2oceans Vibe

We’re keeping tabs on the various Valentine’s Day specials on offer out there and want to kick off with this little treat from the Mount Nelson.

Planet Bar
(read about Planet Bar here)

Champagne and Oysters:

Bottle of Steenberg Brut 1682 Chardonnay 2009 and 6 Oysters

R290

Planet Restaurant
(read about Planet Restaurant here)

Valentines Dinner (menu here)

6 course menu

A glass of Steenberg Brut 1682 Chardonnay 2009 on arrival.

R520 per person
includes service charge

Valentines Afternoon Tea

The Mount Nelson’s famous Afternoon Tea
and a glass of Steenberg Brut 1682 Chardonnay 2009.

R225 per person

ps: If you’re looking for some pampering, give their Librisa Spa a call and ask about their Valentine’s Day specials – CLICK HERE

I had a lunch “meeting” a couple weeks ago and I told the guy that I would see him at the Oasis Restaurant at the Mount Nelson.

“Are you aware of it?” I asked him.

“Cape Town’s best kept secret,” he replied.

Wow – that’s laughable. I know a lot of places and things claim to be Cape Town’s “best kept secret” and they are entitled to those claims. A secret beach, perhaps. Or a little viewing point on Signal Hill – great. That makes sense. But why should a restaurant which is so tranquil and charming, with easy parking and delicious food be a secret? I find that quite bizarre. Actually, it’s more than that – I find it nothing short of astounding.

Seriously, consider me astounded.

I know how to keep a secret and that is why I try not to publicise the various Bakoven beaches I frequent (and sometimes get attacked on) but I’m also in the business of making your lives easier. It’s all about living the holiday, right? So when it comes to a “secret” which will make your lives easier and is open to the public, I would actually be harming you if I don’t tell you about it. Because then you would be living the “nightmare,” rather than the holiday.

If you want to get away from the madness in a place with no noise and nothing but a civilised laid-back atmosphere, then please do yourselve a favour and grab a wrought-iron chair on the terrace overlooking the most beautiful pool and lawns in Cape Town, and kick-back. You can eat from the hot and cold buffet or you can eat off the menu. There is a chef right there and you can select what meat or calamari you want him/her to cook for you and they will cook it in front of you. It’s all incredible because it all falls under Chef Rudi’s jurisdiction – which means it’s as good as it gets. You’ll recall our chat about the Planet Restaurant ..

This is pretty much exactly how we roll, friends.

Did I mention the parking? It’s free and there is tons of it. In the shade too

CLICK HERE for more on The Oasis Restaurant at the Mount Nelson
and make the most of this Cape Town institution.

[COMPETITION IS CLOSED. INFO TO BUY TICKETS ONLINE IS BELOW]
[WELL DONE TO JEN, STEVE, MINKI, SV AND STU]

It’s the 2012 Cape Town Tens tournament this weekend, and by all accounts it will be even more exciting than previous years. Especially since they’re packing it into two days, rather than three. That means we won’t have to witness broken (physically, emotionally) men hobbling along on the Sunday, barely able to determine in what direction they’re going!

They’re even giving away a Golf GTi. Check this out (competition below):

The popular Castle Cape Town Tens rugby event, brainchild of Bob Skinstad and Rob Fleck, is just around the corner! It takes place on Friday and Saturday, 3 and 4 February, and will be hosted at the Hamilton Rugby Club for the fourth consecutive year. This year’s Tens promises to be a highlight of the year with an exciting music line-up, appearances from local and international rugby legends, competitions and giveaways, and a new addition, an exciting rugby expo.

2012 boasts an incredible line-up of live entertainment including the popular group Goodluck, The Graeme Watkins Project, The Lightyears and Me and Mr Brown. With three rugby fields, beer and food tents, kiddies play areas, as well as a host of rugby legends and SA personalities, there is plenty to experience both on and off the rugby field for the whole family. Enjoy a drink with mates in the beer tent while watching the rugby action and the kids will be entertained at the same time in the play area.

Promising to be bigger and better than before, this year the number of teams has been increased from 56 to 72, with four divisions – a heavy and light Beer League, The Vets League and the more competitive Premier League. Rugby legends this year include international stars Leon Lloyd, Malcolm O’Kelly, Justin Marshall and David Rees, and local stars Jake Boer, Breyton Paulse, John Allen and Pieter Muller.

An amazing prize on offer this year is a brand-new Golf GTI to the value of R365 000, sponsored by Stor-Age. Contestants will test their rugby skills kicking for the post to determine the lucky winner.

This year’s Castle Cape Town Tens is proudly brought to you by Castle, Canterbury, Powerade and the City of Cape Town.

Tickets are on sale at R70 per person via Computicket HERE. Kids under 12 are free.

Follow the Castle Cape Town Tens on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CapeTownTens and on Twitter at @capetowntens.

Game Times HERE.

Please contact Andrea Smit on andrea@klprsa.com or (021) 671 4127 for any media enquiries and high res images.

To win a pair tickets to the event, it’s quite simple.

Leave a comment below and tell us why YOU deserve to win.

Competition closes 12h00 on Wednesday

Judges decision is final.

We are giving away 5 PAIRS of tickets.

GO GO GO!

I didn’t know what to expect, to be honest. I spend quite a bit of time at the Planet Bar (Thursday nights a must), which is sophisticated and cool, with a relaxed vibe. It certainly is more ‘mod’ when compared to, say, the world-famous Mount Nelson tea room – just next door. So when it came to the Planet Restaurant, I didn’t know if they were going to hit me with the chilled vibe, or the posh vibe. My expectations were tending towards the latter, to be honest.

I’ve done a fair bit of “fine dining” in my time, both locally and internationally. I find the local offerings stuffy and artificial, often confusing bothersome over-attention with tip-top service. As any good butler or concierge will know, excellent service can stem from doing nothing at all – ie. knowing when to leave the employer/customer alone. There is nothing I hate more than service staff checking-up over and over again to see if I’m ok. “Well, my friend, to be honest I was ok, before you interrupted my train of thought for the third time today, to ask if I was ok.”

Which brings me to the Planet Restaurant - a plush newly-decorated high-ceiling affair within Cape Town’s most grand and famous hotel, the Mount Nelson. Some people might refer to it as fine dining, but it’s not.

In a good way.

When entering the restaurant itself, there is no doubt that you have arrived at an upmarket establishment, where no expense has been spared in its decoration and presentation. The staff are highly attentive and clearly well-trained, with genuine smiles and warmth replacing the ironically clueless stuck-up snooty attitude that we have grown accustomed to in South Africa’s posh restaurants.

The Mount Nelson’s highly-acclaimed chef, Rudi Liebenberg,  has put together a menu to be proud of, with a selection to suit every palette (check out their awesome menu here). I was not surprised that the cuisine itself was beautifully presented and more than delicious, and want to focus more on the experience as a whole. It should be noted that you are also offered the chance to have a glass of wine to pair with each dish, with an expert available to help you make that choice. I gave that a miss and stuck to the De Grendel.

But the thing that got me was this – once our main meal had arrived, we were checked on just once, and then left alone. Now that might seem like a basic thing to you, but I assure you these days it is not. The waiter could see we were in discussion and I watched him out the corner of my eye – as he looked from across the room, gauging for himself as to whether or not we needed to be interrupted. Every now and then our glasses would be topped up, without a word uttered by the young gentleman.

The “fine dining” “silver service” badge kicked in again, as my partner went to the bathroom. She had just left the table when, quick-as-a-flash, her chair was straightened and her napkin placed, neatly folded, over the arm of the chair – prepared for her return. It’s those little special details that I want out of my dining experience. Those are the important things. Not overdoing the attention and checking five times if “everything is ok.”

The Planet Restaurant at the Mount Nelson is where you want to go for a special dining experience. It could be classed as “fine dining” but I would caution such a description, as that particular term has lost it’s cool. Nobody really wants fine dining anymore. If they want something impressive, classy and cool – with outstanding food and top professional service, this is what they’re after.

You’ll leave satisfied, with a smile on your face – something all too rare in the “fine dining” realm..

It’s been a while since we hung out at the Planet Bar. And when I say “hung out” I mean arriving there at lunch time and leaving at midnight. Because that’s what we used to do. Then time got lost and some years went by, and now I see Cape Town’s coolest lounge/champagne bar is back in full force – starting next week with their weekly Thursday night lineup!

If it’s a bit of cool class you’re after, then check this out!

Thursday nights at Planet Bar

Planet Bar is known as Cape Town’s premier venue for after-work week day drinks and the perfect warm up to a weekend night-on-the-town.

Now, Planet invites you to experience Thursday nights, to sample premier beverage brands matched with the soothing sounds of soul and funk integrated with deep house music.

Cocktails are priced from R35,00. Try mind-blowing creations such as Planet’s signature Planet Passion – a mix of Stolichnaya raspberry vodka combined with fresh passion fruit purée, charged with Pierre Jourdan Cuvée Brut and crowned with Chambord black raspberry liqueur.

Make sure to also try out Chef Rudi Liebenberg’s new snack menu offering mushroom empanadas, oysters and a mouth watering range of warm options such as mini ostrich sosaties.

For more details please contact: Tel: +27 (0)21 483 1948 or email: restaurantreservations@mountnelson.co.za

So rad! The DJ plays from 18h00 to 22h00 every Thursday!

And have you seen their “snack” menu? Seriously, don’t even joke…

Find out more about Planet Bar here.

I’ll see you there – MOST of the summer.

Regards,

Thursday, 1st September is not to be missed! Unless you don’t enjoy the words ‘fine wine’, ‘gourmet cuisine’ and ‘live jazz’ in the same sentence! We do. That’s why we strongly urge you to book for what is sure to be another raging success at the 1800 Grill Room! They’re nearly sold out so I would get moving on that ASAP!

For reservations, please contact info@18hundreddegrees.com
or phone 021 430 0506

I had a dinner party last night at my penthouse at the Cape Royale Hotel, and I must just say that the star of the show (besides the Jack Daniel’s, Corona beer, Boschendal bubbly and La Fee absinthe) was “The World In Vogue” coffee table book I bought for La Muse a while ago. It’s so awesome, many of the guests were rubbing it against their bodies. One of the girls licked the cover. But that might have been the absinthe talking.

I see the book is available at Kalahari.

Success..

Click here to order a copy of THE WORLD IN VOGUE online now.

There are all sorts of Women’s Day specials flying around at the moment. That’s why I wanted you to check out this particular vibe! So cool!

It’s not often that you get all three. That’s why 1800 Grill Room at the Cape Royale has put together this very rare treat. Kicking off next week Thursday (4 August). I would advise you make reservations quite swiftly!

021 430 0506

info@18hundreddegrees.com

The last time I was in a game reserve the only thing marking the camp site was a wooden sign pegged into the ground saying “camp site 3”. That was it. No fence, no toilet, no warm towels waiting for me on arrival, no gin and tonics, no under-floor heating. A mini bar was but a dream, a wine cellar unimaginable. So when I found these and other amenities waiting for me at Sanbona Private Wildlife Reserve, I realised I was about to experience a style of safari completely new to me.

I’d picked up a high-flying friend at the airport and sped off to the reserve. She had just jetted in from Israel having summered in Tel-Aviv. Situated just past Montague, it takes a little under three hours to get to the entrance of Sanbona from Cape Town. From there you can drive yourself to your lodge or book a transfer.

We drove to our lodge, and it was the last thing – apart from eating, drinking and watching – that we had to do until we left. Car keys were taken, the bags disappeared, and we were ushered inside for a refreshing glass of home-made ice tea while Sharon, the lodge manager, gave us the run-down of the place.

Sanbona is one of the largest private game reserves in the country. At around a 54 000 hectares, it is roughly the size of Singapore. There are three lodges on the reserve. Tinley Manor, family-friendly Godwana Lodge, and the Dwyka Tented Lodge, where we stayed. To call our lodgings “tents” is like calling Madiba “a nice guy”. This place was nuts. Set in an old riverbed, the tent had solid walls with a canvas roof. The bed I could live in, the bath seemed to suck you in and not let you go, and the shower had the most flattering lighting I’ve ever experienced. The ochre tones of the suite, both inside and out perfectly matched that of the landscape.

After doing the requisite happy dance one does in these kinds of situations, we popped a bottle of wine from the mini bar and celebrated. Well, I celebrated with wine, my high-flying friend took the first of what would be many baths instead. She swears it’s the best she’s ever had. The lotions and soaps seemed to be of top quality too, as my friend bought two of everything.

Summoned for dinner at seven, we dressed and walked up to the central lodge. Aperitifs in hand we moved to the deck to take in some fresh evening air and listened to, well, nothing. The silence and stillness of the Klein Karoo evening was upon us. We sipped our drinks, smiling smugly at each other. The silence was broken by the crunch of feet on the track leading up from one of the other tents. It was the only other guest at the lodge that night, and he was coming up for dinner.

Three excellent steaks, one bottle of wine and numerous G&Ts later, we had got to know Edward – a jolly English fellow in his early thirties. It was his last night, but he would be joining us in the morning for our game drive. Outside on the deck after dinner, in the light of an almost full moon, we had a final gin and tonic; our voices echoing off the cliff that towers over the lodge site. Life was good.

Your day starts early at Sanbona, with a wake-up call at 06h30. Another bath for my friend, and another candle–lit shower for me. Over breakfast a bleary eyed Ed explained that the game drive is three hours long with a stop for coffee in the middle.

Our open-topped Landcruiser sat waiting at the entrance to the lodge with hot water bottles and blankets on the seats. Alwyn, our ranger was also waiting. He was brilliant. His deep understanding of all the animals we came across meant that whether we saw a grasshopper or and elephant, each creature was equally fascinating. More importantly, his enjoyment while telling you about them was quite obvious.

We set off, and almost immediately saw a white Lion. Sanbona is home to the only free-roaming and self-sustainable white lions in the world. We had come across one of the females walking with two other tawny females past the big dam. We followed them, only metres from our Landcruiser, until they disappeared into the bush.

The hilarious British banter from Edward ensured that when we weren’t learning about the defence mechanism of the Milkweed Grasshopper (it produces lethal foam made from its blood and toxins from the milkweed plant – taste it and expect an instant heart-attack) we were joking about creative ways to eliminate poachers, and a host of other subjects that are, to be honest, NSFW. At one point, passing a family just arriving back from their drive, Ed said, “Eh chaps, did you see that tiger?” The moment’s look of confusion was priceless. The best game drive I’ve ever had.

We stopped at the dam, and Alwyn made us some coffee and hot chocolate. We chatted about the Rhino poaching problem. I knew it was bad, but not this bad. He told us that it’s estimated that there is almost one Rhino being poached every 72 hours. When my friend asked how many Sanbona had, a pained look flashed across Alwyn’s face as he shook his head and said, “Sorry, I can’t tell you.”

On the way back we came across some Giraffe, a Black-Backed Jackal and some Red Hartebeest. Back at the lodge, large gin and tonics were poured. We said goodbye to our new friend Ed, and looked forward to an afternoon’s relaxation. The high-flying friend decided on a spa treatment – she came back with a dazed look in her eyes and a grin the size of a Kudu horn.

We fell into the rhythm of Sanbona easily. Eat, game drive, eat, relax, game drive, eat, sleep; punctuated in my friend’s case by many baths, and in mine G&Ts. Late that afternoon saw us go on another drive to a different part of the park. Elephants, a Rhino and some hippos were found. Drinks were had on top of a koppie, while the sun sank so we could experience the particular beauty of a Klein Karoo dusk.

We had a final game drive the following morning before making our way back to Town. It was a difficult place to leave. The service was some of the best I have experienced in South Africa. The staff members know your name, remember your preferred drink, and not once did I feel like what they were doing was a chore. It was, I guess, what hospitality is supposed to be like. So easy to forget in this country.

A superb two nights. Apart from the game, good food, brilliant service, one thing sets Sabona apart for me: with all the luxury it offered not once did it feel ostentatious. It was like being at home. A beautiful home in the middle of the Klein Karoo, surrounded by wild animals, where the gin and tonic is on tap. My kind of home.

On Thursday, July 7 at 19h00, The Cape Royale Hotel’s acclaimed eatery, EighteenHundred Grill Room, is offering a four course meal prepared by their talented chef, Jonathan Gargan, which will be paired with Warwick Wine Estate’s flagship wines.

How much do you think a night like that should cost? R500? Nay!

R335 will nab you this experience, which is completed by complimentary aperitifs in the lobby prior to the meal, and a jazz accompaniment throughout the evening.

Waltz into the Grill Room for an evening of selfish, and delicious, pleasure.

Contact the Eighteen Hundred to make reservations via email, or call them on 021 430 0506.

My primary residence, the Cape Royale Hotel, has been nominated again for the World Luxury Hotel Awards! As with most things here on 2oceansvibe, we like to show our support for the brands we care about and who care about us. My love for the Cape Royale knows no bounds and you need only check out the virtual tour of my penthouse to understand why.

It is on that note that I ask each and every one of you to spare a click and vote for the Cape Royale Hotel, so that it may, once again, claim its place as one of the world’s most sought-after hotels.

The World Luxury Hotel Awards are the world’s most prestigious Awards exclusive to the luxury hotel industry & recognize the best facilities and service excellence the industry has to offer.

Please cast your valuable vote (takes 20 seconds) for The Cape Royale Luxury Hotel and Residence in the 2011 World Luxury Hotel Awards. Click the vote button below and you will instantly be directed to the voting poll.

CLICK HERE TO VOTE

(TAKES 20 SECONDS)

Continue Reading

Some places hold specials. Others hold special events. The EighteenHundred Grill Room is one such place, and what with it perched beneath my beloved residence, the Cape Royale Hotel, I’ve been known to nip in there more regularly than not. They’re laying on the special treatment this winter with a Tapas and Jazz series, happening every Sunday from 12h00 to 15h00.

You lucky fish will get authentic Mediterranean tapas (prepared by EighteenHundred’s wizardly chef, Jonathan Gargan), fresh bread, free bottles of wine, and – best of all in my opinion – free parking with your reservation.

And just when you thought the freedom was at full capacity, you get a dose of free music-induced endorphins via live Jazz. You’re pushing your luck if you ask for much more, I’m telling you.

And while we’re on the topic of the EighteenHundred Grill Room, let’s have a brief chat about an event that you would do well to attend.

On Thursday, June 2 at 19h00, EighteenHundred is offering a four course meal prepared by the self-same Jonathan Gargan, paired with Morgenhof wines, for only R335.

Walk in to the Cape Royale lobby, enjoy the fact that you’re greeted with aperitifs, and waltz into the Grill Room for an evening of selfish, and delicious, pleasure.

Contact the Eighteen Hundred to make reservations for either of the two events via email, or call them on 021 430 0506.

There’s not much more that needs to be said, is there? No, is the answer. It’s pretty much all you needed to hear. Do you even need me to push you over the edge by mentioning the four-course gourmet gastronomic journey, prepared by renowned Chef Jonathan Gargan? Probably not. Seriously, get a grip – it’s not every day these things occur so close to home.

Go on… raise your game a bit.

For reservations contact info@18hundreddegrees.com or call 021 430 0506

Spotted at Cape Town International.

Stunning!

[thanks carryn]
Continue Reading

While our Facebook photos from the event can give you an idea of the awesomeness of the vibe that day, it can never do it justice. That is why I invented the ‘moving picture’ and, subsequently, this video. Jump in and re-live that day with us. Feel the vibe throughout your body, not just through your ears.

MASSIVE thanks goes out to www.idodigital.co.za and www.freehandproductions.co.za for their full-service filming and editing skills. Highly recommended! Follow the link to check the video.. Continue Reading

Do you stay at work longer and watch Goldfish LIVE-STREAMING on the web, from the roof of the Cape Royale Hotel? Or do you leave work early and watch them on the webcam from home? That is question that our non-winners will have to ask themselves, as we bring you live streaming footage of this monumental exclusive event. A small intimate crowd will be making it, but due to limited numbers, we felt the only way to please everyone would be to have a webcam.

So, do yourself a favour and CLICK HERE to go to the webcam and tune-in from 16h30 today!

Imagine that? Well it’s a very real thing, my friends. Goldfish are performing a DANGEROUSLY intimate gig on the roof of the Cape Royale hotel tomorrow (Friday) from 15h30 and all the 2oceansvibe brands are taking care of drinks. That’s right – we’re talking Jack Daniel’s, Corona, Jack Black, BOS iced tea, Boschendal bubby, De Grendal wine & Pussy Energy Drink!

But because it is so exclusive and ‘intimate’ we can only allow space for eight special people – you and seven friends! So it’s the Cape Royale pool, beautiful boys, beautiful babes, hot music, celebs, super-chilled drinks and some hot tunes!

Oh, and did I mention that the whole thing will be streamed – live via webcam on the internet? So your 9-to-5 mates can watch you from their desks – as you quietly destroy an epic day in the sun! Shame! Shame on you for being such a legend!

I’m FINE with that! See below to WIN the afternoon of your life!!

To win eight tickets (you + seven friends), simply do the following:

- Email competition@2oceansvibe.com and tell us WHY you should win the tickets.

- Send anything you want – photographs, poems – whatever you want.

- We will check it all out and the most fabulous entry (which shows us how much sexy fun you are and and how much you love goldfish and how much you love pool parties and that you promise to be wearing boardshorts, flops, towels and bikinis) will win.

How hilariously awesome is that?

Competition closes at midnight tonight (Thursday night) and if you DON’T hear from us by 8am on Friday morning, then you have NOT won.

If you DO hear from us by 8am on Friday morning, then you will see what the email says – and it will probably say that you are a winner!

Go go go!