Neighbourhood CT - 09 February 2020

Neighbourhood 9 FEBRUARY 2020

PROPERTY & LIFESTYLE

Proudly green Not only is theLAB guesthouses a shining example of next-level sustainability, it also offers the best in wine and location, page 3

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THREE FAT FISH

yourneighbourhood.co.za

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DO IT IN THE SHADE

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GETAWAY FOCUS: PLACES TO ESCAPE TO

Connecting homeowners with great communities

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NEWS & LIFESTYLE

9 FEBRUARY 2020

Editor’s exclusive CARLA REDELINGHUYS

In your hood:

Neighbourhood

Around Cape Town

Sea Grill | 021 433 0789 | seagrill.co.za Saltwater Grill | 021 224 0063 | saltwatergrillsa.com Goldfish | 021 300 5368 | Facebook: Goldfish Eatery

Chokka block Three neighbourhood seafood restaurants to satisfy a summer craving WORDS: KIT HEATHCOCK

IMAGES: SUPPLIED

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ustainable seafood, honest ingredients and a dedication to quality are what these three restaurants have in common.

All newly opened within the last couple of years, they bring a fresh and individual approach to seafood to their neighbourhoods and locals have quickly become regulars.

Saltwater Grill, Durbanville

Having established Saltwater Grill as a firm neighbourhood favourite in Pinelands, chef Dylan Paioni opened their second branch in his home suburb of Durbanville in December 2018.

“I strongly believe in keeping it simple and to never put limits on perfection,” he says. “We offer an honest product, never cut corners and use the best produce from our suppliers. Our staff play a huge role in making us stand out, without them there would not be the famous Saltwater Grill.” Regulars’ favourites include the Spanish seafood stew, seared tuna steaks and seafood fettucine marinara, and Dylan has introduced sushi at their Durbanville branch.

Sea Grill, Sea Point

“The motivation behind opening Sea Grill in Sea Point was that there wasn’t anything like it in the area, a place that offered really good seafood, in a relaxed yet stylish setting, at a good price,” says co-owner Faisal Khakoo. A sister restaurant to La Boheme Bistro and Wine Bar, Sea Grill fills that gap between no-frills fish and chips and fancy fine-dining, with excellent quality seafood from platters to tapas dishes, oysters and prawns, and regular specials.

“We source a lot of our seafood through the Abalobi initiative which supports small-scale fishermen in South Africa and where possible try to support the ‘little guys’.” In May 2019 they also opened Sea Grill by La Boheme in Harfield Village, bringing a combination of the sister restaurants’ offerings to the Southern Suburbs.

Delight your taste buds L

adies and gents, hold onto your hats, because this Valentine’s Day, Weltevrede Estate in Bonnievale brings you an unexpected love story that blossomed into a beautiful, yet quirky, union of gewürztraminer being the seductive cultivar with some spicy German swagger, and pinot noir the alluringly serious varietal with gorgeous hidden depths. Bring the two together and it’s a love story for the ages, resulting in a tantalising semi-sweet rosé that sings of litchi, rose petals and candy floss.

The blend was first launched in 2017 and forms part of the Simplicity range that saw the light in 2010.

So in the spirit of this off-beat romance, we invite you to join us in getting a little bit whimsical with your wine.

Dust off your sense of mischief, relocate your funny bone, and leave the snobbishness at the door, because Turkish Delight is all about tasty high jinks and delectable shenanigans.

In fact, we’re going to double-dare you to think beyond the same old, same old wine-in-a-glass, and dress up Turkish Delight in your favourite summertime guise. Popsicles, spritzers, cocktails, you name it – this daring dame always brings her A-game.

PUBLISHED BY TIMES MEDIA PROPERTY PUBLISHING

Rose & lime cordial Yield: 700ml

Ingredients • 500ml lime juice • 500ml sugar • 500ml Weltevrede Turkish Delight Rosé • 1t rose water Here’s how 1. Combine all the ingredients in a large pot. On a very low heat stir the mixture until the sugar has dissolved. Put the heat up and reduce the mixture by a third, approximately 20 minutes.

2. Pour into a glass jar, seal and keep indefinite in the refrigerator.

Goldfish Eatery, Strand

The idea for Goldfish started with a family conversation. “We were chatting about the poor quality of takeaway seafood,” says co-owner Mornay de Villiers, “and we decided to open our own seafood eatery based on the quality of seafood that we prepare at home for ourselves.”

He and his mother, Sandra, create a home-from-home atmosphere at Goldfish, using family recipes for a light batter on their signature deepfried hake, and hand-cut potato chips.

“We support fisheries that are part of sustainable fishing programmes and buy only A-grade seafood and fresh vegetables,” adds Mornay. Their salmon, prawn and calamari poke bowls are also becoming a hit. You can eat in or take away, and soon Goldfish will also sell frozen seafood to the public.

win To help you and your loved one get in the mood for romance, Weltevrede is giving away a box of its Turkish Delight wine to one very lucky reader. Simply visit our FB page for all the details.

EDITORIAL TEAM:

ADVERTISING SALES:

Group Editor: Carla Redelinghuys carla@yourneighbourhood.co.za Senior Sub-Editor: Marana Brand Designers: Anja Bramley & Samantha Durand Visit yourneighbourhood.co.za

Call us for advertising opportunities on 087 828 0423 Production (Editorial & Property Advertising): Lucea Goosen capetown@yourneighbourhood.co.za Online coordinator: Chantelle Balsdon chantelle@augmentcreative.com

9 FEBRUARY 2020

Neighbourhood

In your hood:

Western Cape winelands

In your hood:

Grande Provence Harvest Festival 2020 | 021 876 8600 | grandeprovence.co.za Muratie Harvest Festival | 021 865 2330/6 | muratie.co.za Genevieve MCC Post-Harvest Proe Party | 083 302 6562 | genevievemcc.co.za

NEWS & LIFESTYLE

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Western Cape

theLAB | 064 928 5626, 021 790 5080, 023 626 1570 | thelab.africa

Smart move theLAB guesthouses offer visitors a truly unique stay WORDS: CARLA REDELINGHUYS

IMAGES: JARED RUTTENBERG

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y now, most of us are bored to tears by Eskom’s ongoing supply woes and would rather have an eyebrow threading session followed by a taxidermy seminar than have another conversation about load shedding and the pros and cons of going “off the grid”.

By the light of the harvest moon

Harvest is a time of hard work and long days in the Western Cape winelands, but the winemakers and vineyard workers certainly also know how to have a good time WORDS: RICHARD HOLMES

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f you’d like to join in the most exciting months in the Winelands, book your tickets to one of the Cape’s celebratory harvest festivals.

Grande Provence Harvest Festival 2020

Expect barrels of fun and an upmarket day amid the vines at this Franschhoek estate, when Grande Provence once again hosts its popular harvest festival.

After a tractor ride into the vineyards, guests get to work filling crates with grapes, before the chance to try your hand (or foot) at traditional grape stomping. If you’d rather not work up a sweat, tastings and cellar tours are also on offer, before a sumptuous harvest table is set for lunch in the vineyards.

Date: 22 February Price: R1,000 per couple, including a bottle of wine

Muratie Harvest Festival Look forward to a laid-back day in

the shade of ancient oak trees when the Melck family throw open the gates to their historic Stellenbosch cellar. There’s little hard work in store, although there will be grape stomping on offer for the energetic and wine tasting for the thirsty.

Tractor rides into the vineyards will keep kids entertained, while the tunes of the Kitchen Jammin Blues band set the soundtrack for an al fresco lunch (not included in ticket price) beneath the boughs.

Date: 29 February Price: R150 per person, including welcome drink

Genevieve MCC Post-Harvest Proe Party

There are few better ways to toast a successful harvest than with a glass of méthode cap classique in hand, and there’ll be no shortage of bubbly at this after-harvest party in Bot River.

“We’re pulling out all the stops for this one,” says Melissa Nelsen, owner of specialist cap classique producer Genevieve MCC. “Cap classique, like the best wines, takes time to make and reflects the seasons. To open a bottle is to taste the sunshine of a particular year and that’s exactly what’s on offer at the Proe Party.”

The afternoon includes the chance to hear more about the 2020 harvest, followed by a tasting of older vintages of Genevieve MCC and current releases.

Then it’s time for lunch, with a sitdown harvest table feast accompanied, of course, by plenty of bubbly.

Date: 7 March Price: R450 per person

So I won’t go there. Except that I kind of have to because one can’t write about theLAB guesthouses and not talk about the most important feature: these are proudly green establishments.

The locations are managed to be as carbon neutral as possible – solar technology heats the water and provides electricity, and the recycling system ensures as little waste as possible is created. This is done by providing guests with drinks on tap at the bar and still and sparkling water in reusable glass bottles. The on-site vegetable gardens also provide guests with delicious farm-fresh fare.

The three properties, set across the Western Cape in Robertson, Franschhoek and Hout Bay, are perfectly situated so guests can enjoy the best these three spots have to offer, including award-winning wine and food, and some of the best sightseeing and activities the province has to offer.

And the coolest feature of all? The rooms have an automation system with facial recognition and gesture

control applications. Why would you need or want this? Because imagine staying in a room that can make you coffee, switch your TV and shower on and off, and close your blinds when it’s time for some shuteye.

Echo awaits your instructions.

And she can execute them even if Eskom has decided to call it a day.

GOOD TO KNOW theLAB was named after the owners’ beloved Labrador, Einstein, who passed away at 16 years old. Tributes to him adorn the walls of all the properties.

win One lucky couple can win a two-night stay at a theLAB guesthouse of their choice. This fabulous prize is worth R5,000 and includes breakfast (both mornings), one dinner on site, e-scooter rides, two mini spa treatments, and a mixed case of wine. To enter, simply visit our Facebook page.

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PROPERTY NEWS

9 FEBRUARY 2020

Neighbourhood

On the road

Paternoster

Summer loving The only challenge finding a romantic spot to spoil a loved one in and around Cape Town, is the myriads of choices WORDS: KIT HEATHCOCK

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IMAGES: SUPPLIED & SHUTTERSTOCK

ummer, sunshine and falling in love, the Western Cape has so many delightful backdrops for potential romance it’s impossible to make any definitive list, but here are some suggestions within easy weekend distance of Cape Town.

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picturesque West Coast fishing village with a long white-sand beach far away from the madding crowd, Paternoster has become quite the chic retreat nowadays with curated self-catering cottages, boutique hotels – Abalone House and Strandloper Ocean Boutique Hotel – and the restaurant of the moment, Wolfgat, Kobus van der Merwe’s simple but multi-awardwinning sustainable West Coast restaurant. There are several more delicious dining options including Leeto, Oep ve Koep, Die Gaaitjie, Noisy Oyster, and you’ll need to book ahead at weekends and the busy season.

Work up an appetite with a kayak trip to see seals and penguins with Kayak Paternoster, or explore Cape Columbine Nature Reserve and lighthouse. Then potter

along the beach and browse local artists’ studios and galleries.

Splash out: Book three months ahead for dinner at Wolfgat and enjoy a thoughtfully composed seasonal tasting menu using local ingredients and foraged wild elements from the Strandveld.

Don’t miss: Jazz on the Rocks, Paternoster’s own festival held in Tietiesbaai – 2020 is their 10th anniversary: 27 February to 1 March

EXPERIENCE IT FOR YOURSELF wolfgat.co.za

Bosjes

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n unspoilt mountain getaway in the Breede River Valley, Bosjes captures the imagination with the stunning architecture of its wave-roofed chapel, ceramic-tiled mural and gorgeous indigenous gardens. The five luxury suites at Die Skuur Guesthouse are designed by Liam Mooney, with a swimming pool for lazy summer afternoons. Stroll in the garden, take a mountain hiking trail where you may come across giraffe, bontebok and zebra, birds and beautiful views. The Bosjes Kombuis restaurant is now headed up by chef Nicolas Oosthuizen (ex Foliage), with consulting from Abigail Donnelly (former editor of Eat Out), and offers delicious farm bistro lunches.

There’s also the Tea Garden for tea, scones, cakes and savoury snacks.

Splash out: Dinner is served at the guesthouse, or choose the braai option, a hamper of meats and salads for you to cook yourselves, the fire lit for you on the communal stoep with sunset views of the mountains and a night sky filled with stars.

Don’t miss: Bosjes is a working farm, so share the excitement of harvest time through summer into winter with first peaches, then grapes, olives and proteas.

EXPERIENCE IT FOR YOURSELF bosjes.co.za

njoy al nts he

arch

9 FEBRUARY 2020

Neighbourhood

PROPERTY NEWS

Stanford

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ountry dorp tranquillity, a river running through it and plenty of food highlights, Stanford has more than its fair share of charm seemingly designed for a romantic getaway. A sunset river cruise, tranquil country views, wine estates with great food, historic cottages in a charming village, the list goes on.

Self-catering cottages are the way to go here and there’s lots to choose from including Stanford Valley Guest Farm, Springfontein, and Stanford Country Cottages to name just a few. Shop for local ingredients at the Saturday morning market, get your cheese from Klein River Cheese Farmstead, wine from the local estates, and ice cream from Don Gelato, but save space for eating out at unpretentious local favourites such as Madre or

Hermanus

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lifftop walks, fabulous sunsets, lazy beach days, Hermanus has plenty of star ingredients tailor-made for a romantic sojourn.

Blue Flag Grotto and Hawston beaches might get crowded but there are plenty of quieter spots to escape to – take a picnic to Rowweklip, Langbaai or Fick’s Pool for sundowners and swims, or to Fernkloof Nature Reserve for shady summer days among the fragrant fynbos gardens.

Book horse-riding on the beach with African Horse Company, explore Walker Bay Nature Reserve and Klipgat Cave with its Stone-Age history, or go canoeing or kayaking with Walkerbay Adventures. This vibrant seaside town has accommodation for all

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Haverfords for lunch, and dinner at Manor House or Springfontein.

Splash out: Springfontein Eats: locavore meets contemporary fusion, a taste adventure that keeps fine dining down to earth.

Don’t miss: Make the most of the beautiful Klein River – African Queen and Lady Stanford both offer cruises, or hire canoes and paddle yourself on the flat water while bird-watching.

EXPERIENCE IT FOR YOURSELF springfontein.co.za

budgets – from self-catering rentals and B&Bs to five-star luxury.

Splash out: Stay at Birkenhead House for the royal treatment, book a couple’s spa session, relax over cocktails with stunning sunset views, and dine in style in a choice of settings.

Don’t miss: Hermanus Country Market on Saturday mornings for a local vibe, crafts, produce, wine and live music.

EXPERIENCE IT FOR YOURSELF theroyalportfolio.com/birkenheadhouse/overview

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Silvermist Staycation

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ith visitors from all over the world choosing Cape Town as their romantic destination, it would be a shame for locals to miss out on romantic escapes right here in the Mother City!

One such hidden gem is Silvermist Organic Wine Estate – perched high on the mountainside above Constantia Nek, it feels a world away from the city with incredible forest, vineyard and mountain views.

The boutique hotel offers old-school luxury in its seven suites, fresh farm breakfasts at Green Vine Eatery, and lazy days by the pool with wine from the estate and birdsong on tap. Or mountain hikes among the fynbos straight from your suite.

Splash out: World-renowned La Colombe is on the estate within walking distance of the hotel and full of incredible foodie spoils.

Book separately well in advance, the restaurant is independent of the hotel and tables are in hot demand.

Don’t miss: Silvermist is home to the SA Forest Adventures ziplining canopy tour, adding a dash of adrenaline to the romance.

EXPERIENCE IT FOR YOURSELF silvermistestate.co.za

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PROPERTY NEWS

9 FEBRUARY 2020

Neighbourhood

How does my garden grow?

South Africa has a small selection of shade-loving climbers and creepers, but the few we have really cover the bases WORDS: ANNE SCHAUFFER IMAGES: SHUTTERSTOCK

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here are numerous reasons to employ climbers or creepers, but whether you want to soften a harsh surface, create a pretty scented arch through which to walk, or design a pattern for a wall, put in some homework to prevent heartache.

“You’d be well advised to understand the plant and its needs,” says Carol Reid of Garden Green. “Ideally talk to your local nursery or garden guru about your specific area and what grows best there.

Try to recreate its ideal environment.”

Shade-loving climbers are somewhat limited in our sun-drenched country, but there are a handful which work well.

“The word shade isn’t quite specific enough though,” says Reid, “because some creepers will grow in light or partial shade – so, they’re shade tolerant rather than loving – but prefer partial sun. Few are happy in dense shade, so if you’re keen to plant a creeper there, try to cut back trees or whatever is blocking the light, and you’re far more likely to have a healthy plant.”

These are a few creepers and climbers which Reid suggests:

Jasmine

There are a number of different jasmine creepers, all scented and pretty, but some aren’t frost hardy, others prefer more sun. Star jasmine ( jasminum multipartitum) and South African jasmine ( jasminum angulare) flower intermittently throughout the year. Confederate jasmine or star jasmine (trachelospermum jasminoides), with its beautiful dark green leaves and scented white flowers, is now available in a variegated, more low-growing variety.

Reid favours jasminum angulare (wild jasmine), a hardy, evergreen, drought resistant climber with glossy, dark leaves – it does best in frostfree regions, and it’s happy in light shade. This is quite a delicate climber, happy to climb over arches and along fences and walls. It performs best in fertile, loamy, well-composted soil, and performs better with a little watering during spring and summer.

Tickey creeper/ficus/ fig creeper/kruipvy or ficus pimula

This perennial, evergreen creeper climbs about 9m to 12m vertically, and 30m2 to 40m2 horizontally. It attaches itself to the wall or any porous surface, so bear that in mind… it’s a tenacious sucker, and if you choose to remove it, you’ll have your work cut out for you removing the vestiges of this creeper. It produces heart-shaped

leaves of varying colours, and it’s dense enough to completely conceal an ugly surface. It can take a little time to get going, but once it does, it grows fast.

Thunbergia alata (black-eyed Susan)

This evergreen shrub is frost resistant, water wise and fast growing in the sun or semi-shade. The orange flowers occur all year and attract insect eating birds. It’s ideal for small gardens – it grows well on a trellis to act as a screen.

Cyphostemma lanigerum (wildedruif)

This deciduous shrub/scrambler grows to 2m tall. As it is deciduous, it’s frost resistant. It’s also drought resistant and grows in the semi-shade. The yellow flowers open in spring and the bright orange/red berries attract birds. It occurs naturally on the Highveld and is a worthwhile addition to a bird garden.

It can be grown over rocks as a creeper.

Clematis

There are numerous different forms of clematis, but our deciduous South African clematis bractiata will grow in light shade, and can reach a height of 5m if left unchecked. It can, however, easily be trained into a more formal growth on a trellis, and bears masses of dainty, scented, creamy white flowers during late summer and autumn. The flowers are followed by large, decorative seed heads. It’s commonly known as traveller’s friend.

WALL ART There’s no limit to the designs you can create, by either affixing 2D metal shapes like different sized rounds, or single strands, slightly proud of your wall. The more attention you’re prepared to pay the creeper, the more intricate the design you can achieve. The traditional criss-cross trellis shape – large or small – is easy to fit to the wall, and with not too much attention, creepers like jasmine follow the line. Just twist them round the wire every now and again to keep them neat. Evenly or unevenly spaced vertical lines – also work well, and if you play with colour, texture or patterns on the wall behind, interesting effects can result. If you enjoy a formal look, oversized pots in a row against a wall, can each contain their own creeper – affix a rectangular/round metal or wooden trellis, so you create a panelled effect.

AGENTS KNOW HOW TO MARKET YOUR HOME TO SELL

Image is everything when it comes to real estate and a poorly presented property is like showing up at the Oscars in the wrong dress. Objective, expert advice and assistance from a registered estate agent is essential.

Another good reason why you should use an estate agent

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