Cape Point Route offers a wide range of Accommodation, Activities, Attractions, Restaurants, Venues, Shops, Tours and Packages on the CAPE PENINSULA, CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA

:: Hout Bay :: Noordhoek :: Kommetjie :: Scarborough :: Cape of Good Hope :: :: Simon’s Town :: Fish Hoek :: Kalk Bay :: St. James :: Muizenberg ::



Monday, July 26, 2010

2 Wine Evenings on the Cape Point Route this weekend










There are 2 great wine and food pairing evenings taking place on the Cape Point Route this weekend. Friday night 30 July 2010 sees Rodwell House in St James host Cathy Marshall and Saturday night 31 July 2010 sees the Foodbarn Restaurant at Noordhoek Farm Village host a food-wine pairing with Tierhoek wines.

Special Wine-Maker’s Evening with Wine-maker Cathy Marshall

Date: Friday 30 July 2010

Time: 19h30

Price: R245 pp

Venue: Titanium Bistro at Rodwell House, St James

Reservations: 021 787 9880
Email: info@rodwellhouse.co.za

The event will informally approach wine tastin & food pairing unde the expert eye of wine maker, Cathy Marshall. She will dine with the group, which is limited to 16 people and details will be teased out with an added twist of fun...

Come and meet this extraordinary wine-maker and let her tell us about what inspires her to produce the beautifully poised and elegant wines that she does.

4 Course meal, carefully paired with Cathy Marshall’s superb wines, prepared by Executive Chef, Ivan Cameron.

Menu:
Canapés on arrival
Avocado mousse with poached prawn
Goats milk cheese with chives in phyllo pastry
Baked mushroom with a filling of crème fraishe and calamata olive
Cathy Marshall Sauvignon Blanc 2010

Starter
Pastry basket with spinach, egg plant and mushroom
A delicious blend of vegetables in a creamy egg custard, baked until crisp
Cathy Marshall Pinot 2009

Mains
Roasted warthog loin with caramelized apple and red wine sauce
Marinated overnight in red wine and fresh herbs, slow roasted, carved and served with crispy roast potatoes and in-season vegetables
Cathy Marshall Pinot Reserve 2009

Dessert
Double cream camembert with pears and walnuts
Camembert filled with a mixture of pears cooked in brandy and nuts, and drizzled with a warm sweet cranberry sauce
Myriad

After serving her apprenticeships in numerous South African wineries, Cathy Marshall undertook specialised training in France, Oregon, California and Australia. Apart from being resident winemaker for Meinert Winery, Ken Forrester Wines, Old Vines and Amani, Cathy was also Cellarmaster at the well-known Ridgeback Winery. Here she garnered a maiden vintage 5 star rating (John Platter) for the Ridgeback Shiraz in 2001. This helped the winery to obtain premium status. Whilst managing operations for her own wine company, she now acts as technical advisor to both Ridgeback and Lindhorst Wineries.

July 2010 Winter Wine Evening at the Foodbarn Restaurant

Date: Saturday 31 July 2010

Time: 19h30

Price: R250 pp

Venue: The Foodbarn Restaurant, Noordhoek Farm Village

Reservations: 021 787 1390
Email: info@thefoodbarn.co.za

The Foodbarn Restaurant in association with Tierhoek wines and de Noordhoek Hotel
presents their july 2010 winter wine evening. Franck has put together a delicious menu and paired each course with a Tierhoek Wine.

Menu:

fynbos smoked mussels served with watercress soup
tierhoek sauvignon blanc

thai spiced crusted kingklip , served with pak-choi and a lemongrass cream
tierhoek chenin blanc

a strawberry, red grenache and wild rosemary drinking sorbet

springbok tenderloin 'noisettes' grilled, served with beetroots, and a semi-dried apricot 'tatin', finished with a rich fig and buchu jus
tierhoek grenache rouge

pear and apple galette served hot with orange peel ice-cream
tierhoek vin de paille

please note: vegetarian option available on request

Additional Note: Special discounted rates avaialable at de Noordhoek Hotel for the event. Contact De Noordhoek 0n 021 789 2760 for reservations.

Cape Point Route offers a wide range of Accommodation, Activities,
Attractions, Restaurants, Venues, Shops, Tours and Packages on the
CAPE PENINSULA, CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Post Bastille- Day - meet the French on the Cape Point Route







This past weekend saw many Bastille Day Celebrations. Bastille Day is the French national holiday which is celebrated on 14 July each year. It commemorates the 1790 Fête de la Fédération, held on the first anniversary of the storming of the Bastille on 14 July 1789; the anniversary of the storming of the Bastille fortress-prison was seen as a symbol of the uprising of the modern nation, and of the reconciliation of all the French inside the constitutional monarchy which preceded the First Republic, during the French Revolution. Festivities are held on the morning of 14 July, on the Champs-Élysées avenue in Paris in front of the President of the Republic.

In South Africa - French celebrations traditionally take place over the weekend closest to the 14th July and Cape Point Route was tasting cheese, wine and good food and in honour of the things that the French do best!

We have our own little piece of France on the Cape Point Route that is not limited to Bastille Celebrations, but a year round acknowledgement of the activity that the French do best (arguably but in our humble opinion!) - and that's FOOD!

The Foodbarn Restaurant and Deli at Noordhoek Farm Village has at its helm - Frenchman Franck Dangereux, and his partner Pete de Bruin with their talented team. There is always thre is something cooking at the Foodbarn and Franck and Pete look foward to spoiling you.

Franck does regular cooking demonstrations during winter. Get this all the demo's are FREE with your lunch/dinner booking. So Cape Point Route recommends booking now for Tuesday 20 July & Thursday 22 July @ 11h30 or Wednesday 21 July @18h30

Francks demo's for this week (ending 25 July 2010) are:

Potato and celeriac rosti with brie and peppered salad, and

Seared venison with shallot fondant and gooseberry cream, and

Cabbage and potato soup with chorizo

Winter Special 2010:
As always the Foodbarn runs an amazing winter Bistro menu which has to be one of the best bargains ever. For just R185pp you get a 3 course meal and a glass of wine!

Delicious new items on the restaurant menu

The increasingly popular "Andouillette" ... spicy pork belly with chitterlings sausage ... makes a welcome return

Franck has created a superb new dish with the Springbok that Danie (our biltong supplier at the Deli) is supplying us

Escargot will be back on the menu early next week

The Foodbarn Deli has also been hard at work ...

Chef Jos is luring people back with home-made soups made fresh every day

We are using all the Springbok that Danie delivers and will have a Venison Pie by the end of this week

Franck on radio:

Every weekday at around 2:55pm, catch Franck talking food on Cape Talk 567 ... some delicious recipes to cook at home in the evenings ... all recipes posted on the Foodbarn website each day

A cooking tip from Franck:

Microwave a lemon for 15 seconds before squeezing and double the juice you get !

We recommend reservations: Calle the Foodbarn on 021 789 1390 or email info@thefoodbarn.co.za

Monday, July 19, 2010

Winter Weekend Special- Villa St James







Villa St James is an exclusive private villa in St James, Cape Town and accommodates up to 16 guests. They are running a Winter Weekend Special!

PRICE: R6500
Two nights for the price of one!

8 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, 1 guest toilet
Fully equipped kitchen, laundry facilities, barbecue facilities,
Lounge, TV Room, Billiard Room, Dining Room (22 seater)
Housekeeping, Wireless Internet, Concierge Services.

Valid until 30 September 2010.

Enquire now

Quote "Cape Point Route" to qualify for this special.

Villa St James is an historical National monument in the coastal town of St James.
Ideal for a lavish seaside holiday accommodating 16 guests and/or a magnificent venue for wedding, special occasions and corporate functions for up to 30 guests.

Tel: 021 782 9356 or 082 784 8000 for enquiries.
Email: reservations@villastjames.com

Check out www.capepointroute.co.za for more accommodation options in St James as well as things to do in St James and surrounds.

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Caption Competition - Bafana Bafana Shark



The Scenic South is a south peninsula community website with a vision to promote a sustainable, safe, informed, involved and united community here on the Cape Point Route.

They have been running a competition for the best caption for the Save Our Seas Great White Shark in Bafana Bafana kit outside their centre in St James (pictured above). The funniest or cleverest caption for the photo stands a chance to win a magnificent coffee table book "Wild Seas, Secret Shores" by Thomas Peschak, which has been sponsored by Save Our Seas.

The competition aims to create awareness about the Scenic South Website which celebrates the people and the natural environment of the south peninsula.. and yes to create a positive buzz about sharks. See the full article here

Cape Point Route supports, endorses and works in conjunction with the scenic south.

So find your friends who love the sea, defrost your energy and send an email to kim@scenicsouth.co.za

Final date for submission of entries is 21 July 2010.

Cape Point Route offers a wide range of Accommodation, Activities, Attractions, Restaurants, Venues, Shops, Tours and Packages on the CAPE PENINSULA, CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Surfing with Whales!






The whales are here! Whilst it is still not peak whale watching season, one of our favourite creatures in the south peninsula have returned to our shores in their annual migration. As Grete from the Southern Right Hotel recently said “ I am so glad the southern right whales have arrived. I cant wait to hear them blow, can't think of anything better to replace the sound of the Vuvuzela's.”

So yes despite the World Cup aftermath, there is lots to do. It’s one of the best times to go surfing, especially in Muizenberg which has amongst the best waves for learning to surf or perfecting ones skills.

It is also whale season and whilst land based whale watching is spectacular all along the Cape Point Route, there is nothing that beats getting up close and personal on a whale watching boat trip from Simon’s Town. You do not have to drive to Hermanus as many people think. The whales are on our doorstep – just drive 30 minutes south of the city centre to the Cape Point Route and you’ll find them! There are plenty of other boat trips from Simon’s Town as well – all worth the ride!

If you are really lucky you can go surfing with whales. Seriously this is not an activity to try randomly at home! But we just love these pictures taken yesterday by Dave Jones from the wonderful Empire Café in Muizenberg who manages to combine fantastic food (and some great specials) with loads of surfing and loving and living life on the Cape Point Route! (become his friend on facebook for regular updates on all things happening in Muizenberg and at Empire Café).

Whilst you at it – make sure you join the Cape Point Route fan page on Facebook for updates on the Cape Point Route!

As so many of our visitors to the World Cup discovered, one of the unique attractions in the Cape is shark cage diving and viewing. Boats leave from Simon’s Town on a morning or afternoon boat trip to seal island in False Bay – home to the breaching great white sharks.

So yes it’s back to work and school and reality but hey – this is work! Cape Point Route gets to tell everyone how amazing Cape Town and the south peninsula really is! Not a bad job! Let me get back to work now!

Cape Point Route offers a wide range of Accommodation, Activities,
Attractions, Restaurants, Venues, Shops, Tours and Packages on the
CAPE PENINSULA, CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Post World Cup - South Africa is a winner







The shouting and excitement is over – the 2010 World Cup has come to an end.
Congratulations to Spain who have emerged as the champions after defeating the Netherlands in a scrappy 1-0 final at Soccer City.
Congratulations to Diego Forlan from Uruguay who wins the Golden Ball Award for the world cup’s best player.
Congratulations to Thomas Müller from Germany who wins the Golden Boot Award for the top scorer in the tournament and was also named as the young player of the tournament.

Farewell World Cup but thank you FIFA for giving us the chance and whilst Spain may be the football champs, South Africa is the winner. We were given the opportunity to welcome the world and we said “Ayoba”! We did it.

We had superb stadiums, efficient organization, effective transport, we had crowd enthusiasm and we hosted a stunning, secure tournament. Congratulations South Africa on a job well done! I was humbled as the final whistle blew to get an sms from a friend in Holland which read, “South Africa! Thank you for a great World Cup. Too bad for our final ending but what wonderful international support”

We depart this world cup with our heads held high and hearts full of pride. Africa is not the dark continent many thought it was – so many people around the world have discovered South Africa and so many South Africans have discovered themselves. I believe that it is the South African people who have made this World Cup a success. The friendship, the welcome, the enthusiasm, the humour, the support, the comaraderie, the unity, and the confidence of South Africans is the true legacy that many will remember. There is no price that can be attached to a nation coming together. Our very own world icon Nelson Mandela (Madiba) made his entrance to Soccer City at the 2010 World Cup final on Sunday night 11 July 2010 to a standing ovation. Madiba once said, "Through football, we can celebrate the humanity of the African continent and share it with the rest of the world." This event was his dream and with it came so many dreams of world peace and a better life for all.

It is the first time a host nation has been knocked out of the tournament in the first round and many thought that would impact on the success of the tournament. Not here – we were too excited! We picked new teams, we dressed in different colours and in fact I overheard a friend declare supporting a new team because he needed a new outfit!

Who would have thought our vuvuzela’s would become brand South Africa’s biggest export? I loved the chirp that went “I hate it when I go to a vuvuzela concert and people start playing soccer”. Love them or hate them, when you hear a vuvuzela you will always be reminded of World Cup 2010 in South Africa.

The most famous animal in South Africa was not one of the Big Five – it turned out to be an octopus who lives in Germany! Marine life topped the charts in Cape Town too as shark cage diving and viewing proved to be the most popular activity for visiting fans that booked through Cape Point Route.

Questions of morality were raised. Faced with a few seconds left, Luis Suarez of Uruguay defended a certain Ghana goal by using his hands. He cheated! He was duly punished and his team was lucky but faced with the same challenge of cheating to save your country – would you do it?

The tournament was not without drama and disappointment: There was a “disabled” Italian who breached security by miraculously leaping out of his wheelchair and running onto the field. There was a fan who walked into the England team’s changing rooms and a journalist was accused of orchestrating this. There was the small matter of an airport fiasco at the semi-final in Durban. The referees did not crown themselves in glory and the debate to use technology has arisen more fiercely than ever before. France and Italy proved to be massive disappointments, England did not deliver and the Green goalkeeping error against the USA was one of the biggest blunders of the tournament. Brazil did not produce the beautiful game they are hailed to represent and the final produced more cards than any other final ever.

But the thrills outweigh the spills. Can any South African forget the opening goal of the tournament by Tshabalala that lifted the spirits of the entire nation? With 150 million You tube views, Shakira’s Waka Waka song (This Time for Africa) featuring Freshly Ground is the No 1 single in 15 countries! I have no doubt there are more statistics and figures that will emerge in the post mortem.

We don’t have final visitor numbers but the fans who came to South Africa in spite of propaganda reports in the media, all said they would be back. They met beautiful beaming faces, shining bright eyes, warm welcoming arms, and a crazy burst of colour from the Rainbow nation. South Africans showed the world the biggest soccer party on earth. Those that didn’t come wished they had. Even if only a tiny portion of the estimated 700 million people who watched the final come to visit South Africa, we know they will leave will the same impression as the fans that did come!

What Now? What Next? These questions may be on everyone’s lips but I have goosebumps thinking about South Africa’s achievements. I am so proud and I believe this is the start of great things to come. The hearts and minds and perceptions of South Africa have changed and the hearts and minds of South Africans have changed. Thank you South Africa for hosting the first World Cup on African soil and proving the naysayers wrong. I challenge the global community to come and experience Ubuntu for yourselves. I challenge South Africans to experience their own country like our visitors did. I challenge you to get out there and explore. We have so much to offer and so much happening.

If in doubt contact the Cape Point Route for some of our favourite activities and things to do. Cape Point Route offers a wide range of Accommodation, Activities,Attractions, Restaurants, Venues, Shops, Tours and Packages on the CAPE PENINSULA, CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA

Friday, July 9, 2010

Football Finals! Netherlands vs Spain







Well we're down to the wire with the 2010 World Cup Final this Sunday at 20h30 at Soccer City! Netherlands face Spain in the finals and Uruguay meet Germany in the 3rd-4th play-off on Saturday evening in Port Elizabeth at 20h30.

What a tournament it has been, with some incredible football, phenomenal fans, some highs & some lows depending on which team you have been supporting. Without doubt the excitement and the vibe and the "gees" have been palpable all over South Africa (and in fact the world!).

Cape Point Route has never felt so proud of South Africa and bing South African. We have successfully hosted one of the greatest shows on earth with the final blitz happening this weekend. It is so hard to imagine what we will all do without the football fever on our doorstep! We do know that the world has watched and taken notice of who we are and what we can do and it is without exception that every visitor we have spoken to is planning to return to our country and explore more with their families and friends. So many myths about Africa, African efficiency, African safety, African people and the African landscape have been dismissed with the reality that it is not wild, dangerous, ridiculously deadly, primitive, scary, crazy or mad.

South Africa does have WILD beauty (if you didn't go to Cape Point you have to come back!), DANGEROUS progress (did you see our stadiums, the Gautrain, the roads!); RIDICULOUS luxury (our hotels, resorts and restaurants are world class); DEADLY wildlife (go on safari!); PRIMITIVE pleasures; SCARY contrasts (open space to crowded city centres); CRAZY scenery; MAD locals (take one look at the fans!) and yes we do claim to be a World in One Country.

Well done SA, and well done to Cape Town. For those of you who don't know Cape Town has scooped another prestigious honour at the World Travel Awards (WTA), being named Africa’s Leading Destination for a third year running. The awards, dubbed the travel industry’s equivalent to the Oscars, were held in Johannesburg on the 7th July 2010.

Cape Town Tourism CEO Mariëtte du Toit-Helmbold says, “These awards are an incredible endorsement; being recognised by the industry makes all the hard work we put into hosting the FIFA World Cup™ in Cape Town so worthwhile.

“We do believe that Cape Town is one of the greatest cities to live, visit, study and invest in. It’s a place of a lifetime, and it just keeps on getting better. We are looking forward to marketing Cape Town beyond the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ and we are committed to working with all stakeholders in order to double the economic impact of tourism for the city by 2020.”

IMAGES:
Taken of Dutch supporters and friends in the Cape Town sea of Orange!