22013 south african restaurant review 2012
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South African Restaurant Review
FO DSpring 2012
Learnings, lessons and best practice
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SouthAfricanrestaurantreviewElliottMarketing&PR.Spring2012
Learnings,lessonsandbestpractice
InJanuary2011HestonBlumenthal,writinginTheTelegraph,said;ThereisaculinaryexplosioninSouth
Africaatthemomentwithanamazingnewenergy.ItistestamenttotheperseveranceofSouthAfricas
chefs20yearsagoyoucouldntevenimportbasicssuchasgelatin.Theyhavesomuchpassionanddrive
andnowSouthAfricaisagreatlocationforaculinaryholiday.Thisisevenmoretruetodaybasedonmy
ownrecentexperience.
TheeatingoutmarketinSouthAfricaspansthefullspectrumoffoodofferingfromQSRtorestaurantsincludedinTheWorlds50BestRestaurantslist.PatentlytherearecasualrestaurantchainsinSouth
AfricaincludingSpur(theofficialrestaurantoftheSouthAfricanfamily"),Panarottis(ownedbythesame
people),SteersandOceanBasket,aswellasaplethoraofindependents.Idothinkthereareopportunities
hereforanumberofUKrestaurantbrandsincludingYo!Sushi,Carluccios,WagamamaandPizzaExpress.
IntermsofrestaurantcompaniesoperatinginSouthAfrica,FamousBrandsLimitedisAfrica'sleadingquick
serviceandcasualdiningrestaurantfranchisor.Asof2010,thecompany'sglobalfootprintstoodat1,764
franchisedrestaurantsspreadacrossSouthAfrica,17Africancountries(andtheUnitedKingdom
interestingly).ThegroupconsistsofSteers(consideredthe"MotherBrand"),Wimpy(SouthAfrica),Wimpy
(UK),DebonairsPizza,FishAways,Mugg&Bean,HouseofCoffees,BrazilianCafe,BlackSteer,Tasha's,TruFruitandBaltimore.Ambitiousgrowthplanscallforthechaintodoubleitsrevenueandlocationsby
2013.In2010alonetheyopened125newrestaurantsandpresenteda17percentprofitgrowthontopof
veryimpressivenewunitgrowth(boastingnearly1,800locationsin2010)andcomp-unitsales.
Thereisarealsenseofoptimisminthecountryandthiswasreflectedintherestaurantswevisited.As
AaronAllensaid;
SouthAfricaisanemergingrestaurantmarketwithanumberofverystrongplayersandanoptimisticview
ofitsfuture.SouthAfricahasapproximately85,000restaurantsoperatingwithinthecountry(althougha
whopping57,000orsoarestreetstallsandonly9,000orsoarefullservicerestaurants).ThecountryhasexperiencedGDPgrowthofroughly5percentandinflationofroughly7percenteachyearforthepast
severalyears.
Itcertainlywasthemostamazingcountryintermsoffoodtrendsandseemstobecreatingafoodstoryof
itsownwithoutmimickingormirroringtrendsintheUSAortheUK.Wemostlyvisitedindependent
restaurantsbasedontherecommendationsofthosewestayedwith.Thefullreportbelowdetails
interestinglessonsandbestpracticefromsomeofthegreatrestaurantswevisitedthoughsomeofthe
poorrestaurantswouldhavemadeforanequallyentertainingreport.ThroughoutR=Randandthe
exchangeratewas12tothe.
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Insummary..
1)Food
Onthewhole,thefoodwewereservedwasextremelyfreshandpreparedfromscratchwithlimited
(perceived)usageofboughtinfinishedproduct-manyrestaurantsbakingtheirownbreadforinstance.
Therewas,though,littlementionofprovenance(apartfromChalmarbeef),organic,localorregional
sourcingorsustainabilitycredentialsonanymenu.
Perhapsitsjusttakenforgrantedinacountrywherefreshfoodissoabundant.Linefishwasmentioned
onmostmenusandthefishspeciesvariedaswetravelledalongthecoast.Needlesstosaythefishwasexceptional(Angelfish,kop,yellowtailandKingclip),thesteakwassuperbandmenusfeaturedawide
rangeofSouthAfricanmeatsincludingOstrich,Springbok,Kodu,Impala,CrocodileandWarthog.Whilst
thenumberoftimespizzaappearedonamenuwasntasurprise,theappearanceofsushitackedonin
physicalunitsinsiderestaurants(andhenceonthemenu)appearedalittleodd.
SouthAfricanfoodthoughisnothingifnoteclectic.ASouthAfricanmenumightincludeGreeksalad,
Patagoniancalamari,halfadozensnails,Moroccanchickpeasoup,Indonesianvegetablecurry,Persian
chicken,Norwegiansesamecrustedsalmonandbeef&lentilkorma.
Intopendrestaurantschefsusedabroadspectrumofingredients-notfrightenedofblending10ormoredifferenttastesononeplatetoexciteandchallengecustomers.Oftenthismixofingredientscreated
exceptionaltastingfoodwhichcausedustoreallystopinourtracks,particularlywhenouraveragespend
perhead,includingwine,wasaround25-30.
2)Tablelayoutandplatepresentation
WhatwasstunningandsurprisinginSouthAfricawastheattentionpaidtoplatepresentationeveninthe
mostobscureoflocations.Therewasamuchfulleruseofcrockeryvariantsanddifferenttypes/sizesof
bowlsthanintheUKandwhilstthecrockerywasmainlywhite,itvariedintermsofsizeandshapetosuit
thecreativityofthechef.Usually,detailedattentionhadbeenpaidtothelookoffoodontheplatewithrealconsiderationbeinggiventotexture,colour,portionsizeandaesthetics.
Garnish(includinglavenderandrosemary)wasusedtogreateffectgivingdepthandcolourtothefood
presentation.Someplatepresentationslookedlikeworksofartyetstillaccessible.Similarly,inmost
restaurants,hugeattentionhadbeenpaidtotablelayoutasawholeensuringitreflectedthedesired
imageryofthebrand.
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3)Service
Service,moreoftenthannot,wasfriendly,professional,attentiveandknowledgeable.Itwasnever
obsequiousnorfalse.Foodwasgenerallyservedcorrectlytothepersonthatordereditwithoutbeing
auctionedfirstasinWhosthesteak?(WhydoesthatstillhappenintheUK?IevenhadthatinBrasserie
Blanctheotherdaywithonly3ofusatthetable).Checkbackswerequickandunobtrusiveandmost
serversseemedtoowntheirtable.Thereisnodoubtthat,inSouthAfrica,theverylowcostofcasual
labourhelpskeepkitchencostslow,helpsrestaurantsspendtimeonwonderfulplatepresentationand
helpsfrontofhousespeedofservice.
Yestherewereinstancesofslowornaveservicebutthesewererare.Wealsofoundmanyownersonlytoowillingtotellustheirstorywhichjustaddedtothewholeenjoymentoftheexperience.
4)Ambiance
Thereweremanyinstancesofstunningnaturallocationswithownersreflectingthisexternalbeautywith
fabulousandeclecticinteriors(andinsomecases,exteriors).Uniformstendedtobesimpleand
unobtrusive.Eventhemosthumbleofrestaurantsusedartwork,sculpture,ornamentsanddistinctive
lightingtocreatearealusp.InteriordesigntendedtobeamixofEuropeanandAfricangivinghugescope
forfunandcreativity.
5)Marketing
Externalsignagewasoftenpoorandnon-descriptgivingabsolutelynoclueastotherestaurantsidentity,
differentiationoroffer.Therewaslittleevidenceofdatabasemarketing,CRMactivityoronlinemarketing
activity.Websitesdidntalwaysincludeonlinebooking,uptodateguidementionsorcustomerreviews.
Thereisamassivetouristmarketsothismaynotbenecessary.Itdidhoweverreinforcetheimportanceof
buildingrelationshipswiththosewhoofferaccommodation.Thosewordofmouthrecommendationsare
criticalinthistouristmarket.
Insummary,SouthAfricasfoodofferingwasrefreshing,excitinganddifferent.Itsamarketoffewchainrestaurantsandlotsofinterestingindividualofferings.Thefoodstartsfromthebasisthatitsfresh,locally
sourcedandcookedfromscratch.Platepresentationwasarevelation.Servicewasconsistentlygoodand
notadifferentiator.Hereculinaryskillsreallydocreatedifferentiation.
Itookawaymanyideasthatwe,asanagency,canuseintermsofinsight,strategyandmarketingactivity
thatwecan,andwill,usetohelpourclientsincreasetheirsalesoffoodanddrink.
Ifyouhaveanyquestionsorwanttodiscussthereportinanydetail,Iamreallyhappytomeetupfora
chatoveracoffeeIfoundlotstotalkaboutintheSouthAfricanrestaurantmarketforoperatorsand
suppliersalikeandwouldjustlovetoshareitwithyou.
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ItwasthefirsttimeIhadtriedKingclip;afishwhichisslightlybetterlookingaftercookingithastobesaid.
Itsafirmfleshyfishwithfewbonesreallydelicious.AswastheSlowroastedSpringbokShankinwhite
wine,freshherbsandgarlic,servedwithyourchoiceofpastaormash,androastvegetables.R120
AsweweretofindinSouthAfricaasawhole,awhitetableclothpresentationdoesnotmeanwhite
tableclothstuffinessorformality.Theservicewasfriendly,attentive,speedyenoughandengaging.
Whilstthiswasatouristrestaurantdestination,itdidntseemtocompromiseitsfoodpresentationorits
servicetotryandhurrytouriststhrough,maximisetableturnsorensureexceptionalcapacity
management.Quiterefreshingreally.
ThiswasthefirsttimeweexperiencedSouthAfricanhospitality,attentiontodetailandwonderfuldish
presentation.Itcertainlywouldntbeourlast.
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3.SanMarcos.CapeTownWaterfrontMonday19
thMarch.Breakfast
AbeautifulrestaurantsetrightbytheWaterfront(wewerenotgettingmuchmoreadventurousonour
seconddayhere)andoverlookingtheharbourbustlingwithtouristboatsandtrips.
ThestraplineforSanMarcoisEAT.DRINK.SOCIALIZEanditseasy
toseehowonecoulddojustthat.IlovedthesignthatsaidLifeis
short.EatdessertfirstnotthatIdid,havingalreadytuckedinto
myHealthbreakfastbeforelookingaroundmeandreadinganyof
thesignsnoteatingsince3pmthedaybeforetendstohavethateffectonme.
Againanicestory.Italyhasasmell.Yougetittheminuteyoure
offthetrainandontothestreet.Itisofmotorbikes,coffee,
restaurants,food,roastedchestnutsandatouchofsweetness.At
SanMarcowebringacornerofItalytooneofAfricaslegendaryplaygrounds,theV&AWaterfront.Like
theItalianssaylavitaebella(lifeisbeautiful).SopleaseforgetyourworriesandenjoytheItalian
experienceofdolcefarniente(sweetmomentsofdoingnothing)whilepeoplewatchinganddowning
anotherespresso.
ThebreakfastmenuwascomprehensiveandservedquicklynotthatIneededspeedwhenIfeltasifIhad
allthetimeintheworldtospare.ThisisCapeTownsequivalenttoaseasidecafreally(moreSalcombe
thanScarboroughithastobesaid)yetthepresentationoffoodwasreallyimpressive.
Ilikedtheuseofthesmallerservingdishesfromaconsumerperspectivewhilstappreciatingtheyare
anathematomanyachainrestaurantoperator.Bakedbeansareprettyprosaicbuttheycanbeliftedout
oftheordinarywhenservedinaseparatedish.
Italiano:Prosciuttodi
Parma,scrambledegg,
basilpesto,mozzarella
cheeseandtomato
Healthbreakfast:fresh
fruit,muesli,yoghurt
andhoney(R49)
Piccolo:Egg,bacon,
grilledtomatowith
parmesan,beansin
tomatosauce,toast
andjam(R45)
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SinceworkingwithSteeliteIhaveneverlostthehabitofturningovercrockerytoseewhichbranditis.Ididseesomefantasticcrockery,butgotsomeprettystrangelooksfromwaitersandwaitresses,perhaps
thinkingIwasgoingtopocketandthenrunlikemad(asif).
Iwasgiventhebillinsomethingwhichisprobablyabittackylookingback(andcertainlynotpolitically
correct)butitmademesmile(andremembertherestaurant).Itaskscustomerstotickanoptionwhilst
payingthebillwhichincluded:
Thesummerspecialsarentthatspecial Thewaitresseshavenicelegs Theducklookslikechicken Thetablesmellslikeoldpeople Thehostesshasagammyeye Thecheflookslikeapirate Myhamburgerlooksdepressed Thewaiterishittingonmydog Theplacelookslikemygrandmashouse
AllsponsoredbyHallsFreeyourvoicethissummer.Iliketheideatheexecutionmayneedabitofwork
though.
Aprettyordinaryrestaurantoverall(really)butwithsomeasenseofpurposeamongstastringofsimilar
lookingrestaurantsandoneofthefewopenforbreakfastabitofanobrainerIwouldhavethoughtina
touristareaoverlookingtheharbour.
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4.TheKirstenboschcafinKirstenboschMonday20
thMarch.Lunch
Kirstenboschitselfwasarealdelightandweweretherearoundlunchtime.Iwasexpectingtoseethe
SouthAfricanequivalentofhowNationalTrustcafsusedtoberunbyenthusiasticvolunteerswithlittle
foodinnovation,serviceexpertiseoroperationalexcellence.
Itwasntthough.Itwasprofessionallyrun(albeitwithfew
customersthere)withanicelookingmenu.Ihadadelicious
Silvertreesaladmadewithmixedlettuce,rocketandparmesan
tossedinbalsamic,presentedwithtomatoes,feta,olives,croutonsandsproutswithmixednutsandservedwithgarlic
bread.Itwastrulywonderfulfullofflavourandbeautifully
presented.IamsuretheUKcouldmakesaladsinrestaurants
morelikethis.NationalTrusteatyourheartout.
5.LaColombe.Constantia.CapeTown
Monday20th
March.Dinner
Notanauspiciousstart.Ihadforgottenthetimingofthebookingandthetaxitook20minuteslongerthan
weexpectedsowearrivedat8.30fora7pmreservationbuttheteamdidntbataneyelid.Ithoughtthis
wasgreatfromarestaurantthatwasvotedtwelfthintheworldin2010andcouldhavebeenstrict(and
quiterightlyso)aboutthewholebooking.Isatdownwithaconsiderableamountofrelief.
Therestaurantitselfisbeautifulandinformal(whitetableclothsandwhite
crockeryagain)withanopenkitchenandaprettyfullcomplementofchefs
(20+)operatinginafairlytightspace.
Themenuwaspresentedonablackboardwitheightstarters,twosorbetsand
sixmainmeals.Thewaitresskneweverysingleingredientofeverysingledish
(andsomedisheshadmorethan10ingredients)speakingwithconfidenceand
panache.Nothingwastoomuchtroubleforanyone.
Thefoodwassublimeintermsoftastesandingredients.The
amuseboucheincludedahollowedouteggfilledwithsoupand
thentoppedwithasmallpieceoftoast.
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Ourstartersincluded:Carpaccio:Searedmedallionsofsalmon/tunarolledincorianderandBlackForesthamcrumbleand
tartare,avocado,pickledgingerandredonion,misocrema,dikonmousseandlimeandyuzupuree.
ScallopsandPorkBelly:Pansearedscallopsandconfitporkbellywithalangoustineglaze,BlackForest
hamvelout,lemon,tomatoandpeadressing.
CrabSalad:Alaskancrabsaladdressedinyuzuandorangedressingservedonmisoandorangecrema,
corianderandBlackForesthamcrumblewithmirinanddashijelliesanddaikonradishmouseandsweet
potatocrisps.
FormainswehadSpringbok(medallions
ofpan-searedspringbok,wiltedbabyspinach,poachedfig,potatofondant,
trufflejus,panfriedfoiegras,shimeji
mushrooms,roastedgarlic)andgrilled
filletofChalmarbeef(grilledfilletofbeef,
butteredfinebeanswithcrisppotato
basketfilledwithbraisedoxtailtopped
withbakedpotatoandhorseradishfoam,
wildgarlicpureeandablackpepperandtrufflecafeaulait).
Thedessertswereaworkofartontheirownandwereabsolutelydelightful.
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Coffeewasaccompaniedbyhandmadechocolatesbroughtbythewaitressonatrayyoucouldchoose
fourofanytypeandtheywereallplacedononeplateforthetableasawholetoshare.Areallywonderful
experienceandafantasticwaytoendthemeal.Notacheapoccasion,atR3500,butatrulymemorable
one.
Thiswasareallytopnotchfivestarexperiencebutwithouttheformality.Nicetouchesincludedablackboardmenu(notusuallyassociatedwiththislevelofdining),awaitresswhokneweverysingle
ingredientwithoutlookingatanynotes,exceptionalplatepresentationandanengagingservingof
chocolatesattheendofthemeal.Wealllovedit.
6.TheOneandOnlyHotel
Tuesday20th
March.Breakfast
ThehotelisverywellknowninCapeTowndiningcirclesforReubensanditsinventivechef.Ihopedhis
experiencehadtransferredtobreakfast.Itprobablyhad,butatacostofR225perbreakfastitwastoohigh
apricetopayfortheoffchance.
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Itwasasuperbbuffettobehonestandmaybetheotherhotelguestsmanagedtomakesandwichesfortheirlunchwhilsttheywerethere,
slippingthemintotheir(nodoubtveryexpensive)handbagsandthen
leggingit,butsomehowIdontthinkso.
Weshouldhavecheckedthepricebeforeeatingwereallyshouldhave,
butheyho,wedidntneedtoeatagainforatleastsixhours.
Theeggswerecookedtoorder,thereweresixdifferentcereals,four
differenttypesofbreadandmorejuicesthanIcouldname.TheGuest
RelationsManagercameoverwhilstwewereeatingandintroducedherselfwhichwasgreat.Maybeshewasjustkeepingabeadyeyeonmyhandbag.
7.TheHarbourHouse
Tuesday20th
March.Somewherebetweenlunchanddinner
BacktotheWaterfrontagaininthehopeoffindingagreatfishrestaurant.Whichwedid.TheHarbour
HousewhichhasasisterrestaurantinKalkBayandonlyopenedafewmonthsago.
Verysimpleinteriordesign,unpretentioustablesettingswithwhitecrockeryandtablecloths,whiteseatingandlotsofcolourfulcushionsinsideandout(noworriesaboutsoftfurnishingthefthereobviously)all
reflectedingreatartworkinternally.Ithelpsthatitwasbathedinglorioussunlightandlookedoutovera
selectionofratherwonderfulyachts.
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Wehadawonderful,entertainingandutterlyindiscreetwaiterwhocouldntwaittogetbacktoworkinEngland
havingworkedhereoncewithAntonMossiman.
Oncewehadhisattention(notdifficultwitha20-year-old
sonwithus)wehadsuperbandattentiveservice,though
TripAdvisorreviewssuggestthisisntalwaysthecase.In
factifyoutooknoticeofthereviewsyouwouldignorethis
placeliketheplague.Itseemstohavetakensometimeto
getitsacttogetheranditslocation(andthereputationof
theoriginalrestaurant)reallymitigatesagainstitbeinggiventhechance/spacetodoso.
Themenuwasrelativelyshortandfocusedonfreshfishsevenstarters,fivesaladsandlightmealsand
sevenmains.TheHarbourHousethough,likemanyrestaurantswecameacross,alsoincludedaspecialist
sushisectionsomerestaurantsevenhaveaseparate,opensushikitchenwhichIfoundabitweirdbut
mustwork.
Ithoughtthefoodwasyetagain,beautifullyandimaginativelypresentedusingcolourandtexturetoits
bestadvantage.Thefoodwasfresh,localandseasonal.Itwasnttooexpensive(oncewegotusedtothe
factthateatingoutwasnotgoingtobeanycheaperinSouthAfricathanintheUK)forthelocationwiththetotalbillcomingtoR1500forfivethreecoursemeals.Wewerepleasedthoughthatwehadstuckto
thebeerandhadnthitthewineinabigway.
Onceagaingreatuseofsimplewhitecrockery(Steeliteshouldbeinthismarketbigtime)anddifferent
sizesdishesfordifferentingredients.Massiveuseofcolourinpresentationandhugethoughtgivento
creativepresentationofprettysimpledishes.
TheirsignagemadetheirfocusandUSPveryclearfreshfish.As
theirwebsitesays..withthebountyofthedeepavailabledailyon
ourdoorstep,seafoodandthefreshestpossiblelinefishiswhatweloveanddobest.Ourownfishingboat,LiveBait,suppliesitscatch
exclusivelytoourrestaurants.Thisguaranteesthefreshestlinefish
inCapeTown.
GenerallysignagethoughforrestaurantsinSouthAfricawasnt
particularlyimpressive(theHarbourHouseAboarddoesnt
mentiontherestaurantname/website/number),websitesarenot
alwaysupdatedregularly(thelastmentionforthissiteonthe
HarbourHousewebsitewasfromJuly2011thoughthesitedid
haveTripAdvisorreviewsontherighthandside)andexternal
marketingisprettypoor.
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0soahusS t cs o c &g
A hsh A
hoi eHBJ , n l eI el e0 s Bi Be, m2i J
Bl es s JHI 1eooy 1B l l l nHJBl2eeyJHI oBl m oH l eH
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Be1B JHoBlm oH l Bs mBH o BRs ons B, ni l n
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yHe, l ni o Hkl I ol JHl o0 Be1s Jl i 0 H I 0 HlH eho0 w J0 JBl JeHml l ni en2s 0 y s 2 12
o2w H JH1eo0 2 Rs o1l 2i 1Jl l JHI BB J2el JeHb
B2m0 s JHl eemoBe1B H , os oBHl, Jln
e0 s onHBJhoy 1B l 0 HmH Bm11JJHl 0 2 es l JeHB
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I eemBe1e2emos el BH I o HJBnbnoHn
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nB1eol nBh emoi l oBH ooi e0 s el
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l eel nb ehJHe11ees oehHH eoBmBlJ H J2Jli
noHeoJH0 H i el nos 2 B5H I oJ H1I I Bl n
eH2i JHJl JeHe1BemoJHI o b
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9.TableMountainCafWednesday21
stMarch.Lunch
AnotherNationalTrustlookalikeopportunitybutinsteadacafwhich
hadtheopportunitytobearchitecturallyalignedwithitssetting.We
wereluckynottobevisitingalongsidequeuesandqueuesofpeople
partsoftheselfservecafwerelongandthinpresentingapotential
bottleneckofdisastrousproportionsonabusyday.
Thecafhadaninteresting
menurangeincludingahot
selection,acoldselection,apizzaslicebarandacoffeebar
option.Theyalsoservedfree
poursoftdrinks.
Themerchandisingoftheirsnacksthoughwasunfocussedwhousesa
displaystandwiththreeshelvesonlydisplayingthesamepacketof
wasabinuts?Labellingwaspooranddifficulttoreadwhenyouhavetheluxuryoftime,nevermindwhenyouarebeingharassedbyaqueueof
impatientpeoplebehindyouwaitingtomovetothecoffeestation.Lots
ofwastedspace,missedopportunitiestosellproductandconfusedshelflayout.
Thecafitselfthoughwas
lightandairymakingthemost
ofitsspectacularviews
enjoyedbybothmanandhis
featheredfriends.
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10.Blues.CampsBayWednesday21
stMarch.Dinner
Thisrestaurantcertainlydoeshaveastory(inmorewaysthanone)andwashighlyrecommendedtous
notonlyforitshistorybutalsoforitsinteriordesign,havingonlyjustbeenrefurbishedlastOctober.Its
website(worthalook-www.blues.co.za)says;
THEICONOFCAMPSBAY
BluesRestaurant&Baropeneditsdoorsin1987andhasbecometheiconoftheultra-trendyCampsBay.
Blueshasbeenrecentlyrenovatedtoadaptitsiconiclocationintoonethatencompassesthelegacyon
whichtheBluesBrandwascreated,whiletailoringtheexperiencetobeintunewiththelatest21stcentury
restauranttrends.25yearsonyetbuiltonthesameprinciplesoffoodandserviceonwhichwebegan,Blues
hastailoredanenvironmentfordiningthatglorifiesthecasualmagnificenceofourBeachfrontlocation,
withthenewdcorsuchthatguestsfeelasthoughtheyarediningonthebeachasopposedtonexttoit.
Serviceisenergized,withthebuzzingtheatreoftheopenkitchenresonatingthroughtherestaurant,asthe
freshestingredientsarepreparedtoorder.Thedelectablecuisineandworld-classwinelist,alongwiththe
stunningviewandslickservicehashelpedBluescreaterestauranthistoryfor25years.Fromthisexperience
weuseourpassiontocontinuetocreateanexperiencetolast25more...
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Itwas,indeed,beautifulandhadlovelytouches
liketheshellcandle
holders,handwritten
andappropriatequotes
onthewallsand
intriguingsculptures.It
hadacalmingand
peacefulfeelandhad
successfullyavoided
utilisingtheubiquitousseasidetatoften
deployedbybeachside
restaurants.
IhadHAND-ROLLEDCAPRESER65.fiordilattemozzarellabalsamictomatoesgazpachobasilasa
starter.ItwasabsolutelywonderfullypresentedandtasteddeliciousitseemedashametoeatitbutIhad
toforthesakeofcompleteness.
ThiswasreasonablyswiftlyfollowedbyaBLUESGOURMETBURGERR84.filletsirloinmaturecheddar
mustardmayocaramelisedonionchips.Wonderful,simplywonderfulintermsofingredientsandburgerpresentationafewmorechipsandsomethingonthesidewouldnthavegoneamissthough.
Sogoodfoodinagloriousenvironment(mustbestunningduringtheday)atreasonableprices.Theservice
howeverwasntoverimpressivetheteamweretwiceaskedaboutdifferentingredientsinthedishesand
werentabletoanswer(anddidntgoandfindtheanswereither).Friendlyenoughbutnotsufficiently
knowledgeableorenthusiasticreallyinamarketgenerallywherewaitersknewtheirstuffbackwards.
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11.CamelRockrestaurant.ScarboroughThursday22ndMarch.Coffeestop
Therewassomethingratherappealingaboutthisplacethoughitfeltthoughasifwehadstumbledinto
somewherewhichhadbeenusedasbackgroundforthefilmDeliverance.
1)Itwastheonlyplacetoeatinthisvillage.Thiswasasurpriseasthebeachwassimplystunning.
2)Itwaslocatedrightnexttoashopwith,potentially,limitedpartnershipopportunities.
3)Itstablepresentationwassomewhatunderstated(andsticky).
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4)Itwasunequivocalaboutitschargesforaservicewhichwastrickytoquantify.
5)Twoofushadgreat(wellreallynice)cakesandtwolefttheirs.Operationalconsistencynotahighpoint.
Theremustberoomforamarketingconsultanthere
12.TheCommonRoom.Franschhoek
Thursday22nd
March.Dinner
TheTastingRoomatLeQuatreFrancais,whichis
oneoftheplacestoeatinFranschhoek,wasfull
sowehadtosettleforitsbabyrestaurant,TheCommonRoom,butChefMargotJaneisin
chargeofboth.Franschhoekitselfisheavenfor
foodiesandworthatripthereforaweeksoyou
caneatineveryrestauranttherewasevena
bookpublishedin2009calledFranschhoek
FoodbyMyrnaRobinswhichisajoytoleaf
through.
Ilovedthesimplicityofthemenuincludingthe
sparsemenudescriptions
saldanhabaymussels/chardonnay/fiveherbs bakeddalewoodcamembert/soldiers panfriedprawncroquettes/roughtartaresauce springbokbitterballen/applemustard babygoat&smokedhamcrumble lambfrikadelletjies/flatroek/raita wholewoodroastedpasturefedchicken/gravy woodroastedsweetcorn/smokedbutter stickbunicecream/sugaredalmonds
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C!
n1ees oBHll JeHB, oI 2eoJemBmBJHI H o oi e1s H BB2l Beo Be, 2BH s 2l Bl eHBmol nl l n1ee2eeyJlB Be2ml Bl b
nJB, B 2eh2i 0 Hmm l J1m22i s oBHl H s os o Bohi ws l JeH2 2i yHe, 2I 2H
1oJH2i Bl1 1b
no, B l nemI n2Jl l 20 JH H l nJHl oJeoBJI H, B , 22 Jl 2Jye1 e0 0 eHoee0 bl em2Hkl
o2 2i B0 l eJ, nl noJl, B o eo oBl m oH l eoBe0 , no1eoBl mHl Bl eBJll , H
2l moBHel Be0 l nJHI 2eey yeH, JlnH i 1 1l JeH5b, Hl yl nHwl i l es nel eI os nJlI J H
H BlJ22em2Hkll 22bl , B Hkl 1m22ml l n0 J HoBl m oH l , B R1eoeH20 JHloJeoBJI HoB2l
2eeBb
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mon0 fs oBoh2J0 f o JBn
eeoeB l oi 1JBnf 20 eHml l o
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13.GableManor.FranschhoekFriday23
rdMarch.Breakfast
IknowthatluxuryB&BaccommodationdoesexistintheUKbutIhavent
reallytriedittoanyextent.Iwillnow,havingexperienceditinamajorway
inSouthAfrica.GableManorroomshad:
Crispwhitecottonpercalebedlinen
SatelliteTV
Airconditioning/heating
SafesTea/coffeemakingfacilitiesandicedwater
Achoiceoftwin/king-sizebeds:with/withoutextralength
Achoiceofviews
En-suitebathroomswithheatedtowelrailsandseparatepowershowers
AnexclusiverangeofCharlotteRhysRooibosbathproducts
Ageneroussupplyofplumptowelsandsoftbathrobes
Achoiceoftraditionalorgenerouscornerbaths
AstheysayColoursaremutedandtheatmosphereisoneofunderstatedelegancewithclevertouchesofthoughtfulluxury.
Weonlyatebreakfasttherebutitjustfeltsoluxuriouswithreal
attentiontodetailinthetablesettingsalone.Therewasanextensivebuffetwithawidechoiceofhomemade
breads,cerealsandjams.Justwhenwehadstuffedourselvessilly
andthinkingwedidntneedtoeatlunch,theyaskedifwewanteda
cookedbreakfast.AsIammoreNigellaLawsonthanSophieDahlin
termsofgluttony,IimmediatelysaidyesandthenwonderedwhereonearthIwasgoingtoputitall.Onmyhipsistheobviousanswer
butwhencookedbreakfastarriveslookinglikethis,whoreally
cares?
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14.WaverleyHillsRestaurant.WolseleyFriday23
rdMarch.Lunch
IpatentlyliedwhenIsaidI
wouldntneedtoeatlunch
asbythetimewearrived
atWaverleyHillswinery,I
couldntwaittoeatagain.
Thiswasthemostwonderful
placesuperblocation,great
viewsandabeautifulinteriorandoutsidedeck.
Thefoodwasajoytoowithfreshingredientsanddelightfulplatepresentation-againusingarangeof
smalldishesforseparatemenuitems.Everydishwasatreattolookatandtoeat.EventhehumblePanini.
Aboveleft.BaconwithfetaPanini,
avo,sweetchilly(sic)androcketleaves
Aboveright.WaverleyHillschicken
saladwithbaconandboiledegg,
drizzledwithhomemadevinaigrette
Right.AsabovebutwithFranschhoek
smokedrainbowtrout
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15.LeBonVivant.FranschhoekFriday23
rdMarch.Dinner
Externalsignagehere,aswithmostoftherestaurantswefound,wasalmostnon-existentsurprisingin
suchatouristledlocation.Theyaresimplynotmaximisingpotentialbusinessfrompassingtradeandmust
bedependentonwordofmouthrecommendationandfeaturesintheusualrestaurantguides.Neither
doestheLeBonVivantappeartoofferonlinebookinganditswebsiteintroductionfromthechef,Pierre
Hendricks,issimilarlysparse.
Welcome
Thereisachoiceofeithermycarefullydesignedfivecourse
surprisemenu,oraninterestingalacartemenu.Bothare
complementedbyawell-chosenwinelist.
Welookforwardtohelpingyoumakeyourchoice.Wealsocater
forvegetarians.Enjoyyourlunchanddinnerwithus.
Ithink,certainlyinFranschhoek,itsallaboutthefoodandtheexperience.Inthisrestaurant,thechef
createsstunninglybeautifulartworkontheplateandleavesthefoodtodohismarketingforhimIsuspect.Thereareover40restaurantsinthissmalltownandLeBonVivantisratedsixthinTripadvisorso
itsastrategywhichwouldseemtoworkforhim(albeithewasntfullonaFridaynightwhilstsomeofhis
competitorswere).
Thefoodpresentation,andtaste,wasquiteglorious.ThisistheSoupextravanganzawithcarrot,broth
andcelerysoupandaccompaniments.R65
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ThisisGoatscheese&beetroot:dumpling/beetrootcannelloni/oatcrumble/summervegetables.R80
ThisisNorwegiansalmon:searedandpoachedsalmon/peppersalsa/lemonbutter/parsleypotato.R125
AndthisisStrawberrytextures:ganache/sorbet/curd/parfait/saladjelly.R80
Thisisfoodwhich,inEngland,wouldeasilycosttwiceasmuchasitdidinLeBonVivant.Thesewereplates
whichbroughtgaspsofawewhencarried(somewhatcarefully)tothetable.Simplydelightful.
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CL
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C'
ni 2ehJl JH, 22H0 nh JHI emI nl l nJBs 2 1JoBl B I mBlnemB, JlneH2i l nooee0 BH rmBleeyJHI oy 1B l H JHHo1eol neBl nl Bl i , Jlnl n0 bni l nHeHhol l nJooy 1B l
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nH, o oJhl noBlm oH l , B 0 s l i , nJnJB2 , i BB2JI nl 2i mHHohJHI b J22, nh l e, nJBs ol e
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eln0 H H eob, 22H0 JlB21, B es l J0 JBl J2 2i BoJJHemol oh 2em0 HlBB SH
0 g JHI 2Jl l 2l e, Hl eBl es eho1eo HJI nl eol , eAb mJl 1oH y2i Jl JBHkl bl kBhoi HeHQBoJs l ml
eln0 H H eo0 Jl l el 2 2i , eol n, nJ2bl kBHel rmBl H el noeml Jt m" .JlkBJH J11oHl 2B B2 2
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Therooms,thegardens,theJacuzzi(andtheviewofthezebraandimpalawhilstsatinthehottub)the
swimmingpool,theoutsidebreakfasts,thehospitality(theyhadbookedourrestaurantsaheadofus
arrivingthinkingwemightwanttoeat),thefreebookexchange,thegenerousbeautyproductsandthe
plentifulsupplyoftowelsandbathrobesreallydomakethisplaceoneinamillion.
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19.Koornlands.SwellendamSunday26
thMarch.Dinner
NotmuchseemstobeopenonaSundaybutKoornlandswasandineasydrivingdistance(notaxiswewere
told,remember).Aprettyrestaurantinsideandoutbutwewerereallyeatingonourownonthisoccasion
astherewasabsolutelyno-oneelsethere.Thechef/ownercameoutattheendofthemealtothankus
andaskuswhatwethoughtlovelytouchwhenhecouldjusthaveslunkbackhomeandwewouldhave
beennonethewiser.
Thesimpleblackboardmenu
focussedverymuchonlocalfood
includingcrocodilesashimiand
springboksamosas.Again
beautifullypresentedfoodwithfresh,localingredients.
Ithinkwewouldhavelikedthis
restaurantevenmorehadthere
beenothersdiningtooandsomethingofanatmospheredifficult
tocreatewhentherearejustfiveofyouandoneofthepartycant
hearverywell.
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z Y
&kshi ousAAohcf c&2
A hsh A
Hel no1 m2emB" l nJBl J0 eho2eeyJHI l ni l 2l l HoI b
eoBH kl BoJne, , eHo1m2l nJBI ol h2 m1eo0 eHi s 2 JBRnh JHI 1 l oHeeHl , nJ2Bl
, l nJHI e2s nJHBJHl nBmo1JB2eBl enh Hbms ooy 1B l Bo2 2i Bl mBms 1eol ni b1i em, o
hoI eJHI l eBl ms i emoe, H" i em, H l Jl l enormBl2Jyl nJBb
&gshS uo o AAsAAohf c&2
A hsf o
nJB, B 1 m2emBbmBl 1 m2emBH o2 2i , eol n hJBJlbn, ne2eHs l , B oJ22JH l 1oe0 Bl o l l e1JHJBn
H l nBJI HBo2 2i o s o l e1l nm2l moH l nBl eoi 5b
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Theinteriordesignwascleanandcrispwithoutbeingintimidatingorcold.
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Weateoutsidebetweenthevinesunderneathanumbrella(helpfulasitwasraining)andchoseourfoodfromafundamentallytapas/mezze
menu.
Thefoodwasfresh,colourfuland
wellpresented.Portionswere
generousandinteresting.Amealofpurepleasure.
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22.Lemongrass.PlettenbergBayTuesday27
thMarch.Dinner
WewentatnighttoLemongrassbutIexpectitsaplacebestsuitedto
lunchtimesbecauseofthewonderfulbeachsideviews.TheysayEachdishis
carefullypreparedbyoneoftherestaurantschefs,makingsureyouresmiling
fromthefirstbitetothelast.Certainlyitwasfullwhenwewentthereand
camehighlyrecommended.ThestartermenuIfeltwasslightlydejavu
reminiscentofmanyoftherestaurantswehadseeninSouthAfrica.
GreekSalad(Iamnotsurewhythisissuchafirmfavouritebutitis) SmokedostrichCarpaccio(SouthAfricanrestaurantsfeatureCarpaccioalot) Halfadozensnails(why?) Chefssoupoftheday(butternutsquash) Deepfriedcalamari(againverypopular)
TobehonesttherewasnothingonthislistthatinspiredmeandIwasbeginningtofeelabitdisheartened.
Themainmenuwassimilarlystraightforward.
Fishoftheday Lemongrassseafoodplatter Solealmandine Grilledprawns Chalmarsirloin Triooffilletostrich,beef&venison Capelambcurry Filletsteak Ostrichsteak
IntheendIhadsoupandsteaksomewhatreminiscentof
myfirstdiningexperiencesinaBerniinthe70s.Thesoup
wasgoodbutnotexceptionalbutthefilletsteakwassimply
thebestIhaveevereaten.Verysimplypresented-nofussor
frillsandservedwithsuperbsautpotatoes.Itwassublime
andleftthoseofuswhohadchosenit,totallyspeechless.So
greatlocation,lovelyserviceandthebestpossiblesteakand
afabulousstoryaboutthestormof2005anditseffectonthe
restaurant.Go!
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z E
&Ps o Asoc o o c &0
A hsf o
emyHe, l nl 12JHI , nHi emBJl e, HJH oBl m oH l l ni nH i eml n0 HmH i emrmBl, H l l e
omH 22l nl kB, nl , H l l eel H B yl bl 2eeyBHJHemI nl 1 h2 mJlBhJ, JBI ee
H Jl BmI I BlB1oBn2i emI nl 1JBnml Jl , B rmBl l ee0 H m1 l moH l eel , 1eo0 i 2JyJHI b
em2B20 Hl Be1l nJB, eoyJHI JHH t mJh2 Hl nJ HbnoH JHI nmHI l eI l noH , B , 22wml , nJ2Bl Be0 e1l n , B l eHI mJHnyH s s 2 JHI b
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Thefoodwasattractivelyanddistinctlyservednofrillsorfuss.Greatifyoulikefish(andchips).Thefishwasquicklyservedandbeautifullycooked.Thefriedhalloumi,bottomleft,wasreasonablytastythough
foursticksareprobablyenoughforeventhemostardentofhalloumifans.
IfyouregoingtoeatlikeatouristthenOceanBasketwillprobablyserveyouaswellasanywhereIjust
didntwanttofeellikeatouristatthatpointonthatday.
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z L
&RsS c uuo sAAohc o c &0
A hs ooh
urySy ut i auns s yi Ti l o aTi uTpuprrt g unpTo l i s al l o nri w
o Ti Ti uTpui Tl ni n s yi nTi l i o unrrs nTl ro Trrs upuu Ti t s ys npl n
l eTl s uTg uTi nl s ynui i es nTns yTpuTi rnni ut w Trt s s i Tpus
Tl l rrwSryl Tps o Tns s nTs i s uhyl n, Gyrny l nl i no s Trui g
emH Bne, 2eh2i l nBl l JHI JB, nHi em2eeyl l ns Jlmo ehbl o2 2i , B l n0 eBl Bms o2el JeHbmBl, eHo1m2b oJHyB, on2eml BJeHl nl oo , nol no, B H es H1JoHwl l e
B, J0 0 JHI s ee2b el e0 JHl JeH1emHJH0 H i s 2 Bb
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Themenuwassimpleandpromising:
coconutchickenandprawnsoup smokedspringbokCarpaccio tempuraprawns spicylambandcouscoussamosas(sic) plumtomato,crouton,basilandmozzarellasalad
herbmarinatedgrilledcapesalmon filletbarnaise searedimpalaloin grilledfreerangechicken freshNorwegiansalmon beef&lentilkorma
classicvanillacrmebrulee chocolatefondant berry,crmeanglaise&chocolatepavlova yoghurt&amarettopannacotta trioofsorbet
Servicewascompetentandoccasionallyveryfriendlyandpersonable.Thefoodpresentationwaswell
consideredwithgooduseofgarnishandcolour.Withafewexceptions(drychickenandverydryPavlova)
thefoodwastastyandwell-cookedandtherestofthegroupreallyenjoyedit.
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EmilyMoonsisabitofalegendinCapeTownanditsthefirstrestaurantmostlocalsrecommend.BramonisvotednumberoneonTripAdvisorinPlett,whilstZinzi(seebelow)isnumbertwo,Lemongrassisnumber
threeandEmilyMoonsisnumbersevenwhichisprobablyaboutright.Thesettingisstupendousbutfor
methefooddidntliveuptoexpectations.
Idothinkthatrestaurantsshouldbeinterestedwhencustomersleavefoodontheirplateandwantto
knowwhythisdidnthappenwitheitherthechickenorthePavlova.Itsuggestsacomplacencyorendof
seasonweariness,orboth.
25.Enricos.MainBeach,KeurboomsStrand,PlettenbergBay
Thursday29thMarch.Lunch
Ohbutthiswasbeautifuljustbeautiful.Oneofthoseplacesthatyouthinkabouttimeandtimeagain
whenyouarebackatyourdeskworking.Idolikemyviewfrommyofficebutitsnotquitethesameasthe
IndianOcean.
Ithadmassesofoutsideseating,abitlikeatypicalEnglishpub.Themenuwasextensivecovering11
starters,fivefishdishes,sevenmeatdishes,20pizzasand13pastas.ItwasprintedonalargetablematsoI
cantimagineitchangesverymuchorthereprintbillwouldbeenormous.
Thefoodwasokbutmorethancompensatedforbythe
view.Ididntchoosewellthepizzaswereprobablybetter
thanthepasta.Thiswasmaybetheoneplacewhereplate
presentationwasntthatfantastic.Justpublikebasicpub
atthatbutIreallydidntcare.And,asiftheviewwasnt
enoughtomakeEnricosmemorable,therestauranthad
placedamassivechairattheentrancemusthavebeen
capturedonthecamerasofthousandsoftourists.
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26.Zinzi.PlettenbergBayThursday29thMarch.Dinner
ItwasabitoftrekoutofPlettenbergtogettoZinzibutitwassoworthit.Itisthemostextraordinaryplace
intermsoflocation,interiordesignandmenu.Theirwebsitesays...
Thefurnitureisallcustommadeallslightlyoversizedas
comfortiskeyatZINZI.Whethersittingaroundalowtable
onottomansandcushionssharingamezeplatterorona
wingbackchairatanantiquetablewithturnedlegsanda
pewterchandelierabsoluterelaxationisguaranteed.
Thetablesprovideforamplespace,withfabulousdishes
beautifullydisplayedduringeachcourse.Uniquelydesigned
cutlerycuriouslyhiddeninaclothbagandbeautiful
glasswareaddtotheimaginativediningexperience.Ideal
forsundownersatthebar,orforarelaxeddining
experience,ZINZIembracesthespiritofhonestcuisineandzestyingredientswithachoiceselectionofala
cartemenuitems.
Thetablesettingswereabsolutelybeautiful(notdonejusticebymynighttimephotographs)withan
interiordesignwhichwasAfricaninitssubtletheming,givingasenseofoccasionwithoutformality.
Themenuwaspresentedinabook,whichIcouldntbringaway,includingasuperbwinelisttheykindly
gavemeacopyofthemenubutcouldntletmehavethewinelistastheyareabouttoenteran
internationalcompetitionwithit.Itsdifficulttodescribewithouthavingtheexactcopywithmebut
fundamentallythewinelistfeaturedwineswhichaimedtomakeacontributiontothesurvivalofanumber
ofendangeredanimalspecies.
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Soforinstance,CapePointVineyardsgivemoneyforeverybottleofSplatteredToadtheyselltotheWesternLeopardToadconservationfund.TheHamiltonRussellWineEstateproducesSouthernRightwine
andgivesmoneyonthesamebasistotheSouthernRightWhaleConservation.LeopardsLeapgivesmoney
totheCapeLeonardtrustwhilsttheJordanfamilysupporttheCapeDwarfChameleon.Whatafantastic
idea!
Theservicecouldnothavebeenmoreattentiveorcaringthroughoutthemealitwastrulyoneofthose
occasionswheretheteamweretrulyoutstanding.
Asforthefood,ourstartersincluded;
ChalmarCarpaccio Gardenroutemussels Patagoniancalamari Easygrilledprawns Caldoverde Moroccanchickpeasoup Chickenandtheegg(below)
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Whilstmainsincluded
Sesamecrustedsalmon Freshlinefish Chalmarbeeffillet Chalmarbeefsirloin Lambshank Persianchicken Indonesianchickencurry Porkbelly(below)
Thiswasabsolutelymyfavouriterestaurantofthetrip.Ithadeverythingwehadbeenseeingthroughout
thetwoweeks,allinonerestaurant:
Averyspeciallocation Wonderfulinteriordesignmodernyetwarmandwelcoming Greattablesettings Outstanding,caringandattentiveservice Freshfoodwithfantasticwellbalancedflavours Exceptionalplatepresentation AuniquewinelistwithagreatUSP
WhatawaytoendasuperblearningexperienceinSouthAfrica.
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ott ar et ng
Spring Cottage Ofces
28 Spring Lane
Great Horwood. Bucks
MK17 0QW
01296 714745 (o)
07831 269032 (m)
www.elliottmarketingpr.com
ann@elliottmarketingpr.com
ww.uk.linkedin.com/in/annempr
www.twitter.com/elliott_mpr
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