Simon’s In Constantia

Fil & Mom in Cape Town3

Okay, so when it comes to food i’m no expert. That being said, I do know a good steak when I taste one! I like eating food at nice places with good service, a great wine list and a cosy, festive atmosphere. I recently went to a restaurant here in Cape Town called Simon’s. It’s situated at a beautiful wine farm called Groot Constantia and during the day, the views of the vineyards are heavenly. My mom and I ordered a steak with cooked veggies and our friend ordered the duck. Together we shared a bottle of Merlot and it was the perfect evening. The food there is very good and I can highly recommend it! For dessert we had a cheeseboard. I must say, it’s my new all-time favourite. It got me thinking about some of the best places I’ve been for dinner here in Cape Town, South Africa. If you live here, here’s a list of places I would recommend (I also include some coffee places that offer light lunches because we all love a good coffee and it’s nice to try somewhere new): 

For Dinner

1. The Brass Bell along the Main Road in Kalk Bay

2. Top of The Ritz Revolving Restaurant  at The Ritz Hotel along the Main Road in Seapoint

3. Aubergine at 39 Barnet Street in Gardens

4. Duchess of Wisbeach at 3 Wisbeach Road in Seapoint

5. Carne at 70 Keerom Street in the City Centre

For light lunch and coffee

1. Jason Bakery at 185 Bree Street in the City Centre

2. Birds Cafe at 127 Church Street in the City Centre

3. Clarke’s at 133 Bree Street in the City Centre

4. Cafe Nood at The Quadrant Square, Wilderness Road in Claremont

5. O’ways Tea Cafe at 20 Dreyer Street  in Claremont

How about you? What’s your favourite thing to order when you eat out? Leave a comment below or tweet me at @TamikaDoubell. 

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The Latest Skybok Profiles From The Western Cape

Make sure you are watching in the best quality! Select 1080p HD, by clicking on the cog in the toolbar at the bottom of the video.

Val De Vie Polo Club & Pavilion, Franschhoek

Wakaberry, Cape Town

Osumo Cavendish, Cape Town

Osumo Seapoint, Cape Town

Eagles’ Nest Wine Estate, Cape Town

Cafe Caprice, Cape Town

Vovo Telo (Waterfront), Cape Town

The Grand (Granger Bay), Cape Town

The Bay Hotel, Cape Town

The Grand (Camps Bay), Cape Town

Melissa’s (Newlands), Cape Town

Westerford High School, Cape Town

Filming Dear Me in Cape Town for Skybok

Shooting the video profile of this divine coffee shop and restaurant – just off Longstreet in Cape Town, South Africa – was a pleasure!

It shares the same owner as Tjing Tjing rooftop bar, which is located above it.

I can personally recommend their cappuccinos!

An all-day brasserie, pantry and event space, this is really a nice place to host a function you’re having!

On Skybok.net, you can find it under the categories of ‘Coffee Shops’ and ‘Restaurants’ – and it is, in fact, the very first coffee shop we’ve shot in Cape Town……so a gorgeous and exciting time!

Breakfasts, lunches and afternoon nibbles are what you can expect to find here.

I love the upstairs function areas – very chic and quirky.

For more photos Skybok took on the day, click HERE.

Here are some more interesting blog articles written about Dear Me on popular blogs:

http://www.capetownmagazine.com/bistros/Treat-yourself-at-Dear-Me/94_22_18494

http://www.eatout.co.za/Restaurants/8569/Cape-Town/Bistro/Dear-Me

http://www.capetownmagazine.com/events/Thursday-dinners-at-Dear-Me/2012-07-19/11_37_53951

http://www.sa-venues.com/things-to-do/westerncape/dear-me/

Filming Cape To Cuba in Kalk Bay for Skybok

With Cuban-inspired cuisine and its famous “Che Bar”, Cape-To-Cuba is a popular restuarant to tourists and certainly to a lot of locals in Kalk Bay!

Only a 30 minute drive from Cape Town, it’s always a festive destination.

Shooting a video profile for them was an absolute delight, as their colourful interior set a very fun and vibrant tone for their video.

I loved the Cuban theme with all its decor indoors & outdoors… and I can personally vouch for their Mojitos!

Apparently Che Guevara mixed the first one ever made there himself!

“North Americans don’t understand… that our country is not just Cuba; our country is also humanity.” -Fidel Castro

It’s definitely a good place for a delicious meal or a just a total party :)

For more photos Skybok took, click HERE

And here’s their website if you’re interested in finding out more: http://www.capetocuba.com/

Filming News Café in Port Elizabeth for Skybok

“Celebrate we will, because life is short but sweet for certain.” -Dave Matthews

I think News Café is hot!

It’s a great place to be for any special occasion, or simply just for a good night out.

We shot this one in PE at – you’re favourite and mine – The Boardwalk!

We got it on a nice day and everyone was excited and friendly, which is great..

We all know the News Café brand… there’s one in practically every city in South Africa (well, more than one).

Check out their website, it’s pretty cool - http://www.newscafe.co.za/

“You are only young once, after that you have to think of another excuse” -Billy Arthur

I remember coming here one night when DJ Fresh was playing. Good times!

They serve all kinds of cocktails (my favourite is a Mojito) and basically News Café is a combination of a coffee shop, restaurant, nightclub and bar.

They do breakfasts, lunches and dinners.

For more photos Skybok took, click HERE

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Filming The Brass Bell in Kalk Bay for Skybok

Bordering the waters of Kalk Bay’s gorgeous ocean, The Brass Bell is actually a lot bigger than I realised.

Going there to shoot their profile was enlightening because apart from the main restaurant that we all know and love (The Bikini Deck), there is also the Cabin Bar & Restaurant, The Water’s Edge Restaurant, The Pavilion and the Izannes fine dining restaurant!

Shooting was an absolute dream; the owner is very friendly and we were pleased with the great weather we got!

It’s always packed with people and I can see why.

It’s definitely a hot spot for a functions – birthday parties, cocktail parties or corporate functions – because of the great views, reasonable prices, efficient service and also because the whole area has such a rich history.

Check out their website for more info on opening times and contact details: THE BRASS BELL

Watch their video (at the top) and I guarantee you you’ll be calling them to organize your next get-together! ;)

Filming The Music Kitchen in Port Elizabeth for Skybok

Wow.

If you’re looking for the latest evening hotspot in Port Elizabeth, The Music Kitchen is my personal recommendation!

Known for their Wednesday nights all-you-can-eat ribs and prawns, this is one of the coolest spots I’ve been to in a while!

- And don’t take my word for it, ask any local you meet.

Run by two good-looking entrepreneurs who know what they want – and who also happen to be a couple:) – you’re guaranteed speedy and friendly service, not to mention a few laughs thanks to their good attitudes that can’t help but rub off on their patrons.

The Music Kitchen is on Facebook so if you like what you see, join their online family HERE

They are also on Twitter, so follow them HERE

What’s great about this place is that they provide a platform for original artists to perform.

If you’re a muso in the area of Port Elizabeth, you can apply to perform and you’ll join their wall of fame which features many famous names in the South African music industry.

As personal friends of ours too, shooting this venue was an absolute delight for me and my brother!

This restaurant and bar opened its doors in 2011 and has already gained itself an electric reputation… I, for one, can’t wait to see what the future holds!

Filming Pezula Resort Hotel & Spa in Knysna for Skybok

I recently travelled to what must be one of the number 1 holiday destinations in South Africa.

It’s called Pezula Resort Hotel & Spa and it’s Knysna in the Western Cape of South Africa.

It certainly has the most luxurious offering a 5-star resort can have:  A fully equipped gym, spacious suites housed in detached villas, a championship golf course, an award-winning spa, a champagne & whisky bar, a cigar lounge, a library and games room, a gourmet restaurant and killer views of the ocean!

Shooting a video profile for them was an absolute dream… I got to spend my days exploring a 1 000 hectare estate!

The Resort has been running since 2005 and has won so many awards – for its spa, its cuisine, its property and even its wine collection!

CNBC actually awarded it the title of ‘Best Property in the World’ in 2008 at the CNBC International Property Awards in Orlando in 2008.

It was awarded by the Elite Traveller Magazine, the title of oneof the Top 101 Suites in the World!

 “It’s location on an undiscovered sliver of Indian Ocean is a magnet for high profile guests needing rest and relaxation. The new self-contained compound consists of three buildings housing five bedrooms in total with a décor that subtly merges nautical and English country themes.”
Elite Traveler

 

It’s a great place for a romantic vacation, a business conference, a family getaway or -if you’re a sport person- a play on a championship golf course.

All their suites maximise the spectacular views of the Knysna Lagoon or Indian Ocean and the warm earth tones of Africa make you feel right at home.

I know – I’ve seen it for myself!

Trust me, this is an amazing holiday destination if you are up this side of the world…

They also have a huge piece of land in amidst a forest which they call “The Field of Dreams” – you can play tennis, pétanque (like bowls) or you can go horse riding or hiking here!

I also read they offer canoeing… We didn’t shoot that, but if you are interested go to their website:

http://www.pezula.com/

If that’s not a holiday I don’t know what is!