If you’re looking for some things to do and places to eat at this festive season, you’re in the right place.
Eating Out
If you’re in Cape Town you’ll be happy to know that one of their beloved fine dining establishments has reopened. Bombay Brasserie is Taj Cape Town’s signature fine dining Indian restaurant, it has strong historical influences from both SA and India.
“Food is an art, the taste, smell and presentation of every plate coming out of our kitchen is our pride and we want all our guests, loyal regulars and new alike, to enjoy the unique and pleasurable experience of our fine dining cuisine,” says Taj Cape Town’s executive chef David Tilly.
The restaurant utilises the diverse cooking styles from all across India. Menu items include tandoori chicken and prawns Baingan Bharta (clay oven smoked aubergine), masala lamb chops and signature lamb biryani.
If you’re in Jozi and a fan of the establishments by the Tashas Group you’ll be happy to know that they’ve recently revamped their Hyde Park business.
“Le Parc by Tashas” offers a signature menu with a French theme that includes ratatouille eggs with crispy brinjal, smoked salmon salad, a Tashas-take on a Bahn Mi (crispy baguette with a savoury filling) and even calamari Provençal. There are also items from the Tashas classic menu. The eatery also has a retail section where patrons can purchase over 300 artisanal goods sourced locally and internationally.
The store is a soft pink delight that is whimsical and inspires you to relax and savour your food.
“One of our biggest challenges of being located inside a mall, has always been the lighting,” explains CEO and founder, Natasha Sideris.
“The sails have softened the lighting from the skylight, without making it too dark and we’ve added new architectural lighting, and candles to give the space a natural feel.”
Le Parc is open Monday to Saturday for breakfast, lunch and dinner. On Sunday, join the team for breakfast or lunch.
All of the lights, all of the lights
I was invited to the unveiling of the Moet & Chandon Golden Tree. The bad weather forced us to party inside but the rain didn’t dampen the mood at all.
The “tree” is made up of 1,400 bottles of champagne that have been stacked into a chandelier hanging from the ceiling over a champagne cork floor. The event attracted media personalities and politicians alike. I spotted the leader of the EFF party Julius Malema there.
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The launch was held at trendy venue Tang, at Nelson Mandela Square. Zozibini Tunzi, Boity Thulo, Maps Maponyane were among the many invited guests there. Grammy nominated house DJ, Black Coffee, was in attendance bedecked in a Louis Vuitton smock. The audience was treated to a performance by the DJ and musician Simmy kicked off the festivities on the night.
The tree is at Nelson Mandela Square and bubbly enthusiasts can go and view it until the 3rd of January 2022. Personalised gifting service will also be available via the Moët & Chandon pop-up store, located on the square, accessible from November 25 until December 23, from 12pm until 6pm.
The store will offer consumers the ability to personalise their purchase. Restaurants: on Nelson Mandela Square will be providing festive Moët & Chandon Golden Tree champagne offers, available from launch night until the 27th of December.
More sparkle for you this festive season
You can also enjoy the festive season by attending the third annual Joburg Festival of Lights, which is a collection of “illuminated life-size animal characters and classical, harmonious entertainment, food and craft night market for visitors to the Joburg Zoo”.
The festival launched on November 25, and is open from 6pm to 10pm daily, except on Mondays. Attendees can enjoy a walk in the zoo on a designated lit route away from the animals under trees decorated in lights.
The entertainment line-up includes the Joburg Ballet’s Nutcracker, Bongi Mthombeni, Biko’s Manna a sibling band, Soulphiatown, a duo popular for epitomising African pop, and the award-winning, vocalist Brenda Mtambo. The festival is on until January 2 2022.
Patrons are encouraged to bring along their camping chairs and picnic blankets to sit on as they listen and enjoy entertainment under Joburg’s starry night sky.
The festival will adhere to the level 1 lockdown Covid-19 protocols and patrons are urged to observe them. Tickets are available atwww.joburgtheatre.com at R75 for children 3-12 years, R90 for pensioners and R150 for children 12+ and adults. Children under 3 enter free.
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