Artist's impression of a Green Point race

Having just recovered from the incredible 2010 FIFA World Cup, Cape Town is now waiting with baited breath to find out if the go ahead will be given for Cape Town to start hosting a Grand Prix race in future Formula 1 Grand Prix seasons. With the cancellation of the Bahrain Grand Prix at the start of this year’s season, organisers were left with no choice but to look for alternative locations. A Grand Prix generates a wealth of income for all parties involved and if political problems persist in Bahrain, the race will be permanently moved. And Cape Town is the firm favourite for the post!

Bernie Ecclestone, the “Godfather of Formula 1″ has stated that Cape Town could expect a Grand Prix “within two years” and that they are “weeks away from signing” the contract that will secure a race in Cape Town.

There are three plans in the mix in terms of potential circuits. The first, and most popular is the Green Point idea: a Monaco style race which will run through the streets of the suburb and through Cape Town stadium with a similarly difficult chicane in the centre of the stadium.

There is also an idea to create an entitely new track near the airport, and the third is to create a new track on the West Coast.

Whichever they choose, we’ll certainly be there!

I went with four friends to Active Sushi in Strand Street, having never gone before. I knew that they had a R109 all-you-can-eat special and, being sushi addicts, the five of us decided to give the place a try.

The decor of the place is pretty minimalistic but the food is great. You are given a menu where you can pick any sushi they serve, and eat as much of it as you want.

They do the usual favourites – salmon roses (we ate a LOT of those), rainbow rolls, nigiri, sashimi, fashion sandwiches, maki, california rolls and some quirky variations. We had tuna roses and especially hot cry rolls (like a rainbow roll, except the avocado is wasabi and it covers the entire top). We didn’t have to take the person who ate them to hospital, but it was close. And they finished them.

After two full plates of sushi, I was about to pop. There is a rule that any wastage is billed, and I began to get worried I might not finish, but after some help from my friends, my plate was empty. Checking the menu, it was evident that we had eaten over R109 of sushi on each first plate, let alone the second. I also had a Coke Zero – a large can which was an unbelievable R10!
The service was quite slow, but the waiters knew their stuff, and they didn’t exactly have control over how quickly the sushi was made. On the whole, an absolute gem of a sushi spot in Cape Town. Good sushi, good prices and a great evening

Active Sushi

63 STRAND ST – CAPE TOWN – Tel: 0214220462

info@activesushi.com

Review by Rosie

Image - Food24.com

I used to hang out in Obz, some many years ago, when I was more ‘youthful’. Not that I’m not youthful anymore, I’m just no longer a youth, sigh. So I hadn’t been into Obz for a while, until two weeks ago, when a friend and I, on a whim, went to Hello Sailor Bistro for a drink after work. We stayed for dinner. And then went again last week.

It used to be down the end of Lower Main Road, toward Salt River, but has now moved into half of what used to be Obz institution, Diva’s. It’s a beautiful, old, wooden-shop-window-framed shop. Small, with about eight tables inside, and two on the pot-plant bedecked pavement outside. White walls decorated with sailor-themed pictures make it unfussy, but cosy.

Being Obz, it was filled with a mish-mash of youth (me, 15 years ago), artsy types, and surprisingly, some businessmen. There’s Wi-Fi access I think, making this the prefect office away from the office, especially because they have delicious coffee.

The staff are unfussy too. Both times we went they were pretty, youthful, relaxed, but really good. Tables cleaned, ice brought with white wine, without a need to ask for it. I like those little things. They inspire good tipping in me.

The menu comes on a piece of paper – plain, simple, yummy – with changing specials written on a blackboard on the wall. The breakfasts look good, but it was dinner time, damn. Luckily their main meal options are equally good-looking. Three or four sandwiches options, beef or chicken burgers served with ‘disco fries’, four salads and five pastas. Nothing fancy, but all delicious- aounding.

I picked one of the specials – Cottage Pie with salad. I’m a big fan of mince, so was surprised to get what was more like a stew with mashed potato on top. It was delicious, none-the-less, if a little too filled with whole peppercorns.

On our second visit I was tempted by the specials again with ribs and salad but chose to go with my mince desire and ordered the polpette. My friend ordered a burger, which she proclaimed was good. The ‘disco fries’ were chips of the thin-style and piping hot which always earns points in my book. My polpette were good, served with a tasty tomato sauce. Again, however, the chef had been a little heavy-handed with the cracked black pepper. Next time I’ll ask for less pepper.

Overall, a friendly little spot, great for people-watching, a spot of work and a cup of coffee, or some delicious, home-cooked food and a glass of wine on an autumnal evening. We’ll certainly be going back.

122b Lower Main Rd, Observatory, Cape Town, Western Cape

076 401 6953

Review by I eat

We created this video to showcase a collection of opinions and experience in Cape Town, as told by locals and visitors alike. Take a look, there are some pretty good suggestions in there.

My father was visiting me in Cape Town this weekend, and when we were discussing which restaurant to visit, he chose “the one that’s like a shack!” Confused, I asked if he meant Cool Runnings, the now closed Cape Town branch of the Joburg bar and restaurant. After some questions I realised that he meant Bardelli’s, a little Italian restaurant in Kenilworth which has a tarpaulin in the back to allow diners to enjoy their meals outside without threat from the elements. The inside is decorated in old-school Italian style.

I was very keen to go, having always had fantastic food there, even though the service has been lacking on a few occasions. All meals are made fresh, but the wait for them is really not long at all. Their pizzas are phenomenal and their menu is extensive. A favourite of mine is the “Club Italiano” pizza, which has chicken mayonnaise, avocado and pepperdews. You may think it sounds strange but I guarantee, chicken mayo on a pizza is word class, if you know how to do it properly.

This time however, I was keen to try one of their pastas. So off we set to enjoy some great Italian food in a great environment.

The restaurant is located on Kenilworth Road in Kenilworth, just down from the railway crossing. The building is a converted house, with many of the old rooms still used for seating. Patrons looking for a private party have the option of booking one of the rooms, and I have celebrated a birthday there with over 20 people in the back under the tarpaulin (in mid-winter!).

My Dad and I chose to sit outside and started with a foccacia with feta and caremelised onions (R36) to share. I followed with the Agnello al Forno, a fettuccine pasta with pieces of slow oven roasted lamb in a rosemary and cream sauce, topped with cucumber (R79) and my Dad ordered  the Puttanesca, a robust Napoletana with capers, olives and a hint of anchovy and chilli served with penne pasta. The portions were of a good size and very well presented. I couldn’t finish mine, and took it home with me.

My food was delicious, but there was a mix up in the kitchen and our pasta came before the starter! We informed the waiter of this and they brought our starter, but then put our meals on a hot plate to wait until we were ready for them, causing my father’s pasta to dry up a little. This is unfortunate as my meal was a delight.

All in all, Bardelli’s is a favourite restaurant of mine as it is close to where I live and much more quiet than the surrounding establishments of the area, without losing its cozy Tuscan feel. I reccommend them highly for their pizzas, but my pasta was also extremely enjoyable, and I definitely want to try some more of their extensive menu.

Bardelli’s is open seven days a week from 18h00, Saturdays from 17h00 and for Sunday lunch from 12h30.

51 Kenilworth Road
Cnr Kenilworth & Wessel Roads
Kenilworth

Tel: 021-683 1423

Review by Rosie Grace Brooks