From my Next 48 Hours column (30-Nov-07)
Chinese Foot Massage is commonplace in China and so part of daily routine that having their foot reflex points pressed is as necessary to the Chinese as brushing their teeth.
Although the concept of reflexology is an ancient one, (and practiced in this country for many years), as to be expected the Chinese have streamlined the process and made it affordable for almost everyone.
At Happy Feet in Thaibault House, Thaibault Square, a 30-minute session that includes your neck and shoulders being rubbed for nodules while your feet soak in a cleansing bath before your foot treatment only costs R60. Priced so that people who have means come more frequently, the fully clothed treatment (with the exception of bare feet) is also popular with religious folk who won’t expose themselves or object to having people from the opposite sex touching them.
I often visit with a group of friends or business associates and ask for a private room so we can have a meeting during our treatment.
Open 11am to 11pm every day. Happy Feet 021-425-0000.
Vusi Mahlasela
chinese foot message
Chinese foot message
Staying with the East, lunch either at my favourite casual Chinese spot in Sea Point, He Sheng (opposite the Adelphi Centre) where, for around R60 a head, your group can feast on authentic Beijing cuisine.
Famous for their dumplings (in soup, steamed or fried) and pancakes, I recommend starting with a seaweed salad (delicious thin strips with garlic and sesame oil), the egg roll (similar to a rooti with black bean paste and egg sliced into rounds), a wonderfully crisp chive pancake or leeks sandwiched between crisp pastry.
The sizzling chicken, fried aubergine, mixed seafood noodles and beef-flank noodle soup are highly recommended. If you struggle with the menu ask them to serve you what I have. 021-434-4214.
Many restaurants still close on a Monday and we had to walk from Sea Point as far as The Hussar Grill in Green Point before finding a place that was both open and where we wanted to eat. I’d had a delicious Three Ton’s burger at Café Manhattan in Sea Point only a week earlier and didn’t want a repeat.
Famous in Rosebank for over 40 years, the Hussar Grill’s Green Point branch is more intimate and better decorated (think men’s club library meets wine estate tasting room) and the food is as good.
The parmesan on my Cesar salad was dried out but I liked the dish and loved my 400g portion of Warthog Ribs. It was very popular so I’d recommend booking. Although we’d set out to walk (it was a perfect evening) I decided it would be foolish to walk home in the dark and was unexpectedly pleased the taxi only clocked up R14 on the meter although we had to pay the minimum R20.
Still, a good deal especially if you’re planning a boozy night out. 021-433-2081.
A taxi is a prerequisite when dining at Belthazar at the Waterfront. Although at first glance Belthazar is a steakhouse that also excels at Seafood, it is much more than that. In terms of quality service and table accoutrements, Belthazar would be classified as a fine-dining establishment.
Their vast wine selection and knowledgeable sommeliers makes food and wine paring a particular pleasure.
Although at the sharp end of costly, dining at Belthazar is an experience that will wow you, especially if you’re happy to rely on your credit card (or better yet, someone else’s largess).
Start with a prawn and lango platter before ordering a selection of steaks for the table to share. The Chicago cut and T-bone are recommended. Their cheese platter showcases the best SA has to offer and is unexpectedly good value. 021-421-3753.
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Zwelethu & Louis event likely the year's best (29-Nov-07)
Last night’s opening of the Zwelethu & Louis collaboration at iArt in Loop Street was a perfect event and likely the best I’ve attended this year for the way it achieved its objectives.
The winning combination included startling good art, Dagmar Schumachers’ A-list, eventing and service by Loudfire with Arundal Thom overseeing, wine by Southern Right and cuisine by Annalize Buchanan. Food not only looked elegant but tasted delicious too.
Here’s what we had: Fresh oysters...served in spoons with a verjuice and red spring onion dressing; Smoked salmon with lime and caviar; Brie, basil and grape or strawberry crostini; Fillet of beef with a rocket salsa; Parma ham, basil and blueberries, Tempura prawns served with a sweet chilli and coriander dipping sauce; Asian chicken spring rolls served with a yoghurt chutney; Tom yum chicken topped with a mango salsa; Slow roasted lamb baskets topped with a mint crème fraiche and Caramelized onion and bacon tarts.
Buchanan manages to pack layers of flavour into tiny mouthfuls in a way that each canapé becomes a mini-meal rather than the usual belly bluffers one is served at events.
I’m told that sales have exceeded R4 million. The work is beautiful to look at, it is perfectly crafted but also emotionally challenging as Janse Van Vuuren paints a Parisian backdrop to Mthethwa’s township photograph while, in another, barbed wires transform into ivy.
I don’t know enough about art to pronounce this show as world class but, based on what I saw in Europe recently, this work stands proud. At around R150, 000 a pop for the larger pieces, I imagine much of the work will be bought for institutional collections. An insider told me that it is possible to purchase a Picasso litho in Europe for the same price so the fact this work is being taken up so enthusiastically augers well for the state of SA art.
Although the invitation was for 7pm, many arrived early. I’m not sure why. Perhaps the elderly had to get to bed early or people were super keen to see the work. I recall an event at another artist’s home attended by David Bowie. By the time those with invitations arrived, Bowie was gone. Perhaps the early birds new something I didn’t.
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Hatchet job: My Cape Times column before the subs got to it... (23-Nov-07)
There was more than a little excitement following my recommendation that restaurants only take reservations with a R100 deposit. Some restaurant patrons concurred, but most shared their experiences of restaurants that let them down even after booking. What’s good for the goose must also be good for the gander and if restaurants err, they should make good.
Foie gras (fattened goose liver) was another topic that caused someone to write in. Since then I’ve thought about and read various pieces (both for and against) and my view is this: While foie gras remains on menus I will order it when it pleases me. Is it cruel to produce? Probably. I think mass producing and slaughtering chickens or cattle is as cruel. Until we elect to purchase only hand-reared animals for meat or decide that consuming flesh in any form is too barbaric, I am happy to support foie gras from quality producers.
Another hobbyhorse is that Cape venues reflect our culinary heritage. Jannie Melis, new head chef at Bushman’s Kloof (021) 685-2598 has introduced a fynbos menu with items like include Buchu-smoked ostrich carpaccio and lamb shank with fynbos custard and pineapple salsa. Closer to home, The Steenberg Hotel & Spa revealed their magnificent Heritage Suites that elegantly and respectfully echo Khoi, VOC and the Cape’s Colonial roots. These suites set Steenberg apart by catering to a discerning well-heeled visitor that usually lodges privately.
If there is a trend towards the nostalgic (and the colour and shape of things suggests there is) eating a dish like Tafelspitz (R65) at Cucina Paparazzi 021-421-3047 is a retro delight. Essentially a dish of boiled beef served in its broth with sweet mustard, is a classic of European cuisine. Joseph Wechsberg’s “Tafelspitz for the Hofrat” is essential reading from Blue Trout and Black Truffles for anyone interested in dining out.
Basil Rubin and friends decided that along with other regular Thursday lunchers in St George’s Mall, that they should sit together at a long table for people to join as they wish. New York’s Algonquin Hotel was especially famous for its, and if those present when I dined is anything to by, this one may become as famous. I spied Percy Tucker, Alvon Collison, Brent Meersman with other show-biz luminaries.
Fashion stars Jane Raphaely and Jenny Le Roux were lunching at More (next to Habits) (021-671-4766) – a spot with the most fabulous bathroom. Reynold Henkle has created a pretty place for lunch or by arrangement for private dinner parties. I liked the option of having most items either as a salad, sandwich or pasta. Late risers can enjoy their breakfast menu through out the day. I wasn’t impressed with my Cesar salad (R42) as I prefer cos lettuce and want the anchovy mashed into the sauce rather than served in the salad, but the spot is lovely and I look forward to returning for the More Club (R55) as a pasta.
Until recently Gaylords was one of the few places in the South for Indian cuisine. With Bihari (021-702-2975) now open in the Westlake Lifestyle Centre, a perfect Korma isn’t far away.
The Mixed Starter R85 for two is a good idea if you don’t yet know your way around. Expect samoosas, kebab pieces and lamb mince folded around the skewer and cooked in the tandoor oven. I loved the Chicken Korma (creamy cashew nut gravy) (R85) Daal Makhani (slow-cooked black lentils in tomato gravy) (R50), stir- fried vegetable tawa (R65) and my favourite dish – palak panneer (chunks of home-made cheese in a spinach sauce. (R65). Although it is an elegant restaurant with good service, I found the menu expensive. • Permalink • Comments [0]
From Cape Argus: Van Hunks. Sunday 11 Nov 07 (11-Nov-07)
"There has been quite a lot of talk in the Argus SMS column about the topic of aliens, including many suggestions that Badih Chaaban be offered to our extraterrestrial visitors.
Van Hunks would like to fuel the debate by suggesting that Brian Berkman may well be a visitor from a parallel universe in light of a comment in his latest "Luxury World" blog posting.
"I pack Martinis for sundowners on the beach," he says. "It is a good thing that alcohol is prohibited on beaches but … a little civil disobedience goes a long way. The velvet revolution is under way. I'm all for anarchy if it means I can enjoy beautiful surroundings with delicious things to eat and drink."" • Permalink • Comments [0]
Is the luxury of nature the nature of luxury? (08-Nov-07)
Pondering the nature of luxury while enjoying the luxury of nature, I concluded that what defines the luxury experience at Singita isn’t the comfortable surroundings or the excellent cuisine but rather privacy and a bespoke experience away from lodge’s other 22 guests.
We noted how vastly different the game-viewing experience was on our private deck or while floating in our private pool overlooking the Sabie Sand river. Game drives were intimate too with just JP and I accompanied by ranger and tracker.
Although among the most costly safari experiences in South Africa, Singita offers value for visitors earning Pounds, Euros and Dollars when compared to top-end experiences in Europe.
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Berkman's Blog Cape Times 26 Oct 07 (un-edited) (01-Nov-07)
I’m a celebrity in China. Well, I will be in November after the programme for the Travel Channel China airs to 300 million people. They’re featuring South Africa and I had the opportunity of presenting a few of our must visit restaurants and hotels.
Bruce Robertson at The Showroom whipped up fish and chips for us while the crew filmed Bruce at work and close-ups of the cars. Really enjoyed the fish and chips (served with potato squares and onion rings). A great tummy filler. He also sent over a selection of sauces. I like the do-it-yourself pestle and mortar as long as the ingredients are uniform in size. I was forever having long herbs dangling from my mouth which looked like I’d eaten a doll with green hair. Bruce reminded me about that horrid Capetonian habit of booking at three or four restaurants and deciding at 7.30pm to which one to go. I think restaurants should take credit cards to confirm bookings and charge a R100 a head no show if not cancelled by noon on the day.
www.theshowroomrestaurant.co.za
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Imago Restaurant, Rome from www.Eatout.co.za (01-Nov-07)
This first appeared on Eat Out.
A pompous American cardinal was holding court at the corner table while a large table of upscale Japanese 20-somethings were celebrating. Welcome to Imago – The Hassler Rome’s panoramic restaurant where the moneyed meet.
Fifty years since Rome’s first panoramic restaurant opened, it was entirely revamped and renamed in December 06. Chef Francesco Apreda (among Rome’s youngest) also designed the kitchen selecting induction cooking over more traditional methods.
As famous for its views (sixth floors above The Spanish Steps), as for its cuisine, Imago is smart and expensive with service and cuisine to match. We dined as their guests. They have degustation menus for fish, meat and vegetarian dishes and my meat selection would have cost well over R1000. I shudder how much the sommelier’s selection would have added to the bill as, when I researched it afterwards, it included Italy’s finest wines.
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