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You really should try get there…

I headed out for a little mid-week winelands meander the other day and the luncheon destination of choice was The Restaurant at Jordan. I have always been an serious fan of the city version of George Jardine’s culinary delights and so was very eager to see what life in the country had done to this award winning chef. I was not disappointed.

After a spot of wine tasting, we ventured into the restaurant. The weather was playing along on the day and so we opted for a table out on the terrace. That is a pretty impressive view! This little snap was taken from where I sat on the terrace…not a bad view from the table?!

A nice way to while away a week day afternoon...

Anyway, so we opted for the Menu du Jour with wine pairing (R220 incl 2 glasses of Jordan Wine). Believe me when I say, it was not an easy decision to make! There was also the option of selecting from a choice of 3 starters, 4 mains and 3 desserts (at R200.00 for 2 courses or R225.00 for 3 courses excl wine). The options all sounded so enticing that the Menu du Jour eventually got my vote because there were less decisions to make! We selected our 2 wines to go with our meal and sat back, enjoyed the view and waited to see what would emerge for the big open kitchen.

We started with a complimentary amuse-bouche, Chicken liver and foie gras parfait with celeriac chantilly, toasted brioche and prune. From the first mouthful, I knew that country living had only done good things for our Chef! The wonderfully unique flavours and textures combined to make each mouthful special.

The starter was a barrel smoked yellowtail, which really was an very different way to prepare a fish that we have all tasted so many times.

Barrel Smoked Yellowtail

We followed that up with a honey glazed pork belly, served with braised wheat, pancetta and shallots. So succulent and cooked just the way I like it…Yummy!!!

I didn’t think I would have space for it, but when I spotted the carmalised lemon tart, I managed to find just a little gap. A really light dessert and just the right ending to an amazing meal.

The Restaurant at Jordan really is a beautiful setting but the truly special part is the meal prepared so carefully by George and his team.

The Menu Du Jour is part of the Jordan winter special and really is great value for food of this calibre. If you are heading out towards Stellenbosch any time soon and are looking for a great lunch venue, you should seriously consider paying Jordan a visit. There is a special 6 course tasting menu available for dinner on Thursday and Friday evenings with/without wine pairings.

Book a table on 021 881 3612 or e-mail Jordan restaurant

Being a Blog for the Girl that wants to know what is happening and where it is happening, I thought there was no better way to launch the blog than with a comprehensive list of all the fantastic winter specials that are currently on offer in Cape Town. I will update this list as I learn about new specials that are being offered.

Winter 2010 Restaurant Specials

• 1800 in the Cape Royale Luxury Hotel, Main Road, Green Point(321 430 0506): Amuse-Bouche + 200 gram sirloin, rump, rib-eye steak or sirloin, sauce of your choice + Side order for R99.00 (Request parking when booking).
• 96 Winery Road, Winery Road Zandberg Farm (021) 842 2020: Any 3 Courses from a la Carte menu R165.00 Mondays to Saturday Lunch and Dinner (Until 31 July)
• A Tavola Library Square, Wilderness Road, Claremont 021 671 1763: 50% off all pasta every Monday throughout Winter (Ends 30 September 2010)
• Active Sushi 63 Strand St 021 422 0462: Eat as much sushi as you like R99.00 (Every day 5pm – 10:30pm)
• Allee Bleue, outside Franschhoek 021 874 1886: choice of 250g Beef fillet, Beef Sirloin, Beef Rib Eye, Karoo Lamb Chops with one of 6 flavored butters for R 99.00, including a glass of Allee Bleue Starlette Rouge (Until end September)
• Arabella Western Cape Hotel & Spa, Hermanus 028 284 0000: Accommodation, full breakfast, 10% discount on spa treatments and 20% on signature treatments, access to Spa facilities, sauna, steam room, heated indoor hydropool, heated outdoor lap pool and gymnasium R700.00 pps
• Arnold’s, Gardens 021 424 4344 – Delicious stew + couscous, bottle of Altydgedacht Red for R99.00 (Dinner only)
• Azure Twelve Apostles Hotel, Victoria Rd 021 437 9029: Dinner and a Movie Special 5 course dinner from Azure Select menu and then watch a movie in the hotel’s private cinema.
• Backsberg Restaurant @ Backsberg Wine Estate 021 875 5952: Sunday set menu, R170.00 per person, 3 courses consisting of a starter, lamb on the Spit and a buffet of salads and a dessert.
• Beluga Prestwich Street, Greenpoint 021 418 2948: Half price sushi before 7pm. 1kg Tiger prawns R109.00, Beluga Blue Plate special 24 pieces sushi R109.00
• Bertha’s Simons Town 021 786 2138: 2 Course meal R109.00, 3 Course Meal R129.00 + Glass of sherry on arrival
• Beuna Vista Social Cafe, 81 Main Road, Greenpoint 021 433 0611: Free glass of wine or local beer with every lunch ordered
• Black Marlin, Main Road, Millers Point, Simonstown 021 786 1621: Crayfish Braai every sunday R75.00 pp
• Blowfish, Dolphin Beach Hotel, 1 Marine Drive, Blouberg 021 556 5464: Sizzling Seafood Platter for 2 R179.00, Lamb, Tomato and Basil Bredie R75.00, Slow roasted Lamb Shank R95.00, 500g Rump Steak R95.00, Ye Olde Fish & Chips R59.00, Prawn Curry R69.00, Seafood Paella R79.00. Join the Most Valued Diner program for R25.00 and get “All you can eat sushi on Sundays” for R149.00 pp and Half Price Sushi on Wednesdays 5pm-8pm
• Bosman’s at Grand Roche Hotel, Paarl +27 (0)21 863 5100: 3-course lunch and 2 glassses of The Goose wines for R 260, all Sundays in June
• Buitenverwachting Restaurant @ Buitenverwachting Estate, Constantia -Tapas “Around the World” (at the Courtyard) Tuesday – Saturday 3:00pm-6:00pm 3 Course R99.00, 5 Course R129.00, 7 Course R159.00. Winzer Platter (at the wine tasting) Tuesday – Saturday 12:00- 17:00 R75.00 per platter
• Cafe Caprice in Camps Bay: 2-for-1 Burgers from Monday to Thursday from 12:30pm till 10pm
• Cafe Sophia Greenpoint 021 421 0445, Bloubergstrand, Camps Bay, Gardens, Rondebosch, Sea Point, Greenside: Breakfast Specials – Sofia Special Breakfast + Coffee R25.00, Village Omelette + Coffee R29.00, Jumbo Muffin + Coffee R19.00. Winter Specials – All pasta dished R49.00, Exotic Prawn Curry R79.00, Assorted Soups R19.00, Mediterranean Moussaka R69.00
• Camil’s Restaurant Cape Royale Luxury Hotel on Main Road, Green Point 021 433 1227: 2 Course lunch + glass of bubbly R100.00. Valid Saturday and Sunday until end of May
• Cape Town Fish Market V&A Waterfront Cape Town, Parkview Pretoria. Eastgate Johannesburg, Hemingways East London: Salmon special, 1 course R 54,95, 2 courses R 69,95, 3 courses R 89,95, Buy a bottle of Durbanville Hills Wine and get a free Greek table salad
• Cape Colony at Mount Nelson Hotel, Orange Street, Cape Town 021 483 1948: Journey through the season’s favourite flavours in an atmosphere of elegance at Cape Colony Restaurant this Winter. Executive Chef Rudi Liebenberg and his team of specialist chefs present a five-course menu comprised of a selection of inspiring signature dishes. R200.00 pp (min 2 guests, max 8 per table). Until 10 July 2010
• Casa Labia 192 Main Road, Muizenberg 021 788 6068: World Cup Match Special Bring your own wine and enjoy our Italian set menu for the following games: 20th June Italy vs NZ, 22nd June Fance vs SA, 24th June Slovakia vs Italy. Set menu is an Italian style lunch menu at the unbeatable price of R160.00. Delicious Antipasti on the house and victories by the “men in blue” will be celebrated by a free glass of bubbly or Peroni beer to all guests/
• Cassia @ Nitida wine estate 021 976 0640: Traditional Beer Festival and live sport from 11 June to 11 July 2010 (Friday, Saturday and Sunday Only)  2 course meal plus a free draft for R150.00 pp
• Catharina’s at Steenberg Hotel in Tokai 021 713 2222: 2 course lunch at R 135, 3 course lunch R175/3 course dinner R195 + glass of Klein Steenberg red or white (Until end September)
• Cattle Baron - Rib & Prawn combo with chips or baked potato and veggies R89.00
• Chenin Restaurant and Wine Bar Cape Quarter, 72 Waterkant Street 021 425 2200: Main Course + Glass of wine or Boston Draft Beer R60.00
• Clos Malverne wine estate outside Stellenbosch 021 865 2022: Autumn special – 2 course meal + quarter bottle of wine R 125, 3 course + half bottle of wine R 155, Tuesday – Saturday lunch and Wednesday and Friday dinner
• cosecha Restautant @ Noble Hill Wine Estate, Paarl – 021 871 3844: Weekdays 11-2. Always R 64.00. A delicious, warm, filling & different special each day. Have a look at the website for daily menus
• Constantia Uitsig Restaurant, Constantia 021 794 4480: Lunch: 3 course with a carafe wine (red or white) – R260.00, Dinner: 3 course with a carafe wine (red or white) – R290.00  (Restaurant closed 30/08 – 19/09)
• Cru Cafe Cape Quarter: Breakfast Special – Choose between Classic or Smoked Salmon Breakfast + Orange juice/Cappuccino. Crazy Winter special – Choose 2 pastas and 2 glasses of wine for R119.00 (Monday to Sunday Lunch and Dinner)
• Cuvee @Simonsig Kromme Rhee Road, Stellenbosch 021 888 4932: Cabernet Winter Indulgence Menu – Lunch and Dinner 2 or 3 set menu ranging from R160 – R190 pp including glass of Simonsig Labyrinth Cabernet Sauvignon
• Deli Delish 8 Beach Crescent, Hout Bay, 021 790 5324: 2 Course Meal R120.00, 3 Course Meal R150.00 add R20.00 for a glass of House wine.
• Fiesta Cape Quarter, Waterkant Street, 021 418 5121 72: Plain Beef Burger R34.50, Plain Chicken Burger R 34.50, Any two tapas of the menu for R49.50. Happy Hour daily between 4pm and 7pm Local Beers @ R9.00 ea Cocktails @ R21.00 ea Glass of House Wine @ 21.00 per glass (Red, White and Rose)
• Five Flies, 14-16 Keerom St 021 424 4442: 2-course meal R125.00, 3-course dinner R150.00, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays for next 3 months
• Flavours @ The Devon Valley Hotel, Devon Valley Stellenbosch 021 865 2012: 2 Course Meal R120.00, 3 Course Meal R165.00 incl. a carafe of Sylvanvale wine (Until end August)
• Food Lovers Market Foreshore and Claremont: 50% off sushi (Mondays – Friday 4:30pm – 6:30pm)
• Gold Restaurant 96 Strand Street 021 421 4653: 14 Course Set Menu, Interactive Drumming Session (6:30pm-7pm), guided museum tour, arrival cocktail, liver entertainment. R300.00 pp or R250.00 pp without the drumming
• Grand Provence, Franschhoek, +27 (0)21 876 8600: Chef’s Table for 8 or more persons, 4 courses R 200 per person available for lunch and dinner (Until End August)
• Harbour House, Kalk Bay Harbour, Kalk Bay (021) 788 4133: Set menu Two Courses R140.00, Three Courses R160.00 Valid for month of May only. Not available Sunday lunch
• Hartenberg Wine Estate, Bottelary Road, Stellenbosch 021 865 2541: Delicious home style country lunch specials changing daily. R160.00 per person (Until 30 September)
• Harveys @ The Mansions, Winchester Mansions Hotel Sea Point, 021 434 2351: Sunday Brunch and Live Jazz, receive a complimentary Sunday Newspaper and a glass of bubbly. R195.00 per person
• Henri’s Cnr Lourensford and Maid Rd, Somerset West 021 852 6442: 3 Course Set Menu + bottle of Lourensford River Garden wine R135.00
• Hussar Grill, in Camps Bay 021 438 0151 and Green Point 021 433 2081: 1 kg Beef ribs, or Grilled Kingklip with side veggies and bottomless chips + dessert, for R 99.00
• iCi at Le Quartier Français 16 Huguenot Road, Franschhoek 021 876 2151:2 Course menu R120.00 per person, 3 Course menu R150.00 per person for lunch and dinner. (Ends 31 August 2010)
• Jonkershuis Groot Constantia Estate 021 794 6255: 2 Course Meal for R140.00, 3 Course meal for R160.00. Menu changes monthly. Available Mon-Sat 12:00 – 21:00 (Ends 30 September 2010)
• Kink Boutique Bar 3 Park Rd, Gardens 021 424 0757: Home made burger with onion rings, chips and coke R50.00, Roast Rib Eye with Bearnaise, Chips, Rocket Salad and 500ml Draught R90.00. Tapas for 2 R95.00. Half price cocktails and tapas between 6 and 8pm.
• La Boheme Wine Bar & Bistro Sea Point 341 Main Rd (cnr Main and Albany), Sea Point, 021 434 8797: 2 Course Meal R90.00, 3 Course Meal R110.00 (Until end December)
• La Colombe @ Constantia Uitsig 021 794 2390: Lunch: 3 course menu with a carafe of wine (the wine selection will change according to the menu changes) – R280.00 Dinner: 5 course tasting menu with wine pairing per course – R380.00 The winter tasting menu will be served only from 19h00 – 20h30 Please note the 3 course lunch menu will not be available for dinner. (Restaurant Closed 9th – 29th August 2010)
• La Mouette, 78 Regent Road, Seapoint, 021 433 0856: Winter special 6 courses for R150.00 (Starts 21st June)
• Lanzerac Hotel, Stellenbosch +27(21) 887-1132: 2-course lunch R 145, 3 course lunch R 175 + glass of red wine.   Chef’s soup of the day with rolls and house wine R 55. (Ends 30 September 2010)
• Lazari Cape Quarter 021 419 9555: 200g Rump steak with Caeser Salad and Frites + carafe of wine R70.00 (Lunch and Dinner)
• Le Petite Ferme, Franschhoek, +27 (0)21 876 3016/8: 2 courses R 95 and three courses R 125
• Lord Neethling Restaurant, Neethlingshof Estate, Stellenbosch 21 883 8966: Game Pie + 250ml Neethlingshof Pinotage R109.00, Fillet of Sole Royal + 250ml Neethlingshof Sauvignon Blanc R109.00, Medallion of Beef + 250ml Neethlingshof Malbec R109.00, Lamb Curry + 250ml Neethlingshof Gewürztraminer, Lamb Shanks + 250ml Neethlingshof Shiraz, Veal Cordon Bleue +250ml Neethlingshof Cabernet Merlot (until end September)
• Maze Restaurant One & Only Hotel, V&A Waterfront 021 431 5222: Every Wednesday join a master wine maker at the chef’s table. Michelin-star chef pairs 5 course menu with wines. (Ends 3 July)
• Mediterrea 87 Marine Drive, Hermanus 028 313 1685: 2-course R 105.00 and 3 course meal R 135.00, Monday – Thursday dinners and Sunday lunches, April – August. Write WINTER on your bill and get a discount off your meal.
• Mount Nelson Hotel in Cape Town: Food and Wine Dinner Series. R350pp for multi-course dinner and wine. 29 July: De Wetshof Estate, 26 August: Rust & Vrede, 30 September: Steenberg Vineyards, 14 October: Waterford Estate, 26 November: Ernie Els Wines
• Muratie Restaurant @ Muratie Wine Estate Stellenbosch 021 865-2330/6: Traditional Karoo farm lunch. Every Sunday 12:00 – 14:00. R185.00 pp. Booking essential
• Myoga at the Vineyard Hotel (021 657 4545): 6 course meal for R150.00 pp, wine pairing available. (Ends 30 June)
• Overgaauw Wine Estate 021 881 3815 or info@overgaauw.co.za: Buy 5 bottles of either ’08 Chenin Blanc for R195.00, ’08 Shepherd’s Cottage Rose for R155.00 or ’05 Cab Sav for R545.00 and receive 1 bottle free.
• Overture Hidden Valley Wines, Annandale Rd, Stellenbosch 021 880 8721: 4-course Menu de Jour for R 200.00, or R 250.00 with a glass of wine, Tuesday – Friday lunch (May – July)
• Pepenero in Mouille Point 021 439 9037: 250g Sirloin and chips R 79.00, Seafood platter R 129.00, 1Kg prawn platter R 99.00, Oysters R 9.00 each, Half-price sushi, all cocktails R21.
• Pepperclub on the Beach in Camps Bay 021 438 0000: Friday night Jazz evening, 6 oysters + glass of bubbly at R 60.00 from 4pm
• Primi Pomodoro, Camps Bay: Full Breakfast R25, Salmon on Rye R35.00, Health Breakfast R20.00, Egg White Omelette R22.00, Mango Frullata R18.00
• Primi Piatti Seapoint: Full Breakfast R25, Salmon on Rye R35.00, Health Breakfast R20.00, Egg White Omelette R22.00, Mango Frullata R18.00
• Pure Hout Bay Manor, Baviaanskloof, Off Main Road 021 791 9393: 3 course dinner for R 220.00, and R 280.00 with a glass of wine added Tues – Sat Dinner, Sunday Lunch. (Until end July)
• Quay 4 V&A Waterfront: Roll the Dice Friday’s (Roll a number higher than 10 = half price cocktails, Roll a double = Cocktail on the house, Roll less than 10 and you are out of luck (3pm – 7pm Fridays)
• Raphael’s at Asara Wine Estate, Polkadraai Road, Stellenbosch 021 888 8050: Monday – Friday 12:00-14:30 Chef recommendation menu, (changes weekly)  2 menu course at R150.00 or a 3 course R195.00 per person.
• Rafiki’s 13 Kloof Nek Road, Cape Town 8001 021 426 4731: 1/2 Price Pizza special 11am-12am Mondays, 1/2 Price Cocktail special Thursdays 11am-7pm
• Rickety Bridge, Franschhoek (021) 876 3650: 3 Course set menu, R135.00 pp or R175.00 pp with a flight of wine.
• River Cafe @ Constantia Uitsig (021) 794 3010: 3 course with a carafe of Constantia Uitsig wine – R195.00 for a 4 course with a carafe of Constantia Uitsig wine – R225.00 Children eat free (1 child per dining adult, Monday to Thursday only) Lunch and Dinner Winter Menu available Monday to Saturday
• Royale Eatery & Royal Kitchen, Long Street 021 422 4536: Monday – Thursday between 4-6pm, select burgers R30.00 and Beer R10.00
• Salushi Intaba, 25 Protea Road, Claremont 021 671 4271: 50 % off sushi all day Mondays, Tuesdays and Sundays, from 12h00 – 17h00 Wednesdays – Saturday (Until end of May).  Zak’s Platter – 21 pieces sushi R108, Sepplatter – 24 pieces + 2 glasses Welmoed Brut R210.00
• Salt, Ambassador Hotel, Bantry Bay, 021 439 7258: 2 courses R 140 (R165.00 with wine flight), 3 courses R 170 (R195.00 with wine flight), Mondays – Thursdays, lunch and dinner, excluding World Cup period.
• Saul’s Grill, 152 Main Road, Seapoint 08611SAULS: Buy-one-get-one-free hamburger (Monday), Recession Combo – Regular burger, chips + 300ml Castle Draft R44.00
• Saul’s Sushi @ Vegas, 118 Main Road, Sea Point 021 433 2287: “Eat as much as you like” sushi R 120.00 Mondays and Tuesdays, “two for the price of one” sushi Fridays and Saturdays. 500ml Castle Draft R12.
• Savoy Cabbage 101 Hout St, Cape Town +27 21 424 2626: 17th May – 1st June 2010 The Annual Savoy Cabbage Offal Festival
• Sevruga in the V&A Waterfront 021 421 5134: Sole special, between R89 – R180, half price sushi 12h00 – 18h00 Mondays – Saturdays
• Signal at Cape Grace Hotel, Cape Town: Wine and food pairings. Nitida Wines 25th May, Jordan Wines 27th July, Bouchard Finlayson 31st August, Hamilton Russell Vineyards 28th September, Wilderer Distillery - Grappa and Dine 16th October, Graham Beck Wines 26th October, Waterkloof Wines 30th November R330 pp including canapés, a 3 course set menu and selected wines with each course.
• Sinn’s Restaurant at Wembley Square 021 465 0967:  1 Course + glass of wine R95.00, 2 Courses + 1 glass of wine R109,.00 3 Courses + 1 glass of wine R135.00
• Tank Cape Quarter 021 419 0007: 1/2 Price Sushi and Cocktails everyday 12 – 6pm, Three Course Meal for only R165.00 including a glass of wine.
• Terroir at Kleine Zalze, Stellenbosch 021 880 8167: Two-course meal at R 165.00, and 3-course meal at R 195.00, Lunch and dinner Monday to Saturday until the end of September.
• Theo’s 163 Beach Road, Mouille Point 021 439 3494: Evening: Oysters R6.00 each, 1kg Prawns R99.00, Lunch: Linefish R79.00, 300g Sirloin R79.00, Spatchcock Chicken Peri-Peri R79.00, 500g Spare ribs R79.00
• The Cru Cafe in the Cape Quarter: Breakfast for 2 for R 85.00, 2 pasta dishes + 2 glasses of wine for R 119.00, all days of week, lunch and dinner
• The Foodbarn Restaurant Noordhoek Farm Village, Village Lane, Noordhoek 021 789 1390: Franck’s famous 3-course “French Bistro” Menu for R205.00 per person PLUS a free bottle of AA Badenhorst Family Wines for every table of four. (Valid until end September 2010)
• The Kove, The Promenade, Camps Bay 021 438 0004: Fresh Line Fish R89.00, Rump 250g/500g R79.00/R109.00, Karoo Lamb Chops R99.00, Calamari Patagonia R69.00, 1/2kg Prawns R69.00, Lamb Shank R99.00, Kove Meat Platter R149.00, Set Menu 2 Courses + Glass of Wine R120.00
• The Restaurant @ Jordan Stellenbosch Kloof Road 021 881 3612: Two times Eat Out Chef of the Year, George Jardine is running a special winter menu comprising a set 3 course menu at R180. The menu changes daily but features winter warmers such as Haricot bean, parmesan and truffle veloute with confit pork neck, Braised Chalmar beef faggot with pomme puree and buttered green beans and Pan fried brioche, prune and Armagnac ice cream and hazelnuts. Opt for the wine pairing option with 2 glasses of Jordan Wine for R220.00. Jordan Winery offers a 10% discount on puchases of 6 bottles or more on presentation of your Jordan Restaurant receipt. (Until end September)
• The Roundhouse in Camps Bay 021 438 4347: 2nd Birthday Special - 7-course dinner for R 245.00 (1 July – 30 September 2010)
• Theo’s on Beach Road, Mouille Point: Lunch Specials – Oysters R 6.00 each, 1 kg prawns R 99.00, line fish R79.00, 300 gram sirloin steak, spatchcock chicken peri peri and 500 gram spare ribs all R 79.00.
• Tuscany Beach 41 Victoria Road, Camps Bay 021 438 1213: Autumn dinner special – 50% off second person’s main course, and 1/2 price sushi 12 – 6 pm. 25% off cocktails (everyday 12-6pm)
• Vanilla Shop 17, The Square, Cape Quarter 021 421 1391: Autumn dinner special – 50% off the second person’s main course, and 1/2 price sushi 12 – 6 pm, 25% off Cocktails 12 – 6pm  Monday – Sunday
• Wang Thai V&A Waterfront, Constantia 021 794 0022, Somerset West and Lagoon Beach: Half price sushi and cocktails from 12 -6 pm Monday – Thursdays
• Waterkloof Restaurant at Waterkloof Wines Sir Lowry’s Pass Village Road, Somerset West 021 858 1491 Monday to Friday R190pp
• Wild Woods, Hout Bay 021 791 1166- Slow food evenings 3 course meal R135.00pp (Until end December)

This list is updated constantly, so come back often!

Please refer to Whale Cottage Blog for some more restaurant specials. Thank you to them for getting this list started.