SCENE Magazine - Spring 2025 by SCENE Magazine SA

From the city to the countryside

5 0 YEARS OF MOTSWARI MAGIC

For half a century, Motswari Private Game Reserve has stood within the Greater Kruger wilderness – a family legacy rooted in conservation, hospitality, and the untamed rhythm of the bush. Set in the heart of the Timbavati and Umbabat Private Nature Reserve, this is where the Big Five still roam freely, and where guests come to experience Africa, not just see it.

The Motswari experience is as varied as the land itself. At the Main Camp, the spirit of classic safari lives on: luxurious yet grounded, with daily game drives, gourmet bush dining, and timeless hospitality that invites you to feel part of something enduring.

Those seeking a more intimate escape will find it at Geiger’s Camp – a hilltop hideaway with five luxury suites, with dedicated safari vehicles, and panoramic bush views. Ideal for romantic stays or exclusive-use bookings, it’s safari on your own terms.

For the curious, the soul-searchers, and slow travellers, there’s Motswari African Retreat & Walking Safaris. This secluded camp, offers fully immersive guided walking safaris, quiet contemplation, and a return to nature’s rhythm.

Welcome to Motswari Private Game Reserve – where every guest arrives as a visitor and leaves as a friend.

Outdoors overlooking Nelson Mandela Square fountain, brothers Dennis and Allen have brought their vision of an unforgettable dining experience to life with the contemporary Trumps Grillhouse & Butchery.

Not only can you enjoy the superior quality meat products at the Trumps restaurant, but you can now select your perfect cut of steak or meat from the all new bespoke butchery.

Photo by Claire Gunn

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finest Spring’s

The most coveted beauty releases

We did it: We survived another winter! Brighter days are now upon us, and they call for an equally vibrant you. It seems we’re all in the mood to experiment with punchy pigments, high-shine formulas and superior finishes once again. A sprinkling of sunshine and the spring equinox will do that. That’s why we’ve rounded up the best beauty drops. From makeup-extending setting sprays to peptide lip treatments and glycolic acid hair products, these new launches prove that beauty in 2025 is all about efficacy and inclusivity.

GOOD ENOUGH TO EAT

Sol de Janeiro has finally landed on our sunny shores. The brand behind the viral Brazilian Bum Bum Cream needs no introduction. But if you prefer lightweight hydration when temperatures are rising outside, the new Sol de Janeiro Body Badalada Lotion (loose translation –“the hottest thing”) is the original Bum Bum Cream’s lighter, faster-absorbing sister. Packaged in a dopamine-inducing sunshine-yellow bottle, the pump applicator makes it easy to use. Slather on this luscious goodness and enjoy the delicious notes of vanilla, salted caramel and pistachio.

R735 from ARC Store, Woolworths, Edgars, Foschini, Truworths, Bash, Superbalist and Takealot

SWIPE ON, SHINE ON

Peptide lip treatments are super popular right now. If you’re looking for a quick way to make your lips pop, get your hands on the Essence The Super Peptide Glossy Lip Treatment in 04 Coralized! – a lip treatment that employs collagen-boosting peptides for that fresh, juicy lip look. Not quite a balm and not quite a gloss, it’s the ideal in-between, offering hydration, shine and a your-lips-but-better tint. Most importantly, the replenishing formula isn’t sticky or heavy. The more consistent you can be with application, the better. Don’t be surprised when you’re hooked!

R74.95 from Clicks, Dis-Chem, Woolworths, Edgars and Takealot

LIVING YOUR LIFE LIKE IT’S GOLDEN

As the old adage goes, not all that glitters is gold – unless we’re talking about the NUXE Sun Oil Gold SPF 50 . This is an SPF oil, but oh-so-much better. As if the OG Sun Oil wasn’t a mainstay in everyone’s body care collection, NUXE took it to the next level with a version fit for that glistening, just-kissedby-the-sun glow. Staying true to its signature nourishing base – which combines rice and rosemary extract – this new formula features tiny gold flecks that leave a pearlescent finish. The creamy scent is reminiscent of white florals warmed up under the sun.

R995 from Orleans Cosmetics, Woolworths, Foschini and Truworths

HAIR BRIGHTER THAN SUNSHINE

Glycolic acid – a hero skincare ingredient – is now being added to haircare formulations to promote stronger hair follicles and help seal the cuticle. Is your hair looking a bit dull these days? The INOAR Glycolic Force Super Ampoule can fix that in no time. The creamy mango seed butter-infused treatment needs to be left to work for three minutes and is especially effective in the glossing stakes. After a single use, your hair will appear noticeably shinier and soft to the touch – love! Be sure to use a wide-tooth comb to ensure even saturation, then rinse thoroughly.

PRIME, SET AND REFRESH

Setting sprays are a non-negotiable step for avoiding a midday meltdown. NARS’ first-ever setting spray goes on like a hydrating mist, thanks to a skin-loving cocktail of cacao peptides and moring seed. Not only does the NARS Light Reflecting Makeup Setting Mist secure your glam, but it also adds a generous layer of radiance to any finished look. Proof that the brand reigns supreme in the glowing skin department. The microfine mist is water-, sweat- and humidity-resistant, which guarantees your makeup won’t budge an inch for up to 12 hours.

R325 from INOAR and Sorbet Hairbar

R840 from ARC Store

ALL BLUSHED UP

This drugstore liquid blush alternative gives its prestige competitors a run for their money. Available in three glowy shades that pair well with every skin tone and undertone, the Revlon Glimmer Blush Drops pack a punch and blend subtly without losing pigment. Throw in some glycerin, a cute design, a precision dropper and we’re absolutely sold. Shake it up before you apply and start out slow – a little goes a long way. The formula is fast-drying yet dewy and lasts throughout the day. We highly recommend the shade Pink it Over (102) for a natural flushed look.

R269.95 from Superbalist and Takealot

PORES FOR THOUGHT

Whether or not breakouts and blemishes are a regular concern or a trans-seasonal woe, we can all relate to frantically trying to find the fastest solutions. A real powerhouse product, the Kiehl’s Truly Targeted Blemish - Clearing Solution contains 2% salicylic acid, 4% niacinamide and 0.2% licorice root, which penetrate deep into your pores to clear them out and absorb excess oil. The best bit? The liquid dries to an invisible patch, letting you get on with your day while it works its magic. It also can be used on the entire face if you’re dealing with a particularly bad breakout.

R550 from Edgars, Dermastore and Superbalist

YOUR BEST FOOT FORWARD

Since we’re edging into sandal season, it’s time we treated our feet to some TLC. The Sorbet Salon-Pro Ceramide Foot Treatment enriched with conditioning kiwi and avocado oil will deliver your softest feet yet. In other words, a complete transformation from winterworn to sandal-ready come morning. This potent overnight cream deeply hydrates cracked heels and drastically improves skin tone, with extra help from 25% urea. The fruity fragrance it leaves on skin is a lovely bonus. Apply it with socks before bed for the ultimate skin-softening treatment.

R79.99 from Clicks

Rooted in seasonality. Refined by nature.

Nestled within the elegant Queen Victoria Hotel, Terrarium is a culinary escape shaped by sustainable values and subtle luxury. Here, ingredients are chosen with care, seasonal, local, ethically sourced and plated with intention.

The menu shifts gently with what nature offers, celebrating flavour without excess. Think soil-to-fork simplicity layered with fine-dining detail. Whether youʼre dining by sunlight or candlelight, Terrarium invites you to slow down and savour the moment.

For bookings and enquiries, contact: terrarium@queenvictoriahotel.co.za +27 21 418 1466 www.newmarkhotels.com

by plate Cape Town

The best of fine-dining and local cuisine this spring

In the right hands, food becomes more than a combination of ingredients served on a plate. It tells a story, is an expression of culture and in some cases, it’s a full-blown journey. All around Cape Town, chefs go above and beyond to curate gastronomic offerings that create lasting memories. Some will awaken all your senses, not just your taste; others will take you through a showcase of local goods, while a few even come with deep wine experiences that open your eyes to the Cape’s finest. Follow this ultimate foodie guide, whether you’re wanting to dine like a local or go all out.

EDITOR’S PICK: LA COLOMBE still Cape Town’s most influential restaurant

La Colombe has come a long way since opening on Constantia Uitsig Wine Estate in 1996. Relocating to Silvermist Organic Wine Estate in 2014, James Gaag took over from founding chef Franck Dangereux and has since stamped his own classical style on the men. At just 27 years old, this milestone marked the beginning of a remarkable journey for La Colombe – one that would firmly establish its place at the forefront of South Africa’s fine-dining scene. Today, La Colombe is a celebrated restaurant group with a collection of award-winning venues, yet the flagship continues to set the standard. La Colombe is, according to the 2025 World’s 50 Best restaurant rankings, not just South Africa’s best restaurant – but also 55th in the world. If you have a chance to eat anywhere in Cape Town, it should be at La Colombe in Constantia.

La Colombe is invisible as you arrive after a winding drive up the steep approach road. But walk down the path – through a bright and airy entry foyer adorned with forest wallpaper, pale woods, rich greens and subtle touches of gold – and you’ll realise that this treehouse-like building is a canvas for the most memorable meal of your life. The restaurant is perched above a small working vineyard. Keep an eye out – you might just catch a pot-bellied pig dozing among the vines. Wide windows have perfect mountain views; shimmering in summer, mist-wreathed in winter. As we sip our spicy Margaritas – a biting twist on the Mexican tequila-and-lime-based classic with a little chilli kick – there’s a real buzz as couples lean in to chat across the crisp white tablecloths. This place is polished with a capital P, energised by talk and movement. The convivial setting encourages diners to ask questions and engage with the team for a truly interactive experience of high-level cookery, smartly matched wines and interesting conversation.

The tasting menus (nine-course lunch, 10-course dinner) are culinary haikus, hardly hinting at the evocative journey. Head chef James Gaag is a forward-thinking young chef with all the classic training, but also one who’s well-travelled and constantly in dialogue with his peers around the world. He’s interested in the techniques and refinement of French cooking and not afraid of big-ticket ingredients. You get some idea of this approach early on. Having the presentation trolley wheeled up to your table at the start of the meal is a great form of drumroll, building anticipation for what’s to come. The dapper sommelier will escort you through the wine list, which can elicit feelings of delight or dismay, depending on your wine expertise and how many times you’ve stared into space while a wine-buff companion loses themselves in page after page of benchmark labels. The good news is that the wine service is excellent. Enthusiasm. Deep wells of knowledge. An innate ability to read diners’ needs. La Colombe’s sommeliers have all these qualities and more. La Colombe now offers three distinct wine pairing tiers – Boutique, Heritage and Iconic – for a more enriched dining experience. The Heritage Pairing showcases rare and unusual gems, like a beautifully aged 1999 Neil Ellis Shiraz. Sipping such a mature wine is a privilege. Go for it – this could be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

It’s likely that you’ll be introduced to at least a few new flavours. Each course arrives on custom ceramic plates and bowls, some evoking the texture of a sea urchin shell, others resembling a rugged mountain. For starters, an ultra-luxe take on everyday eggs and soldiers with rich buttery brioche fingers, wild mushrooms and celeriac is presented atop a bird’s nest. It does its job – setting the tone and stimulating the appetite – admirably. An ethereal celebration of Jerusalem artichoke sees truffle folded through a whipped butter prepared at the table, topped with earthy artichoke and served with warm sourdough. The signature Tuna La Colombe – a play on a tin can filled with Asian-style yellowfin tuna studded with avocado, chipotle, bluish-purple flowers and microherbs – is delicious escapism at its best. The crab comes from Namibia and is used in another dish as the central ingredient, a delicate wafer shell concealed under startlingly fresh game fish with nahm jim for an intriguing backbeat. A considered dish that sums up the chef’s intent here. Another highlight is the take on surf and turf. Korean pork belly is joined by sweet and succulent crayfish, corn and edamame. The Korean barbecue allows all the ingredients to make their presences felt, in both flavour and texture. Blood orange sorbet in a hollowed rind, which acts as a palate-cleanser, is both pretty and punchy. And it gets better from there.

As is the nature of such restaurants, the menu changes regularly, but a showstopper for us included the Karoo wagyu. This is possibly the best steak in the country – complete with extensive ageing, a marble score of nine-plus and round, fatty umami fullness. It arrives perfectly pink in the middle and daintily plated alongside the vibrance of vegetables and dombolo (a traditional South African steamed bread). This is food that stays in the mind a long time. There’s certainly a lot of technique on display here, but there’s never the feeling that the ideas are overloaded. Plating-wise particularly, the food mostly sticks to neat and artful arrangements, favouring the ingredients rather than any garnishing. If you opt for the Heritage Pairing, this dish comes with a glass of Hartenberg’s prestigious The Stork Shiraz – poured from a towering 12-litre bottle ceremoniously wheeled to your table. Eyes from nearby tables follow as the sommelier tilts it with theatrical precision. It’s as much a performance as it is a pour.

Before the cheese course, phones are tucked into a box and left at the table as the sommelier invites you into La Colombe’s new wine cellar. The hum of the restaurant fades with each step until you’re standing in cool, candlelit silence underground. Here, you’re served cheese with a glass of Klein Constantia Vin de Constance – but not just any glass. La Colombe now has its own barrel of what’s affectionately known as VDC, topped up by the winemaker himself, making it a house-exclusive blend poured straight from the source. Just another reason to choose the Heritage Pairing. Closing off the meal, pink ‘rose petals’ are made even more gorgeous when pistachio pearls are spooned onto the dish at the table. As the final course arrives, the petit four chest offers a selection of treats to accompany your double espresso. Take it from us: The peanut confections are a must. This latest version of La Colombe has already exceeded raised expectations, and it’s exciting to imagine what might come next. Long may the winning streak continue.

Silvermist Organic Wine Estate, Hout Bay Main Road, Constantia Nek, Constantia 021 794 2390

reservations@lacolombe.co.za www.lacolombe.restaurant

Joburg’s

MARBLE RESTAURANT

fires up Cape Town

One of Cape Town’s new premier dining experiences can be found on the top floor of the Union Castle Building at the V&A Waterfront – welcome to Marble Restaurant. With its rooftop setting and chef David Higgs at the helm, this urban oasis is worth checking out. Marble is at least three places in one: A favourite of the long-lunch and night-time crowd, thanks to its wraparound terrace; an open-fire cooking restaurant serving everyone from quiet couples to family birthday groups; and a glamorous, popular cocktail bar. This expansive restaurant is among the most luxurious in town, managing to remain decidedly upscale without becoming ostentatious. Think: Blue swirly carpets, a water ripple effect ceiling, custom furniture pieces, handbag hooks and designer bathrooms. Marble surfaces, polished metals, contemporary art, gold table lamps and blue-and-white tableware all add depth to the exquisite interiors. A night tucked away in the confines of this venue resplendent with glittering views is an evening you won’t forget in a hurry. Pre-dinner drinks is a must – try the Cake by the Ocean (Don Julio Blanco Tequila, Aperol, lime juice, and coconut and litchi syrup) or the Fynbos Spritz (Bombay Sapphire Gin, Martini Bianco, Loxton Lager, lemon juice, honey syrup, grapefruit and soda water). Dining might start with an invigorating prawn salad with a kaleidoscope of heirloom tomatoes, red onion, salsa macha and basil leaves, before heading into meatier territory. The tomatoes give the dish a clean acidity, while the prawns pack a smoky-

spicy punch. See also the flame-kissed tuna – magenta-coloured slivers sit pretty waiting to be enveloped by a soft egg, avocado and chilli crisp. If you’re after the full five-star experience, the signature steaks are non-negotiable. Choose from Chalmar Beef, Silent Valley Wagyu or grass-fed beef from South Africa, or splash out on Snake River Farms Wagyu from Idaho, USA, known for its USDA Prime Gold grade. The prime rib is a 30-day wet-aged showstopper. Sign off with the pecan nut brownie served with popcorn ice cream.

Union Castle Building, V&A Waterfront, Dock Road, Cape Town 021 002 8484

capetown@marble.restaurant www.marble.restaurant

Take your bottomless brunch to new heights at THE POT LUCK CLUB

Boozy brunch is our favourite weekend pastime, and luckily for us, The Pot Luck Club goes bottomless on Sundays from 11h00 to 15h30. Free-flowing Graham Beck bubbles and spicy Bloody Marys plus a 10-course menu? We’re there. On the sixth floor of an old flour silo in the Old Biscuit Mill complex, The Pot Luck Club has a New York loft feel about it, created by an open kitchen, a small bar and the clever placing of lots of little tables. Dimly lit with an industrial vibe featuring black walls, leather hides and brass (this is Woodstock after all), there are nooks aplenty to dally in. Expansive windows throughout the dining room translate to epic views of the city, harbour and Table Mountain – book ahead for a window seat. Live music keeps the energy high. If you’re into punchy flavours, you’ll go mad for the insane globally-inspired brunch dishes on offer. Head chef Jason Kosmas kicks things off with smoked oysters. These sea-salty bivalves make good friends with passion fruit nước chấm – a traditional Vietnamese dipping sauce. Several items are contenders for the latest-cult-snack title. Topping that list, a feisty lobster slider on a soft cornbread bun with pico de gallo and chipotle. Then there’s the

bite-sized brioche layered with mushroom duxelle, a poached quail egg, buttery hollandaise sauce and black truffle shavings. Venison tartare, raisin and hazelnut XO sauce add up to a sophisticated crowd-pleaser. Come hungry, because the food is abundant – and at R1,250 a head, you’ll want to make the most of it. The omelette is inspired by the Savoy Grill’s famous creation for novelist Arnold Bennett in 1929. Grilled to bubbling, caramelised perfection, it’s a rich, cheesy indulgence studded with smoked haddock. Carrot risotto is lighter, topped with walnuts, miso and pumpkin seed pesto. The roast lamb with Yorkshire pudding is certainly the fanciest Sunday roast we’ve ever seen. Sweet things are another strength, from strawberries and cream to chamomile madeleines and ‘PLC sweets’. If visiting in high season, you’ll need to book well in advance.

The Old Biscuit Mill, 373-375 Albert Road, Woodstock 021 447 0804

reservations@thepotluckclub.co.za www.thepotluckclub.co.za

Prepare to sniff, swirl and sip at TANNIN

Former UK restaurateur Dominic Wood and his wife Lisa, owners of this spring’s buzziest hotspot Tannin, know exactly what they’re doing. This is apparent from the moment you step through the burgundy façade into a thoroughly classy, extravagant and curious groundfloor bar. The sound of a barman shaking a New York sour to a tinkling soundtrack might draw your attention first; equally, your gaze might be caught by the colourful art-covered wall. A cultured crowd (think of the peoplewatching!) roots you firmly on Bree Street. From here, warm, earthy colours, rich fabrics, gentle lighting and an overall cocoon-like feeling permeate every last corner of this three-storey establishment. The name is a good place to start – fitting for a restaurant and wine bar pouring 430 South African wines strong. The result is an unparalleled wine list served by knowledgeable staff. Spend some time with it. Besides more unknown wines with exquisite expressions that will challenge your taste buds, the list contains magnums and other large-format bottles. Hungry? To line your bellies, wine-conscious

tapas and sharing plates do well to impress. They say, come for the wine and stay for the food. They’re not wrong. Tannin’s menu offers crowd-pleasing choice – positively sinful beef ragù spring rolls topped with shavings of parmesan, perhaps, or clean West Coast oysters boosted with pickled red onion and their secret hot sauce recipe – but is also compact enough to eliminate any decision-making quandaries. Skilled simplicity abounds. Mushroom risotto – an earthy, textural triumph – doubles down on the mushrooms with porcini butter plus pickled shimeji. Glistening yellowfin tuna is perfectly complemented by cucumber, mustard seeds, black bean chilli and yuzu mayo. Homemade potato gnocchi gets a welcome upgrade with umami-rich miso cream and a scattering of guanciale and semi-dried tomatoes. It’s high-end feasting with heart-warming delivery just as comfortable for solo dining as it is for a group of pals. Regulars imminent.

86 Bree Street, Cape Town 010 825 6086

tannin@tannin.co.za www.tannin.co.za

Alfresco fabulous

The most idyllic restaurants for outdoor dining in the Cape Winelands

George Harrison said it best: Here comes the sun. After months of low-digit temperatures, the season’s first blooms have emerged. Dining outside signals the real start of the good stuff – blue skies, sun-kissed afternoons, longer evenings and rosé season. Eating alfresco with friends and family is one of the great delights of spring in the Cape Winelands, so to celebrate, we’ve rounded up the hotspots to book in the coming months. Prescribe yourself a lungful of fresh air and some countryside comfort – these are sure to become your firm favourites.

PINK VALLEY RESTAURANT

There are many reasons to love Pink Valley Wines on the Helderberg Wine Route. There’s the pale, dry Pink Valley Rosé made from sunshine-soaked Sangiovese and grenache grapes. There’s the outside seating among the distinctive forest trees. And flowers, flowers everywhere – neon-pink bougainvillea tumbling down every wall and blowsy bushes scenting the air. Blooming lovely. And best of all? Behind its red-brick facade, a restaurant dishing up original, occasionally inventive and often very good food. This is where all the locals go, as well as some foreigners in the know. Perfectly positioned for catch ups with friends, Pink Valley Restaurant is located just off R44 between Stellenbosch and Somerset West – and its small size feels pleasantly intimate. Relaxed lunches see a selection of small and larger plates, including dry-aged sirloin served with a beer and bone marrow sauce or truffled chicken in a Provençal mushroom crème. This is all enjoyed in a dining room with rose-pink velvet chairs, green booths, botanical prints, splashy art and subtle background music. Alternatively, drop in for a fruity cocktail during an afternoon in the Winelands. The restaurant is open till 22h00 on Fridays and Saturdays, so there’s plenty of time to soak up the atmosphere bathed in a golden-hour glow. Practically obligatory for an alfresco treat is the Potluck Feast. At R525 per person, the experience offers a four-course set menu served sharingstyle for a minimum of two people. Favourites include savoury pancakes combining Sichuan duck, zesty grapefruit and green onion; sticky pork belly mingling with thinly sliced cucumber and kimchi mayo; and gochujang tempura corn with togarashi and executive chef Monché Muller’s special miso sauce. The knockout dessert is the cinnamon sugardusted churros paired with a moreish milk tart dip on the side. They come out steamy and pillowy on the inside, with a satisfying crunch on the outside.

Pink Valley Wines, Cordoba Road, Stellenbosch 021 855 3744

info@pinkvalleywines.com

WILDE VY BISTRO

Wilde Vy Bistro, tucked away on Hooggelegen Farm (also home to Signal Gun Wines), is fast becoming a beloved Durbanville Wine Valley staple. Alfresco dining is the drawcard here: Think vineyard vistas, chirping birds and abundant outdoor tables lining a greenery-filled terrace. A giant wild fig tree makes for an eye-catching centrepiece. And when the chilly weather does arrive, there are plenty of alternative spaces inside, including a cocktail bar and private dining room. The spacious terrace is elegantly contemporary in feel, with pale oak tables and black woven rope chairs. Inside, it’s dark and moody, shot through with emerald greens and gold. This spot shifts from a daytime retreat to a nighttime escape. Staff are warm and helpful, while the menu is a melting pot of share plates. The floor manager knows head chef Jürgen Snyman’s menu backwards – and charms everyone who makes the trip down the gravel roads leading to the restaurant. Pick at sweet-savoury duck liver parfait on toasted brioche topped with cherry granola, pillowy choux pastry filled with smoked snoek and cured egg yolk, and burrata that’s almost outshone by the stone fruit,

marinated tomatoes and gremolata in this colourful salad. Citrus-cured salmon draped across a bowl of ajo blanco (an old Spanish style of almond soup) is an alluring mouthful. Jalapeños bring a gentle heat, while green apple supplies a satisfying acidity and cucumber makes the soup significantly more refreshing. For the main event, many of the signature dishes incorporate a fun flourish – from the salt and pepper prawns served with dipping sauces, to the Chalmar onglet steak with beef fat chips and chimichurri, which lifts the meat with its bright, herby and punchy flavours. Signal Gun drops are front and centre on the wine list. Reminiscent of a salty sea breeze with notes of green fig, pear and asparagus, the Sea Smoke Sauvignon Blanc is both easy-drinking and food-friendly. Don’t leave without tasting the strawberry, fior di latte and marshmallow dessert – just the thing for a balmy spring day.

Hooggelegen Farm, (off Vissershok Road), Durbanville 064 643 9766 reservations@wildevybistro.com www.wildevybistro.com

THE MANOR RESTAURANT AT NEDERBURG

Paarl’s laid-back charm and picturesque landscapes are a recipe for some of South Africa’s finest wines. If there was an award for the most happening winery along the Paarl Wine Route, Nederburg Wine Estate would win it hands down. The property features a country-house tasting room, picnic experiences, The Courtyard self-serve area, a Jack Black’s Brewing Co craft beer taproom and The Manor Restaurant –a rural restaurant offering breakfast and lunch. The restored Cape Dutch homestead is surrounded by ancient oaks, and the ambience is suitably relaxed. The comfort factor is strong in this one, making The Manor Restaurant an excellent escape. Mediterranean-inspired dishes are showcased using the best local ingredients. The lunch menu might include calamari puttanesca, lamb koftas, Moroccan fish and rich caramelised pork belly alongside classic farmhouse comfort. Start with

saffron prawn risotto made with vibrant yellow saffron and grilled split prawns. Continue with beef short ribs, cooked slowly and practically dripping off the bone, served with scrape-it-yourself bone marrow. Vegetarian options are no afterthought either – notably the melanzane parmigiana with its layers of soft baked eggplant, sweet-savoury sugo and bubbly parmesan on top. And desserts like rooibos tea cheesecake reflect the confidence and creativity in the kitchen. Contrast that with citrus almond cake with dark chocolate ganache. It’s a battle between the two desserts. Red drinkers will find their true home at Nederburg, which is the place to try The Winemasters, Heritage Heroes and Two Centuries ranges. Soak in the serene views of the Drakenstein mountain range as you sip standouts, such as The Winemasters Pinotage. Of course, if reds just aren’t for you, that’s A-OK because Nederburg also does whites, rosés and bubblies. The team are visibly proud to be working at one of South Africa’s most celebrated wineries, and their enthusiasm is infectious.

Nederburg Wine Estate, Sonstraal Road, Paarl 021 877 5155 info_nederburg@heineken.com www.nederburg.com

Spectacularly secluded

Channel your inner castaway at Anantara Bazaruto Island Resort

At one point or another, we’ve all fantasised about being stranded on a tropical island. More and more, travellers are looking for a five-star experience in some of the most distant corners of the planet. Luxury is being typified by how far away from it all you can possibly get, while still being utterly pampered. Consider Anantara Bazaruto Island Resort: Located in Mozambique’s pristine, remote Bazaruto Archipelago – a protected marine park with superb diving and brilliant-white beaches – this is a castaway’s dream. Having a private island at your disposal is (naturally) one of the most undeniably exclusive experiences in existence.

WHEN TO VISIT BAZARUTO ISLAND

Bazaruto Island is most enjoyable during the dry season, from May to October, when the weather is sunny, warm and pleasantly cool at night. This period offers ideal conditions for beach days, boat trips and underwater visibility for snorkelling and diving. Humpback whale sightings peak between July and September, making it a popular time for wildlife enthusiasts. While the rainy season runs from November to April, it’s still a good option – just hotter, more humid and with brief tropical showers.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

The islands in the Bazaruto Archipelago, a rarefied stretch that isn’t touristy, are perhaps the most beautiful in the entire Indian Ocean. Made up of just five small islands – Bazaruto (the largest in the group), Benguerra (about half its size), and then, smaller and smaller, Magaruque, Santa Carolina and tiny Bangué – the archipelago’s status as a national park has helped protect it from mass tourism, with the operating resorts passionate about keeping it that way. The islands lie just a few kilometres from the sleepy mainland town of Vilankulos, where there are sand-floor bars and simple thatched lodges. Nicknamed the “Pearl of the Indian Ocean”, the ecology of the islands is as diverse as it is immaculate. The powder-soft white sand is so clean it squeaks underfoot, and the technicolour coral reefs are said to be among the best preserved in the world. This is one of the rare habitats

of the endangered manatee-like dugong, which sailors occasionally mistook for mermaids. The nearest airport is the tiny Vilankulo Airport (expect to whizz through those security lines), from where many of the resorts offer helicopter transfers. Anantara Bazaruto Island Resort is within easy reach – just a one-hour speedboat transfer or 20-minute chopper ride. After landing, you’re shown to Anantara’s private lounge at the airport, where the team takes care of check-in and transfer details. You’re then driven to the boat launch in an open-sided safaristyle vehicle – a 20-minute ride through the outskirts of Vilankulos. At the shore, the staff load your luggage while you wade through the warm shallow waters to board. Wear sandals or water shoes and something light that you don’t mind getting wet. The whole journey is easy, efficient and sets the tone for the laid-back adventure ahead. Bazaruto Island appears on the horizon with the silhouettes of palm trees rising against the fading light of the ocean. A team of staff lines the beach as local Mozambican performers sing and dance to welcome guests. It all feels like something straight out of The White Lotus.

DO NOT DISTURB

Anantara Bazaruto Island Resort was designed to organically blend its tropical landscape and nearby aquatic reserves. Private villas fringe the sandy shoreline, hidden behind towering palms and lush greenery. There are 44 breezy thatched accommodations – 23 Beach Villas, 8 Beach Pool Villas, 12 Two-Bedroom Sea-View Pool Villas and one Two-Bedroom Anantara Pool Villa – linked by wooden walkways. The entire island is villa-only, and even our one-bedroom Beach Villa was ludicrously capacious at 58 square metres. Inside, they have king-sized beds within mosquito nets, flatscreen TVs, coffee machines, reliable Wi-Fi and – maybe most crucially – robust air conditioning. Don’t get us started on the large wardrobe. The décor is exuberant, with an emphasis on cool tones of blues and greens. Every attention to detail has been paid to create a paradisal experience for visitors – from an extensive pillow menu to a complimentary minibar full of locally made drinks and snacks. This is thanks to the small fleet of housekeeping staff who attend to every need twice

a day at your preferred time. The bathrooms feature double basins, sunken tubs, and both indoor and outdoor showers. Meanwhile, the outside spaces appear just as thoughtful as inside. Private decks provide the perfect spot for work or in-villa dining, while shaded sun loungers are placed within steps, so you’re never short of somewhere to flop. You’ll forget there are other guests. This being Anantara, all villas come with round-the-clock butler service. Our butler popped up whenever we needed him – and, in many cases, before we realised we did. The butlers are available on WhatsApp for restaurant reservations, activity bookings, breakfast arrangements, same-day laundry, luggage assistance and pretty much anything else you could need during your stay. You’ll be hard-pressed to leave your super-luxe, superprivate villa. But Anantara Bazaruto Island Resort truly rewards the curious, so if you’re anything like us, you’ll be straight out of your villa to explore the island.

EAT, DRINK, SLEEP, REPEAT

The resort is isolated – there’s no getting around that – but there are plenty of options to keep you fed and watered with enough variety across your stay, especially if it’s on the lengthier side. Anantara Bazaruto Island Resort is home to three restaurants and bars: Clube Naval, Sonhos Pool Bar & Seaside Restaurant and Golfinho Restaurant & Bar. Committed to sustainable practices and environmental conservation, the resort’s restaurants are free of plastic bottles and straws. You’ll quickly discover that one of the best ways to spend an afternoon is with your toes in the sand, sipping South African Pinot Grigio while dining on palmsize Mozambican prawns, lightly drizzled with spicy peri-peri sauce. Needless to say, this is hardly your typical all-inclusive. At the light and airy indoor-outdoor restaurant Clube

Naval, you’ll find a seafood-based menu that will satiate your craving for crisp tangles of fritto misto or a hearty bowl of paella. Off-menu requests are happily fulfilled. As the day progresses, Sonhos Pool Bar & Seaside Restaurant pours Manica beer and piña coladas in a 100% Mozambican atmosphere. Watch the sun paint the sky in streaks of red and orange before dipping into the horizon with a sundowner in hand. Light lunches can also be ordered from the pool’s lounge chairs or swim-up bar. Golfinho Restaurant & Bar truly comes alive at night. Interactions feel authentic and warm, with local staff beaming with pride at being part of Anantara. Don’t miss the freshly caught fish that tastes even better in the ocean breeze. Sublime. The real culinary highlight, though, was our Dining by Design private dinner on the beach. Those ready to dive into the six-course lobster experience won’t be disappointed. The beach is set up with a single table for two, illuminated by lanterns, with the gentle sound of the ocean lapping at the shore just a stone’s throw away. On the menu is lobster salad, lobster bisque, lobster ravioli, a palate cleanser, truffled lobster risotto and passion fruit panna cotta. This is the epitome of romance.

EXTRAS

While one could be forgiven for fully submitting to the ultra-relaxed pace – spending time flitting between books on hammocks, indulging in treatments at the spa, feasting at mealtimes and clinking cocktails by the pool – there’s a long list of activities to embrace should you wish. Sporty guests can enjoy water sports, mountain biking or a friendly match of tennis or soccer. Kayaking is popular for exploring the azure waters. There’s also a small gym for those wanting to keep up their routine. Of course, being a tropical island, you’d be remiss in not taking advantage of the exhilarating boating and diving activities. Anantara Bazaruto Island Resort is perfectly positioned to discover the underwater world with its wealth of marine life. Exotic fish dart through the coral, and if you’re lucky, you might see green turtles or manta rays. As with all the activities, instructors are on hand to help beginners make the most of the island. PADI courses are available for those who want to learn scuba, but snorkelling is equally popular. What makes Bazaruto Island particularly unique, however,

is its dramatic landscape, filled with waves of sand. The majesty of the sand dunes running down its length is simply awe-inspiring. Dune sandboarding offers an adrenalin hit for the more adventurous, as well as horse riding designed to soothe. Planning a romantic surprise? Up the ante on that beach stroll and book a dhow sunset cruise. Chances are, you’ll come face to face with pods of dolphins. Aside from such once-in-a-lifetime travel experiences, it’s the locals that set this place apart. The skippers on the boats, the personal butlers and the talented chefs all make Anantara Bazaruto Island Resort feel incomparably authentic – and they thrive on elevating everyday experiences to something picture-perfect and completely unforgettable. Such as a beach breakfast waiting outside your villa. Or nightly turndown with bedtime stories. So much work goes on behind the scenes to make this the seamless experience that it is. You’ll be aching to return the moment you leave.

NH JOHANNESBURG SANDTON

A stopover as good as the destination

Airlink operates daily direct flights from Johannesburg to Vilankulos, with morning departures every day and afternoon departures on selected days. Travellers from outside Johannesburg may need to overnight nearby at the start and end of their trip. When booking a stopover hotel, convenience, location and practicality are usually top of mind – but that doesn’t mean you need to completely forgo complete comfort and luxurious amenities. NH Johannesburg Sandton may not have the runway views or direct connections to terminals that you might be expecting. Still, it’s got the next best thing: A dependable airport shuttle service. The 329-room property, each room elegantly designed with sweeping views, is one of Sandton’s original grande dames. There’s a wide variety of guests here, from business travellers who like the central location to visitors who value the excellent restaurant and outdoor pool for unwinding. Wander around and you’ll be taken aback by the scale of the place, and the sheer number of ballrooms and meeting spaces. Rooms have generous amounts of floor space and come in shades of soft grey, peppered with dark wood. The

workstations and television stands are all polished mahogany. But the best amenities are the simplest: The pillow-top beds, the top-class bedding, the views of Sandton’s buzzing business district and the spacious bathtubs – an open invitation for a long bubble-filled soak. The higher you get, the better the experience. The sixth floor offers an Executive Lounge – a lavish affair with complimentary drinks and snacks. All meals are served in the hotel’s signature Tradewinds Restaurant, where there’s an old-school glamour throughout. The morning breakfast buffet surpasses the norm. Think slabs of honeycomb, onthe-bone prosciutto, freshly squeezed juices, an egg station and a noodle bar. Piano music and the tinkle of teaspoons in coffee cups fill the air. For dinner, we’d recommend ordering the impeccable tuna tartare and tomahawk steak.

138 Rivonia Road, Sandton 011 322 1888

sandton@nhhotels.com world.nh-hotels.com

WELCOME

SOUTHERN SUN

TO HYDE PARK, SANDTON

Service excellence in one of Sandton’s top hotels

Directly connected to the iconic Hyde Park Corner mall offering easy access to the best of Sandton, in the heart of Johannesburg’s most exclusive neighbourhood, the Southern Sun Hyde Park hotel combines service excellence with a warm welcome. For leisure or business, romantic escapes or city breaks, our hotel is one of the top rated in Sandton.

The hotel’s 132 well-appointed en-suite rooms feature comfy beds and a range of amenities including free uncapped WiFi, a mini-bar, flatscreen with DStv, 18-hour room service, porter service, and more. Guests can relax on our 8th floor rooftop pool deck, workout in the gym, or discover Gauteng with our Gautrain station shuttle. Authentic Italian cuisine is served in LUCÉ restaurant, sundowners with an exceptional view are best enjoyed at our Island Bar, and for the discerning patron the Whiskey & Cigar Bar has an exceptional choice of Cuba and Scotland’s finest exports. Three adaptable venues with space for up to 120 delegates, self-service workstations, and an unbeatable Hyde Park location ensure our hotel is well-equipped for business.

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CHAMPAGNE BREAKFAST

UNIQUE DINING IN HYDE PARK

• Indulge in a decadent breakfast experience as you relax and unwind with family and friends. Treat yourselves to a lavish à la carte breakfast served with a bottle of Moët & Chandon Nectar Impérial* in the Island Bar from 09h30 to 11h00.

• Reservations require a minimum of 4 guests, with a maximum of 20 guests per booking.

*1 bottle of Moët & Chandon Nectar Impérial for every 4 people

with a view Valid till 30 March 2025

ITALIAN INSPIRED date night

IGNITE THE ROMANCE IN HYDE PARK

• Show the one you love how much you care with a romantic Italian inspired date night at Southern Sun Hyde Park, one of Joburg’s most stylish hotels.

• Enjoy a relaxing evening with a three-course dinner complemented by a bottle of Italian red or white wine at LUCÉ restaurant, for only R1,020 per couple.

• Extend the romance with an indulgent romantic package for R2,675 for 2 people sharing.

Package includes:

• A night’s accommodation in a Standard Room

• A 3-course dinner with wine at LUCÉ

• A delicious buffet breakfast

Offer valid from 1 May 2024 to 31 March 2025