Bizerca Bistro

For those of you that haven’t yet – GO. I was out on a first dinner date, expecting the discomfort of a swanky place and what I got instead was Bizerca – in the words of Deslandes himself, “It’s not fancy French dining, which can be stuffy and intimidating, but true bistro style, which is relaxed without compromising on quality”.

Award-winning Australian chef Laurent Deslandes.

Although it should go without saying, it seldom is the case that a restaurant’s real show-stopper is what it serves – but such can be said of Bizerca. really was the food. Bizerca, encapsulates what a fine dining experience should be – An EXPERIENCE. The set menu changes bi-monthly, while a chalkboard denotes the delicacies of the day. What I loved most was that the menu was unpredictable. From experimental beetroot tarts, to the more exotic (for the Westerner) gourmet sweetbreads and pigs trotters, Bizerca compromised neither quality nor variety. The ingredients are the freshest, food made to request, and the courses were beautifully paced. It was such a nice change to the usual KFC conveyor-style, in-an- out with the diners.

The service (while not altogether full of personality) was excellent. Not intrusive, but with an outstanding knowledge of the wine and menu (and this did not vary from waiter to waiter). Unlike Societi Bistro (where I recently found the formality stifling, the service almost snobbish and did not take well to the overwhelming quiet permeated by only clanking cutlery ), the service was just informal enough to facilitate an enjoyable meal. At no point did we have to look around to find our attentive waiter, the place ran like a well-oiled machine. And in honesty, halfway into my main course, it occurred to me that it really didn’t have to – they could have the Adam’s family attending that place and you’d still go because the food is just that good.

Dim lights, ample spacing (this was one of the first meals I’ve had in a while, where the conversations of those seated around us at no point intertwined with our own) and altogether low-lit-loveliness.

I highly recommend a reservation at Bizerca.

The J&B MET

Attracting an attendance of over 50 000 people, this race has become one of the gold-starred, red-circled, ear-marked events of Cape Town’s social calendar – and this year the theme, Full Colour, encourages a full voltage experience.

The highly fashionable, enjoying gourmet food, artful cocktails and top shelf spirits, will be there, this Saturday, bets in hand. The J&B MET holds back on nothing – marquee dining, top of class DJs and, always memorable after-parties and the penguin-suit/city-Cinderella glamour of the fashion show. In the fashion sphere, the annual award for best-dressed couple and best marquee will be given, with competitors taking part by invitation only.

Still, the main attraction are those short, breathtaking moments in which we’re mesmerized by the movement of the pedigree beauties, tearing up the emerald lawn.

Pocket Power, who has won the last three events, as well as the last four L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate events,  is favoured by many to win Saturday’s 2km dash. Still, experts claim that favourable weights, Kapil, Smart Banker, Buy And Sell, Ivory Trail, Strategic News and Rudra, will give him a run for his money, and ensure an exciting race. Meanwhile. Big City Life - last year’s Durban July winner, is hoping to break his recent unlucky streak at the J&B Met.

Entrance to the MET is R150.oo per person (plus some dress to impress), inclusive of a R10.00 betting voucher. However, a VIP ticket at R350.00 per person, provides VIP parking, 5 complementary drink vouchers, access to the open-air sound and lighting rigged performance area, as well as the VIP J&B MET lounge – and last but not least, entrance to the official 5fm J&B MET afterparty. This notoriously wondrous state of affairs, promises us Roger Goode, DJs Ryan Dent, Craig Massiv, and DJ Fresh.

For those seeking a safe haven during it all, be sure to ring 17onLoader – Cape Town’s premium guest house.

New Year in Cape Town

Alright you boozy floozies, the time is once again upon us. I know,  I know. We’re getting calls from fifteen different social circles, we’re examining our Christmas-wounded wallets and we can’t make up our minds on how to ring in the new year. So just for you, a few options…

Party karate…

Where I’d be, as the clock strikes midnight, is Greenmarket Square! A massive stage, 4 Dance Floors, 5 VIP VENUES, a big bar area and state of the art sound and lighting is what’s on the menu. Not to mention the good ol’ al fresco. In addition the line-up is grand! Live sax and percussion, locnville, dino moran, chris jack, the plastics, etc crew, captain stu and the pretty blue guns to name a few. Standard tickets at R180 and VIP at R280.

If you’re into trance, and you either are or aren’t, the Boomerang Psychedlic Trance Fest heaves into the New Year at Bien Donne tonight.

And obviously, check out VORTEX.

Clubbing into 2010…

Camps Bay’s place to be, Cafe Caprice, goes carriage to pumpkin with a Full Moon party. Cape Town’s best view, a full moon, good music and cocktails. Pretty much our usual lover in Caprice.

If you’re wanting to chic it up in celeb status, Chevelle is offering 12 top DJs as well as SA’s best electronic funk band, FLASH REPUBLIC live.

While CERTAINLY not one of my favourite venues, for lack of a general good vibe, Club91’s Dirty Fantasies party kicks off tonight with sauce and seduction. R100 at entrance and R250 pp for VIP (bubbles and access to the VIP lounge).

Bang bannnnnnnnnng… she shot me dowwwwwn…. I love this place. Well equipped with MINISTRY OF SOUND they’re unlikely to go wrong. Be warned, small indoor venue so attendees MUST be cool with crowds. R200 standard and R500 VIP (access to the ol’ upstairs). This venue will be screaming audible chocolate – a good venue for hard partyers:)

For R500, fire it up at Hemisphere’s Football Fiesta (welcome drink and canape included). Hemisphere, with Pravda Vokda and Redbull, party into 2010 like football fanatics.

In a similar style, Oblivion’s World Cup party presents a New Year’s Eve option. This place is always a laid-back, leisurely lounge feel, with tickets at R150 pp.

Wine and fine dine…

While the VIP price is high, the high demand for these R800 pp tickets doesn’t lie. HQ has quickly climbed the social ladder to be one of the best places to be seen in CT. You can upgrade to VVIP, which makes the canapes oysters and the sparkling wine champagne. HQ is embracing the rest of heritage square to create a wonderfully in and outdoor, intimate New Year’s Eve bash. The awesome DJ Rene makes an appearance, accompanied by Buddy wells on sax.

At an exceptionally reasonable R90 pp, try out Grand Daddy’s Fiesta! Nachos, fajitas, burritos and chilli poppers or dance it up at the Daddy Cool Bar. One tequila… you know the rest.

For R150 pp stop over Boo Radley’s Bar and Bistro. A little bit of old school cigar bar and a lot of love for cocktails. A welcome cocktail, canapes and free bubbly as we cross over.

Last but not least, for real decadence, Val de Vie’s Sabrage has a spectacular menu for a New Year’s Eve  sit down dinner.

Hope that helps? Wishing you a lots of bubbles and the best midnight kiss! Have a fabulous New Year

A selection of Rooms of the Guest House, 17 on Loader, Cape Town.

Guests often ask us for a picture of the specific room that they are interested to stay in, which requests we find very difficult to fulfill, specifically as our rooms are ever-changing in colour, look and finishes.

We therefore decided to provide a limited collection of various rooms – some being in the more “modern” part; being # 17 Loader Street; and the more traditional “olde World” look and feel of the rooms of # 19.

17 Loader Street Rooms

19 Loader Street Rooms

Cape Town Christmas Lights

Yay! I admit to being one of those – the giddy and delighted who wait like long-distance lovers, for the onset of the silly season. For those of you who missed the memo, this Sunday, the 29th November, Cape Town saw in Santa season with starry eyes and bright lights. With the flick of a switch, the citybowl got a make-over, in Adderley Street’s 42nd annual “switching on” festival.

The Cape Town-spirit carnivale is a wondrous local love anticipated by even the supposedly Scrooge-like. “Enlightened” by 2010, this year’s display includes soccer-themed twinklings, and once again Capetonians are able to amble (or drive) along, and admire the kaleidoscopic glow, over Adderly each night.

Cape Town Stadium to be discussed at presentation by both the lead architect and roof structural engineer.

“We’ve done our best work”: Cape Town Stadium lead architect; roof structural engineer

The Cape Chamber of Commerce will be presenting an unusual and exciting 2010 billing in the lead-up to the Final Draw for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ at the CTICC on 4 December. This is the first in a series leading up to what is promised to be “The Best World Cup in FIFA History”.

On 1 December, Robert Hormes, lead architect of the Cape Town Stadium and Knut Goeppert, the roof structural engineer – will speak about the architecture and design of the iconic world class stadium that has been described as one of the best in the world.

“This is the most elegant stadium we have been involved with”, says Goeppert, who has been involved in 15 soccer World Cup stadiums over the last 10 years. “The reality beats all drawings and computer animated images.” The 36 000 m2 translucent hanging roof, started in September 2008, was completed on deadline in September 2009.

Hormes of GMP Architekten, Germany, was quoted at the beginning of the stadium construction as saying:  “Any postcard or picture of world-famous Cape Town will be different from now on. There is no going back – ever. This has to be perfect”.  Now he says, “where to from here – I’ve done my best work!”

GMP Architekten has designed some of the world’s most significant buildings and  Horme Hormes will also briefly present some of GMP’s work around the globe. Goeppert, an award-winning structural engineer and author, is Managing Director at the Berlin-based Schlaich Bergermann und Partner.

17 on Loader Guest House will be there to report back….

Booking is essential.

Date:        01 December 2009

Time:       17h00 for 17h30 (Welcome drinks and snacks)

Venue:     Atlantic Imbizo Conference Room, Clock Tower Precinct, V&A Waterfront

Cost:        R50 for Chamber members; R80 for non-members

RSVP:       2010events@afrikanexcellence.co.za or 021 461 5735 by Friday Nov 27

IVY LEAGUE WEDNESDAYS

As a tribute to pop culture icon Barney Stinson (of How I Met Your Mother),  Ivy League hosts SUIT UP DANCEFLOOR!

New kid on the Long Street block,Ivy League , brings a bit of mainstream flavour to the townies and, while Long Street is our lovely, I admit it’s a great addition. Long ’s leisure now caters for everyone. Boutique eateries, karaoke pubs and quaint cocktail venues function earlier on until Fiction’s electro, drum and bass and dubstep, Zula‘s underground hip hop and live gigs and, now, Ivy League ’s more commercialSuit Up Wednesdays jump-start the evening.

Ivy League has hosted some good live acts – including SA’s own current 5fm favourite, Locnville. The atmosphere is hats off but laid back – beanbags, big dancefloors, a very accessible bar, balcony and beam (read, stripper pole), provide all the elements to catalyze uninhibited, sound-system-driven anarchy.

Tonight, and every Wednesday night, Ivy League hosts Suit Up Dancefloor. Cover charge ranges from free to R30 (depending on time of arrival and state of gender) and R6 a brand runs until midnight… need we say more.

Find out more about Ivy League’s plans for the weekend here.

And an ever-so-gentle nudge not to forget that the Filth boys bring us the fourth installment of Pure Filth Thursday tomorrow night at Chevelle.

With love, your personal pimp of party, 17onLoader.

Friday Night Festive

17onLoader presents another daily dose of how-to and where-to debauchery. The weather is fantastic! A little breeze, a lot of sun and a city made for sundowners – so we suggest you start there.

At 6PM The Old Bisuit Mill Launches their Mobile Boutique Fridays. The Mobile Boutique, mobile and upmarket, is the much needed platform for the designer-with-day-job. Like everything at The Old Bisuit Mill, we’re antipating a tailor-made experience.

Tonight at Tafelberg Tavern, Hope Street, is the A is for Awesome party. Starting at 21:00, A IS FOR AWESOME in collaboration with adidas ObyO, presents a great live set line-up at only R40.

Desmond and the Tutu’s, Haasbroek, Radio Elite, We-Are-Awesome DJs and last but certainly not least – Gazelle. Gazelle is climbing the ranks as one of South Africa’s best live acts. Lyrics saturated with social criticism, and a great back beat, Gazelle is far more than just a band gig. They whip out the canvases and costumes and turn a gig into performance art – Infectiously fun to watch, and definitely kids to look out for.

Most importantly! If you have missed the bridge graffiti, the gig flyers and facebook status updates- People Under the Stairs are in town! This underground hip-hop outfit formed on the fringe of LA’s late 90’s, underground hip-hop emergence. Pre-sale tickets have been available at shelflife for R60, and are R80 at the door. This duo are devoted to jazzy samples, danceable beats, intricate rhyming skills, and laid-back humor. Everyone who has been to a gig of theirs has spoken of the as nothing but transcendent.

So that’s the scoop on Friday – bring it in with a bang!

Rocking the Daisies!

That time of year is drawing near again! This year, Rocking The Daisies falls over October 9th to 11th and tickets are already selling like hot cakes! (The notion of highly demanded hot cakes baffles me, but that is how the saying goes).

For those who haven’t been before, what to expect? Everything the name promises - Rocking The Daises. It’s a green-keen festival and one of the best of its kind. Expect a line up of South Africa’s best acts (comedians to musicians), gourmet green-thumbing food and an innovative lifestyle exhibition. 

Happy campers are encouraged to travel in packs and reduce Carbon emissions – so much so that in the spirit of “partying hard and treading lightly”, free tickets will be given to the daring bunch that walk the distance. The set-up is beautiful – Cloof, Wine Estate, Darling – during flower season, when Darling is carpeted in petals. 

On the festival list of need-to-knows:

DO:

• Rubbish Bags
  
• Gas Cooker
  
• Cooking Utensils
  
• Festival Ticket
  
• ID Document
  
• Drivers Licence
  
• Money, Raincoat
  
• Umbrella
  
• Sleeping Bag
  
• Warm Clothing
  
• Sunglasses
  
• Suntan Lotion
  
• Swimming Costume
  
• Tent / Shelter / Honeymoon-lover  
  
• Toiletries
  
• Torch
  
• Towel
  
• Wellington Boots 

DON’T:

• Fires
  
• Illegal Substances
  
• Firearms / Weapons
  
• Glass/ Glass Bottles
  
• Pick Of Flowers
  
• Litter
  
• Bad Attitude

Get the full line-up HERE. This one is on every Capetonian’s calendar  - conscious partying in mother nature’s playground. Don’t miss it!

Top of the pops

Pops, old man river, daddio, ballie, popcat, dad, in the outskirts of Cape Town “pa” and less commonly (except perhaps amongst Bishops boys) “father”.

Tomorrow is the day to laugh at dad jokes, to set aside the anger you’re still harbouring for the aim-at-the-thornbush method of teaching you to ride a bicycle, and to pay tribute to the man that scared off the boy you finally conceded was dodgey, or remained an emotionally stable parent, regardless of the time of month.

For the outdoor dad:

• Treat him to an outdoor quad biking safari experience
  

For the dad who will refuse to ask for directions, there are a few options in Cape Town:

• Whisky tastings at the stylish Cape Grace’s Bascule bar, over scenic Cape Town sunsets.
• Live jazz and dinner at the renowned Green Dolphin restaurant, at the V&A waterfront. Incredible service, great food, good music and even better views.
• Kirstenbosch’s winter concert featuring Hot Water, at the Silvertree restaurant.
• Or join in the festivites at the V&A, where Vodacom has sponsored a Free Father’s Day concert on the promenade from 14h00 to 16h00.

For the beer-loving dad, that really thinks that the ref inside of the box can hear him:

• Drag the old man to Rafiki’s and enjoy Italy vs Brazil in the FIFA Confederations Cup, amidst a well-priced draft, great pizza and a truly youthful atmosphere.

For the mid-life crisis dad:

• Treat your dad to a great white shark diving experience in Gansbaai.
• Or rent him a Harley Davidson for the day and let him relive the wild youth you are so doubtful that he actually had.

For the gadget-happy dad:

• If money is no object treat you dad to a helicopter flight, especially is the weather is as beautiful as today’s.
• Or rent him a Hummer for a day, and let him roll as though he has an entourage.

For the socially awkward dad, who busts out historical facts in the middle of conversations:

• Take a tour of KWV wine and brandy cellars, or try their food pairings or tastings.
• Or take him to the outlandishly cool Franschhoek Motor Museum.

Either way have a great time and keep the old man singing songs you fervently regret were ever cool, this Father’s Day.

This list brought to you by 17on loader guest house, keeping old men’s street cred alive since 2005.