Relax with Dax

22/8/2011 – Please be sure to check the comments below my reviews because I update the reviews there. Many reviews are from years ago but I have updated them in the comments section when I have returned.

11/4/2010 – A lot of people seem to miss the search feature of the site. If you’re looking for a specific restaurant or topic, use the search bar at the top right hand of the page.

15/12/09 – Don’t forget that Relax with Dax is optimised for mobiles too. When you visit the site from your mobile it automatically shows you just the list of posts (no graphics and layout) and there is a search facility at the bottom so you can easily find the review you are looking for. Just browse to the normal URL www.relax-with-dax.co.za

I can’t recall how I heard about The Dog’s Bollocks. It may have been some mentions on Twitter and if you Google it (try dogs bollocks roodehek), you’ll see a bunch of people have reviewed it already. It certainly wasn’t what I was expecting. It’s a guy, called Nigel, selling burgers from his garage. I’m not sure it’s even legal.

It’s supposed to be a takeaway burger spot, there are some tables and chairs (old school wire garden furniture to be more precise) for people to wait for their burgers to be prepared. Wait you will, as these are no McDonald’s burgers which can be slapped together in 1 minute and 17 seconds. These big boys are made individually, with love. So expect to wait around 10 minutes.

Some people choose to eat their burgers there (as we did). We also bought some of the wine that Nigel makes. It’s called Ukuva iAfrika. It comes in 1.5L cardboard tubes and he charges R50. There were 2 whites and one red on offer, we opted for the 2010 cabernet sauvignon & shiraz blend which was pretty easy drinking.

The interesting thing (well, is there anything about this place that isn’t interesting?) about The Dog’s Bollocks is [Read the rest of this entry...]

• Why would you actually log into LinkedIn unless accepting a connection, updating your profile or looking for skills? I don’t. #
• I just walked past Tom Yum restaurant in Seapoint and thought they should make their catch phrase: Less Tom, More Yum! #CleverBoy #
• RT @malulambert: Predicting a riot! Free breakfasts at Wimpy on Thursday between 7am and 8am http://t.co/Mx4N2NDi #
• Seen the menu for the chef’s table at the Food Barn this Friday? There might be a few seats left if you want to join me http://t.co/fDqE7FyY #
• I took a bottle of Ladera Wild Child chardonnay to the Kirstenbosch concert on Sunday. It was so popular I hardly had a glass for myself! # [Read the rest of this entry...]

I remember attending a presentation by an ex record company executive a while back. Two things struck me, one was that he made perfect sense (probably because what he said agreed with my personal view on the music industry), the other was that record companies with highly paid directors could not see the future and instead were spending all their time and energy trying to keep things the way they were. Those that embraced the new direction would be way ahead of the pack.

This particular guy (I can’t remember who he is) said that you can’t fight piracy. The future is in adding value so that people are still prepared to pay. Apple added value with iTunes by making it super easy to find and download what you want cheaply. Why go hunting for illegal music when you have what you want right there? There are a bunch of other ways to add value as well, eg. help people find music that suits their taste, provide information about the bands, etc.

Anyway, I don’t want to go into great depth, but I’m very excited about this new development in the music industry. It does what I believe needs to be done, connecting the listener to the artist directly. No middle men, no royalties and what not.

The artists need consistent support, and the users want access to their music and new music when it becomes available. Users are prepared to pay, but not a lot. Airborne puts that all together. I think this is a game changer.

https://www.airbornemusic.com

• Mosquitoes. #
• Want to make 2012 a productive year? Then avoid these productivity mistakes http://t.co/LurrPtlD (via @SiliconCape) #
• This is a clever idea RT @mashable: Citibank Lets Facebook Fans Share Rewards Points to Meet Collective Goals – http://t.co/LurrPtlD #
• RT @HQ_Restaurant: FREE MEAT MONDAYS continues into 2012 at HQ. As does THE RIVERTONES live reggae music. Book now 0214246373 #
• Just received email notification from Kulula that their website will be down for a day. Subject is: Online sale starts 10th Jan. #
• In case you missed it, the official Woolies response the the Frankies debacle. There is no doubt the product was copied http://t.co/BFLiGi4d # [Read the rest of this entry...]

There is no doubt that the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate is gaining more and more traction every year. I attended it for the first time in 2010 (review here) and wasn’t able to attend last year as I was out of town. There was a huge difference this year. In 2010, most people didn’t know what I was talking about when I said I was going to the Queen’s Plate, this year most of those people were also there! And those who weren’t, wished they were.

Many people have become a bit tired of the bun fight that is the J&B Metropolitan and are choosing the more sophisticated Queen’s Plate instead. With it’s strict dress code and traditional theme of blue and white, The Queen’s Plate brings to life how we always imagine a day at the races to be.

The trendiest venues like Caprice and The Reserve have chosen to have tents at the Queen’s Plate rather than the Met, which is an indication that this is the event to attend.

As a racing event, it’s taken very seriously. This year was the 151st running of the Queen’s Plate, making it the oldest race on the South African racing calendar. With prize money of a million Rand, it’s no lightweight.

In terms of parties, [Read the rest of this entry...]

• Fantastic resolution! RT @janehb: @RelaxWithDax my resolution is to get a plumbed in water filter in the kitchen #Bottledwater in reply to JaneHB #
• RT @liezelv: Road Closures in Cape Town today for Minstrel Carnival http://t.co/SY5ytWKZ #
• So far I’ve heard 2 exciting stories of okes having their phone/camera/wallet stolen at MCQP & managing to recover the items. Sadly no klaps #
• Dinner at Greens in Park Road last night. Food wasn’t bad, service was elusive but they did appear to be understaffed. # [Read the rest of this entry...]

• Dinner at friends in Seapoint. How’s this view? http://t.co/BQMV3q75 #
• Folks, please remember when you buy milk, to only select from those that are labelled rBST free. Let’s root this evil out. #
• Thinking of going to the Ministry of Sound NYE party at the ICC? I’ve got VIP tickets to giveaway thanks to @8tada http://t.co/0AGUMfCW #
• Congrats to @drizzleanddip for being selected as the food stylist for Masterchef SA. #
• Damn you Game of Thrones. You steal 10 hours of my life and don’t even provide an ending. Ps. I’m not happy about the beheading either. #
• I watched the first few episodes of Come Dine With Me SA last night, thanks to @GaliaKerbel‘s PVR. The CT episode with Aubrey was hilarious! # [Read the rest of this entry...]

By now you’ve probably heard about the HUGE Ministry of Sound New Years Eve party happening at the Convention Centre. Described as “15 hours of musical mayhem”, this event has 5 arenas showcasing top international and local DJs.

Ministry of Sound doesn’t mess around, expect massive sound and mind blowing lighting to help you get maximum enjoyment out of world renowned artists such as Chicane, Abomination, Skazi, Ray Foxx and Kissy Sell Out.

General admission is R280, VIP is R350 (gives you access to 4 exclusive VIP areas) and Platinum is R800 (access to the free bar). Tickets are available at Computicket.

But thanks to the good looking people at 8ta, which is sponsoring the event, I have a pair of VIP tickets to giveaway to a lucky reader. They actually gave me 4 tickets, but I’m using 2 for myself! [Read the rest of this entry...]

• This weekend my brother got married at this lovely little spot in PE, the Lavender Barn http://t.co/hi6sSEta #
• Dinner at the new Harbour House in the Waterfront tonight. I’ve heard good things & it’s a lovely day for it #awesome #
• Throwing away some old business cards. Do these bring back any memories? http://t.co/ky07KejB #
• Just been seated at my lovely al fresco table at Harbour House, lovely view (& heaters for warmth) http://t.co/OF4rhWPz # [Read the rest of this entry...]

I attended the opening of Harbour House in the V&A Waterfront a few weeks back and I could tell straight away it was going to be a popular spot. I wasn’t wrong as I went to try it out on a Monday night recently and it was packed. Admittedly it is December and most restaurants in the Waterfront were packed but I think it definitely belongs in my Top 5 Waterfront Restaurants.

If you’re a fan of Harbour House in Kalk Bay then you are likely to [Read the rest of this entry...]

• Look at these beautiful hand painted bottled of MCC we spotted @ Highland Road estate on the weekend http://t.co/SGzxR314 #
• Trying something a little different, I’ve done a photo review of the Prime Circle concert at Paul Cluver http://t.co/v6m9UjGi #
• Vouchers are 10% off in the Vitality Mall, which is not very appealing when I can buy them at the shop with my Discovery card & get 20% off. #
• I’m off to PE for my brother’s wedding. Hopefully when I get back Cape Town would have sorted out its weather issues. #
• Have u checked out the Relax with Dax Youtube channel? I’ve favourited some great videos & uploaded some cool ones too http://t.co/MfcTXLwI # [Read the rest of this entry...]

I attended many events in 2011, but this Puma event was one of the few that impressed me. The party was part of a bigger marketing campaign and brought together various elements into this function.

The primary element of the marketing campaign was the Puma entry in the Volvo Ocean race. The first leg of the race was from Alicante in Spain to Cape Town and Puma had arranged all sorts of events and activities around their boat, Mar Mostro.

The first I heard about it was when they launched a special limited edition beer (600 cases only) in collaboration with &Union. Kreechr was Puma’s second collaboration with &Union, the first being Unity beer during the World Cup to tie into their sponsorship of African soccer teams in the World Cup.

[Read the rest of this entry...]

I’ve written about the Paul Cluver amphitheatre before, click here to read all the details of the time I went to watch the Parlotones perform there. I said it was an amazing experience and it still is. Instead of repeat myself for the Prime Circle review, I thought I would try something different and do a photo (and video) review. So please enjoy the photos I selected to share with you and click on the video at the bottom too.

[Read the rest of this entry...]

• RT @sassiinsa: @RelaxWithDax pizza at Bowl (Adderley Hotel) = Pick n Pay base, All Gold tomato sauce & gouda (City Slicker voucher) #
• Today is yr last chance to nominate producers for the Eat In Awards. Do you know they have a food blogger award *cough* http://t.co/PAHMijJm #
• My review of Phantom of the Opera. Basically, if you don’t go see this show, the regret will haunt you http://t.co/pB0n9O6e #
• The Dilbert strip in the Cape Times today made me chuckle http://t.co/8jSRn4Qo #
• Good to know you can buy tickets for the cable car online & not only save 10% but also skip the queue! http://t.co/9DyMkOs7 (great website). # [Read the rest of this entry...]

I’ve posted the schedule for this season’s Kirstenbosch concerts and Paul Cluver concerts, now here’s the Backsberg concerts. Some great acts in a very chilled, intimate environment. You can see a review of a Backsberg concert I attended previously here. Tickets are available from Ticketbreak.