Clos Malverne

The Restaurant nestled in the Devon Valley outside Stellenbosch, welcomes winter with a feast of comforting classics, conjured up in an exclusive Winter Warmer Menu which alternates weekly to rekindle the mid-year slumber with a myriad of wholesome tastes, unique to the season. In addition, the restaurant’s signature Food & Wine Pairing Menu also features a new sumptuous lineup of hearty dishes to transform winter from a period of hibernation into a food celebration. 

The new Winter Warmer Menu, which turns up the heat from Tuesdays to Fridays until the end of August, offers enthusiasts a three course lunchtime food and wine indulgence of generous portions at a mere R158 per person. Each dish on this sizzling bill of fare is served with a matching Clos Malverne wine.

Think Spicy Tomato & Bacon Soup, enriched with gorgonzola, fresh farm-style bread and a glass of Clos Malverne’s Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot blend to spruce up the palate. Followed by a Chicken & Mango Curry matched with the well-rounded Clos Malverne Chardonnay to satisfy any hunger. Or kiss winter blues goodbye with a melt-in-the-mouth Mandarin Malva Pudding served with a dollop of pistachio and butternut ice cream and the estate’s popular coffee-style pinotage, Le Café.

With its idyllic setting amidst the vineyards and stunning views from its wraparound balcony, The Restaurant @ Clos Malverne has developed a loyal following since 2009 for its fresh, seasonal and easy, contemporary cuisine or as chef Nadia Louw Smith describes it “world food with an earthy sophistication, cooked from the heart and presented with perfection”.

Clos Malverne Estate also enjoys recognition as a popular one-stop wine tasting destination. The restaurant’s inviting wine lounge is the perfect spot to unwind with a bottle of Clos Malverne’s flagship Cape Blends or classic whites. 


If you like what you taste, Clos Malverne can deliver the wines straight to your doorstep via their online wine sales facility. The Restaurant @ Clos Malverne is open daily for lunch except on Mondays and bookings are essential. For more information on The Restaurant @ Clos Malverne or the reserve your table, contact the restaurant at Tel: (+27)21 865 2022 or send an email to info@closmalverne.co.za.  

Relais & Châteaux's Singita Pamushana Welcomes A New Chef

Singita Game Reserves has appointed Zimbabwean-born chef Sara Rickard (26) as Sous Chef at Singita Pamushana Lodge in the Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve in South Eastern Zimbabwe.  This move is a return to home soil for this passionate young chef, who has worked aboard luxury yachts and at some of South Africa’s top hotels and restaurants in Cape Town. With her deep-seated love for the African bush and her penchant for traditional cuisine, she is set to bring refreshing new flavours with a delicious international ‘twist’, to the dining experience at this award-winning Relais & Châteaux lodge.

Rickard describes her unique cooking style as ‘wholesome’, without much fuss and frills, yet bursting with flavour. She loves taking advantage of the freshest seasonal ingredients available at local markets to enhance the flavours of her dishes. Rickard strongly believes that a successful chef is only as good as the team in the kitchen, and enjoys enhancing the skills of her fellow kitchen employees to develop skills at every level.

For Rickard this return to her roots after ‘sailing the seas’ in search of culinary excellence, signifies the pinnacle of a career spanning some six years, during which she has gained invaluable international experience. With her heart set on becoming a chef ever since completing her advanced A Levels in Zimbabwe in 2004, she enrolled at the Silwood School of Cookery in Cape Town and graduated with her Cordon Bleu Grande Diploma in 2007.

Since then she has carved an impressive career as a top notch chef, having trained at award-winning restaurants such as Terroir Restaurant at the Kleine Zalze Wine Estate in Stellenbosch; The River Café in Cape Town’s Constantia Valley; and the Cape Grace Hotel at the V&A Waterfront. Then followed a stint as Chef de Partie at Ellerman House Hotel in Bantry Bay, where she worked with Former Executive Head Chef Jonathan Gargan, honing her skills under his expert guidance. Her desire to expand her culinary influences then saw her heading for foreign shores to prepare delicious cuisine for the guests and crew aboard three luxury yachts in the Mediterranean and the Caribbean, before joining the Singita team, to return to her country of birth.

With her flair for infusing locally inspired dishes with international culinary influences, guests at Singita Pamushana Lodge can look forward to a world-class dining experience in one of the world’s most dramatic wilderness settings, prepared with characteristic flair. There is no doubt that her signature dish that consists of crispy duck breast served on pomme boulangere with glazed carrots, roast baby beetroot, a red wine reduction, orange marmalade and fresh thyme, will be served with the same passion and delight that has earned the Singita team no less than 15 ‘Best Hotel in the World’ awards, and each of their four idyllic destinations in Africa the global reputation as a ‘place of miracles’.

Timberland® First Women's Store Now in SA

The first exclusive Timberland store for women will début in Johannesburg, Hyde Park Corner tomorrow Friday 25 May. The women’s range is usually sold in conjunction with the main men’s range. An independent  women’s footwear and accessories store from its male range counterpart is now available.

Timberland won the UK award for “The Best Ethical Footwear and Accessories Brand” this month. The overall design of the store has followed the Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design, an integrated sustainable design project covering the whole building and guaranteeing an environmental low impact throughout the planning, construction and maintenance stages. 

The store aims to offer customers a cleaner, less prop driven environment with the main focus being on product. From the Eco label certified tiled flooring to the new technology used in the LED lighting that has been utilised as a means of conserving energy more effectively as well as enhancing the look and feel of the store.

Friday 25 May 2012

Hyde Park Corner

Johannesburg

Shop UM59 (next to the Porsche Design store)

About Timberland

Timberland premium-quality footwear, apparel and accessories for consumers who value the outdoors and their time in it.  Offer quality workmanship and detailing, built to withstand the elements of nature. The company’s products can be found in leading department, speciality stores and retail stores throughout North America, Europe, Asia, Latin America, South America, South Africa and the Middle East.  

Timberland’s dedication to making quality products is matched by the company’s commitment to “doing well and doing good" -- forging powerful partnerships among employees, consumers and service partners to transform the communities in which they live and work.  To learn more about Timberland.  

Timberland® is passionately committed to reducing global warming and making the outdoor environment better, for all of us to enjoy today and tomorrow. We promise more renewable energy, more recycled and renewable materials, less waste, less chemicals and more trees. What kind of footprint will you leave?

Wola Nani Embracing The World

Wola Nani, which is Xhosa for ‘embrace’, was established in 1994 and supports women, orphans and vulnerable children infected and affected by the HIV/AIDS pandemic.  Helping its women crafters develop a skill and earn a sustainable and regular income with dignity. Through a developmental, self help approach the project’s members have been enabled to take greater control of their lives and achieve a better quality of life.

Crafts include beaded ribbons, bracelets and napkin rings, papier mache bowls and picture frames, light bulbs, tea lights and cards. They are distributed extensively throughout South Africa and overseas. Their colourful, cheerful designs are widely recognised and they enjoy the Proudly South African endorsement.

 

Wola Nani also produce custom-made designs in response to specific requests e.g. items for dinners, Christmas cards, conference items (such as nametags, place settings, etc) and book marks. 

If you are interested in commissioning a particular design, please contact them or visit one of the many outlets selling their products both locally and internationally. 

Launching its first pop-up store at Cavendish Square last December to tremendous success, during the holiday season offering a variety of exclusive product lines. Including paper-mache bangles in an African print, “eyes design” as well as the introduction of the “Sea-farer” pattern paper-mache bowl.  The store also offered Wola Nani’s other best-selling handcrafted product ranges such as home accessories, bead work and jewellery.  These products ranges can also be previewed at Wola Nani Website

Brenda Bibby, Centre Manager of Cavendish Square said, “As World AIDS Day is marked in December, we are supporting the work of Wola Nani by providing them with a retail outlet in Cape Town’s foremost mall during peak shopping season.  We are thrilled to offer them a pop-up shop where they can showcase their wonderful designs and colourful products; providing our shoppers with unique and distinctive lines not available anywhere else.  These products make great gifts because proceeds go towards a good cause.”

The beaded square, worn as a brooch or necklace, is a traditional Zulu love letter. In its symbolic arrangement of colour and pattern are woven the hopes and desires of the wearers. The beaded AIDS ribbon draws both on this ethnic tradition and on the international recognition of the red ribbon as a symbol of solidarity and compassion for all those affected by HIV/AIDS. By wearing this symbol, you reflect your support of global AIDS awareness. View it at the craftshop.

St. Regis Mauritius

The highly-anticipated St. Regis Mauritius Resort opened on September 15, 2012. Situated on the South-West coast of the island, also known as the ‘Pearl of the Indian Ocean’, the resort is set on the pristine white natural beaches of Le Morne, a UNESCO World Heritage site, bordered by a spectacular turquoise lagoon.

Offering guests a new dimension of bespoke luxury, The St. Regis Mauritius Resort will feature 172 elegant guestrooms and suites featuring lavishly expansive terraces, of which an extravagant St. Regis beachfront villa, offering breathtaking ocean views. Situated on the peninsula, nestled amongst the beautiful landscapes of the majestic Le Morne Brabant mountain and spectacular turquoise lagoon, the St. Regis villa will feature a private entrance, spacious bedrooms, stylish entertainment and dining areas, a private bar and spa, as well as two pools.

“We are thrilled to unveil The St. Regis Mauritius Resort as the first St. Regis hotel in the Indian Ocean region and we look forward to offering our guests the unparalleled luxury and exquisite culinary experiences that the brand is renowned for.” said Bernard de Villèle, General Manager, The St. Regis Mauritius Resort.

The St. Regis Mauritius Resort will also feature the famed hallmarks of St. Regis hotels including the signature St. Regis Butler Service, bespoke guest experiences and luxury accommodations tailored to global travellers. Trained in the English tradition, the butlers provide ever-present, yet unobtrusive service while anticipating guest needs and customising each guest’s stay according to his or her specific tastes and preferences.

Featuring six distinct culinary experiences offering epicureans a myriad of gastronomic influences ranging from French-inspired and traditional Mauritian cuisine, to the exotic dishes of India and South-East Asia and fine Japanese selections. Led by Executive Head Chef Dominique Blais, the resort will also feature Inspiration which will offer up to sixteen diners the exclusive and intimate experience to enjoy specially prepared dishes according to their individual tastes and preferences. Following in the tradition of St. Regis brand’s legendary New York hotel, the resort will feature an iconic bar; The 1904 Bar.

Extensive state-of-the-art meeting and event space as well as more than 2,000 square metres of ultra-modern health club facilities including the region’s first Iridium Spa featuring seven spa suites and twelve treatment rooms, a full-service salon, relaxation lounge, jacuzzi, sauna and steam rooms, as well as a special Men’s Grooming Salon. Situated at the heart of resort will be the exclusive Manor House which will include seven luxurious suites, a cinema, library and pool, offering guests the ultimate in luxury and opulence.

The St. Regis Mauritius Resort will feature an extensive array of leisure activities including the opportunity to experience the exhilarating sport of kite surfing. Located at the “One Eye” at Le Morne, it is one of the world’s most renowned locations for kite surfing and also plays host to the annual World Cup Kite Surfing competition.

Currently accepting tour operator reservations on line reservations are available on the hotel’s website. Please visit St. Regis Mauritius Resort  for more information.
More on St. Regis Hotels & Resorts. For the privilege of residential ownership, please visit www.stregis.com/residences.

About St. Regis Hotels & Resorts

Combining classic sophistication and modern luxury, the St. Regis brand remains faithful to its commitment to excellence. Founded by John Jacob Astor IV, with the opening of the first St. Regis Hotel in New York City over a century ago, the St. Regis brand of hotels and residences is known for its unique luxury dimension, customized service and refined elegance in the best destinations worldwide.

Plans for the brand to globally continue its legacy include long-awaited St. Regis hotels and resorts in Buenos Aires, Asia, New Delhi and Zhuhai. In Europe, Africa and the Middle East, the brand will expand in Abu Dhabi, Amman, Cairo and Doha. The distinctive trait of the St. Regis experience is customized service and attention to detail through signature St. Regis Butler Service, coveted locations and luxurious design.

Cape Town’s first and only Diamond Museum

Conveniently located at the gateway to the world-famous Robben Island, the Diamond Museum is the latest in Cape Town’s list of must-see attractions. The Cape Town Diamond Museum opened its doors to the public in the newly upgraded Clock Tower precinct at the Waterfront. It is the only museum of its kind in Cape Town and the first to pay homage to the extraordinary story of the South African diamond industry.

Mariette  Du Toit-Helmbold, CEO of Cape Town Tourism commented. “The Diamond Museum is an exciting addition to Cape Town’s diversity of attractions – telling the stories of our city and country and the journeys that shaped our history. The Diamond Museum will give visitors and citizens a first-hand experience of South Africa’s significant contribution to the international diamond industry.”

Featuring a number of authentic artefacts telling the amazing story of diamonds and the tale of South Africa’s diamond trade. The entire experience was designed to ensure that visitors feel the excitement and mystery surrounding these beautiful gems and learn more about one of South Africa’s greatest exports. Great care has been taken to show how South Africa’s own diamond industry was instrumental in shaping the global industry. During the 19th century, South Africa produced most of the world’s diamonds.
 

Since its discovery in 1867, the country has produced some of the world’s largest, most valuable and most memorable stones, including the Cullinan, the Hope and the Taylor Burton. Visitors can see exact replicas of the world’s most famous diamonds and delve deeper into the amazing story of the South African diamond rush. Explore the romance of this fascinating era through the museum’s displays and knowledgeable guides at the Cape Town Diamond Museum 

Hackett of London launches at Sandton City

Quintessential British men’s outfitters Hackett London launched its flagship store in Sandton City’s brand new mall space one of two stores in South Africa; the other at OR Tambo International Airport. The luxury British menswear, children’s wear and accessories brand opened its first store on the Kings Road in London selling second hand vintage clothes from Portobello market. 

The store concept takes its inspiration from the famous and typically British exterior of Number 10 Downing Street, creating a residential feel inspired by a traditional London townhouse through the use of wooden panelling and black bricks. The starting point for the design focuses on the British Georgian period, particularly the style of architect Sir John Sloane whose simple and classic yet strong approach to design, reflects the very essence of Hackett. The timeless furniture and furnishings have been updated with a modern twist to provide distinctive focal points around the store.

Jeremy Hackett

Hackett clothing takes its inspiration from the traditions of British dress without being old-fashioned; as such it describes its products as “evolutionary rather than revolutionary.” Hackett clothing is for men who wish to dress stylishly and to whom quality is more important than the vagaries of fashion.

Parts of the range are much the same as they were twenty years ago, but as co-founder Jeremy Hackett says, "our clothes wear in, not out.” Hackett’s aim is to dress men for any occasion whether for the business, formal, country or sporting contexts which are perfectly encapsulated under the strap-line ‘Essential British Kit’. The 'Little Britons' range increasingly caters for the younger "man's" clothing needs.

Awarded the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade

The Queen’s Award for Enterprise is the highest accolade for business success and honours outstanding UK companies and helps encourage the development of British business at home and internationally. The Awards are presented annually and approved by The Queen, on the recommendation of the UK Prime Minister. The last six years have been a particularly exciting time for the brand as it has expanded its retail and wholesale footprint across the globe including its recent expansion into Africa through its South African stores.

Another key factor is the successful execution of desirable sponsorship deals with leading British and international sporting and social events. Hackett has managed to position itself within the social calendar with events such as The Boat Race, international polo and tennis as well as its long standing association with Aston Martin Racing. The international expansion continues into 2012, with the opening of a 3,500 sq ft flagship store in Milan last month and the local store launch in Johannesburg.

View a video snippet of the event