The Company's Garden Restaurant

I am final year at last but that also means that my time for exploring and socialising are way less than before :( BUT this weekend was one of my off weekends and I visited a great place Saturday morning for brunch.

Madame Zingara has worked their magic again to revamp the old Company's Garden Restaurant to a hot spot for young and old. It has a lovely and relaxing atmosphere with ample seating underneath the large historic trees and little 'egg nests' where you can  hide away from the crowds or take that 'Instagram' photo :)

Welcome to The Company's Garden Restaurant

The place was packed when we arrived and we waited about 15 minutes to get a table. The wait was fine as you can wander through the gardens, watch the squirrels play or if you have a massive phobia for birds like me be constantly at war with all the pigeons that the crowds are feeding.

You can enjoy a birds eye view of the gardens

 

Loads of places to sit around and relax

The front of house and waiters are very friendly. Service at times was slow but always done with a smile. The restaurant was completely full so one could understand why. I would not recommend them for a quick lunch. You should really come and relax here and take in the surroundings.


The restaurant completely full!


They specialise in breakfast and light lunches. Breakfast will cost you between R39 - R78. I enjoyed delicious banana bread French toast served with crispy bacon, strawberries and maples syrup. I'm a big French toast lover and the twist with the banana bread really made theirs unique. It was too die for and presented beautifully. My brunch guest enjoyed some toasted sandwiches and a omelette.

Yummy!!

 

You can choose your next Cape Town spot with this cute compass



Lovely brunch!

There were some tiny faults. I asked for my maple syrup on the side and I received my bacon on the side. The omelette was requested with ciabatta bread and my friend receive rye bread. The one side salad with the sandwiches was served with salad dressing while the other one had no dressing. Tiny faults that did not ruin our experience but also something that should not happen.

Loved this Cape Town gem!

Other food to try are salads, burgers, pasta, fish of the day and ploughman platters.

Their wine by the glass start at R30 and a bottle of wine from R125 upwards. It's a lovely spot to go for a late afternoon wine and cheese session.

Oh and I saw some delicious baked goods go past our table. Think red velvet cheesecake, koeksisters and more! My next visit will definitely be for tea and cake!

Visit The Company's Garden for simple but delicious food but more so for the great vibe and beautiful surroundings! I will be back soon!



For more information visit their website
Like them on Facebook
Contact them at companysgarden@madamezingara.com or 021 423 2919 for a reservation
Visit them Monday-Sunday 07:00-18:00

The Twankey Bar at The Taj Hotel

Cape Town has a lot of great drink spots and you can add The Twankey Bar to that list. Located in The Taj Hotel it has an elegant feel. It's the perfect spot to stop by for a quick drink before heading out to dinner or a show.

I enjoyed a  rose and hibiscus mojito(R50). Other mojitos you can try are grapefruit, chilli, cucumber and kiwi. They look huge but they do add a lot of ice. Complimentary popcorn is served while you enjoy your drinks.  CBC and Jack black are available as drafts for the boys!

 

Rose and hibiscus mojito

 

Pink grapefruit mojito

 

If you want something of substance you can choose between tapas, curry, salad, chacuterie platters and more.

They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner but I would have to head back to them before I can recommend anything.

Service was friendly and efficient.

They have specials for every day of the week. The Monday special looked enticing to me. For R90 you receive chicken tikka with naan or rice and 3 craft beers or wine.

Cheers and enjoy!

Tweet them @twankeybar
Located in Wale street
Visit them Monday-Saturday 07:00-23:00 or Saturday 14:00-24:00
For more information visit their website
Free wifi

L'Ormarins Queensplate

 
The 154th L'Ormarins Queensplate is one party I won't miss in 2015! I attended the event for the first time last year and had a blast. To be honest I wasn't too involved in making any bets or watching the races but I did have a great time with my friends. Some of my party however were lucky winners...

The lucky winner

It's an elegant event where everyone dresses in shades of blue and white. There are numerous bars and footstalls to quench the thirst and keep away the hunger pains. After all the races are finished the after party will start where you can dance and celebrate into the Saturday night. Here are some pictures of our fun times:

Many spots to chill with your friends



Lounging about and enjoying the day outside



Let the good times roll

The Style Lounge

The place was packed with well dressed people all ready to party!

DJ Fresh

Happy!

See you again next year!

Ticket options are the following:

• Style lounge entry at R300 pp
• Entrance into the Style Lounge Village
• Ticket allows access to the horse racing as well as the after party featuring DJ Lora and Princess Scilla
• Access to purchase from wine bars, bars and food concessionaires
• Access to car displays by the Franschhoek Motor Museum
• Tote facilities available
• Parking on the in-field at Kenilworth Race Course, with the overflow parking area at Wynberg Sports Club
• Paddock site at R6000 for table of 10
• 10 x Entrance tickets into the Style Lounge Village
• a private, decorated and shaded area for ten people, limited to eight sites
• 2 bottles of Protea Sauvignon Blanc, 2 bottles of Protea Merlot, 10 Peroni’s, a bottle of SKYY vodka and ten Red Bull’s
• Ticket allows access to the horse racing as well as the after party featuring DJ Lora and Princess Scilla
• Access to purchase from wine bars, bars and food concessionaires
• Access to car displays by the Franschhoek Motor Museum
• Tote facilities available
• Parking on the in-field at Kenilworth Race Course, with the overflow parking area at Wynberg Sports Club
• Stud club at R1200 pp
• An exclusive, secure and private area in a prime location along the rail that is limited to 900 people
• A decorated area with private bars, private totes, lounge areas and cocktail seating
• Complimentary L’Ormarins wines and Peroni as well as a private cash bar
• Complimentary light lunch and snacks will be served
• On site make up artists for touch ups throughout the day
• Private tote and bar facilities
• Entrance into the Style Lounge Village and the Stud Club for access to the horseracing as well as the after party featuring DJ Lora and Princess Scilla
• Access to car displays by the Franschhoek Motor Museum
• Parking on the in-field at Kenilworth Race Course, with the overflow parking area at Wynberg Sports Club

The details

• When: 10th January 2015
• Time: 11:00-23:00
• Dress code: Smart and elegant in shades of blue and white. No jeans, shorts or fancy dress allowed.
• Parking: Parking is available on the in-field at Kenilworth Race Course off Wetton Road for all guests who have pre-purchased event tickets. Alternative parking is available at the Wynberg Sports Club.
• Where: Corner of Rosemead Avenue and Wetton Road, Kenilworth, Cape Town
• Transport: Queensplate has partnered with Uber to ensure safe transport for all. If you use the promocode, LQP2015, you will receive R200 off

Tickets available from Computicket! See you there!

For more information visit the official website
Tweet them @LQPCT
Like them on Facebook
Instagram lqpct

The new Haas still 'Haas it'

Welcome

I popped in at the new Haas last week after a lovely promenade walk! They've moved from the Bo-Kaap area to 19 Buitekant street which is a few buildings down from Truth .

I really prefer the new spot. It's larger, so more customers can share in the goodness of Haas, and I love the décor more. They still have their usual bric and brac everywhere but the earthy tones they used overall really adds a stylish feel to the place.
You can read  about my first visit to Haas here when they still were located at their old spot.

The counter with all the yummy treats

 As we entered Haas their array of sweet treats at the bar counter looked delicious. We rather opted to enjoy a late brunch but next time sweet treats WILL be ordered.

Stylish new space

I was joined but my friend Kerry who is also big lover of French toast so naturally we both ordered that. Both of us had some requests around our order and Haas delivered. The French toast is made from baguette style bread and they serve it nice and crisp. For R48 this really was a delicious sweet breakfast. They add some strawberries for garnish, but I would love them to add some more to the dish, as it helps to neutralise some of the sweetness.

Yummy!

Their coffee is awesome and I am sorry to say(or not) that I prefer theirs to neighbour Truth.
Kerry specifically commented on their coffee to milk ratio that she loved which some coffeehouses really get wrong at times. Haas was spot on! They also don't roll their eyes if you add sugar to your coffee.

Where the coffee magic happens!

If you visit them during lunch time you can feast on sandwiches, salads and curries. A bit of the Bo-Kaap lingers at Haas as their bunny chows are still on the menu! They also have lunch specials that changes daily.

One of my favourite décor pieces was this basin!

Service was friendly and efficient! Our waitress Phumza was a sweetheart!

The new Haas really makes me more excited than the old one! I will be back ASAP!

Open Monday-Friday 07:00-17:00 and Saturday-Sunday 08:00-15:00
Contact them at 021 461 1812 or info@haascollective.com
Like them on Facebook
Tweet them @haascoffee or @haascollective
For more information visit their website

Current menu

On 19 at The Westin

One of the restaurants at The Westin Cape Town was recently revamped and relaunched. The Executive Club Restaurant was given a R1,1 million face-lift and also renamed to On 19. The boyfriend took me there for a belated birthday dinner and post-exam celebration.

Newly revamped On 19

I was really excited as I knew absolutely nothing about the restaurant. As the name states it is situated on the 19th floor. The view is amazing and the whole restaurant is surrounded by glass windows giving you a view of Table Mountain, Cape Town harbour, Cape Town Stadium and Signal Hill. It was cool to see the sun set and watch Cape Town come to life to enjoy their Friday evening.


Awesome view



City preparing for Friday evening

We arrived early as we wanted to enjoy the view and watch the sun set. I started my evening with a berry daiquiri(R45). It was really disappointing. It was warm and tasted like an artificial smoothie. It was as if they did not make it with ice. I did not finish it. Cocktails range between R45-R90 and the majority of your classic cocktails are on offer.  The boyfriend enjoyed a Devils Peak brewery first light golden ale.

The drinks

Part of their relaunch is that you can enjoy a two course for R260 or a three course for R300. Initially we decided to enjoy a two course meal.


For starters I tried the ramen noodles(R80). I've not had a dish like this before and wanted to try it as I know that the creators of Lefty's has opened Cape Town's first Ramen Noodle Bar a few months ago. This dish is a Japanese noodle soup dish consisting of wheat based noodles in a meat or fish broth flavoured with soy sauce or miso. I chose the charisa pork, grilled octopus, chicken with scallion, shitake mushroom and red cabbage combination. This was a very meaty dish and can be enjoyed as a main meal. To me the dish lacked flavour. As I ve never had a dish like this before I can't really compare it to what it should taste like but it needed something extra for me.

The Ramen noodles

The boyfriend had the lamb and goats cheese fritters(R80) served with red pepper humus, grilled corn and a cumcumber and tomato salsa. This was delicious and the dipping sauces were so good I wanted to eat them solo!

Lamb fritters

For mains I had the age beef fillet with cauliflower mash, biltong confit onion and choron sauce(R195). The beef was tender and cooked to my liking. The cauliflower mash was also something I've never had but 'banting' friends told me about it and I also enjoyed it. All the components of the dish worked well together and there was a smokiness to the dish that really paired well with my glass of Blaauwklippen cabernet sauvignon.

Beef fillet

The boyfriend chose the wagyu beef, turkey bacon, brown mushroom and cheddar cheese burger (R120) served with battered onion rings, thick cut fries and one of the BEST home-made tomato sauces I have ever had. One thing that stood out for me at On 19 was that their sauces and salsas were very good. The burger I would definitely recommend.

Wagyu burger

Initially we decided to do a two course meal. In the end the boyfriend chose dishes that were less than R260. They still charged him for a two course meal which I feel was unfair. We however did not say anything because we were not in the mood for a confrontation.

The highlight of our evening was our waitress Lizzy. She was kind, attentive and very welcoming. We really enjoyed her!


I personally feel that the 'hotel restaurant feeling' is still there and that something has to be done to create some ambiance. It seemed as if the majority of the guests were foreigners and guests of the hotel. They can maybe put real candles on the tables and play some cool background music. They just need something extra to warrant what they charge for their dishes.

On 19

The food is nice and the view is great but they did not tick every box to my liking so I can't splurge like that again for a meal. My tip would be to visit them for a drink and a snack and if you like what you see then do enjoy a meal there.


For more information visit their website
Visit them at Lower Long Street, Convention square, Cape Town
Contact them at 021 412 9050
Tweet them @WestinCPT
Like them on Facebook

High tea at The Cape Grace

I enjoyed a wonderful high tea at The Cape Grace this weekend. My initial visit to this establishment was when I tried out their renowned whiskey bar Bascule earlier this year which is THE place to take anyone that loves whiskey.


The Cape Grace hosts their high tea in their beautiful library room with this amazing view...


Not too shabby hey ...



Sorry for the bad light but how relaxing does this window seat look!



The Library room


I loved the atmosphere at The Cape Grace and could have stayed at that window seat for hours. It was very relaxing after a hectic few months I've recently experienced. Next time I think I will stay till there until dinner time :)
 
I can confidently say that the 'eats' were just as sweet as the view. Now initially I was a bit hesitant as The Cape Grace offer their high tea on a tiered stand and you don't have free reign to a sweet treat buffet as at other Cape Town high teas. Sorry I must sound greedy, but I'm a cake addict! Luckily what they serve delivers 100% and was more than enough shared between two.
 
The classic high tea is R185 pp and comes with unlimited tea and coffee as well as the following three tiered stand


I could not wait to start tasting...



Yummy!

 

• Tier 1
• Plain and mustard seed scones served with jam, cheese, lemon curd and cream.
• The scones were delicious and light. I especially enjoyed the mustard seed scones!
• Tier 2
• A selection of cucumber, salmon and egg mayonnaise sandwiches.
• This was the tier I was least impressed with. The salmon sandwiches were to die for but the others were not mind blowing and the bread was a dried out so I think they were made very early in the morning. Hopefully not the previous night!
• Tier 3
• Pistachio and salted caramel macaroons
• The salted caramel macaroon was the clear winner. It definitely ranks as one of my top 5 macaroons I've tasted.
• White chocolate and berry cheesecake
•  Smooth, creamy and the sweet white chocolate paired perfectly with the sour berries.
• Passion fruit and white chocolate tart on a Ferrero Rocher base
• This was my favourite dessert of the afternoon! The combination of the above elements clearly tells you why! I did not want that Ferrero Rocher base to end!
• Cream filled choux bun
• The choux pastry was above standard! Very nice!
• A plain vanilla type of cake
• This was my least favourite item of the day. Dry and unimaginative. We did not really eat it.

 
I enjoyed a pot of chamomile as well as earl grey blue flower tea  and will recommend both of them. Start with the chamomile tea as it helps to balance out the sweetness of the high tea initially. The tea is served in the famous Nigro teapot. A high tea does not feel the same to me if these pots are not present :)


Relaxing and enjoying the view



My favourite tea pot!

 
If you want to add a glass of sparkling wine to your high tea it will cost your R255pp. If you're not in the mood for the full blown high tea you can come and enjoy a slice of home-made cake for R50. The Library Room is really beautiful and you would still have a lovely and relaxing time.They had chocolate and carrot cake when we visited and it looked decadent and delicious!
 
Service was excellent and we felt very welcome during our high tea! I would highly recommend them as well as rate them as one of the most 'valuable' high teas in Cape Town.
 
For more information visit their website
Contact them at 021 410 7100 or signal@capegrace.com
Tweet them @CapeGrace
Like them on Facebook
 
My Top 3 High teas in Cape Town

• The Table Bay Hotel
• One and Only
• Cape Grace

I am very excited to announce that next year I will be able to report back on the high tea at The Oyster Box Hotel as I am heading there for a quick holiday after my final year medicine exams! I hear it's legendary! Can't wait!