaurant at Steenberg Vineyards, has become a firm favourite for hearty breakfast fare, leisurely lunches and tasty tapas in the winelands of Constantia since its opening a year ago.
Located within the Steenberg Winery Complex and set amidst the vineyards at the foothills of the Steenberg Mountain, the 70-seater daytime eatery exudes an ambience that embodies opulent and contemporary chic, offering the perfect relaxed summer dining venue, surrounded by reflection pools and water features in an enchanting garden setting.
The new Summer Tapas menu at Bistro Sixteen82 showcases Executive Chef Brad Ball’s culinary flair with a tempting selection of antipasti that includes Chorizo Sausage, Grilled Sardines, Oysters and Beef Tartar.Adding to the buzz is a blackboard depicting the choices of the day. Interesting seafood dishes such as Soft Shell Crab or Gambas Pil Pil with Shelled tiger prawns complement vegetarian choices that include a Cheese Board or Chickpeas and Smoke Paprika, to offer a superb Tapas experience - best savoured at sunset with a glass of Steenberg’s finest! Steenberg wines have a reputation as excellent ‘food wines’, offering a palate pleasing range of cultivars and styles – from its legendary Sauvignon Blancs, Semillon and Cap Classiques, to Shiraz, Merlot and Nebbiolo.
Those who prefer fresh and healthy raw cuisine will revel in the selection at the Raw Food Bar. With its intimate counter seating, the ‘Raw Bar’ allows diners a front row seat while designated chefs prepare sashimi, gravalax, oysters and tartars on order, with a choice of Pink (Norwegian Salmon with fresh lime and chilli) and Red (Chalmar beef with panko crumbed quail egg and ciabatta toasts) as perfect light lunch options.
The seductive ‘Oyster and Bubbly’ Menu is a brand new feature on the menu, offering a choice between wild and cultivated oysters served naturally, or a taste sensation of four different oyster shots, as well as a mouthwatering dish of six delicious Tempura Oysters served either with aioli or Asian dipping sauce. Paired with a glass of the Steenberg 1682 Chardonnay MCC Brut; the Pinot Nor Steenberg 1682 Pinot Noir MCC Brut, or either the elegantly French Billecart Salmon Brut Reserve, or Billecart Salmon Brut Rose, this is an adventurous food and wine indulgence.
If this is not enough ‘raison d’être’ to spur a visit to Bistro Sixteen82, the new á la carte Summer Lunch Menu with its witty twist on familiar themes and old favourites, offers a selection of tasty temptations. With dishes such as Blue Bay Mussels with Coconut milk broth and coriander; Chicken Ballotine with Truffled chicken mousse wrapped in jambon with a cranberry chutney; and the mouth-watering Felchlin Chocolate Tart with cherries and honey comb, the menu certainly lives up to its promise to ‘Indulge’, ‘Inspire’, ‘Rejuvenate’ or ‘Stimulate’ even the most jaded palate.
The restaurant is open daily for breakfast (09:00 – 11:30) and lunch (12:30 – 16:00). Snack platters are available throughout the day from the interactive Raw Food Bar, and the Tapas menu can be enjoyed in the late-afternoon and at sunset (16:30 – 20:00).
Bistro Sixteen82 / Steenberg Estate / Steenberg Road / Tokai / Cape Town / Tel: 021 713 2211 / reservations@bistro1682.co.za / www.steenberg-vineyards.co.za
Until the end of the year, enjoy some free snacks such as mini pizzas, bruschetta & ravioli with your drink.
All bottled beers are charged at R10 and House wine at R15 per glass. Happy Hour runs between 5 -7pm, Monday - Saturday.
The Pasta Factory / 2c Park Road / Gardens / Cape Town / Tel: 021 423 3003 / juliane@pastafactory.co.za / www.pastafactory.co.za
Befitting of River Cafe’s laidback persona and authentic, affordable bistro style dining at Constantia Uitsig, Head Chef Dineel Terblanche has taken over from former Head Chef Scot Kirton currently at La Colombe, bringing with her a wealth of culinary skills and influences gained whilst working abroad throughout Europe.
Born in Johannesburg South Africa, Dineel’s innate passion and affinity towards food lead her to a 3 year culinary experience working as a Private Chef to charted yachts sailing around Scotland, Denmark, Sweden and Spain. Continuously discovering new ingredients in local markets abound and incorporating these into creations of her own, it was Spain’s cathedrals, colourful cuisine and relaxed way of life Dineel fell in love with.
On returning to South Africa Dineel took up her position alongside acclaimed French Chef Grégory Czarnecki, Head Chef of The Restaurant at Waterkloof, garnering the wealth of his knowledge attained through working in some of the finest Michelin star restaurants in France.
Not believing in the confinement of rules, Dineel keeps an open minded approach towards food whilst continuously asserting herself towards new ideas. Her creative approach is passionately reflected in River Cafe’s new menu, which includes delectable fetes of Basil, Butternut and Chorizo Risotto, and pan fried Angelfish served on a warm Spinach, Broccoli and Spring Onion salad with Beetroot Hummus.
Complementing the new menu at River Cafe, Dineel has peerlessly paired the wines of Constantia Uitsig to a new tantalizing selection of tapas served from 15hoo – 18hoo, available at both the River Cafe and The Wine Shop.
Using the freshest local ingredients and wines from the Constantia Valley, Head Chef Dineel Terblanche epitomises the true essence of River Cafe’s cuisine, ambience and approach to life.
Breakfast: 08h30-11h00 (Wed - Sun)
Lunch Bistro: 12h30-14h30 (Wed - Sun)
Dinner Bistro: 18h30-21h30 (Wed-Sat nights only)
From 11th October 2010 River Cafe will once again be open 7 days a week
River Cafe / Constantia Uitsig Wine Estate / Spaanschemat River Road / Constantia / Cape Town / Tel: 021 794 3010 / rivercafe@uitsig.co.za / www.constantia-uitsig.com
Succulent lamb on the spit served with a variety of salads and fresh breads. Bring the family and friends along for a relaxing afternoon of great food, wine and attentive service.
Every first Sunday of the Month at The Quarterdeck Terrace from 12h30 onwards, R 79.00 per person.
The Quarterdeck Restaurant / Portswood Hotel / Portswood Road / V&A Waterfront / Cape Town / Tel: 021 415 1162 / qdeck@legacyhotels.co.za / www.portswood.co.za
Executive Chef, Clayton Bell, reveals new summer inspirations at one of Cape Town’s best-loved alfresco eatery
Now in its eighteenth year, Constantia Uitsig Restaurant continues to feature as one of South Africa’s iconic foodie destinations. Situated on the Constantia Uitsig wine estate against the mountainous Constantia Valley backdrop, overlooking the vineyards, the restaurant combines a breathtaking and stylish setting with a relaxed atmosphere. Expect a fresh, ingredient driven menu with daily specials, matched with an extensive wine list and complemented by friendly personalised service.
The establishment is a second home to Executive Chef Clayton Bell, who has been tantalizing the palates of regulars at Constantia Uitsig for over fourteen years. The secret to the restaurant’s success lies in Clayton’s skill at conceptualising a menu from daily fresh produce to satisfy the requirements of high profile international guests and the discerning local clientele that pass through the doors of the iconic eatery.
“Over the years I’ve built up a selection of signature dishes that our regular guests keep coming back for. I take inspiration from seasonal ingredients to add exciting new flavours to the menu” explains Clayton “The specials board changes daily depending on the fresh ingredients available at the time”.
Constantia Uitsig Restaurant recently reopened after its annual winter closure and the new summer line-up features fresh seasonal ingredients treated with the utmost care to present flavour and balance on the plate. Most of the produce is locally sourced, with speciality products like Italian Parma ham and Parmesan cheese, Greek olive oil and Chalmer beef being imported.
This summer, visitors to the restaurant can look forward to sampling the likes of a refreshing Smoked Tuna Carpaccio with Avocado and Tomato Salsa topped with Mustard and Mint Hollandaise; exotic Pan-fried Quail and Chicken Livers with Oyster Sauce, Chilli, Ginger and Verjuice, served in Puff Pastry; a Spring Salad of Fresh Artichokes, Broad Beans and Green Asparagus with Truffle Dressing; Seared Yellow Fin Tuna with Ribbon Courgettes and Green Peppercorn Sauce; and succulent Pan Seared North Atlantic Scallops with Black Bean and Garlic Sauce.
Clayton likes to keep dessert simple: “Nothing rounds off an alfresco summer meal better than a Fresh Fruit Pavlova, or a glass of Vin Santo paired with a platter of local and imported cheeses and preserves”.
Constantia Uitsig is open 7 days a week; Lunch 12:30 – 14:30; Dinner 19:30 – 21:30
(Closed for lunch on 31 December and New Year’s Day)
Constantia Uitsig Restaurant / Constantia Uitsig Wine Estate / Spaanschemat River Road / Constantia / Cape Town / Tel: 021 794 4480 / restaurant@uitsig.co.za / www.constantia-uitsig.com
