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Named after his two late grandfathers, Douglas + Hale is Chef James Diack’s fourth venture and we love it! If funky, cool and creative cocktails are your thing – then you will love it as much as we do, too. From the décor which carries a rather ritzy, burlesque feel, to an extensive wine selection which will leave every taste and palate satisfied this is an experience from start to finish. Cocktails are created with passion and the names are delightful – The Black Pearl, a rum based cocktail, was a huge hit at our table. The Electric Coolaid also had us intrigued and cocktail guru and master drink creator Jesse Chinn (who bares an uncanny resemblance to Captain Jack Sparrow), kept us well entertained as he explained his creation process and showed us step by step how a few of the cocktails are made, much to our delight! The…

In case you had not realised – we love to travel and seeing as we live in such a beautiful country, and a weekend escape requires a mere hour or two in the car, we are all in for exploring more. Our travels have of course led us to the beautiful De Hoek Country Hotel located cosily amongst the Magaliesberg Mountains and only an hour and fifteen minutes away from Johannesburg. Driving through the gate and over the rickety bridge would give you the feeling that you have finally escaped from the madness of the outside world, and beaming faces await, ready with a water, a glass of bubbly and a hand to help with your luggage. The beautiful old stone building are nothing short of charming and the beautifully manicured gardens lend to the general air of countryside calm. Breathe. Again. Aaaah. Whether you are here for a romantic…

We just love the beautiful rooftop deck at the iconic Sandton Sun, and are delighted that the San Deck has re-launched just in time for summer cocktail sippers to enjoy the vibes and views of Sandton’s beautiful skyline as the sun sets. San Deck is vibrant, stylish, and comfy and offers a number of pretty unique spaces, from the pool area, to the restaurant, to the comfy couches and lounge areas, and a new rooftop garden area which was created through the intricate use of metal lattice screens, foliage and trees, different levels, atmospheric lighting, eye-catching design elements and comfortable, relaxed seating. Ravi Nadasen, COO of Tsogo Sun hotels, says, “The full refurbishment of the Sandton Sun’s San Deck, coupled with the introduction of menus designed for sharing and enjoying throughout the day and into the night, along with San Deck’s exceptional local artisanal beverage options will ensure memorable experiences…

One of our fave Rosebank hotels, 54 on Bath have taken their fine-dining experience at Level Four restaurant (aptly named as it is on the 4th level of the hotel) to new heights with a fresh new summer inspired menu, thanks to Executive Chef, Matthew Foxon. We love that the team at Level Four give credit where credit is due, and share the names of the individual young chefs who have created the dishes as well. Delish starters on offer include a tasty Seared ‘Yellow Fin’ tuna, fresh raw peas, avocado mousse, wasabi powder, and pickles, which GM Jacques Heath says features “very cool plating”; the ‘Black Angus’ carpaccio, quail egg, pomegranate, truffle mayonnaise, and parmesan, which has a lovely combination of flavours with tartness of the pomegranate, the rich quail egg, and the umami of the truffle, which work extremely well together and was created by Maria Letsoalo, whose…

It’s so close we can taste it – yeah, December holidays, and the festive season chill, feasts, family and great summer weather that comes with it. If you are looking for something different to do this year, why not check out what the team at Sun City have on offer, and make your Christmas a memorable one. Everything from a giant Christmas tree and colourful lights lining the gardens and pathways, to an evening of harmonic carols and a lavish banquet, the experience of Christmas at Sun City is bound to one you will not easily forget. It all kicks off with a Christmas Lights Ceremony on 14th December, and guests are encouraged to join the occasion outside the Welcome Centre where they will be treated to egg nog and mince pies while Clinton Viljoen performs festive songs. The ceremony will commence at 19h00. On Christmas Eve, 24th December 2018,…

We recently caught up with well-known local chef James Diack, who is the owner of The Brightside Group of restaurants, to find out what to expect from out dining experiences in the new year – what’s new, and what’s old news! James shared with us that source and cost will be the two largest driving forces for purchasing in 2019. This will shape what you see on your plate and also what you pay too. Chef James is all about sustainable food and farming and was recently awarded the SASSI Trailblazer Award for 2018. So, how we can be smarter about our food – knowing where it comes from and how it was farmed, and smarter with our money? Trend 1: Katsu Pork Katsu, which means “cutlet” in Japanese, refers to various cuts (often the cheaper cuts) of meat that’s been pounded to be really thin before cooking. The meat,…

Welcome to The Marabi Club where superb food and drink blend together with the best in live jazz performances. Inspired by the penny-whistle Marabi clubs of the 1920’s which were formed in the wake of one of the world’s richest gold rushes, in Johannesburg. It was a lifestyle prompted by the need to escape the hardships of the working week and was defined by illegal shebeens, where fierce talk of politics was accompanied by the equally disruptive soundtrack of jazz. Today The Marabi Club is tucked into the basement of Hallmark House in Maboneng, under a hotel and is characterised literally by a hole in the wall, through which one steps in to a world of magic. Marabi is only open Wednesday to Saturday evenings until the early morning, and the experience is like nothing you have ever seen or experienced before. Order an incredibly potent ‘Skillachi” house cocktail and…

Yes – #ChampagneDay is a real actual day! We are so excited, and what’s even better is that it’s all happening this Friday 19th October, thanks to the team at Tsogo Sun you can enjoy not only Friday – but also Saturday and Sunday with some great deals on local bubbly and imported champagnes. Three whole days of champers await guests at select Tsogo Sun properties in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban. Be it Southern Sun Montecasino or Southern Sun Hyde Park and the spectacular views from the Beverly Hills, Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani and 14 Stories at SunSquare Cape Town City Bowl, to the stunning settings of the Palazzo at Montecasino, 54 on Bath, the Stella Bar at Southern Sun The Cullinan, and many more. You can get the whole list online on the Tsogo Sun website – link is at the bottom of the article. So here…

We love an excuse to celebrate and recently headed through to Montecasino’s Casa Bella to hellp them celebrate their first birthday, in true Italian style, of course. Nestled in the heart of Jozi’s premier entertainment destinations, Casa Bella, means “Beautiful Home” in Italian, and that it certainly is. Beautifully tiled floors and polished wood feature in the stylish interior which, combined with a warm, inviting ambience, provides an upmarket yet friendly dining experience. It is literally a home that runs on love, laughter, delicious food, outstanding wines and exceptional quality and service. The standard menu features fresh, authentic and carefully considered cuisine made from the finest quality ingredients such as imported Italian flour, 100% Durum wheat and locally sourced fresh food items. They are also ranked in the top 10 according to TripAdvisor, as well as a recent nomination from the Restaurant Association of South Africa (RASA). Authentic food is…

We are really looking forward to attending one of Joburg’s favourite ‘super secret’ events – Diner En Blanc, which will see foodies, fun lovers, media personalities and others donning their beautiful white outfits, packing their picnic baskets all while enjoying it at a secret destination. This is set to be the signature event for Spring- Le Diner En Blanc will take place on Saturday 29th September and the exceptional gastronomic experience is to be accompanied by a host of outstanding sponsors. Michelin trained Chef Wandile Mabaso is highly regarded as one of the most innovative chefs in South Africa and will no doubt take this fine dining event to new heights. Says Wandile “Diner En Blanc gives a wide scale access to French food cooked at the highest level, rather than the elite few that can afford it.” The wine partner is award winning Stellenbosch producer, The Idiom Collection, a…