Here are 5 spots in and around Cape Town where you can find a great combination of food, wine and music.
1. Miko at Mont Rochelle, Franschhoek
The service at Miko restaurant ,at Mont Rochelle, is stellar. Image: supplied.
Mont Rochelle’s Miko restaurant has announced a series of live music evenings with Emmy-nominated musician, James Stewart.
The next live music evening takes place between 7-9pm on Wednesday 22nd August and the final one for the season on Tuesday 25th September.
On the evening that we visited in July, I had a delicious starter of Cape Malay spiced prawns (R150), served with tomato and grapefruit tartar, mango atchar aioli and coriander. My husband enjoyed pumpkin and sage soup (R85), served with chestnut tapenade, garlic wafers and crispy kale, which balanced the soup’s sweetness perfectly.
Miko baked line fish with spiced chorizo. Image: supplied.
My hubby followed his soup starter with the ‘simply grilled’ beef fillet (R180) and rosemary salted skinny fries (R45) – both delicious. While I had the Franschhoek salmon trout (R185) served with beetroot purée, tenderstem broccoli, poached egg and lime crème fraîche, and also chose the rosemary salted fries. The combination of flavours was exquisite. Although I am well aware that you shouldn’t pair fish with red wine, we chose (and very much enjoyed) a bottle of 2014 Mont Rochelle Syrah (R375).
We ended the evening with a chocolate fondant each (R90), which is a moist rich cake with a soft chocolate centre, served with ice cream and raspberry fruit leather.
All in all we had a very pleasant experience. The music was unobtrusive and yet James Stewarts’ renditions of some of Sting’s music (in his own unique manner) were perfect. The staff at Miko were also exceptionally attendant.
Reservations can be made by emailing functions @montrochelle.virgin.com or by telephone on 021 876 2770.
2. Delheim Jazz and Cheese Fondue, Stellenbosch
Delheim winter jazz and cheese fondue. Image: supplied.
Set in Delheim’s ‘downstairs’ tasting cellar, the wine estate is collaborating with Cape Town Music Academy (CTMA) and Jazz in the Native Yards to offer a series of cosy, winter jazz concerts paired with cheese fondues. These take place on Sunday evenings until 26 August.
There will be pots of Gruyère and Emmentaler for ladling, dipping and smearing onto a selection of bites and outstanding Delheim wines.
Tickets are R450, which covers the cost of the live jazz performances, Glühwein and soup on arrival and the hearty fondue meal which will be served with complimentary Delheim wines between the first and second act. There will also be a coffee bar.
“The Jazz & Cheese Fondue series is one of our most well-supported events which now goes to the next level with three live jazz sessions/concerts per event, with superb estate wine and lingering cheese aromas thrown in for good measure,” says Delheim’s Nora Sperling-Thiel.
Email [email protected] or phone 021 8884607 to book.
3. Gold restaurant, Greenpoint
Gold Restaurant, Green Point. Image supplied.
Whether you’re a local or a visitor to Cape Town, Gold restaurant is not to be missed.
The set 14 course Cape Malay and African menu at Gold brings together a smorgasboard of delicious fare, with items such as Ethiopian iab dip, Moroccan lamb phyllo ‘cigars,’ Kenyan irio patties and South African fish cakes to name but a few.
During the course of your meal you will be entertained by graceful Mali Puppets as they dance around your table accompanied by drummers, dancers and singers, creating a lively and mesmerising atmosphere. You are also welcome to join in with the dancing or drumming, where you’ll be taught the different sounds and rhythms of the djembe.
Visit goldrestaurant.co.za or phone 021 421 4653
Gold Restaurant, Green Point. Image supplied.
3. Harvey’s at Winchester Mansions, Sea Point
Sunday Jazz brunches are a popular event at Harvey’s. Image: Katie Montgomery
Harvey’s hosts a Sunday Jazz Brunch, where you can listen to the mellow notes of the live jazz band ‘while enjoying a generous selection of culinary delights.’
You’ll receive a complimentary Sunday newspaper and a glass of sparkling wine on arrival and then you can choose to indulge in anything from pastries, cheeses and traditional English breakfasts to sushi, cooked meals, salads and yummy desserts.
R345 per person for regular events
R395 per person for special events
Visit www.winchester.co.za for more information and the list of artists who will be playing each Sunday, or phone 021 434 2351
5. The Piano Bar, Cape Town CBD
Piano. Image: Ian Dooley
The Piano Bar is styled on a New York music revue bar but with a South African twist. This is a bar has a fairly simple menu with a choice of tapas, a burger, a salad, pizza, a pasta or wrap. You should find something to enjoy along with your drink and the live music of course.
There is currently a winter special running until the 1 September, whereby you get a starter, main and dessert for R280.
Visit thepianobar.co.za for more information or call 021 418 1096, or 079 028 4628
