Chef Brad Ball will present a Tapas Long Table of Friends to cater for single guests and their friends, to seat a total of 20 diners at two sittings (17:30 and 18:30). This relaxed, early-evening rendezvous of great conversation and gourmet cuisine in a glorious vineyards setting is offered at R200 per person, including a glass of Steenberg 1682 ‘bubbly’.

Bookings for the Valentine’s Day Tapas Long Table of Friends should be made in advance, as seating is limited.

For more information and bookings call 021 713-2211 or email Reservations@bistro1682.co.za

The Gardener’s Cottage in Newlands can be found at the Montebello Design Centre and offers rustic, relaxed and quaint breakfast and lunch dining. Sit under the dappled light of a large oak tree, or inside for a country feel.

Settle in for a slow meal and enjoy the friendly service and fresh dishes on offer. Although the menu is small, you can choose from light meals in the form of Quiches or Open Sandwiches, or something more filling such as their Lamb Curry or Burgers. I would definitely recommend the Butternut Panzeroti, and the coffee was perfect.

Be sure to book, as the Gardener’s Cottage fills up fast, and place your order as soon as you’re ready. As everything is fresh, running out of your first choice is a real possibility!

The Gardener’s Cottage / 31 Newlands Avenue / Newlands / Cape Town / Tel: 021 689 3158 / Closed on Mondays

Christmas buffet lunch at Asara
Alternatively, reduce the festive-season stress by joining Asara for a Christmas Day buffet lunch in the Asara Ballroom, and leave the cooking up to the experts while you indulge in quality time with your loved ones.
Cost: R275 per person and R125 for children under 10 years of age.
Call 021 888 8000 for more information and to book now.

Tickets are R400 per person, including a canapés and a welcome glass of Moët & Chandon. Additional Moët will be on available at R395 a bottle and one luck person will win a Magnum bottle to the value of R2300!

The entertainment for the night is a dance floor and DJ Nick E Louder who will “be mixing it up straight into the new year.”

For reservations, call 021 425 3385 or email bliss@albalounge.co.za

The Millstone Café in the Oude Molen Eco Village was a surprising delight. Despite it’s incredibly rustic location the cafe itself makes you feel relaxed and comfortable as soon as you step through their entrance. There’s a large area for kids to play, including swings, slides, a sandpit and even a tree house in the shape of a boat. Best of all, because the area is enclosed, I felt completely safe letting my son run around to his heart’s content.

Seating is just as casual as the setting, and you may have to track down some service, but the food itself was tasty and filling. My particular favourites from our breakfast trip were the bread, sausage, hash browns, eggs and coffee…. ok, so almost everything on my plate! That’s not to mean I didn’t like the rest of the fair, just that these items particularly stood out.

In fact, if you like what see, you can purchase the bread, jams, wholesome snacks and organic produce from the shop.

So, move past the strange area you find yourself, and focus on the cafe itself. Enjoy the sound of horses and chickens, let the relaxed country vibe soak in and take a beat away from the usual buzz.

The Millstone Cafe and Farmstall / Alexandra Rd / Oude Molen Eco Village / Pinelands / www.eastern-comfort.com/Millstone/

Pure at Hout Bay Manor:
3-course dinner for R 220.
Tel (021) 790-0116

Sinn’s Restaurant at Wembley Square:
Lunch (6 options) at R50. 3-course dinner with glass of wine R150.
Tel (021) 465-0967

Theo’s on Beach Road, Mouille Point:
Oysters R 8 each, 15 prawns R99, line fish R99, 250 gm Sirloin steak. Kingklip and 6 prawns R125. 250g Sirloin steak and 6 prawns R125. 250g Lobster and 6 prawns R159.
Tel (021) 439-3494

Myoga at Vineyard Hotel, Newlands:
7 course dinner, with 5 choices per course, for R195, Mondays - Saturdays; 2-courses R99, 3-courses R120 weekday lunches.
Tel (021) 657-4545

Aubergine:
2-course lunch R198, 3-course lunch R254, Wednesdays - Fridays.
Monday - Saturdays except public holidays. Daily dinner specials. 3-course R375, 4-course R455, 5-course R565 degustation menu.
Tel (021) 465-4909

Leaf Restaurant and Bar:
50 % off sushi all day, Dimsum 30 % off, Burgers R50 - R65.
Tel (021) 418-4500

Dunes, Hout Bay:
Sunday buffet with smoked salmon, oysters and cooked breakfast R100.
Tel (021) 790-1876

Balducci’s, V&A Waterfront:
Alfresco Lunch specials - soup and salad R89, fish R89, calamari R89, seafood platter for two R245, Steak Roll and chips R85, Steak and chips R99, Burgers R55 - R75, Glass of wine R27, bottle of wine R99, open sandwiches R64 - R86. Daily 12h00 - 16h00.
Tel (021) 421-6002

Tickets are R1300 per person, including a five course meal and bubbly on arrival, with additional bottle of Moët bubbly available at R375 throughout the night.

For reservations email info@hildebrand.co.za or call 021 425 3385

Christmas Eve:

Mange Tout will present a culinary showcase of a delectable 6-Course Set Menu (R590 per person), that offers a selection of tasty temptations that include Tiger Prawns; Gammon and Christmas Trifle.

Christmas Day:

At Mange Tout guests may also book a table for the 5-Course Christmas Day Set Menu (R470), or enjoy a Christmas Day Picnic Basket for 2 from the Country Kitchen (R320 for 2, including a bottle of Mont Rochelle Sauvignon Blanc or Artemis red blend).

New Year’s Eve:

Start the New Year in style at Mont Rochelle, when the two restaurants will be transformed into glamorous festive hubs.

If dressing up in an outfit from the 1960s or 70s is a long-time fantasy, then the classic Vintage Party at Mange Tout will get you into the swing of things for 2012.Mange Tout offers a New Year’s Eve 5-Course Set Menu at R900 per person

The Country Kitchen will set the scene for a New Year’s party in true Mardi Gras fashion, and guests are invited to don their ‘funnest’ party outfit along with their festive spirit, and join in an evening of fabulous food, wine and the sound of island music. Country Kitchen a 3-Course New Year’s Eve Set Menu at R380 per person.

Reservations: Telephone 021 876 2770, or email info@montrochelle.co.za
Throughout the festive season Mange Tout will be open for lunch on Saturdays and Sundays (12:30 to 14:00), and for dinner from Wednesday to Sunday (19:00 to 21:30).  A light Bar Menu is also available daily.

Christmas Eve:

Chef Garth Almazan will be serving up a great value fine dining experience at Catharina’s, with a delectable 4-Course Set Menu at R695 per person, brimming with tasty temptations prepared to perfection.

With mouth-watering dishes such as Butter Poached Tiger Prawns served with sauté baby leeks, pommes maxim, and red beet essence; and a melt-in-the mouth Valhrona Chocolate Panforte dessert with drambuie log, walnut snowballs and black cherry lavender coulis on offer, there is no better way to toast this special occasion.

Cost: 4 Course Set Menu at R695 per person

Christmas Day:

A short stroll away, cellar door restaurant Bistro Sixteen82, offers a more informal gastronomic experience: a 4 Course Set Menu served on Christmas Day, with a 2 Course option for children.

Cost: 4 Course Set Menu at R425 per person, 2 Course Children’s Set Menu at R75 per child under 12 years.

New Year’s Eve:

Celebrate in style on Saturday, 31 December with fine dining at Catharina’s Restaurant that offers a feast for all senses. The embracing ambience, spectacular views and sumptuous selection of dishes on the chef’s 4-Course Set Menu, perfectly complement the charming vineyards setting, with music and vibe provided by the resident DJ for the evening.

Cost: R1 195 per person

Pre-booking for all Festive Season events and gourmet dining options is essential. For more information and reservations contact the Steenberg Hotel by calling  021 713 2222.

Next time you’re in the Cape Quarter, consider the following Andiamo special; Enjoy two pizzas or pastas for only R99 (excludes pizzas & pastas from SPECIALS menu).

The pizza and pasta menu is simply to die for so if rustic food at fabulously tempting prices is the key then this is the place to be. So, if pasta or pizza is your favourite way of enjoying Italian food – this is the best recession beater around and offers the perfect excuse for eating out!

This special is available until the end of November 2011.

Andiamo / Cape Quarter Centre / 72 Waterkant Street / Cape Town / Tel: 021 421 3687 / info@andiamo.co.za / www.andiamo.co.za