Living and loving Valentine’s Day in 2018: Where to eat out for the modern couple
images: iStock; Restaurant’s own
Valentine’s Day is kitsch at the best of times but this year it doesn’t have to be. Food24 is here to help you do it right: no lackluster flowers, silly heart-holding teddy bears or cheap grocery store cards. It’s about enjoying a meal together; spending time and lathering in the experience of a new foodie destination with the person or people closest to you. If anything, V-Day is your opportunity to try something new – with your big love, your mom or your bestie.
(Sidenote: Booking required or essential on Valentine’s Day specials. Book ASAP to avoid disappointment.)
CAPE TOWN
Honouring the notion that food really is the way to a man and woman’s heart, Roast & Co. is pulling out all the stops this Valentine’s Day. On Wednesday 14 February you and your date can enjoy a specially formulated three-course menu with wine pairing in partnership with Warwick Wine Estate. For R795 per couple you can dive into this feast for two, and welcome drink. (Excludes additional drinks & gratuity.)
After reopening following a mammoth renovation, The Ritz has quickly become a must-visit Mother City destination, notably for its varied offering. With an interior design scheme – across each setting – that is romantic be it V-Day or not, book your evening at one of these gorgeous locations.
CASA’s #whendidyourlovestart evening features a four-course menu – complete with a dessert chocolate fountain – alongside dancing and glitzy celebration. This dinner is priced at R1100 per couple (for booking details see below).
At Top of The Ritz, the only revolving restaurant in the Western Cape, lapse in the staggering panoramic views whilst enjoying wine, bubbly and a seven-course gourmet explosion. Dinner is priced at R1700 per couple and includes two glasses of bubbly.
For those wishing to totally indulge in “The Ritz” experience – dinner at Top of The Ritz, an indulgent stay in a Deluxe Room complete with a romantic turn-down, and breakfast and bubbly awaiting the next morning. This package is priced at R4500 per couple. For restaurant and bookings or inquiries email: info@theritzcapetown.co.za or book online at theritz.co.za.
The Yard is mixing up its foodie offering with a new tasting and à la carte menu, available exclusively on Valentine’s Day. Expect their usual take on Mediterranean, Indian and European fare (like pan-seared kingklip Shitake mushroom broth with soba noodles; deconstructed ravioli and Myburgh Makhni, pulao rice, kukumber salad with mango chutney and poppadom). A complimentary glass of Fairview wine will be offered on arrival.
Constantia dreaming at The Cellars-Hohenort
The Cellars-Hohenort invites you to a six-course Valentine’s Day dinner at The Conservatory restaurant for R695 per person. Take a romantic stroll through the well-kept gardens before relaxing with pre-dinner bubbles and look forward to West Coast oysters served with cucumber, basil, tomato and cayenne espuma; Cape Malay seared tuna tataki served with octopus carpaccio; charred cauliflower and coriander salsa; and Elderflower sherbet served with grilled peaches and burrata panna cotta. Bookings available at +27 21 794 2137 or coordinator@cellars-hohenort.co.za.
WINELANDS
Allée Bleue in beautiful Franschhoek is creating three delicious options of starters and main course, along with its wines. Treat your loved-one to the delicious three-part Valentine’s Day meal and a glass of the estate’s sparkling Brut Rosé. The menu accommodates meat eaters, vegetarians or pescatarians so come hungry. Priced at R750 per couple; book via email: info@alleebleue.com or phone +27 21 874 1021.
Magic at Titanic-themed celebration at BOSJES
For those who wish to take the scenic drive through the beautiful Breedekloof valley to BOSJES, the rewards are yours for the choosing: space to breathe and enjoy the natural beauty of the landscaped gardens on the family-owned protea and fruit farm. BOSJES Kombuis is offering you a tasteful venue for celebratory occasions – including Valentine’s Day, of course.
Experience the romance and splendour of a bygone era with a seasonal nine-course meal prepared by Chef Kim Cox. In a BOSJES style of keeping everything local, each dish in this menu will be carefully paired with wines from the Deetlefs Wine Estate in the Breedekloof valley. The menu is priced at R525 per person, book via email: eat@bosjes.co.za
FABER restaurant at Avondale Estate in the Paarl Valley – a progressive biodynamic and organic farm with an admirable ethos of respect and sustainability – invites you into its kitchen spearheaded by Chef Eric Bulpitt. Head out to the slopes of the scenic Klein Drakenstein Mountains for a six-course sharing menu; R650 per person and includes a glass of bubbly on arrival. To make a reservation call +27 21 202 1219 or email faber@avondalewine.co.za.
Nederburg winery’s manor house restaurant, The Red Table, is set to host a three-course dinner with musical entertainment on 14 February. For R370, Chef Edmore Ruzoza’s menu for the evening features Première Cuvée Brut and the likes of lemon-thyme poached prawns, slow-braised lamb shoulder, red onion, sweet potato lyonnaise and Noble Late Harvest crème brûlée with fresh berries and apricot biscotti. A large selection of Nederburg’s award-winning wines, offered at an extra cost, will be available to guests to enjoy with their meal.
To secure a booking, contact The Red Table on +27 21 877 5155 or send an e-mail to theredtable@nederburg.co.za.
This year, the idyllic Lanzerac Estate in Stellenbosch is offering four Valentine’s packages, each uniquely tailored to suit your taste: The Lanzerac Valentine’s Wine Hamper, Wine & Dine with Lanzerac, Couple’s Escape, and Spa Couple’s Retreat. All packages and specials are subject to availability, and advance booking is essential, contact Eske Cilliers on winesales@lanzerac.co.za or +27 21 886 5641.
JOHANNESBURG
Join the friendly La Boqueria staff for a romantic Valentine’s Day lunch between 12 and 3pm on 14 February. Go for the delicious street food-inspired fare, or for the complimentary glass of bubbly offered to tables of two on V-Day.
A Parisian style bistro-cum-brasserie serving classic French delights in Linden, enjoy the authentic potato and leek Darphin, butternut squash velouté, pork belly parsnip and rabbit leg polenta with prunes. Fall in love during their five-course Valentine’s menu for R550 per person. Booking essential: contact 081 316 5864 or email romauld@alabouffe.co.za.
Lacuna Bistro at The Maslow Hotel
An evening at Sandton’s Maslow Hotel is nothing short of luxurious, we can promise you that. This year the Moët & Chandon-themed celebration at Maslow’s Lacuna Bistro offers you and your partner assorted dishes at R350 per person. Book your seats at lacuna.bistro@suninternational.com.
Italian romance at The Palazzo Hotel
Treat yourselves to a romantic Valentine’s Day five-course menu at Montecasino’s Tuscan-inspired Palazzo Hotel. Along with a medley of dishes and flavours, enjoy live entertainment and a gift from your hosts. Dinner starts at 7pm at the Medeo Restaurant, for bookings call +27 11 510 3000 or email: danielle.peters@tsogosun.com
At both Moyo Zoo Lake and Melrose Arch, cash in on their unique one-night-only Valentine’s Day dinner. At Melrose Arch for R350 spoil your loved one with a complimentary welcome cocktail, live entertainment and a three-course meal, while Zoo Lake offers similar for R375. Booking essential to both venues with a 100% deposit paid upfront: contact +27 11 452 8779.
Immerse yourself in a passion-filled taste sensation at Exclusive Books’ Social Kitchen and Bar in Hyde Park Corner. New Head Chef Yohann Saumande has compiled a limited edition seven-course Valentine’s Day menu, inspired by some of the most romantic novels of all time. The menu is R560 per person, and bookings are essential: +27 11 268 6039, reservations@socialkitchenandbar.co.za or send a WhatsApp to 064 737 4901.
PRETORIA
Forti Grill & Bar welcomes you to a romantic evening filled with Italian flare. Celebrate Valentine’s Day the Italian way with a delicious three-course menu and a complimentary bottle of L’Ormarins Brut Rosé. The menu is priced at R1300 per couple and can be booked via email: info@forti.co.za or call: +27 86 003 6784.
DURBAN
Spoil your loved one at one of Durban’s favourite restaurants with 9th Avenue Bistro’s specially formulated V-Day menu – a three-course heaven plus welcome drink, after-meal coffee and petit fours (R595 per person). Email info@9thavenuebistro.co.za to make a reservation.
Romantic all year round, especially so on Valentine’s Day, The Oyster Box offers timeless luxury in its well known, sophisticated seafront setting. Pledging to take V-Day just as seriously as it does its other offerings, enjoy a six-course menu in The Grill Room and Ocean Terrace for R1200, then dance the night away! (R550 per person for dinner on the terrace.) Book at +27 31 514 5018 or restaurants@oysterbox.co.za.
All aboard La Vue, Durban’s favourite luxury yacht liner. Embark on a two-hour sunset cruise from Durban Harbour (R1100 per person) that includes a four-course dinner menu, live music, salsa dancers, Moët & Chandon Champagne on arrival and a gift bag for the ladies. Booking essenatial, contact Nick on nick@la-vue.co.za or bookings@la-vue.co.za.
Executive Chef Kayla-Ann Osborn and her 12-chef team have crafted a menu around fresh, local and seasonal ingredients. Indulge in The Chefs’ Table’s four-course menu and a welcome glass of bubbles. R595 per person, bookings are essential: +27 31 561 1629 or email reservations@thechefstable.co.za to book.
