Author: Media Two

The child-friendly Houw Hoek Hotel is situated in the heart of the Kogelberg Nature Reserve, a leisurely 80 km from Cape Town, just off the N2 freeway. This perfect position, between majestic mountains and beautiful ponds, makes it the ideal place for a great family holiday. But it’s not just the location that makes this place so special. It’s the hospitality and service that really makes you feel right at home in this beautiful location. It’s no surprise then that it has won a string of awards including The Haute Grandeur Global Excellence Awards – The Best Scenic Environment Hotel in South Africa and The Best Historical Hotel in South Africa.

They offer so much to keep the family entertained all day long – two swimming pools, two games rooms and a host of outdoor activities. There’s putt-putt, slides, canoes, trampolines, jungle gyms, jumping castles and more! This hotel is any child and parent’s dream. 

Built in 1779, it is the oldest licensed hotel in South Africa. Most of the existing ground floor building dates from 1779. The upper storey was added in 1860 and since then the hotel has been progressively extended. The adjoining old farm buildings have been converted into wedding and conference venues retaining their original character.

They have two restaurants, with delicious menu’s that blend traditional South African cuisine with modern innovations. These relaxed meals are complimented by an extensive wine list. Special note, you have to try their legendary breakfasts which everybody knows is one of the best in the Cape. Their brand new open-plan loggia has stunning panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. 

There are 77 beautifully appointed rooms all with en-suite bathrooms. There are double rooms as well as family rooms and most rooms have private balconies with magnificent views of the surrounding mountains. 

And if you do want to venture out there is so much to do in this beautiful part of the Overberg. From Zip Lining to 4X4 Trails there is something for everyone. 

This hotel is every child and parent’s dream

And the winner is!

The best of the best. Wikus Human has beat the top sommelier’s in the country to be named the Best Sommelier in South Africa for 2021 by the South African Sommeliers Association (SASA). Human is the head sommelier at The Marble Restaurant, proudly one of our clients.

This isn’t the first time Human has been honoured. He was also named Best Young Sommelier in SA in 2017.  “It’s the biggest lifetime achievement for me, all the hard work I have put in with my team for the last five years paid off”, says Human. 

To win he had to do numerous tests, including a food and wine pairing in a very limited time.“It was a six-course menu, which you had to study within two minutes, which was quite quick. According to ASI [Association de la Sommellerie] from six different continents, you had to choose one wine from every continent to pair with the food within five minutes.”  And to add to the pressure it is all done orally so contestants couldn’t write down their guesses. All his experience gained at Marble has certainly paid off. 

“As a good sommelier, you can quickly provide what wine you can pair with, what would work well to compliment all dishes that are on the table,” he explains. 

Human was quite confident that his pairings would be spot on. His tip for the perfect food-and-wine pairing is selecting the wines first, making it easier when creating your dishes.

In the past couple of years, South Africa’s wines have won much acclaim and Human says the quality of the country’s wines in the last five to 10 years has improved drastically. 

“South Africa continues to climb to the top… We have so much value for money here and we have exceptional wines that can definitely stand up to some of the international wines.”

We send our biggest congratulations to Wikus Human and the Marble Group on this sterling achievement. 

Cape Town’s ever popular and vibey Bree Street is home to what is fast becoming a firm local favourite. As this restaurant puts it,  ‘Simple things don’t need to be complicated. Food should be delicious, wine should match, and company should be merry and joyful.’

The Royal Oyster Bar is a a brutal antonym to fine dining with a loud “NO!” to extravagances like mousses, vinaigrette’s, geleés… and the rest.

They’ve got an impressive selection of oysters available – from Champagne oysters to Saldanha Bay oysters to Giant oysters, all served fresh with a condiment of your choice.

The menu doesn’t just stop at oysters though, they open early for breakfast all the way through to dinner and they’ve also got some amazing cocktails on offer.

Breakfast dishes range from oysters served with buttered brioche and bubbles to creamy eggs Benedict. The lunch and dinner menu has an outstanding selection of starters, fish, meat and vegetarian options. There really is something for everyone. 

The interiors are simple and to the point. The crowd is cosmopolitan but unpretentious and the prices are reasonable. If you are looking to unwind and enjoy really good pure food, then look no further. Add an oyster or two with a glass of bubbles and a side of good company. What more could really want?

Simply too pretty to eat. With fierce competition in the industry, Bakers are pulling out all the stops to impress their guests. These incredible floral creations must certainly take the cake!

Cape Point Vineyards is uniquely located in Noordhoek on the Cape Peninsula, where it is set majestically against the slopes of the famous Chapman’s Peak mountain range and overlooks the nearby Atlantic Ocean – a mere 1,2km’s away.

Cool sea breezes along with ancient mountain soils make for a late growing season that results in a world class Sauvignon Blanc, with mineral tones and great complexity.

THE RESTAURANT

It is almost impossible to find a restaurant with a better view. While guests take it all in from the deck their kids can run free throughout the expansive lawns.  That’s not to say that this is all that makes this restaurant great. Their food is a draw card in itself. Executive chef Jonathan Gargan (formerly of One&Only Cape Town) oversees a seasonally driven à la carte menu offering a range of fresh seafood and game dishes. And of course the food is accompanied by an extensive wine list that includes Cape Point Vineyards’ own range.

WINE TASTING

Situated in the restaurant, the tasting room provides an opportunity to sample the Sauvignon Blancs’ for which these vineyards are renowned. The unique location, where ocean winds cool the grapes, produces a vintage with special flavours that are recognised around the world.

The tasting experience offers five vintages, including the estate’s flagship wine, the Isliedh (named after owner Sybrand van der Spuy’s first grandchild), which currently holds the Old Mutual Trophy for the best white blend in South Africa, and a five-star rating from Platter’s Wine Guide.

PICNICS

Sources such as Getaway Magazine, The Inside Guide, Cape Town Magazine and Eat Out, regularly refer to Cape Point Vineyards as one of the best Vineyard Picnic experiences in and around Cape Town. Spend an afternoon enjoying a relaxed picnic accompanied by their magnificent wines and breath-taking views. The picnic set up includes picnic blankets and prism shaped pillows for your comfort.

FUNCTIONS

They also offer exclusive use function packages. This is possibly the most idyllic location to have your event in the Cape, if not the world.

Cape Point Vineyards is truly a special place and we are extremely proud to call them one of our long standing clients. We wish the team every further success ahead!

Hello Darling!

Proudly one of our clients, Goddess Cafe is THE place to enjoy in decadent desserts, sumptuous salads and glass after glass of pink bubbles! And of course their coffees are to die for ! This restaurant chains knows its clientele who flock in their Gucci heels to branches in Waterkloof, Southdowns and Linden.

So what is a Goddess? Well as their website puts it, “A goddess is a woman who is in the process of learning to know, accept and love herself on all levels. Mind, body and spirit. A woman who, because she is focused on personal growth and self-awareness, experiences a life, increasingly filled with peace, love, joy, passion and fun. A woman that understands that she has unlimited capacity to make her life anything she wants it to be.”

Whether it’s a lunch date, a baby shower or a birthday party this is the place to go if you are looking for a bit of fabulous decadence. We wish owner Anelda Martin and Manager Lynette Coetze every success!

Chef Kayla-Ann Osborn is one young woman on a mission, and on her current trajectory will soon be South Africa’s top chef. Back in 2017 she was awarded the Mercedes-Benz Eat Out Risings Star Award, and from there this star certainly has risen. Her main launch to success was as head chef at The Chefs Table restaurant in Durban. Proudly one of our clients, this iconic restaurant with its open plan kitchen, was the perfect place for Kayla-Ann to impress dinners with her refined technique and plating skills.

Before the Chefs Table Kayla-Ann headed up the team at Trafford’s in Pietermaritzburg, after completing her training at 1000 Hills Chef School in KwaZulu-Natal.

Her dishes meld classic and contemporary techniques: bold, uncomplicated flavours perfectly balanced by elegant plating. 

Kayla-Ann was being noticed nationally and was drawn to the Cape by the opportunity to reinvent Delaire Graaf Wine Estate’s signature restaurant, also proudly one of our clients. A once in a life time opportunity for such a young chef, at just 27 years old, to head up this legendary institution of the Cape Winelands. 

She arrived in the in the depths of lockdown giving her plenty of time to find her feet, and the results have certainly met expectations. You don’t see any travel or food magazine without seeing gushing reviews of her work at Delaire.

Overlooking the Banghoek Valley and its picturesque vineyards, Delaire Graff Restaurant specialises in French-style bistro chic cuisine in an airy, double-volume space that leads outdoors onto a terrace with stunning mountain views. 

Guests can expect flavours of roast heirloom golden beetroot, local truffled gnocchi, and Cape Malay spiced pumpkin amongst others. All dishes pair beautifully with the Delaire Graff portfolio of exquisite wines, working harmoniously to present an unsurpassed taste experience.

“My focus is definitely on fresh and seasonal cuisine, using the very best local produce I can source,” says Kayla-Ann, “We’re in Stellenbosch after all and I believe the menu needs to reflect that.”

Her culinary philosophy? Your food is only as good as your produce.

“My meals are refined but certainly are not fussy. I never have too many elements on the plate, I don’t look to create unnecessary textures. It’s all about the produce.”

Her favourite meal? A good old fashion Spaghetti Bolognese the way my gran makes it!

Osborn’s culinary philosophy is centered on an all-sensory dining experience. With meticulous attention to detail, she combines exquisitely balanced flavours and imaginative presentation. We wish her all the best in her illustrious future ahead!