Salmon Roses, Fashion Sandwiches, Avo Maki, Rainbow Rolls and Sashimi… hmmmmm we sure do love sushi! These are only a few of our favourite pieces of sushi we indulged in over the weekend at a quaint little restaurant called Asian Asia.

Photo by Daniel St.Pierre

Sushi has become a favourite pass time for many Capetonians mainly because of its health benefits and because it’s so delicious of course. It is definitely one of our favourite activities.

With the main aim to suppress a long overdue sushi craving, the That’s Cape Town team headed to Asian Asia – a charming restaurant situated in Tyger Waterfront, Bellville. Located over looking a serene lake, Asia Asian offers a tranquil and relaxing dining experience.

Tranquil setting overlooking the lake

Their menu focuses on a variety of Asian dishes – Chinese, Japanese, Thai with plenty of seafood and vegetarian options too, but we were there for their superb sushi menu.

Our Order – One Two Ocean Platter (16 pieces), which consists of:
4 x Two Oceans Roll, 4 x Tuna California Roll, 4 x Salmon Sandwich, 2 x Salmon Sashimi and 2 x Tuna Sashimi and one

Dolphin Beach Platter (30 pieces), which consists of:
4 x Suki Roll, 4 x Salmon California, 2 Salmon Rose, 4 x Two Oceans, 2 x Prawn Nigiri, 2 x Salmon Sashimi, 4 x Smoked Salmon Sandwich and 8 x Avo Maki – Total R278, 00.

After stuffing our faces with 46 pieces of sushi we were proud to say that Asian Asia’s sushi is fantastic! The sizes were reasonable and fit perfectly in our mouths. It was fresh and the platters were well presented.

After realizing that our craving had not been properly suppressed, we decided to get a take away. This time we opted for some of the chef’s specials. These included America Rolls, Tiger Rolls and Teriyaki Rolls. If you’re eager to find out what these pieces consist of, then take a trip to Asian Asia. Trust us, you will not regret it.

Junior Brand Executive at Etv, Graye Morkel along with her partner indulged in a Freedom Day breakfast at the Strand Tower Hotel last Friday. Overwhelmed with the diverse variety of food available at the breakfast buffet, Graye tells us about her experience:

Located at the centre of Cape Town’s urban sprawl, the Strand Tower Hotel offers a breakfast buffet that, um, ‘towers’ head and shoulders above any hotel I’ve experienced in terms of service and variety. When we arrived my partner and I received a very warm welcome, we really felt as if our patronage was not only expected, but desired. We were promptly seated and took in our surrounds over the cup of coffee our hosts had anticipatorily prepared for us. The dining hall is what you’d expect from a venue that prides itself on star quality service: neat polished modern furnishing, a spacious layout, fresh cloth for the tables and ambient classical jazz lilting in over the speakers.

But we didn’t come for the view, we came for the food. And what a treat we were in for.

The offerings range from cold (fruits, yogurts, cereals) to hot (sausages, bacon, mushrooms) options. It was all you can eat so I overindulged experimented on both fronts. The eggs and omlettes are made to your liking, with the option to choose your fillings for the latter. To complement your meal there is a range of cheeses and fresh baked confectionery items to choose from. I very strongly recommend you don’t overlook the sautéed potatoes – simply divine. I ate my fill and we left the Towers feeling very impressed and very… very full.

For some reason, the West Coast doesn’t quite receive the same amount of media coverage as the rest of the Cape Peninsula. Sure, it may not be able to hold ground against the tip of Africa, or the extravagance found on the Atlantic Seaboard, but there are some gems along the West Coast that, for us, are purely Cape Town. And that’s, afterall, what That’s Cape Town is about: all things purely Cape Town. Here is our list of gems (in no particular order )

Petit Fours

Petit Fours interior - courtesy of www.thedesigntabloid.com

This coffee shop is packed with scrumptious treats and a view to die for! Housed in a small, old cottage, it’s a place where French country style meets shabby chic, and  the sounds of  Edith Piaf and friends in the background  just round off the ambience beautifully. Order anything on the menu with confidence, especially their mini cakes, which you can see in a display cabinet. On the savoury side, the homemade pies and savoury cheesecakes (don’t be fooled by the name – not a ‘cake’ at all) are sublime. More than just a coffee shop, they have cabinets and shelves featuring beautifully crafted gifts for the home. Find Petit Fours at 20 Stadler Road, Bloubergstrand.

Kraalbaai

Paradise @ Kraalbaai

Situated in the West Coast National Park, this beach isn’t a big secret. It’s beauty and tranquility are known by many a local and tourist alike. Slightly protected from the wind, it makes the perfect spot for a picnic, and a day in the sun with the family. The drive is definitely worth it, even if the hefty Park entrance fee catches you off-guard, as it did us.

Paternoster

Perhaps one of the most well-known and most-visited towns on the West Coast, Patnernoster has managed to retain it’s humble, village charm. A place for a romantic weekend away, or for the family to play beach soccer or go diving for crayfish together. There are so many accommodation options available, from cosy B&B to lavish self-catering. And be sure to sample the fresh seafood from one of the rustic eateries near the beach, while you’re there… Never a disappointment.

Schoolyard Market 

Not strictly-speaking on the West Coast, this monthly market, in Sunningdale, both impresses and surprises at the same time. Easily comparable to Hope Street or Porter’s Estate, the market has a family and community focus. There is much to keep kiddies entertained and everyone’s tummies full. Crafts include beautifully designed decor items, jewelry, and art pieces, all for great prices.

The Cherry-on-Top stand @ Schoolyard Market

Inglenook 

This one is new to the market, but became a part of our ‘West Coast gems’ list after a recent weekend visit. A calm and peaceful little bit of heaven on earth, this farmhouse is surrounded by fynbos, and not much else: the perfect place to get-away-from-it-all. It’s situated on a smallholding just 5 mins from the village of Yzerfontein with its famous 16-mile beach.

Farmhouse chic @ Inglenook

Poolside bliss @ Inglenook

Much care and consideration went into the design and decor of Inglenook, and the farmhouse-chic feel, accented by elements of Balinese style, creates a holiday feel that makes you want to curl up on one of the poolside daybeds with a good novel. Hire the whole house for a weekend, and take 2 or 3 families with you! The house sleeps 12 quite comfortably. To book or find out more, email inglenookchic@yahoo.com 

Start Planning Your Winter Weekend Getaway in Robertson

This year marks the eighth anniversary of the Robertson Wine Valley’s biggest annual wine festival, with the ever-popular Wacky Wine Weekend taking place from 2 – 5 June 2011. With 50 wineries showcasing their wines, visitors can expect even more festivity and celebration! And with a myriad of key attractions, both old favourites and novel delights, this well-loved event is a ‘must-do’ on the annual social calendar. So, join the Robertson Wine Valley clan for an indulgently Wacky Weekend….

The Wacky Wine Weekend is once again being extended from the conventional weekend experience to include four festive days, with each day boasting its unique signature wine theme, to cater for all palates … . Whether you are a fun-seeker, novice or a wine connoisseur, there is something for everyone with: ‘Seriously Wine Thursday’, ‘Wine Up Friday’, ‘Full On Wacky Saturday’ or ‘Wine Down Sunday’. ‘Seriously Wine Thursday’ promises to inspire wine aficionados with a range of tailor-made activities, for instance: master wine-tastings, wine- and food-pairings, educational wine presentations and private tastings with the Valley’s most esteemed winemakers.

The Wacky Wine Weekend will embrace the usual line-up of fun-filled activities, for example:

‘meet-the-winemaker’ tastings, brandy tours and tastings, vineyard tractor trips, river cruises, sunset game drives, cheese- and olive tastings, a simulated rodeo bull, side-cars for hire, the half-marathon and mountain bike challenge, the Robertson Winter Market, helicopter flips, local performing artists and a new original theatre act. The Valley will also be presenting a gastronomic extravaganza, with visitors spoilt for choice: oysters, perlemoen, sushi, riverside picnics, Italian cuisine and ‘potjiekos’ are just a few of the gourmet delights on offer. And while the adults are revelling in all the above, there will, as always, be a wide range of children’s activities including: fishing, farmyard tours, feeding farm animals, pony rides, paint-ball and face-painting.

As part of the Robertson Wine Valley’s commitment to ensure a safe festival, a Zero Tolerance Policy is implemented towards ‘drinking and driving’. Visitors are requested to make use of the Buddy Bus or the Designated Driver Programme. The Buddy Bus facility enables groups of seven or more visitors to hire a chauffeur-driven mini-bus. Drivers who register for the Designated Driver

Programme will be rewarded with a whole host of ‘complimentaries’ including: free coffee, soft drinks, coupons and special deals. Wacky Wine Weekend Bus-In Packages are also available. A2B Tours will be offering one day packages, with transport departing from the Waterfront, Tygervalley, Stellenbosch (Butterfly World) and Paarl, to Robertson, and ‘Buddy Bus’ transport between the participating wineries. See contact details below.

For visitors from further afield, Beyond Reach has once again put together great Fly-In Packages that include flights, car rental and accommodation. See contact details below.

Join us for a winter weekend getaway at the Wacky Wine Weekend in the Robertson Wine Valley – where the fun never stops! With Die Burger on board again as official sponsor, this year will be as ‘wacky’ and festive as ever!

Contact the Robertson Wine Valley on (023) 626 3167

Or email manager@robertsonwinevalley.com

Visit the Wacky Wine Weekend website. www.wackywineweekend.com.

Issued on behalf of the Robertson Wine Valley by:

Posy & Jeremy Hazell · PR & Wine Consultants

Tel 021 851 1563

Cell 082 557 2968

E-mail posy@wine.co.za.

Robertson Wine Valley

Contact: Elizma Spangenberg

Tel 023 626 3167

Cell 083 701 5404

E-mail manager@robertsonwinevalley.com

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.