• #SaveTheDate Encounters Documentary Festival at Nu Metro V&A, 10th – 24th June. Choose the ones you want to see http://t.co/XHrYRunw #
• De Grendel wine estate now has a restaurant. Another nice addition to the Durbanville wine route http://t.co/CYyikr5N #
• RT @petegw: Only 3 more days tıll The Canteen opens for lunch. Chılled daıly changıng bıstro gear. 22 Brıckfıeld Rd. 0214482433 #
• #SaveTheDate Franschhoek Literary Festival, 11-13 May http://t.co/McEYdhuQ #
• Settling in at #NetProphet and the music is getting us quite amped! #
• We just got Milli Vanilli’ed by the guitarist at #NetProphet #
• Great advice: Seek external validation, just because your friends think your business idea is good, doesn’t mean it is #NetProphet #
• Richard Hardiman talking about why we need internet radio in SA and puts up this slide. Funny! #NetProphet http://t.co/JCq4GWPz #
• Talk about a meme, Question Guy hijacks #NetProphet and gets an offer to appear on Cape Talk too… #
• I must be weird. How else would you explain the feeling of awesomeness I have just because I remembered my 3D glasses for the movie tonight? #
• Feeling of awesomeness #2 just got my bill for sushi at CTFM and it’s 2 for 1 (every Tues apparently) #winning #
• I enjoyed The Avengers, but between the 3D glasses & the loud sound it gave me a headache. Judging by the trailers, some good movies coming. #
• Lately I’ve had a few Big Issue sellers ask me for money when I don’t buy a magazine. I don’t think they’re supposed to do that. #
• Discovery Vitality people, listen up… Some activities (like going to gym) today, will earn you triple Vitality points http://t.co/or8CE8CM #
• I won some books at #NetProphet on Tuesday. Soon I will be a business guru… http://t.co/kgs7qCiN #
• The new Truth Espresso Bar on Buitenkant Street looks cool, edgy http://t.co/ytfKUb9P #
• If you want to save the rhino just by drinking wine, then this event on Sat night might be for you http://t.co/T0WrwCXy #
• Just got a call from the Le Creuset store in the V&A to say my item has arrived & they will keep it for me. Some decent service for a change #
• My thoughts on this year’s Olive Festival in Riebeek Kasteel http://t.co/wpQZQUfz #
• Eat In asked me to complete the sentence: “In my mother’s kitchen…” See what I and a bunch of other foodies said… http://t.co/8XQvHnWO #
• Something different for your mom on Mother’s Day… Why not take her to the Table of Peace & Unity on Table Mountain? http://t.co/ORfEumyS #
• You’re welcome RT @CapeTown_Girl: Just had my connectivity crisis saved by @RelaxWithDax. So grateful. Thank you again. #
• Dinner at Addis in the Cape tonight, haven’t been here in 2 years. #
• Asked the waiter what beers they have, he said “all beers”. Which apparently means some SAB beers only #Addis #
• We’re doing a set menu type thing, I like different flavours. Can’t say the vege options were that great, surprisingly http://t.co/Hg2rtrWJ #
• Looks like Gesellig in Sea Point has definitely closed down. #
• On a happier note, I hear that &Union is open for lunch again, but only on Fridays. I think they should do Saturdays too… #
• I’ve got way too much stuff, need to get rid of things. First, I have about 100 CDs which I won’t listen to again, what can I do with them? #
• RT @BrettSoulman: If I went to the gym but didn’t write a facebook/twitter status about it… did it ever really happen? (via @djsox13) #
• Ta for all the tips on what to do with unwanted CDs. I think donating them to a charity shop is a good option. Any in Sea Point I wonder? #
• Lonesome Dave at the Grand Daddy, what a jol. Have you heard of Wind Up Wendy? No? Didn’t think so. Keep an eye out, special. #
• Orphanage closed for private function, Tjing a ling quiet.think I might head home. #
• What’s with car guards using traffic cones to reserve bays in town? Dodgy as hell. CID needs to clamp down on that. #
• I use Golden Arrow, no problems :-) RT @RichardWooding: The @mycitibus service has gone from bad to worse. #
• Standard Bank ATM warned me that cards from other banks incur extra charges. But actually, Capitec charges me half what Standard Bank would. #
• I’m dining at Oude Bakkerij for the first time. They didn’t tell us they were going to charge us R60 per head for the live music #fail #
• Music has been pretty good, I must admit. Just weird paying more for the music than my pizza, which was also pretty good #OudeBakkerij #
• Wow! Hectic “@megan_bernstein: @RelaxWithDax just did, and chef told us to f*** off, how’s that for customer service!” #Hildebrand #
• #Nowdrinking Leopard’s Leap family collection SMV 2008 and #NowCooking chicken curry and #NowListeningTo Kevin Yost, Small Town Underground #

The Olive Festival is always appealing to me for 2 reasons, I love olives and Riebeek Kasteel is one of my favourite small towns. Despite the appeal of the Olive Festival, I haven’t managed to go for the last few years due to calendar clashes. So I was pleased to be able to make it this year.

It hasn’t changed much from the last time I went. The ‘passport‘ is a new development. Modelled on the Wacky Wine Weekend passport, you pay R80 and get a wine tasting glass and tokens which give you entry to the various (7) official stations or venues.  I say official, because there are other places like the Olive Boutique where you don’t need a token for access.

We started at Kloovenburg, which is probably the biggest olive producer in the area and they sell a big range of olive products as well as wine. In addition to their own products on offer, they have a little market selling things like cheese and things to eat like pancakes, sandwiches etc. After tasting various things and picking up some olive oil and wine, we moved onto the 2nd venue which was the Emporium tent in town.

That was actually a mistake, we should have gone to other spots then ended at the Emporium. We met up with friends at the Emporium and got stuck there. We found ourselves a shady table (it was a sunny day) and bought some wine and it was impossible to get the group to move to another venue as they were too comfortable. The Emporium was basically a big open space with  stalls around the perimeter. There was also a beer tent which was showing the rugby and had a great selection of craft beers. I quickly acquired a pint of Pumpkin Ale from Boston Breweries which I have grown quite partial to. There was also an alcoholic ginger beer called, Dragon,  which was so awesome that I had to make a concious decision to stop drinking it.

One thing that disappointed me at the Emporium was finding some olive products that were imported. I don’t think it’s  right to be selling imported olive oils, etc at a festival where we are trying to support the local producers which make a much better quality product than the international stuff that gets dumped on us.

I eventually convinced a mate to come on a walk about with me to check out the other venues. So we jumped on the cool tractor taxi and popped into Het Vlok Casteel which is also a market and, but has a bar upstairs where you can have a relaxing drink and take in the view. Food was also available there.

We then went to Cafe Felix to see what was going on there but it was pretty much over by that stage (about 4:30pm). We passed a really interesting pub/restaurant on the way there. They have old cars (mainly Minis) and bikes on display (and for sale) with a cool Mini boot in the bar. I’ve never seen this place before, I need to go and check it out properly next time I am in Riebeek Kasteel.

We then ended up at the Royal Hotel, which seemed to be the only place that had anything going on by that time. That is my other complaint about the Olive Festival, basically everything closes down at about 5pm including most restaurants etc. Riebeek Kasteel has some great restaurants (think Bar Bar Black Sheep, Aunty Pasti, Cafe Felix, etc), so if I’m going to drive out there for the day, it would be nice to be able to have dinner at one of the restaurants. But they all seemed to be closed. I’m sure they were packed for lunch, but I’m there for the olive festival so I don’t want to spend my day in a restaurant, that’s for afterwards. I don’t understand why they do that.

After a bit of time at the Royal, we headed back to Cape Town. It doesn’t even take an hour to get back, much closer than you think.

Find details on the Olive Festival on their website.

• They will refund you but won’t respond to your tweet RT @mothercitylivin: 2nd time not able to redeem a Groupon because business has closed. #
• It’s the last day of the Cheese Festival. If you’re heading there, check out my top tips for things you should try/buy http://t.co/d2tDWCcB #
• #CurrentlyReading Impact Investing: Transforming How We Make Money While Making a Difference http://t.co/hW6lNNrZ #
• Did you know Lonesome Dave Ferguson is in town and has a bunch of gigs lined up? Here are the details http://t.co/htKIhWsG #
• Recently got an 8ta data contract. 10GB per month for R199. Best value deal out there, I’m loving the freedom http://t.co/MlIpEQFL #
• Thinking of renewing your car licence today? Don’t, the Q is very long. On a positive note it turns out hot girls also have to renew… #
• On another positive note, the heating is set so high in the Civic Centre you can do Bikram yoga while you wait in the queue #CarLicence #
• Pick me, pick me RT @sleekgeeksa: Who is uP for losing 10kgs in 8 weeks with us on the next challenge? #
• This is for @SleekgeekSA RT @tarnyashoob: @RelaxWithDax pick me pick me too please!! #
• These Kauai ads are great purely because Joburg okes have to stop pronouncing it as ‘kowy’ now. #
• Thunderstruck doesn’t fit as the soundtrack for the new Southern Sun ad. Gonna be tough to top the original with ‘we will rock you’. #
• More interesting options would be Stables at Vergelegen, Babel at Babylonstoren, Long Table at Haskell and Pierneef at La Motte. #
• It’s the Constantia Food & Wine festival this weekend. Here are the details http://t.co/uZ5Hajic #
• http://t.co/IIDhH1Ij – See more pics of the Merc CLA here http://t.co/fKHcI55T #
• Wow! This new Mercedes sedan must be the sexiest looking car I’ve seen in my life! http://t.co/IIDhH1Ij #
• Here’s the full list of the World’s top 100 restaurants. SA only has 2 on the list this year http://t.co/cGGyTrSW #
• Hey Twitter, I want to be able to revoke specific rights for apps rather than all rights. Like I can on Facebook. Sort that out please. #
• Today has been a beautiful oasis in the weather. We managed an awesome last ultimate frisbee game of the season on Clifton 1st this evening. #
• Don’t know what’s going on. Tequila seems to be following me. Just had some El Jimador at a mate’s braai. It’s rad http://t.co/IpI0F9VC #
• I like ribs RT @StickyBBQ: Ladies & gentlemen we are 26 followers away from 100 – that’s 26 away from giving 10 of you a free meal – RT away #
• Truth ‘pre-opened’ their new spot on Buitenkant St today. You can get coffee, but full opening a few weeks away http://t.co/dIuCWtP7 #
• Riebeek Kasteel is one of my favourite small towns & I love olives. So the Olive Festival this weekend is a no brainer http://t.co/hSkkYwtT #
• Just installed Whatsapp on my Blackberry, feels like I’m cheating on BBM. #
• I like checking out what people buy at supermarkets. Curious what sort of people buy x or why someone would need 30 of those, etc #
• Apparently Toro wine bar has closed (via @laurencohen) #
• Apparently Toro is still open until end of May. So still time for a last visit… cc @murray_turner @dorothyblack @laurencohen #
• Everyone should use Waze while driving, the more people use it, the more effective it is. Works on all phones http://t.co/qi76UgxX #
• Coda is performing at the One & Only hotel every Thursday in May, 6:30pm to 8:30pm. Cocktails will also be half price (they are very good). #
• RT @PrimitivVodka: Bottling another tiny batch of Gin. About 100 bottles (56 pre-sold). If any of you are interested, let me know soonest. #
• So, day 1 on WhatsApp and I’ve already had a couple of random people I don’t know try talk to me. Is that normal? Because I don’t like it. #
• You all said I should know them as they have my number. I said ‘do I know you?’, she said ‘I knw u cn help me’. I blocked her #WhatsApp #
• I’m going to the Michael Bublé concert tonight. Will I be seeing any of you there? #
• Well deserved standing ovation for the opening act, Naturally 7. They were brilliant, I hope our local boys, D7, get to see these guys. #
• The Michael Bublé concert last night was awesome. He’s a great showman. He interacted with the crowd a lot and had everyone up & dancing. #
• Fans of the chilli, listen up! The Stellenbosch market is having a chilli festival tomorrow. Here are the details http://t.co/i4jZ38DL #
• Visiting Frankie Fenner for the first time. If you wondering why it took me so long to get here, it took me 3 months to find parking. #
• #SaveTheDate Good Food & Wine Show is back, 24th – 27th of May http://t.co/2Qfi1aOJ #
• Tonight I am attending the birthday party of one @SamWilson1. These southern suburbs people know how to party. Good Fellas, expect a call. #
• Right, off to Riebeek Kasteel for the olive festival and it looks to be a glorious day weather wise. #
• The Emporium is selling entrance tickets for R40, instead of passport for R80 which would give you access to other spots too #OliveFest #
• Olive festival was good fun, only problem was that the cell networks were so clogged I couldn’t tweet. Suffering from tweet-stipation. #
• If you’re buying products like olive oil, etc at the olive festival, check they are made in SA. There are some imported products on offer. #
• If you’re at the Emporium stop of the Olive Fest, be sure to get hold of some of this fab alcoholic ginger beer http://t.co/MJ2Zip4r #
• This, plus calamari starter for R99! Enjoying good value at Hussar Grill http://t.co/JpXx0gJm #
• I’d totally watch the spin off series, ‘Ugly Betty’s Hot Sister’. #

This year South Africa continues it’s slide down and off the World’s top restaurants list. Last year we had 3 in the top 100 with 1 (Le Quartier Francaise) being in the top 50. This year we have only 2 in the top 100, Le Quartier Francaise at position 57 and for the first time, The Test Kitchen at position 74.

La Colombe has left the list entirely, after dropping to position 82 last year.

Spain and USA dominate the top 10 with 3 positions each, while Noma in Denmark takes 1st place as it has for the last few years.

The full list is below. You can read more about the awards at the website.

1 Noma, Copenhagen, Denmark
2 El Celler De Can Roca, Girona, Spain
3 Mugaritz, San Sebastian, Spain
4 D.o.m., Sao Paulo, Brazil
5 Osteria Francescana, Modena, Italy
6 Per Se, New York, USA
7 Alinea, Chicago, USA
8 Arzak San Sebastian Spain
9 Dinner, Heston Blumenthal, Mandarin Oriental London, UK
10 Eleven Madison Park, New York, USA
11 Steirereck, Vienna, Austria
12 L’atelier De Joel Robuchon Paris, Paris, France
13 The Fat Duck, Bray, UK
14 The Ledbury, London, UK
15 Le Chateaubriand, Paris, France
16 L’arpege, Paris, France
17 Pierre Gagnaire, Paris, France
18 L’astrance, Paris, France
19 Le Bernardin, New York, USA
20 Frantzén/lindeberg, Stockholm, Sweden
21 Oud Sluis, Sluis, Netherlands
22 Aqua, Wolfsburg, Germany
23 Vendome, Bergisch Gladbach, Germany
24 Mirazur, Menton, France
25 Daniel, New York, USA
26 Iggy’s, Singapore
27 Les Creation De Narisawa, Tokyo, Japan
28 Nihonryori Ryugin, Tokyo, Japan
29 Quay, Sydney, Australia
30 Schloss Schauenstein, Fürstenau, Switzerland
31 Asador Etxebarri, Atxondo, Spain
32 Le Calandre, Rubano, Italy
33 De Librije, Zwolle, Netherlands
34 Fäviken Magasinet, Jarpen, Sweden
35 Astrid Y Gaston, Lima, Peru
36 Pujol, Mexico City, Mexico
37 Momofuku Ssam Bar, New York, USA
38 Biko, Mexico, Mexico
39 Waku Ghin, Singapore
40 Quique Dacosta Restaurant, Denia, Spain
41 Mathias Dahlgren, Stockholm, Sweden
42 Hof Van Cleve, Kruishoutem, Belgium
43 The French Laundry, Yountville, USA
44 Amber, Hong Kong, China
45 Vila Joya, Albufeira, Portugal
46 Il Canto, Siena, Italy
47 Bras Restaurant, Laguiole, France
48 Manresa, Los Gatos, USA
49 Geranium, Copenhagen, Denmark
50 Nahm, Bangkok, Thailand
51 Mani, Sao Paulo, Brazil
52 Bo Innovation, Hong Kong, China
53 Les Amis, Singapore
54 Caprice, Hong Kong, China
55 Ristorante Cracco, Milan, Italy
56 Chez Dominique, Helsinki, Finland
57 The Tasting Room At Le Quartier Francais, Franschhoek, South Africa
58 Coi, San Francisco, California
59 Combal Zero, Rivoli, Italy
60 Varvary, Moscow, Russia
61 Marque, Sydney, Australia
62 Malabar, Lima, Peru
63 Attica, Melbourne, Australia
64 La Maison Troisgros, Roanne, France
65 Restaurant Sant Pau-carme Ruscalleda, Sant Pol De Mar, Spain
66 Jean Georges, New York, USA
67 Martin Berasategui, Lasarte-Oria, Spain
68 Restaurant Andre, Singapore
69 Spondi, Athens, Greece
70 Dal Pescatore, Canneto, Italy
71 Roberta Sudbrack, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
72 La Vie, Osnabrück, Germany
73 Maison Pic, Valence, France
74 The Test Kitchen, Cape Town, South Africa
75 Restaurant Relae, Copenhagen, Denmark
76 Tetsuya’s, Sydney, Australia
77 Blue Hill At Stone Barns, New York, USA
78 Guy Savoy, Paris, France
79 Momofuku Ko, New York, USA
80 Viajante, London, UK
81 La Grenouillere, La Madelaine Sous Montreuil, France
82 Robuchon A Galera, Macau, China
83 Zuma, Dubai, UAE
84 Bukhara, New Delhi, India
85 Die Schwarzwaldstube, Baiersbronn, Germany
86 Tantris, Munich, Germany
87 Septime, Paris, France
88 Le Gavroche, London, England
89 Piazza Duomo, Alba, Italy
90 Masa, New York, USA
91 Landhaus Bacher, Mautern, Austria
92 In De Wulf, Dranouter, Belgium
93 Lung King Heen, Hong Kong, China
94 Hibiscus, London, UK
95 Mr And Mrs Bund, Shanghai, China
96 La Petit Maison, Dubai, UAE
97 Restaurant Sat Bains, Nottingham, UK
98 Chez Panisse, Berkeley, USA
99 Chaika, Moscow, Russia
100 Hakkasan, London, UK

• Peeps, do your tastebuds a flavour and get hold of this danya chutney by Quality Pickles. I’m putting it on everything! http://t.co/oP9uEmCe #
• Oops, yesterday was Earth Day and I totally missed it http://t.co/37Hf5MBb #
• 1 reader commented that Taste of CT was a waste of money, another argued that it’s a great festival. What do you think? http://t.co/5SGW4PGP #
• RT @foodbarn: This week, lunches, monday to thursday, 50% off the a la carte menu. It’s just awesome to see people enjoying this deal. #
• I recently heard that out of approximately 140 ‘Save the Rhino’ charities, only 20 could produce a set of accounts on request #Dodgy #
• Cheese Festival starts on Friday! http://t.co/8aVuu4ov #
• The list of winners in the Top 100 SA Wines 2012 competition (Jordan cleaned up) & details on where you can taste them http://t.co/Gzc0GFBO #
• Just downloaded Instagram for my Android tablet. I didn’t realise it’s a whole social network on its own! #
• When you order eggs on toast at a restaurant. This is not what you’re hoping for #FegoCaffe http://t.co/KuiGw6lV #
• Receiving lots of sympathy re the bad brekkie I tweeted earlier. Restaurants still don’t realise that their plate may be seen by 5000 people #
• Someone is following you on Soundcloud. Someone is following you on Instagram. Someone is following you on Slideshare/Twitter/Facebook STOP! #
• Yes, great idea. I tweeted it a while back RT @brightboy_sa: @RelaxWithDax have you seen this? http://t.co/0HVUqscE #
• Enjoying this Nederburg riesling with the Slow Food committee while we think up cool events… #
• Having drinks at Orphanage for the first time. This place is fabulous. Music is awesome. Wish it wasn’t a school night… #
• Flip, I had no idea people fly to Burning Man. Saves that 5 hour drive #genius #
• Is Julep still open? Do people still go there? Never hear anyone mention it anymore. #
• Thanks for the feedback on Julep, apparently it has been bought by the okes who bought Mojito on Long St. They have revamped & reopened it. #
• Hitting the Cheese Festival this weekend? It looks like Monday will have the best weather. Here’s the forecast http://t.co/psNikP17 #
• I’m impressed with how little battery power Bluetooth uses. I leave mine on all the time now and it hasn’t affected my phone’s battery life. #
• Do I have enough sim cards? http://t.co/lq2Mgucf #
• Oh boy, popped into Jason’s for Rockabilly Thursday and this was my welcome. Goodbye beautiful world http://t.co/gA6O5a75 #
• Moved on to Orphanage. How rad is this rooibos cocktail jol in a teacup… http://t.co/dzpKLT74 #
• I must say, if I was a girl alone, or even with one or two other girls, I would not walk down Long St at night. That is the sad reality. #
• RT @TurbieZA: De Grendel’s new restaurant opens, officially & softly, today. #
• A must read for all! RT @paulawilsonpwmc: Really enjoying Ben Goldacre’s book Bad Science – a must read for publicists! http://t.co/emxSDVPS #
• For those of you that care about this stuff, I just uploaded 4GB to Sugarsync in 5mins. I don’t know how it’s possible but I can prove it. #
• Finally at Clarke’s to try the famous burger. It’s pretty damn good. Darling on tap is also a bonus. #
• Ooh, they have Creamery ice cream! Dessert order decided #Clarkes #
• If Blackberry is good enough for Ari Gold, it’s good enough for me. #
• Planning to hit the cheese festival today. The weather report appears to have been overly pessimistic. #
• RT @fieniekse: @RelaxWithDax Light breeze, but it’s mighty chilly in Stellenbosch. Rain may or may not make a debut #CheeseFestival #
• #CheeseFestival was great fun. Still 2 days left for you to enjoy it. I’ll post about the cool products I bought tonight. #
• I met someone at the #CheeseFestival today who loves pinotage, it’s the only wine she drinks. Fascinating. #
• Tonight I’m listening to Steve Newman’s amazing guitar skills at the Velvet Upon Theatre in Newlands. #
• Heading to the cheese festival today or tomorrow? Here are my tips on a few things you should check out http://t.co/d2tDWCcB #
• Lunch at Cafe Paradiso today. Pleasant. #
• My chicken, rocket & mushroom pasta was good, as was the gnocci & chicken burger. But don’t have the cheesecake #CafeParadiso #
• Listening to the radio in my car en route to Orphanage. Struggling to choose between pumping tunes on 5 & @liezelv sounding gorgeous on Kfm. #
• Having half price chow at Orphanage, washed down with full price drinks. I like the Chicken Milanese. Getting a hard time from @lipglossgirl #
• Great music at Orphanage again, 3rd time in a row. Have a good feeling about this. #
• Check out the ‘molten coco loaf’ dessert at Orphanage, it’s hectic. Looks cool though http://t.co/l5RER4Vn #

The popularity of the cheese festival hasn’t taken a knock with the move to the new venue last year. Driving there this morning I saw the familiar “Sold Out” signs and heard the usual stories of people arriving and not being able to get in. There were many thousands of people there, it was vibing. Big time.

It’s pretty much the same experience as last year. I didn’t really notice anything radically new. I didn’t buy much cheese as I didn’t see the kind of cheese I like (gorgonzola), but I did buy a bunch of other cool stuff. Here’s the stuff I bought, my tips for you…

Thought it would be a good idea to start with some cheese, seeing as it was a cheese festival and all… This blue cheese Danish feta from Arista Dairy was awesome. So smooth and creamy but with a not too subtle blue cheese taste.

This one is still dairy, so a good segue from cheese to other stuff. This is Curds & Whey yoghurt is the creamiest must delicious yoghurt I’ve had in ages. I liked it so much I bought a whole litre!

I bought a balsamic reduction last year and been on the lookout for some more. I was fortunate to taste this stuff because it’s perfect. I went straight to the bread stand so I could dip it in olive oil with this balsamic reduction as soon as I got home.

Talking about olive oil (another impressive segue right there), I picked up this 2 litre box of Saint Sebastion Bay olive oil for R120. I think the guys at Greenleaf Olive Company have made a mistake, because this stuff is delicious and must be worth way more than R120. I really enjoyed the fresh, green, flavours.

This was definitely the most unexpected find. A new product in the By Nature range, brinjal biltong! It tastes like biltong, same texture as snap sticks. I reckon vegetarians will love this stuff…

This is an extra tip. I didn’t buy any of this but I thought it was a really interesting product. Mestervik cheese is a Norwegian style of cheese which is quite sweet, very different. Give it a try.

The Top 100 SA wines for 2012 were announced on Thursday evening. This year they had nearly 400 entries, substantial growth from last year. You have the opportunity to taste the winning wines at the One & Only hotel on the 10th of May. Tickets available from Webtickets.

More information on the Top 100 SA wines is available on the website.

Here are the winning wines:

MCC
Bon Courage Cap Classique Jacques Bruere Brut Res 2007
Boschendal Grande Cuvee Brut 2007
Longridge Brut 2008
Simonsig Kaapse Vonkel 2007

White
Allee Bleue Isabeau 2011
Alvi’s Drift AD Chardonnay 2011
Alvi’s Drift AD CVC 2011
Alvi’s Drift viognier 2011
Bosman Family Vineyards Optenhorst 2010
Cape Point Sauvignon Blanc Reserve 2010
Cederberg Ghost Corner Sauvignon Blanc 2011
Diemersdal MM Louw Sauvignon Blanc 2011
Eenzaamheid Chenin Blanc 2011
Glenwood Chardonnay Vigneron’s Selection 2010
Groot Constantia Gouverneurs Reserve White 2010
Hamilton Russell Vineyards Chardonnay 2011
Jean Daneel Chenin Blanc 2010
Jordan Chardonnay 2010
Jordan Chenin Blanc 2011
Jordan Nine Yards Chardonnay 2010
Jordan The Outlier Sauvignon Blanc 2010
Jordan The Real McCoy Riesling 2010
Kanu KCB Chenin Blanc 2009
Ken Forrester The FMC 2010
Landau du Val Late Vintage Semillon Private Collection 2010
Lomond Pincushion Sauvignon Blanc 2010
Lomond Single Vineyard Sugarbush 2010
Lomond Single Vineyards Pincushion 2011
Longridge Chardonnay 2009
Mulderbosch Chardonnay Barrel Fermented 2008
Mulderbosch Chenin Blanc Steen op Hout 2010
Nitida Club Select Sauvignon Blanc 2011
Oldenburg Vineyards Chenin Blanc 2011
Paul Cluver Chardonnay 2010
Rietvallei Wine Estate Special Select Esteanna White 2011
Saronsberg Viognier 2010
Shannon Vineyards “Sanctuary Peak” Sauvignon Blanc 2011
Sumaridge Chardonnay 2010
Teddy Hall Dr Jan Cats Chenin blanc Reserve 2010
The Bernard Series Old Vine Chenin Blanc 2010
Tokara Directors Reserve White 2010
Wildekrans Osiris Chenin Blanc Barrel Selection 2010

Red
Allee Bleue Pinotage 2009
Anwilka 2009
Avontuur Estate Dominion Royale Shiraz Reserve 2009
Boplaas Cape Tawny Reserve Port 1997
Boplaas Cape Vintage Reserve Port 2009
Bosman Family Vineyards Erfenis 2010
Calitzdorp Cellar Cape Ruby 2010
Calitzdorp Cellar Touriga Nacional 2010
Capelands Estate Redstone 2010
Cederberg Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Cederberg Five Generations Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Cederberg Shiraz 2009
Christina van Loveren Shiraz 2010 2010
Dalla Cia Giorgio 2007
Doolhof Wine Estate Signature Malbec 2010
Driehoek Shiraz 2010
Eikendal Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Elgin Heights Shiraz 2010
Elgin Vintners Shiraz 2008
Ernie Els Big Easy 2010
Ernie Els Proprietors Syrah 2010
Ernie Els Signature 2008
Groot Constantia Gouverneurs Reserve 2009
Hamilton Russell Vineyards Pinot noir 2010
JP Bredell Wines Bredell’s Cape Vintage 2003
Klein Constantia Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
La Motte Pierneef Shiraz Viognier 2009
La Motte Shiraz 2009
L’Avenir Grand Vin Pinotage 2009
Le Riche Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2009
Lisha Nelson Cabernet Franc 2008 2008
Lomond Single Vineyard Conebush Syrah 2008
Longridge Merlot 2008
Louis Wines Louis 2008
Miles Mossop Max 2008
Mvemve Raats De Compostella 2009
Neethlingshof The Owl Post Pinotage 2010
Oldenburg Vineyards Cabernet Franc 2009
Overgaauw tria corda 2009
Rickety Bridge The Foundation Stone 2010
Rustenberg Stellenbosch John X Merriman 2009
Saronsberg Provenance Rooi 2010
Saronsberg Provenance Shiraz 2010
Saronsberg Shiraz 2010
Saxenburg Private Collection Shiraz 2007
Stark-Conde Three Pines Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Super Single Vineyards Mount Sutherland Syrah 2009
Swartland Winery Bushvine Pinotage 2010
Swartland Winery Bushvine Shiraz 2010
Teddy Hall Hercules van Loon Cabernet Sauv Reserve 2008
The High Road Director’s Reserve 2009
Tokara Directors Reserve Red 2008
Vilafonte Series M 2009
Vondeling Baldrick Shiraz 2011
Warwick Trilogy 2009

Sweet
Klein Constantia Vin de Constance 2007
Tierhoek Straw Wine 2007
Vondeling Sweet Carolyn 2007

• I must say that the fact that ragging Gingers has become acceptable, even trendy, is very disturbing. #
• Received a PR release about how PET plastic can be fully recycled. They neglect to mention that 99% of plastic does not get recycled anyway. #
• Getting my geek on at the Google conference today. Follow the action with this hash tag #GoogleEngage #
• Sorry, the correct hash tag to follow the Google Engage conference is #EngageCT #
• Oh boy! I have the list of the Vineyard Hotel’s winter wine evenings. These are good value & some top wines http://t.co/xSx5IPxG #
• Excited to see my face on one of the slides in a presentation at #EngageCT – fame at last! #
• #SaveTheDate Riebeek Valley Olive Festival, 5 & 6 May http://t.co/GcVk5rPD #
• I’m attending all the advanced sessions at Google #EngageCT Probably all going over my head but at least it makes me look cool :-) #
• I just posted a status update on Google+. It didn’t hurt one bit but I fear it may have been a waste of time. #
• All laptops should use the same charger, and all phones should too, then laptops & phones should be sold without chargers. Seriously. #
• Not a bad lineup for wine club tonight! The theme was favourite variety. Mine is the Raats cab franc http://t.co/upq3jxPA #
• Thank you Google for a great #EngageCT conference yesterday. We appreciate you providing all these resources for free. #
• A friend asked a good question last night, is sign language the same around the world or is it different for different languages? #
• #JustHeard about the new restaurant next to Carlyles called The Red Lounge. What was the coffee shop there before? Raw? #
• Also heard that Moyo is taking over the Paulaner space at the Waterfront. I think it’s a good fit actually. #
• Interesting re #Moyo RT @KellyHook_CT: @RelaxWithDax incl an outdoor street food market, similar to the one at Melrose Arch. Should be good. #
• Thanks for the feedback on sign language. Apparently it’s unrelated to spoken language but it changes per country with some common gestures. #
• Taste of CT starts tomorrow, which dishes have you got your eye on? Check out the menus and let us know http://t.co/5SGW4PGP #
• And apparently Moyo is also taking over Kirstenbosch restaurant… #
• Franschhoek is getting a tram! http://t.co/025VkODb #
• Is that all? ;-) RT @BradBallBrand: 6000 meat balls, 65 lts ragout, 180kg fillet, 45 lts puree, 2000 panna cottas for #TasteOfCT #Bistro1682 #
• Tonight I’m attending the launch of the new Lindt Chocolate Studio which has moved over to the old Cape Quarter http://t.co/8InH98vR #
• RT @PrimitivVodka: Setup happening for #TasteofCT which opens tonight. Looking forward to seeing you all there for some spirit spreading. #
• Very sad news that SA’s electric car project, The Joule, has been mothballed http://t.co/Umu6Fz1W (via @Cherryflava) #
• Just hit 10 000 tweets. It sounds like an awful lot of tweets! You’re welcome ;-) #
• Few things beat avo on toast, but gorgonzola & jam on toast is one of them #yum #
• Today is Holocaust Remembrance Day in Israel. This is the official poster. Quite powerful http://t.co/r9HX916Q #
• How to fix a PC vs how to fix a Mac, by The Oatmeal. Too funny… http://t.co/aBbHa4N0 #
• Spar in Sea Point is selling 1kg of cashews or almonds for R110. It’s a lot of nuts but it would cost nearly 4x that at Woolworths. #
• Should you eat that bacon? – a very effective decision tree http://t.co/2jPgj2j2 cc @foodie_za #
• #CurrentlyReading Man’s Search for Meaning by psychologist and holocaust survivor, Viktor Frankl http://t.co/cYgrDYEE #
• Cape Quarter parking is a twilight zone. It’s so confusing you never know where you will emerge nor how to get back to your car. #
• It’s amazing that Cape Quarter still charges for parking. They need feet but they want them to pay #weird #
• I think I was allowed a +1 at this Lindt launch but I came alone. I may be in serious trouble with some girl friends… http://t.co/k7aYzC4T #
• The mayor doing her hand print in chocolate. Did you know her maiden name is Lindt? #Seriously http://t.co/uZNtQUmp #
• Flip, have you ever had just Lindt chocolate for dinner? It’s hectic, my head is spinning from the sugar rush. #
• All the people who shared the Kony 2012 video, Cover The Night happens tonight! Are you getting involved? CT Details http://t.co/bYXnQ0KB #
• #TipOfTheDay if your car battery is flat or it won’t start for some reason, use the free breakdown service of your car insurance. #
• I’m taking my tastebuds to Taste of Cape Town tonight. So going to be in their good books… #
• I’ve posted my comments and recommendations for Taste of CT, check it out for tips on what to eat… http://t.co/5SGW4PGP #
• Off to visit Jorgensen’s distillery again. If I visit any more often I may have to keep a room there! #
• Cool, just saw a bunch of Kony 2012 posters. All of them on Kloof Street, I wonder how many others there are in CT? #
• Getting reports of #Kony2012 posters all over CT. Very cool to see the activism. #
• Regarding ethical products & food, it may be produced ethically but if the producer is not paid properly it’s not actually ethical. #
• Attending a function in the private function room at Tjing a ling. Food has been great. May head upstairs for tequila. Just kidding. *cough* #
• I will not go to Decodance. I will not go to Decodance. #
• A very pleasant day for lunch at the Vineyard hotel. Will definitely have to take a walk around the beautiful garden… #

Here are the menus for Taste of Cape Town this year. Leave a comment on which dishes you’ve tried and how you rate them so we can see which are the ones to avoid and which ones we must try…

Find out more about the festival at the Taste of CT website.

The 2nd page of the menu is after the jump…

• #GrammarTip Former and latter can only be used when presenting 2 options, more options require specific reference eg. First, 2nd, last, etc. #
• I’m noticing a distressing trend of upmarket restaurants putting poor quality olive oil on their tables. Really detracts from the experience #
• Flip, a lot of wine estates are closed on Monday and/or public holidays! Found a table at Roca on Dieu Donne in Franschhoek. #
• Settling in for a wine tasting at Leopard’s Leap. First visit since the launch. #
• The shiraz at Leopard’s leap is really good value at R42. We bought a case. Now for lunch at Roca, a most amazing view! #
• Marley and me, I don’t really understand the point of the movie. Is it just about making you cry? #
• Further to my comment about poor quality olive oil in restaurants, here’s an interesting insert from Carte Blanche http://t.co/bOIIZPbi #
• Just leaving the office. Gonna get a take away Pad thai from Tom Yum, seeing as it’s so highly recommended #LessTomMoreYum #
• Flip, I just remembered that Athletics SA sent the Paralympics competitors economy class while they flew business. Still makes my blood boil #
• But most still don’t offer it! RT @lequaf: study show hotel guests want free wi-fi more than any other value add http://t.co/1whKZ7Sv #
• Check out this little video of the Eat In Awards held at the Stellenbosch Market a few weeks ago http://t.co/8rbGHfp8 #
• RT @tjingtjingbar: Spirit tasting today 5-7pm with @PrimitivVodka & Mr Jorgensen himself. No charge and no bookings necessary. Just pop in! #
• The Taste of CT menu is out. Dishes range from R20 to R40 each. Paella, duck breast & chicken tikka caught my eye http://t.co/QTd2dOsd #
• This is such a cool ad. Take one quiet square in a quiet town in Belgium and add a big red button… http://t.co/LMDmJbRE #
• Net Prophet tech conference is now open for registrations. Hurry and I’ll see you there… http://t.co/YTGrBsXe #
• The new version (v3) of Facebook for Blackberry now available. Get your upgrade on! #
• I quite like the new revamped Google+, it feels so familiar. Maybe because it looks exactly like Facebook. #
• R700 to fill my petrol tank #ouchies #
• Gourmet hot dog fans… Things have changed at On a Roll since they opened. Here are the details http://t.co/U3lEHwJo #
• Checking out the #WineShow preview at Salt Bar tonight. #
• Really enjoyed my breakfast at Dear Me this morning. Good poached eggs, and the cortado coffee was excellent too. http://t.co/CWaX1pd8 #
• Need accommodation in PE for Iron Man? This guesthouse is well located, comfortable & reasonably priced http://t.co/2o4eMM1v #
• Good example of why we need government intervention RT @mashable:Amazon lowers ebook prices after government sues Apple http://t.co/61pY4hOg #
• This year’s entries for Wine Laid Bare are up. Some very sexy pics, go and vote for your favourite http://t.co/DkEqpWrF #
• Today is the 1st birthday of the City Bowl market on Hope St. They’ve got something special planned. I’m gonna head over there for brekkie. #
• Ended up having a pulled pork taco for breakfast. Nothing to do with the fact that it was served by a hottie #CityBowlMarket #
• So many calls get dropped but the cell networks won’t fix the problem because they make $$$ off people who are not on per second billing. #
• Just visited the new improved Alphen hotel for the first time. It’s fabulous in several ways. #
• Apparently there is a collective noun for lesbians, anybody know it? #
• A lick of lesbians! Thanks @KateWolters in reply to KateWolters #
• What about a snatch of lesbians? #CollectiveNoun #