Table of contents for Issue 2 2020 in Cape Etc

‘My staff are the magic behind the dining experience that guests come for’ ‘Things were sky-rocketing, going really well. Then COVID-19 reared its ugly head,’ says popular local chef and restaurateur Cheyne Morrisby. Plate by small plate, Cheyne had built a reputation for creating some of Cape Town’s edgiest and most delicious Pan Asian/Pacific Rim cuisine. Since 2013, when he opened Cheyne’s in Hout Bay (having previously headed up the kitchen at Holden Manz Wine Estate after an 11-year stint abroad), he’d steadily and sustainably grown his Cheyne Morrisby Restaurants group to include four additional eateries. First came Lucky Bao, a hole-in-the-wall space adjacent to Cheyne’s, offering traditional Chinese steamed, filled buns and other Asian street food. Then came Shio at upmarket boutique hotel The Grey in De Waterkant, described…

Through Clanwilliam, you head east on Pakhuis Pass and after 34 km reach Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve and Retreat. It’s by far the most luxurious place to stay in the Cederberg, with 8 000 hectares of protected rehabilitated farmland that has been stocked with game and – in spring – is filled with wildflowers. Reality is totally suspended since you could be a million miles from anywhere, cradled by nature, while in fact you’re in the lap of luxury, lolling on expensive furniture, attended by eager staffers supplying unusual drinks (they’ve been known to mix up a mean rooibos Kir royal and serve buchu mojitos), and probably far too much food (tuna loins infused with rooibos, anyone?). On game drives, your ranger will mix a mean G & T, and…

Sanbona’s Explorer Camp is designed to add to the deep sense of being immersed in wilderness – although you won’t for a moment feel like you’re on manoeuvres, not by a long shot. When not hiking, you’re chilling out in the open-sided Bedouin tent lounge with rugs and sofas, and an ice box stashed with drinks. Dangling from a nearby tree, a pair of hammocks, and over a small sandy rise, the safari tents where you sleep. They’re snug and practical with two single stretcher beds, bedecked with duvets and blankets, and can be made into doubles; there’s a little bathroom in the back so you needn’t trundle through the night to the eco loo at the edge of camp. By day, though, that outdoor toilet has an awesome view.…

ACES ‘N’ SPADES 62 HOUT STREET, CBD 021 424 1620, thefirmct.co.za/aces-n-spades This ‘good bar where bad things happen’ is the place to go if you’re looking for a great party. Take the mic on Wednesday nights at karaoke; on Fridays, you can catch a live local act (with no cover charge); and the weekend sees the dance floor full of jollers. Oh, and it’s only rock ‘n’ roll, baby. ARCADE 152 BREE STREET, CBD 060 861 0511, arcadecafe.co.za Arcade bridges the gap between bar culture, restaurant dining and club life. The succinct menu offers tasty burgers (we’re sinking our teeth into the Happy – mozzarella, Cheddar, streaky bacon, greens, pickled red onion, roasted-garlic olive oil and herbs), pizza and cafe-style fare. Ease into the relaxed bar vibe as you prepare…

For more information, call 021 799 8783 or visit sanbi.org WHY VISIT? Few gardens in the world can compare to the majestic setting of Kirstenbosch. Established in 1913, the 36 ha garden is part of a larger 528 ha estate bordering the Table Mountain National Park. It forms part of the Cape Floral Kingdom, a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site known for its endemism. More than 7 000 species of Cape flora, alongside other plant life from the diverse regions of Southern Africa, are cultivated here. The garden is also home to a wide variety of birds and small animals. WHAT TO SEE AND DO Marvel at South Africa’s national flower in the Protea Garden, wander along the self-guided Braille Trail or take a stroll across the impressive 130 m…

THE FUGARD THEATRE* CNR CALEDON AND BUITENKANT STREETS 021 461 4554, thefugard.com Named in honour of master playwright Athol Fugard, The Fugard Theatre opened its doors in 2010 in the Fringe District, the city’s edgy hub of arts and culture. Watch highly acclaimed localand international productions in this industrial-chic space that is usually packed to capacity. LABIA THEATRE 68 ORANGE STREET, GARDENS 021 424 5927, thelabia.co.za Locals are nothing short of in love with this charmingly ageing cinema complex. Originally the Italian embassy’s ballroom, it was opened in 1949 by Princess Labia. You can catch art-house and mainstream films here, with popcorn, home-made treats and alcoholic drinks available. THEATRE ON THE BAY* 1A LINK ROAS, CAMPS BAY 021 438 3301, pietertoerien.co.za A stone’s throw from one of Cape Town’s most…

AFROGEM 181 BUITENGRACHT STREET, CBD 021 424 0848, afrogem.co.za The production tour offers a glimpse of what goes into each stunning creation. BOUTIQUE HAUTE HORLOGERIE VICTORIA WHARF, V&A WATERFRONT 021 418 1889, picotandmoss.com Expect a luxury line-up of timepieces, with the likes of Richard Mille, Piguet, Parmigiani, Zenith, Hermès, Dior and Ebel timepieces. BROWNS CANAL WALK, CENTURY CITY 021 555 2196, brownsjewellers.com With outlets across South Africa, this family-owned diamond store epitomises exceptional quality, enduring designs and outstanding customer service. CAPE DIAMOND EXCHANGE 73 ST GEORGES MALL, CBD 021 422 2350, capediamondexchange.com Industry authority and current Cape Diamond Exchange owner Mr Poldy puts his expertise to work at this boutique. It offers a range of jewellery and handcrafted pieces, set and unset certified diamonds and tanzanite, and a soughtafter selection…

ACROBRANCH 1 HOUT BAY MAIN ROAD, CONSTANTIA NEK 086 999 0369, acrobranch.co.za Take to the trees with fun activities for the whole family. There are two courses for the little ones, while adults and teens can tackle a slightly more thrilling elevated experience. All three courses combine the adventure of zip lines, moving planks, Tarzan swings, rope bridges and more. The park caters for kids’ birthday parties and corporate team building too. From R150–R280 ALPACA LOOM SUID-AGTER PAARL ROAD, SOUTHERN PAARL 084 793 3666, alpacas.co.za Kids are in for an interactive experience at the alpaca petting zoo, where they have the chance to get up close to these animals. If they still have some energy left after, they can let loose on the jungle gym while parents park off for…

ZOLANI MAHOLA ‘My husband and I have baked bread, we have made an erupting volcano, we have cooked many meals together with our kids. The main gift has been time with family. My routine when I’m healthy is that I wake up, meditate and do some stretches. For the first five weeks of lockdown I was online on my Instagram page, nearly daily, doing live concerts and checking in with fans around the world. Then it developed into a space where I’ve been interviewing fellow musicians, up-and-coming artists, photographers, changemakers, poets and climate justice activists. As lockdown regulations have begun to ease, it’s been great getting out to De Waal Park – our local swathe of green – in the mornings with our kids.’ • Last year, Freshlyground’s Zolani Mahola…

In Cape Town, Janse & Co’s Arno Janse partnered with Ladles of Love, a non-profit, volunteer-run soup kitchen to provide more than 2 500 meals a day (ladlesoflove.org.za). Extreem Kwizeen’s Wynand du Plessis started Soupathon 1000, supported by Andrea Foulkes of catering company Dish Food & Social as well as Pete Goffe-Wood of Viande at the Grande Roche Hotel in Paarl (extreem.co.za). In Franschhoek, Chris Erasmus of Foliage, Darren Badenhorst of Le Coin Francais and Liam Tomlin’s Chefs Warehouse team joined forces with Isabelo, the feeding scheme set up in 2009 by Margot Janse (ex The Tasting Room at Le Quartier Francais), and Together Franschhoek (formerly Franschhoek Disaster Management) to provide food parcels to thousands of families in need (isabelocharity.com). In Stellenbosch, several restaurateurs including Bertus Basson (Overture, Eike, Spek…

CITY BOWL 95 KEEROM 95 KEEROM STREET, CBD 021 422 0765, 95keerom.com In a building that originally housed the stables and slave quarters of the Company’s Garden, 95 Keerom serves up delicious, authentic Italian cuisine. Think raw-brick national-monument walls and some of the best carpaccio and pasta this side of Italy. You can’t leave without trying the gelato either. ADDIS IN CAPE 41 CHURCH STREET, CBD 021 424 5722, addisincape.co.za This restaurant brings the flavours of Ethiopia to the Mother City. With no utensils, savour the aromatic cuisine the authentic Ethiopian way – either with your hands or scooped up with injera, the pancake-style sourdough bread on which food is served. Finish off the evening with a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony. THE AFRICA CAFÉ 108 SHORTMARKET STREET, CBD 021 422…

KOMMETJIE Kommetjie is best known for its prime surf: A clean-breaking, long-riding wave means that the bay is often dotted with boards. With one of the biggest drops in the world, it’s great windsurfing territory too. Don’t miss a chance to check out the view from Slangkop Lighthouse. BAKOVEN If you’re in the Camps Bay area and looking for a more private day on the beach, sans waves of bronzing bodies, head a bit further along the road (away from the city centre) to Bakoven. It may be tiny in comparison, but it’s a lovely boulder-strewn beach and is usually quiet enough to sunbathe with a book. BLOUBERGSTRAND Blouberg offers the iconic postcard view of Table Mountain, so have your camera at the ready. Kids will love exploring the rock…

CAPE POINT 021 780 9010, capepoint.co.za Situated within the southern section of Table Mountain National Park, Cape Point is a firm fixture on any Mother City itinerary. Sheer cliffs towering more than 200 m above sea level provide a breathtaking perspective of the park’s biodiversity. Relish a meal at the Two Oceans Restaurant after you’ve enjoyed a day of exploration. DE HOOP NATURE RESERVE OVERBERG 021 422 4522, dehoopcollection.com Just three hours’ drive away from Cape Town, De Hoop Nature Reserve is one of the world’s most biologically diverse sanctuaries. Covering some 35 000 ha, the reserve remains a favourite destination for hikers, birders and botanists. Book one of the self-catering cottages (the Opstal Manor House or the newly opened Lekkerwater Beach Lodge) and enjoy guided marine and fynbos walks,…

34 FINE ART BUCHANAN SQUARE, 160 SIR LOWRY ROAD, WOODSTOCK 082 354 1500, 34fineart.com This gallery was started with the owner’s personal collection of work, but now rotates solo exhibitions by prestigious local and international contemporary artists. Open by appointment only GERART 19 A HUGUENOT ROAD, FRANSCHHOEK 083 356 9898, gerart.co.za Gerhard Snyman is a South African wildlife and portrait artist, best known for his arresting illustrations paired with vibrant acrylic colour on canvas. His gallery in Franschhoek is a treasure trove of this unique style. Open daily 9 am – 5 pm ABE OPPERMAN GALLERY 2ND FLOOR, 5 HUDSON STREET, DE WATERKANT 11 HUGUENOT STREET, FRANSCHHOEK 082 551 9708, abeopperman.co.za The pieces at the Abe Opperman Gallery are an invitation to reconsider modern life’s preoccupation with consumerism, violence, power…

CANAL WALK CENTURY BOULEVARD, CENTURY CITY 021 529 9699, canalwalk.co.za Many retailers’ flagship stores can be found in this sprawling mall, so you can expect an incredible selection of everything from mainstream fashion and homeware shops to African curios and designer jewellery. More than 400 outlets, a food court and a cinema complex make this a popular spot for a family outing. Arrive early to beat the crowds. CAVENDISH SQUARE 1 DREYER STREET, CLAREMONT 021 657 5600, cavendish.co.za Cross-shop for homeware, clothing and cosmetics at the big retail stores or, for more boutique buys (think beautiful home smalls and locally designed fashion), head to Poetry or The Space. Teens will find a variety of shops that cater to their tastes, and also in the mix are bookshops, jewellery stores, a…

CAPE PENINSULA AMBELOUI 4075 VALLEY ROAD, HOUT BAY ambeloui.co.za The MCCs that start their journey in the Ambeloui vineyards are certainly worth a toast. The small family-run boutique cellar has been producing bubbly for more than two decades, with each vintage named after a family member. Ann Christodoulou, the family matriarch, shares her love of Greek delicacies, and sells spanakopita, bougatsa and baklava from the farm too. Tastings: Only on the estate’s two annual sale days DORRANCE WINES HERITAGE SQUARE, 95 HOUT STREET, CBD 021 422 0695, dorrancewines.com Winemaker Christophe Durand moved from Calvados, France, to Cape Town in 1995. He has since established a premium brand that expresses both South African terroir and French traditions. Visit this atmospheric urban wine cellar with its narrow doorways and exposed-granite walls, then…

GUIDED HIKES Book a walk with one of the following accredited guides. They will be able to advise on how much water to take, and which other mountain essentials you should bring along: HIKE TABLE MOUNTAIN RIAAN VORSTER, 060 539 9340 hiketablemountain.co.za From R950 pp (excluding transport, cableway fare and Kirstenbosch entrance fee) TABLE MOUNTAIN WALKS MARGARET CURRAN, 082 920 4679 tablemountainwalks.co.za From R750 pp (excluding cableway fare and Kirstenbosch entrance fee; including transport and picnic lunch) CABLEWAY 021 424 0015, tablemountain.net Looking to take a markedly less tiring route to the top? The rotating cable car promises a spectacular bird’s-eye view of Cape Town, and has attracted more than 27 million visitors since it first opened in 1929. Once you’re at the top, you can walk to various lookout…

SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM AND PLANETARIUM* 25 QUEEN VICTORIA STREET, CBD 021 481 3800/3900 The museum’s extensive collection of fossils, artefacts and zoological specimens provides a record of social and natural history. The adjoining planetarium offers visitors fascinating audiovisual voyages of exploration into outer space. Museum entrance: R30 for adults, R15 for children. Planetarium entrance (includes museum): R60 for adults, R30 for children. Museum open daily 9 am – 5 pm; planetarium open Tuesday to Sunday 9 am – 5 pm SOUTH AFRICAN NAVAL MUSEUM NAVAL DOCKYARD, SIMON’S TOWN (ACCESS VIA ST GEORGE’S STREET) 021 787 4686/4635, sanavymuseum.co.za A delight for anyone interested in ships, submarines and the naval history of the Cape, Simon’s Town is a quintessential maritime destination in the Mother City. You can’t miss a stop at Boulders…

BLUE BIRD GARAGE FOOD & GOODS MARKET 39 ALBERTYN ROAD, MUIZENBERG 084 405 3544, bluebirdgarage.co.za This unpretentious market housed in an old postal-plane hangar brings ‘the butcher, the baker and the T-shirt maker’ together. Fill up on tasty bites, fresh produce, vegan curries and home-made treats, then browse the beautiful jewellery and fashion. Open Fridays 4–10 pm, first Sunday of every month 11 am – 4 pm CENTURY CITY NATURAL GOODS MARKET PARK LANE, CENTRAL PARK, CENTURY CITY 021 552 6889, events.centurycity.co.za Support local creative-arts-, crafts- and clothing designers at this market. Patrons can enjoy boat trips from Intaka Island to Canal Walk Shopping Centre, or take in one of the live music acts. Dog lovers and kids will also delight in the adoption days hosted by African Tails. Keep…

SANTÉ WELLNESS RETREAT & SPA LA BELLA VITA WINE ESTATE SIMONSVLEI ROAD, PAARL 021 879 1500, santeretreat.co.za For a little R & R in the Winelands, book a day’s pampering and rejuvenation at Santé. Wellness packages include those geared towards de-stressing, detoxing, rejuvenation, healthy ageing and longevity. The retreat has various facilities including a Day Spa, Health Optimising Clinic, Bio-Energy Centre and Fitness Centre. THE SILO SPA THE SILO HOTEL, SILO DISTRICT, V&A WATERFRONT 021 670 0510, theroyalportfolio.com The Silo Spa has everything you would expect from a high-end wellness offering: Exclusivity (there are only five treatment rooms), world-class products (it’s the only spa in Africa that uses New York skincare brand Ling) and excellent service. SKIN RENEWAL CAPE QUARTER, CLAREMONT, CONSTANTIA, PAARL, STELLENBOSCH, WILLOWBRIDGE 086 175 4672, skinrenewal.co.za Skin…