Last weekend I spent the evening at Winchester Mansions, on Cape Town’s Sea Point Promenade. It’s funny, I haven’t stayed in one of Cape Town’s hotels for ages and I’d forgotten just how cool it is to roll out of bed and into the city.
The Winchester is that grand old Cape Dutch building you can’t miss if you drive from Green Point along beach road, which runs along the promenade, towards Clifton and the southern Peninsula. And seeing as I was there, I saw no reason why my day shouldn’t start with a brisk walk along the promenade. If you are a people watcher (we should coin the phrase peopler) like me – this is gold. From the beautiful brunette with about 0,0% body fat (and dressed to show it) running her poodle all the way to the geriatric gingerly navigating his electric wheel chair along the seaside … you find all types.
Winchester Mansions Hotel is located on Beach road along Sea Point's famous promenade in Cape Town. South Africa
By the time I’d walked practically all the way to the V&A Waterfront I reckoned I’d walked off last night’s dinner having succumbed to the temptations of the recently revamped Harvey’s Restaurant. Located on the ground floor of the hotel flowing onto the street, Harveys is a great place for sundowners and, in due course, dinner. The mouth-watering selection of locally inspired dishes will lure you to a culinary inspired place of bliss and honestly you need to park any thoughts of moderation. The piece de résistance was a trilogy of South African deserts including malva pudding, creme brûlée and an Amarula-infused ice cream that was sexier than my wife (and she had just returned from the hotel spa). Still, brunch was beckoning and so I stoically turned for home at an even brisker pace ready to tackle the scrumptious onslaught once more.
Sunday Jazz at Winchester Mansions
Every Sunday, the Winchester Hotel in Sea Point hosts a live jazz ensemble over brunch
Sunday Jazz brunches at Winchester Mansions are not to be missed, whether you’re staying in the hotel itself or are just kicking around the city looking for some quality time out the house. Each Sunday Harveys hosts a different Jazz ensemble from 11h00, and this together with the magnificent, eat-until-you-drop-buffet (everything from bacon and eggs to rare roast beef and sushi; and yes there is nothing wrong with mixing your beef and your sushi!) makes the R225 a person price, including a free glass of bubbly and the morning paper, well worth it.
Here’s the jazz lineup for the rest of October and November 2012:
4 November – Andrew Ford, Maurice Gawronsky, Benjamin Jephta featuring ‘Vuyo’.
11 November – Andrew Lilley, Romy Brauteseth, Maurice Gawronsky featuring Deborah Tanguy.
18 November – Alvin Dyers, Wes Rustin, Maurice Gawronsky featuring Danelle.
25 November – Andrew Ford, Charles Lazar, Maurice Gawronsky featuring Amy Campbell.
Other culinary events on the Winchester calendar
If you have a penchant for art look out for the exciting Grapes, Gourmet and Gallery Evenings at Winchester Mansions. Each month, Harveys celebrates modern art combining a visual feast with great food and wine. The evenings start at 19h00 for 19h30 and cost R345 a person.
The next events on their calendar are:
7 November 2012 Art by James Yates, combined with a five-course menu paired with Hartenberg Estate’s wines.
5 December 2012 Art by Michale Durst, combined with a five-course menu paired with Haute Cabriere’s Pierre Jourdan wines.
Weather permitting meals can be enjoyed in the open air courtyard at the Winchester Mansions Hotel in Sea P0int
More about Winchester Mansions
The Winchester Mansions is a comfortable medium-sized hotel with 51 classic and contemporary rooms and 25 suites. Most rooms have either got sweeping views over the Atlantic or look up to Table Mountain and Lions Head.
The Winchester Mansions may have a grand old look but its rooms are modern and comfortable
There is a heated pool and a Ginkgo boutique spa on site that offers a range of treatments and massages from R210. Harveys bar, bistro and restaurant is located on ground level and spills out onto Beach road across which lies the promenade. It’s an ideal sundowner spot and there is nothing better than breaking your seaside amble with a drink at Harveys or a light snack in the newly opened bistro.
Harveys bar, bistro and restaurant is an excellent place to break a walk along Sea Points famous promenade
Winchester Mansions
Tel 021-434-2351
www.winchester.co.za
Rates ((1 October – 30 April):
Double (classic Room) R2 125
Harvey Presidential Suite R5 850
