TASTE
What’s your fancy? Seafood? Compulsory – harbour restaurants are best (Harbour House in Kalk Bay, Panama Jack’s in Cape Town). Cape or African cuisine? Biesmiellah in nearby Bo-Kaap or Africa Café (both 5 mins away). For a more dramatic ‘African’ ambience try Moyo at Spier (1 hr). Asian? Mostly good, better with views: Wakame in Mouille Point (10 mins) and Wang Thai in Milnerton have spice with stunning views (15 mins). Fine food can also be found at fusion-fantastic Ginja (3 mins), über-stylish Manolo’s (3 mins) and Kalk Bay’s Olympia Café (fresh tuna: I hr). Out into the Western Cape the choice expands to Stellenbosch (Tokara, Terroir,Taste) and foody haven Franschhoek (Reuben’s, Le Quartier Français, Bread & Wine). Best of the best? Constantia Uitsig in the Constantia winelands (30 mins). Want to cook? Try the local organic Neighbour Goods Market at the Old Biscuit Factory (Sat only: 5 mins) and for food shopping visit the stylish Gardens Centre Shopping Centre (10 mins).
South Africa makes some excellent wine, much good wine and a lot of ordinary wine. Prices vary accordingly. There are nearly 20 wine regions but amongst the best are Cape Point, Constantia, Durbanville, Franschhoek, Paarl, Robertson, Stellenbosch, Walker Bay and up and coming Darling. All are within 90 mins drive of 01 Bridge Street, with Robertson a little further: Constantia and Durbanville are the closest (30 mins). The best whites are coastal, the best reds mature inland. You can taste on the farms in many cases and often eat well too. The scenery often stuns as well – the Hemel en Arde (Heaven & Earth) valley speaks for itself (Walker Bay). Quirky highlights are the Goats and their cheese at Fairview (Paarl), the Chocolate at Waterford (Stellenbosch), the Sabrage at Cabrière (Franschhoek) and the River Boat at Viljoensdrift (Robertson). The Full Monty on SA Wines (some 6,000 in all) is to be found in the annual John Platter Wine Guide. If you’re serious about wine, get one!
FINE DINING, FAB DELIS & FOOD MARKETS
Live here and you can’t keep up… in Cape Town you’re spoilt for excellent choice – seafood, Thai, Indian, African, Japanese and a Fusion feast. How to choose?
Live here and you can’t keep up… in Cape Town you’re spoilt for excellent choice – seafood, Thai, Indian, African, Japanese and a Fusion feast. How to choose?
What’s your fancy? Seafood? Compulsory – harbour restaurants are best (Harbour House in Kalk Bay, Panama Jack’s in Cape Town). Cape or African cuisine? Biesmiellah in nearby Bo-Kaap or Africa Café (both 5 mins away). For a more dramatic ‘African’ ambience try Moyo at Spier (1 hr). Asian? Mostly good, better with views: Wakame in Mouille Point (10 mins) and Wang Thai in Milnerton have spice with stunning views (15 mins). Fine food can also be found at fusion-fantastic Ginja (3 mins), über-stylish Manolo’s (3 mins) and Kalk Bay’s Olympia Café (fresh tuna: I hr). Out into the Western Cape the choice expands to Stellenbosch (Tokara, Terroir,Taste) and foody haven Franschhoek (Reuben’s, Le Quartier Français, Bread & Wine). Best of the best? Constantia Uitsig in the Constantia winelands (30 mins). Want to cook? Try the local organic Neighbour Goods Market at the Old Biscuit Factory (Sat only: 5 mins) and for food shopping visit the stylish Gardens Centre Shopping Centre (10 mins).
A CORNUCOPIA OF CAPE WINE
There are 100,000 hectares of Cape soil under vine – and over 500 wine cellars crushing grapes white and red. So if you like wine, here are some pointers.
There are 100,000 hectares of Cape soil under vine – and over 500 wine cellars crushing grapes white and red. So if you like wine, here are some pointers.
South Africa makes some excellent wine, much good wine and a lot of ordinary wine. Prices vary accordingly. There are nearly 20 wine regions but amongst the best are Cape Point, Constantia, Durbanville, Franschhoek, Paarl, Robertson, Stellenbosch, Walker Bay and up and coming Darling. All are within 90 mins drive of 01 Bridge Street, with Robertson a little further: Constantia and Durbanville are the closest (30 mins). The best whites are coastal, the best reds mature inland. You can taste on the farms in many cases and often eat well too. The scenery often stuns as well – the Hemel en Arde (Heaven & Earth) valley speaks for itself (Walker Bay). Quirky highlights are the Goats and their cheese at Fairview (Paarl), the Chocolate at Waterford (Stellenbosch), the Sabrage at Cabrière (Franschhoek) and the River Boat at Viljoensdrift (Robertson). The Full Monty on SA Wines (some 6,000 in all) is to be found in the annual John Platter Wine Guide. If you’re serious about wine, get one!