The Table Bay Hotel

Wine tasting via ipad

I love how Table Bay Hotel, steeped in tradition and old world charm, is embracing a young vibrant energy and enthusiasm! Drink a  hand crafted &Union Beer over rugby in the Union Bar (Girls did I mention, the delightful French Bubble that is Taittinger, is R99/glass & Graham Beck Brut, cause local is lekker, is R65) or – Select your wine for dinner on an Ipad! Because the The Table Bay is Cool like that! 🙂

http://www.sawineindex.com tells us more.

SAWi, a private initiative, which was initially established to research the field of wine judging and its pitfalls here and abroad, introduced a new wine quality index for South African wine.
SAWi is a system based on several new wine quality indicators and value points, developed to make more sense from having all the different results from various wine competitions. Wine ratings must become more useful and understandable for the average wine drinker.With current social media technology, taking up more of the hours of our day, tending to move information around more than ever, we now can have information at our fingertips, anywhere we find ourselves. What a super way to run our social lives. SAWi efforts are aimed at providing the wine consumer with information that is rich and much more meaningful, as SAWi foresees an entirely different experience for wine consumers in future.Given the long-term roadmap of SAWi, further content components have subsequently been developed to launch different products into various context touch-points, with the first having been the launch at Longridge Wine Estate in Stellenbosch, of South Africa’s own Digital Food & Wine Pairing Menu [Ipad] application for restaurants. Such applications are bound to change consumer behavior for good. For one, wine lists as we have come to know it should never be the same again.The SAWi iPad application, designed as a unique approach to display and pair food and wine, is a touch screen unit, presented to guests displaying the menu of the day and recommending wines according to the choice of food dish. The wine content, drawn from the SAWi database, is rich and includes data which is informative, innovative and new, being in line with the SAWi philosophy of engaging, informing and educating users of wine in a new way.Wine intensity should not fail to measure up to or overwhelm food. In ordering a relatively light or relatively more robust food dish one should be able to find wines featuring an intensity and weight appropriate to the food and savor its texture and flavor.Wine lists need to change and should be divided into lighter more delicate to richer more intense full body wines. We shouldn’t eat a whole meal with one kind of wine. We must start to promote wine per glass, to provide a different wine choice between Starters, Main dish and Desserts.SAWi aims to provide a new basis for people in making their wine choices with credible, relevant and comprehensive information that is quickly accessible and digestible. This will also create a one stop eco-system for wineries to enable them to reach a variety of market segments through one support portal.Some SAWi-F iPad features:

  • The software is configured to each individual restaurant with a number of options to consider.
  • The design will be an extension of the brand: including logos, colors, and imagery.
  • An efficient and robust CMS interface allows the elimination of printing and production costs for menus and special sheets, allowing updates and customization of menus and pricing.
  • The unique interface offers a true competitive advantage to a restaurant looking to attract new clientele.
  • Data reporting functions will provide detailed feedback to management to monitor what is selling and what wine guests are ordering most.
  • The application enhances the work of sommeliers, who in fact welcomes it.
  • The real value of using iPads by restaurants is to develop customer relationships. It’s about getting to know your customer in a way that you can’t get to know them from the waiter or waitress.
  • Printed food & wine pairing menus, with similar rich data, will still be available for those that are not so comfortable with technology.
  • Because the system functions completely independently of pre-existing software, integration is seamless.

While technology is becoming increasingly important to restaurants too, tabletop ordering devices only stand to multiply. Many imagine that this is something that won’t just be considered to be a discretionary behavior; it will become a necessary behavior. It is trusted that this development will encourage further interaction and talk about food and wine, to share with others and to clink a glass on that.

Want to try it out – why not experience it on Saturday as the Table Bay Hotel offers a 4 course dinner and wine tasting with up and coming South African Wine makers all for R295/head. Read more here.

Food & fashion at the v&a Waterfront

There’s nothing more exciting than wearing your new fashion purchases. Need an excuse to get out – the V&A Waterfront has an abundance of wining and dining experiences for every fashionable occasion.

When in Rome . . . .  meet a few friends for Italian at Meloncino.

Prosciutto con Gelato di Grana Padano e Mascarpone
Hand-sliced prosciutto served with a Grana Padano and Mascarpone ice cream, drizzled with balsamic. (I could have this again! )

I’d wear this nautical combination of Woolworths Wedges, Trenery Striped Dress and Woolworths Sling Bag …. or ….. These Raybans from Sunglass Hut, one of these Oh-so-girly dresses from I love Leroy (how cute?), this red trench from Mango and to finish it off these cute red peeptoes and satchel bag from Forever New.

The Table Bay Hotel is hosting a Wine Tasting and Food Pairing Evening on the 30th July. (Read more here) A fabulous experience I can highly recommend. A mix of old world charm and modern attention to detail. Glass of wine? Why not browse their new Ipad Wine Menus.

“With current social media technology, taking up more of the hours of our day, tending to move information around more than ever, we now can have information at our fingertips, anywhere we find ourselves. What a super way to run our social lives. SAWi efforts are aimed at providing the wine consumer with information that is rich and much more meaningful, as SAWi foresees an entirely different experience for wine consumers in future.

The SAWi iPad application, designed as a unique approach to display and pair food and wine, is a touch screen unit, presented to guests displaying the menu of the day and recommending wines according to the choice of food dish. The wine content, drawn from the SAWi database, is rich and includes data which is informative, innovative and new, being in line with the SAWi philosophy of engaging, informing and educating users of wine in a new way.” Says The Table Bay Hotel

I can’t wait to try that out!

I’d wear this tailored dress and blazer from Mango – perhaps even belted with either these incredible TRENERY Boots and matching bag, or these Wedges from Country Road. Ooh they’re on my summer “want list”

Celebrating something special, romantic dinner for two? You have to experience the world renowned Japanese Cuisine at Nobu at least once in your life time.

They are running a special five-course set menu this winter for only R299 until 31 August. The five-course set menu will be a mouthwatering reflection of Nobu cuisine from start to finish. Including the likes of new style sashimi, the restaurant’s famous rock shrimp, beef toban and of course a sushi roll of the day. For dessert there are three choices and devotees will be thrilled to know that Nobu Cape Town’s signature chocolate bento box is one of these.  It’s a MUST! Very special!

I’d wear my favourite Lee Skinny Jeans, This sparky Stefania Morland blouse (You must check out the fab new S.A Designer store) , Swarovski’s from Spilhaus and one-day-I’ll-own-a-pair, Jimmy Choo Heels.

So as you can see – V&A Waterfront offers a little something for every occasion, come fashion, come food! xx

P.s Don’t forget to have your passport stamped to ‘Get Away with the V&A’, to keep you in the loop on all that’s winter especially the BIG winter sale visit winter.waterfront.co.za.

P.s.s Thanks to everyone that sent in their ideas and thoughts on what you’d like to hear from The V&A Waterfront! We’ve noted all your suggestions and hope to cover the information as thoroughly as possible. Congrats to Vanessa Berger – your mail won you the R500 V&A Waterfront Voucher! Happy Shopping! x

 

Food & wine pairing at the table bay hotel – you’re invited

Last month I attended the “Old Guns” Wine Tasting and Food Pairing Evening at The Table Bay Hotel. And WOW, was it fabulous! 4 wine farms, steeped in history, class and oh, deliciousness, were paired over a 4 course dinner starting with oyster canape’s in the lounge, to dining in their fine dining restaurant, The Atlantic Grill, and then back out into the lounge for more savouring, relaxing and entertainment. The evening was a huge success – and the Table Bay Hotel looks forward to hosting you at their next evening.

The evening began with one of my absolute favourites (We had the Kaapse Vonkel Brut Rose at our wedding) – The Simonsig Kaapse Vonkel Brut, who are celebrating 40 years this year! Cheers!

Above, the menu we enjoyed.

On the 30th July – The Table Bay Hotel will be hosting another Food & Wine Pairing Evening, focusing on the “New Guns” in the wine industry. These wine makers all focus on a new style of sourcing rather than growing grapes, with the focus of only producing limited quantities of wine with an intense push towards quality.

The wine evening on 30 July will showcase the following ‘New Kids on the Block’:

Louis Nel – old hand in the wine industry working in farms like Warwick and other farms in the Simonsberg area, Louis Wine is his own personal brand originating in Darling – which is a superb example of a West Coast Sauvignon Blanc

Howard Booysen – is a Sommelier at Aubergine Restaurant, who has managed to source a very select block of Riesling grapes in the Swartberg area, he has just produced his first vintage and that is what we will be showcasing

Donovan Rall – a recent 5 star Platter award winner, worked under the names of Eben Sadie and is now producing his own Rall white and red blend and also consults for Vuurberg

Rikus Neethling – as with Donovan a ‘new kid on the block’ after conducting his trade experience in France, came home to produce some of the finest small production of white blend and Shiraz handcrafted wines.

The menu will also be along the lines of a new and funky style to match these contemporary wines, as will the entertainment.

So why not get a table of friends together and enjoy what South African Wine Farms and The Table Bay Hotel Have to offer! I’m very excited to attend the next one! And I can highly recommend a drink at The Union Bar. Mmmm, Taittinger or Kaapse Vonkel . . . .

Date of event:  30 July 2011

Time:  19h00 for 19h30

Theme:  New wine farms of the Cape

Price:  R295.00/ pp

For bookings: Call Michelle on 021 406 5918 or 

 

Fathers day at the v&a waterfront

Keep dad on trend and in style with my favourite, fashionable picks at The V&A Waterfront.

 

Younger dads will especially love hot trends in eye wear, like these Burberry and D&G Sunglasses from Sunglass Hut.

Pamper dad with Crabtree & Evelyn from indulgent, classic shave cream to shower gel and fragrance. Men love no fuss products, unlike us ladies. So why not try out the 2-1 Sienna Hair and Body Wash.

Does dad like to cook? What about these funky Joseph and Joseph Index Chopping Boards from @Home.

 

Or make his life easier when pouring you a drink in the evenings hey mom? How about these Joseph and Joseph Quick Snap Ice Trays also from @Home.

Dad like to shop? What about a gift voucher for Country Road, where he can pick something perfect to wear to work, from bags, to shoes to a swanky new blazer.

Keep dad in check with a fun and stylish watch from Fossil.

Dad may have the whole family stealing this from him, but if he loves a gadget, he needs an Ipad 2 from The Istore.

If he loves his winter reds, he’d love this wine decanter from Menu.

Give dad good-mood-mornings, with a Nespresso Machine from Nespresso.

 

And if he doesn’t have the luxury of reading the paper round the breakfast table, what about a Bodum On The Go Coffee Press Mug from Spilhaus.

Ban the winter chill and wrap dad up in warm winter scarves and leather gloves from Woolworths.

Now that dad’s kitted out and looking fab, why not take him to experience the Winter Specials at Nobu. It’s made of magic, such a treat, or for a drink at the Union Bar at The Table Bay Hotel. Also a cosy treat!

Just remember to give him a big squeeze and a smile! Happy shopping at The V&A Waterfront! You’re bound to find some amazing fathers day treats!

A stay at the table bay hotel

It was my husbands 30th birthday over the weekend, and so I treated him to a stay at The Table Bay Hotel, and what fun we had! It really was very indulgent and spoiling.

We started off with a heavenly, hour long, Camelot Universal Massage at The Camelot Spa. It comprises of different massage techniques, hot stones and oils from a massage candle with a  full body and head massage. Out of this world! My therapist found the exact spots that needed attention and really worked at them. Heaven!

Firstly – we just sat in amazement at the incredible view from our room! How beautiful? And how proud we felt of our beautiful city!

One thing I became very aware of, was the beautiful arrangements of fresh flowers throughout the hotel – nothing more special that a gorgeous arrangement waiting for you in your room.

Crabtree & Evelyn amenities! Wow, that’s a spoil.My favourite!

Breakfast the next morning, which runs till 11.00, was out of this world! I think you could taste pretty much everything under the sun. Hence, Champagne, Salmon roses and oysters were most certainly being savoured and enjoyed by us!

And what a special touch, a birthday sing along from the staff and a birthday plate 🙂

We also had so much fun the evening before enjoying a wine tasting the Table Bay offers every Friday evening in their very impressive cellar at their fine dining restaurant, The Atlantic Grill, with their sommeliers and General manager, trying out new wines to consider for their menu. Comprising of around 90% South African Wines, we tried a few international wines to see whether they were worthy of joining the selection. Not to mention some Taittinger that kept this blogger – simply delighted. A cosy drink at The Union Bar is also a must!

Our stay was really incredible! From the spoiling Crabtree & Evelyn and Haute Cabriere gifts in our room, to the warm and friendly staff – Very Special! I’d be back in a heart beat, even if it’s just for a glass of bubbles!

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