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PAM'S FOODIE UPDATE ON WHAT IS NEW IN THE CAPE THIS SEASON:

  1. The Grand Cafe & Beach - This has recently opened (Jan 2010) next door to the Waterfront in Granger Bay in the old Powerboat club.  As this area is on the water and boasts wonderful views, they have added to the experience by bringing in sand to create their own beach.  One can book for cocktails on the beach - they have couches and tables and chairs or you can book for lunch or dinner - but you must book to visit.  They have interesting system where bookings can be made via text message (+27-725862052)
     or via e-mail beach@thegrand.co.za We have not eaten there yet, but have popped in for a delicious cocktail on the beach.  We loved it! What a setting! The staff were wonderfully friendly and down to earth.  www.thegrand.co.za Note that the Grand has another restaurant on Camps Bay Beach that opened last year and they also have a restaurant and small hotel in Plettenberg Bay.
  2. Tintswalo Atlantic - If you are looking for something really really special or romantic in order to propose to the girl of your dreams or for a small gathering of friends celebrating a birthday - then it is well worth splashing out on this little hidden gem.  This exclusive little hotel is hidden on the Chapman's peak road, about 500m after you have entered the toll road you will see a sign on the right for the hotel.  They then take you down to the hotel which is right on the sea.  Your lunch or dinner starts with drinks and snacks and then a three course meal.  The cost of the meal is around R600 per person - and it is worth every cent to be in such a lovely location.  The staff are fantastic and warm and friendly.  You will feel completely taken care of and relaxed.  +27 (0) 87 754 9300  http://www.tintswalo.com/Atlantic/about_hotel.html 
  3. Bistro 1682 - Wow - you have head through to Steenberg Wine Farm in Constantia to check out the amazing decor in the new tasting room.  As part of the renovations they included space for a new restaurant.  The result is spectacular.  I headed through to go and try it out today - however the secret is now out and they were fully booked - and they have just opened!  The combo of an enticing looking menu, well priced meal options, gorgeous decor and a large outdoor area on one of our few hot days this summer so far must have pulled in the crowds for the day!  This is now definately on top of my "hit" list to visit next! Tel 021713 2211, e-mail brad@bistro1682.co.za www.steenberg-vineyards.co.za
  4. The Bombay Bicycle Club – This is the new restaurant from the Madame Zingara team (a restaurant in Cape Town that was known for eccentricity, entertaining staff and great ambiance) It is also the current “in” spot in Cape Town and as such bookings are currently about a week to two weeks in advance.  Still worth a call on the night as they do get cancellations.  Reviewers have rated the food as “average” – but the ambiance and eccentricity of the place is rated highly and a such it seems to be drawing the crowds in.  Cuisine – bistro like – a real mixture of different dishes on offer.   158 Kloof street.  Tel +27 21 423 68 05
  5. The Eastern Food  Bazarre -  This is a great new addition to Cape Town which has been opened by the owners of the Jewel of India restaurant in the Waterfront.  They have recreated an Indian Souk environment.  The restaurant spans a whole city block and has several serving stations that specialize in different things.  As such walk the whole length of the counter before you order.  They are offering Indian cuisine at affordable prices based on the premise that they will be selling large quantities.  Sources advise me that they are already selling around 7000 meals a day! The cost of a curry is a mere R30 – it is not the same quality as the top end restaurants – but you cannot have expectations that it would be! I loved my visit there.  The place is buzzing and it is great for people watching.  Everything is for sale – including the doors that you enter to get into the restaurant.  Address – The Wellington, Darling Street (or enter from 96 Longmarket Street), City Bowl.  Tel no +27 21 461 2458.  Note that they are only open until 9pm each night and that while you can eat your dinner there – they offer you plastic knives and forks!  This is also the perfect spot to pick up take-aways from.
  6. The Duchess of Wisbeach, Seapoint - small intimate restaurant that aims to be relaxed, laid back and offer good value for money.  Opened by chef Theresa Beukes who has moved to Cape Town from Joburg.  Theresa owned Sam's cafe in Melville and Fino in Parktown North.  Make sure you make a booking as they have only been open a month and are already fully booked.  Address: The courtyard building, No 3 Wisbeach Rd, Seapoint.  Tel 021 434 1525
  7. Portofino - this restaurant has taken the place of the Showroom in Greenpoint.  It has been opened by a young Irishman named Cormac Keane.  Cormac is a passionate foodie who has been eating out constantly since he was 17 - as such he knows what he likes in a restaurant.  Prices are suprisingly reasonable - starters from R45, pastas R50 - R85 and mains from R105.  Reports state that he is a charming host and that it is worth a trip just for the Lindt desserts! I popped in to try Portofino - no Cormac in sight - the food was good and excellent value for money, the Lindt chocolate dessert did not disappoint and was excellent.  I have been back to Portofino and had a really relaxed lunch there.  Cormac is lovely and a charming host.  Corner hospital and chiappini street, Greenpoint.  Tel +27 21418 4500

  8. The new Cape Quarter has opened in De Waterkant - this is a wonderful new shopping centre and boasts some new restaurants - most notable are Vanilla - apparently R7 million was spent on the decor and my personal coffee shop favourite Lazari which offers great value for money meals and coffees in a realxed setting.  Vanilla is erring towards fine dining in its offering, with prices to match!  

  9. Greenpoint saw a flurry of new restaurants opening such as Bouillabaisse – sadly this was in a bad location and as such they have moved to the Cape Royale hotel and opened the restaurant under a new name of Camils - I have not been to try it yet - will report back once I have.

  10. Spaanschemat River Cafe at Constantia Uitsig is an old favourite in Cape Town for a relaxing long lunch outside.  However in the last year or so the food has not been mind blowing.  Uitsig have just sent out a press release to say that Luke Dale Roberts (chef at La Colombe one of the Top 10 restaurants in the country) will be working with Uitsig to recreate the menu and has appointed his protégé, Scot Kirton, as the Head Chef of the new River Café and we are excited to announce that, from 15th December 2009, the River Café will be open for dinner from 18h30 – 22h00.  They are open 7 days a week.To book, please contact 021 794 3010 or rivercafe@uitsig.co.za

  11. Maharaja - this restaurant has always been renowned as a great Indian Restaurant in Cape Town.  They were forced to close in Long street and had problems in their new location.  They have just opened (Dec 09) in a new location on Kloof Nek Road (corner of Woodside road) in Tamboerskloof - I will definately be heading there shortly to try it out. Tel +27 21 424 6607

UPDATE FROM END OF 2009:

Well, it seems that two restaurateurs spotted  a major gap in the market at the same time (end 2009):  there is a high demand from visitors to the Cape to try our delicious African steak……………..and yet, there was nowhere that I would have highly recommended that people go to experience it.  As such the Cape has seen the opening of two “meat” concept restaurants this year – Carne and HQ (details now under Pam's favourite restaurants section).   Another trend that seems to be hitting the Cape in the last year is the gourmet burger theme and the movement of some of Cape Town's top chefs into the winelands.  The latest opening at the end of November will be Jardine at Jordon Estate in Stellenbosch.

 

  1. GOURMET BURGER RESTAURANTS  - the newest spot to open for gourmet burgers is  BEEFCAKES on Somerset Rd in Greenpoint.  Beefcakes opened in Nov 09. Located in the heart of the gay heartland,  its theme is a camp glam burger bar.  The decor is a fun mix of pink and white, with flmingos and an undercurrent of 60's authentic burger bar feel.  The burgers were good, the meat patty excellent and the ambiance relaxed.  Anybody would feel comfortable there and enjoy the warm welcoming hospitality of the hosts.  Tel no: +27 21 425 9019. www.beefcakes.co.za  A couple of other places for you to go and experiment if you are into good burgers are:  

    Hudsons - NEW - on Kloof Street in the city.  As with anything that is new and hip – it is best to book before you go!  Hudsons has been open about two months and is packed every night at the moment – admittedly it is a tiny restaurant.  The burgers are excellent – so go and try them out.  69A Kloof Street, city. Tel 021 426 5974.

The Fire and Ice Hotel  - this hotel is hip and has a wonderful bar area to come and enjoy drinks or decadent milk shakes – eg try the Lindt chocolate milk shake – however the biggest secret is their amazing huge range of burgers that they have on offer.  We found the restaurant well priced, had good service and were not chucked out after spending 5 hours at lunch! 

Café Royale – location top of Long Street – this restaurant has been going for a few years now – it is simple, chic and uncluttered.  It is well worth a visit.  The burgers are good.  Note that there is a nice little bar upstairs for drinks before or after.

Gourmet Burger – naturally someone would have chosen this as a name!  They offer a huge range of burgers and are located at the lower end of Long Street (near Strand street)

  1. There has been a sudden scurry of new restaurants opening in Camps Bay.  Camps Bay is our “Miami area” in Cape Town.  It boasts a wonderful long beach with palm trees and a row of bars and restaurants that overlook it.  This is the best spot to watch the sun setting accompanied by sundowner drinks.  As it is so gorgeous, one simply does not mind the fact that there are very few gourmet gems on the strip.  Four new restaurants have opened on the stretch and I will have to try them and report back on them.  They are however quite highly priced and as such it may take me a while!  The new restaurants all boast glamorous interiors and good ocean views.   They are:
    • The Grand – a couple of friends have reported having excellent meals there – they also suggested it was best done on account as a business lunch!
    • Cove – Looks like fine dining – recent Irish visitors returned there 3 times for dinner
    • Bungalow – Have been a couple of times now to Bungalow - this is a fantastic location, with funky decor and great lounge type music - you cannot stop yourself from simply relaxing and unwinding - I could spend hours here.  The food is average and nothing to write home about - but who cares when it is such a lovely setting?
  2. Three new restaurants open this December in the Coral hotel in the Bo-Kaap (corner Whale and Buitengracht).  This is our first DRY hotel opened by Arabs in the city.  The hotel includes three fully halal eateries and restaurants - the 88-seater Rumours which allows all day dining from an eclectic menu, the 66-seater Indian restaurant Mezbaan (Indian specialty Restaurant) and the 35-seater Shisha outlet, Al Zaeem which has a decidedly Arab flavour.

HERMANUS:

  1. Hermanos - looks interesting - check out http://www.hermanos.co.za

 
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