Summer beauty finds we can’t live without from Dermastore

Beat the heat

Summer beauty finds we can’t live without from Dermastore

The time for a dewy, glowing complexion and head-to-toe sun-kissed skin is once again upon us! While summer prepping calls for a less-is-more approach to beauty, it doesn’t mean you have to whittle down your routine to a single tube of tinted moisturiser and lip balm. When the sun’s blazing, you’ll want to feel comfortable in your own skin and protected from the elements. Look good and feel even better with these summer skincare essentials from Dermastore.

EDITOR’S PICK: ISDIN ISDINCEUTICS SKIN DROPS

The heat is on – and so is the pressure for a healthy summer glow. But before swirling on bronzer for added warmth or dabbing highlighter along the cheekbones to catch the light, we recommend using this ultralight liquid makeup that provides 12-hour adaptable coverage with a matte finish to create a flawless canvas that can endure the season’s humidity. Just a few drops of this highly pigmented product that’s light enough for summer offers enough (but not too much) coverage and delivers a luminous finish. If you’re after a formula that plumps and fills fine lines while delivering a stellar glow, look no further! Suitable for all skin types, this makeup bag essential can be swooshed on with either fingers or a brush – whichever you prefer – to take skin from sallow and uneven to dewy in a few seconds flat. It covers imperfections, discolouration, vitiligo, varicose veins, bruising, scars, burns and even tattoos on both the face and body. If you want a BB cream finish, mix one drop with your regular moisturiser. R895 from www.dermastore.co.za

SKINCEUTICALS GLYCOLIC RENEWAL CLEANSER

With summer in full swing, now more than ever a cleansing routine is crucial if you don’t already have one in place. Refresh and energise your complexion with this cult cleanser from Skinceuticals. Formulated with 8% glycolic acid – the gold standard exfoliator – this gentle foaming cleanser cleans away makeup and dirt while exfoliating skin in the process to bring you even-toned, fresh-faced, glowing skin. As a bonus, the formula is so gentle is can be used during your morning and nighttime routine. A smoother-looking complexion is possible without irritation, and this product is proof. R780 from www.dermastore.co.za

LAMELLE SERRA RESTORE CREAM

An absolute must for daily hydration, this cream provides lightweight moisture that the skin just drinks in, never feeling like a sticky or greasy layer. It’s the ultimate fancy-but-nottoo-fancy unscented moisturiser that, despite being packed with nourishing ingredients, doesn’t feel the least bit heavy. It can be used as an additional moisturiser or when dry skin is in need of barrier restoration. It offers intense hydration, brightens over time and helps rebalance the skin’s barrier, restoring the appearance of a healthy, renewed complexion. We think it’s the perfect answer to long nights, pollution and stress. R515 from www.dermastore.co.za

HUXLEY STAY SUN SAFE SPF 50+ PA++++

This is an amazing face sunscreen that you’ll actually want to wear every day – think lightweight, fastabsorbing and easy to apply. With UVA and UVB filters as well as Sahara prickly pear seed oil, this is a supercharged SPF that’s as good at protecting skin from the sun as it is preventing and reducing discolouration. If you love clean, refreshing scents for your products, you’ll love it. Doubling up as both a moisturiser and an SPF 50+ sunscreen, it’s an excellent choice if you want an SPF that works really, really hard. It doesn’t leave a chalky residue either, making it a good choice for darker skin tones. R440 from www.dermastore.co.za

ISDIN UV MINERAL BRUSH SPF 50+

If you apply a coin-sized amount of sunscreen to your face every morning and don’t reapply unless you’re at the beach or pool because slathering your face in lotion and messing up your makeup isn’t exactly appealing, this powder sunscreen is going to be a total game-changer for you. Oily skin types, get excited: The multitasking formula doesn’t just shield your precious face from UV rays, blue light and pollution, but is excellent for mattifying the skin and adding a little bronzed glow too. As soon as you dust the formula with a universal tint over your skin, it leaves a soft, matte finish that looks poreless. R650 from www.dermastore.co.za

Struggle to find an SPF that doesn’t irritate your sensitive skin? This ultragentle, biphasic dry-oil body sunscreen will be your saving grace. Formulated with skin-nourishing ingredients like chlorella maris – a potent antioxidant – the first phase offers UV protection, while the second phase helps detoxify sun-exposed skin through use of antioxidants. It’s a dry oil, so it absorbs super-quickly and doesn’t leave an oily residue – fab if you’re getting ready in a rush. Besides the fact that the bottle looks like a literal work of art, the beautiful formula makes skin look so good that you’ll forget it’s a sunscreen!

R500 from www.dermastore.co.za

SKIN REPUBLIC AGE-DEFYING RETINOL HAND MASK

You probably already have a bathroom cabinet full of anti-ageing serums and creams dedicated to your face, but don’t forget to show your hands a little extra attention too. In addition to lathering up with hand cream and SPF, consider hand masks, which concentrate the best skin-loving ingredients on your digits, minus the mess. So much more than an at-home spa-like indulgence, these help target dryness, dark spots, freckles as well as loss of firmness and elasticity. Consider them sheet masks for your hands: Slip into the serum-filled mitts, secure around the wrists and snap some selfies while you wait. R60 from www.dermastore.co.za

CURAPROX TRAVEL ORAL CARE KIT

When you’re travelling for the summer holidays, the last thing that should cause you stress is your toothbrush. An indispensable tool for good dental hygiene during your trip, this travel size toothbrush and toothpaste will keep your teeth clean and your breath fresh while you’re on the go and away from home. The CS 5460 travel toothbrush is relentless on plaque and gentle on your teeth and gums, while the BE YOU Blue Toothpaste (Blueberry & Liquorice) has a great taste and helps to scrub away hard-to-remove stains and leave a brighter smile. The kit also includes prime interdental brushes.

YOU’RE NEVER FULLY DRESSED WITHOUT A SMILE

An interview with celebrity dentist DR NORMAN CAHI

Want a gleaming smile? Then meet highly sought-after dentist, Dr Norman Cahi from Cahi Dental & Prosthodontic Practice. The Joburg-based dental practitioner works his magic from a bright and airy practice in the heart of Sandton, so it’s no surprise then that celebrities flock to him. Read on to catch his vision as you read about the celebrity dentist in the City of Gold.

01. How did you get into the industry? I studied at the University of the Witwatersrand and qualified as a dentist in 1984. In 1993, I took my young family to live in London where I became interested in cosmetic dentistry and went on further courses. In 2000, I was one of the pioneers to bring teeth whitening to South Africa. To date, I’ve bleached thousands and thousands of peoples’ teeth and have fine-tuned my aesthetic and cosmetic dental procedures.

02. Did you always want to be a dentist?

And how did you end up becoming this highly sought

after/celebrity dentist? I was always keen on something medical, but my parents influenced me to follow the dentist career path – much to my great satisfaction and happiness. Journalists started approaching me in 2001 for advice on dental bleaching as South Africa woke up to the new Botox of the millennium, which was cosmetic teeth bleaching. I was then invited to appear as a guest on Carte Blanche, 3Talk with Noeleen, kykNET and Good Morning SA. Soon after, VIPs and high-profile personalities began seeking my professional help. 03. Tell us about the services you offer. Cahi Dental & Prosthodontic Practice offers an array of dental treatments, including basic oral hygiene, root canal treatments, kiddies’ dentistry, implants, tooth coloured fillings, active aligner therapy to straighten teeth and, of course, our specialty – smile makeovers. 04. Do you have a favourite service? Definitely teeth bleaching! It’s the most sought-after service in the profession today and people all over the world willingly come in requesting this, so it’s a win-win for both me and my patients. I love to see the joy and smiles of delight afterwards – it gives me great satisfaction. 05. Can you explain the difference between

regular dentistry and aesthetic dentistry?

Regular dentistry includes oral assessments, X-rays, fillings, extractions, dentures and so on. Aesthetic dentistry, on the other hand, is the art and science of creating a beautiful and symmetrical smile. 06. What do you love most about your job? I love meeting people from all walks of life. My strong point is the ability to connect with my patients and strike up a rapport with them. This develops trust, which is the cornerstone of a successful patient -doctor relationship. 07. What’s been your career highlight to date? Being invited to speak at the House of Commons on behalf of the Dental Wellness Trust (DWT), a charity foundation that brings free dental care to the impoverished children of South Africa. At present, the DWT teaches 13,000 kids a day how to brush their teeth and wash their hands. 08. Which celebrities have you worked on? Some standouts are Mark Pilgrim and most of the former Miss South Africa winners (including this year’s winner), which includes two Miss Universe winners and one runner up. Also, many top media personalities, fashion designers and top footballers. 09. How does one maintain dental hygiene on a daily basis? The five golden rules for good dental health are: Brush twice a day, floss once a day, eat lots of fresh fruit and vegetables, avoid sugary, starchy foods as well as visit your dentist every six months. 10. Let’s be honest – do home remedies really work for teeth whitening? No home remedy really bleaches your teeth. Only professionally supervised teeth bleaching procedures produce a safe, sustainable result that’s long-lasting and looks great. 11. What is the most effective way to brush your teeth? With a medium to soft nylon bristle brush that’s is held at a 45-degree angle to the tooth surface and in round, small rotation – not up and down or back and front scrubbing which causes gum recession. 12. A dental hygiene myth you’d like to bust? That bad breath can’t be cured. 13. Do you scan people’s teeth when you’re out and about? Yes! It’s quite funny, but I find myself focusing on people’s smiles all the time. 14. New treatments in dental care that one must be aware of? Active aligners are the new buzz word causing a stir in the industry. They straighten teeth using clear, removable plates and are very popular amongst adults who refuse to go back to fixed braces. 15. What can we expect for 2021? Aesthetic dentistry is only gaining momentum all the time. I mean, who doesn’t want white teeth? For many people, white teeth signify health, beauty, youth and vitality.

Suite 7, Atholl Square, 110 Katherine Street, Sandton 011 305 9300 www.styleyoursmile.co.za

culinary CAPE TOWN

The perfect four-day itinerary: Where to eat and what to do

If cities were romances, Cape Town would be the love-at-first-sight kind. From chic hotels and world-class restaurants to dreamy vineyards and a thriving art scene, there’s lots to keep you busy. To help curb that feeling of being overwhelmed while also increasing the wonder found in a trip to the Mother City, we’ve put together this four-day itinerary to the foodie haven. With only a few days here, you want to get it right and fall in love all over again each day.

DAY 1: MAJEKA HOUSE

Best for: Eating, drinking and sleeping amid antique furnishings and flamboyant patterns

Perfect days in Cape Town consist of overeating, overdrinking, oversleeping, then walking it all off while exploring before you repeat the delicious cycle again. On the first day, we recommend checking into the tranquil haven that is Majeka House in Stellenbosch; a sleek, modern boutique hotel in prime wine country surrounded by stunning scenery of dramatic mountains and verdant valleys planted with vines.

The original part of the hotel was the owner’s holiday house. The property has since been transformed into a small luxury hotel with luxe accommodation, creative cuisine, a spa with an indoor pool and beautiful gardens with outlandish cacti, rambling roses and bright blue furniture. In a leafy enclave in the midst of the Stellenbosch Wine Route, the hotel makes for a seductive escape with handcrafted furniture and quirky design details, evoking a neo-colonial look. The rooms are spacious and feature natural materials of wood and stone, bright nature-themed wall coverings, garden and mountain views as well as private terraces.

Our favourite space in the hotel is the fashionable bar lounge filled with books, art, oriental rugs, custom furniture and some homey touches. Eclectic, theatrical, fun and luxurious, it’s a lovely spot to have a pre-dinner drink before heading to Majeka Kitchen. The hotel’s small farm-to-fork fine-dining restaurant has a well-earned reputation, and everything about the stylish spot is bespoke – from the crockery to the staff uniforms. Expect a warm welcome, creative attention to detail and an optional two or three-course menu with plenty of dishes to savour, including lusciously creamy baby marrow risotto, flaky, tender pan-fried fish of the day in a lemon and garlic sauce served with sautéed spinach and mushrooms, and strawberry and vanilla anglaise soufflé that’s soft and fluffy on the inside.

The next day, breakfast is served in the lush gardens, which will get you in the mood for a decadent morning meal. The three-tiered serving tray for the table is stocked with yoghurt, cereal, muesli, seasonal fruit, charcuterie, smoked salmon, cheese and home baked pastries and danishes. You wouldn’t be disappointed by blowing your carb allotment on the croissants here, but the American style pancakes off the à la carte menu – ethereally fluffy with butter-crisped edges served with blueberry compote – is the order to beat.

26 Houtkapper Street, Paradyskloof, Stellenbosch 021 880 1549 www.majekahouse.co.za

TOKARA WINE ESTATE

Best for: A wonderful architectural statement and drinkable, food-friendly wines

While the historic town of Stellenbosch is a short drive, there are more than 145 vineyards to visit in the area. Designer winery Tokara Wine Estate, on the top of Helshoogste pass, is the location of one of the Cape’s most innovative restaurants. At this trendy destination for wine, food and art lovers, start your afternoon with an olive oil tasting consisting of the estate’s four coldpressed extra-virgin olive oils, from mild to robust. You’ll also get to sample their preserved Kalamata olives and olive paste.

After the tasting, the contemporary and cosmopolitan Tokara Restaurant is a must-visit for lunch with dropdead gorgeous views through floor-to-ceiling glass. Start your meal with a bottle of one of our favourite wines, the ultra-stylish Tokara MCC with delicate bubbles, flavours of toasted almonds and freshly buttered toast plus notes of lemon and lime preserve and crisp minerality. Or, the Tokara Director’s Reserve White 2017 with a zesty persistence, which is complex on the nose with attractive notes of ripe passion fruit and pink grapefruit all intermingled with hints of lemongrass and freshly baked brioche.

The menu is South African with a hint of Europe and the friendly and knowledgeable staff will guide your choices according to appetite and preference. Dishes like the salt baked beetroot carpaccio with raspberry, fennel, toasted walnuts and celery or the beef tartare with turnip, radish, avocado, salsa verde and horseradish mayo are finesse without the fuss. On the other hand, the springbok loin with peach and apricot mebos, green beans, pomme anna and apricot and orange buchu jus is as complex and joyful as South Africa itself, as is the vegan smoked roasted carrot with rainbow carrots, gnocchi, black rice crisp and parsley and carrot jus. For dessert, the Spanish almond cake – simply heaven for almond fans with hibiscus and lemon posset and nougat ice cream – will certainly satisfy most.

Helshoogte Road, Stellenbosch 021 808 5900 www.tokara.com

DAY 2: EDITOR’S PICK: STEENBERG HOTEL & SPA

Best for: Discreet glamour and splendid isolation in a Constantia Valley sweet spot

From the entrance of Steenberg Vineyards, a road winds up between the prized vines surrounded by natural beauty – rugged mountains and tantalising glimpses of the sky. On arrival at the recently renovated hotel, the overwhelming impression is of generous space, immaculate lawns and mature trees that have been growing for decades, if not centuries. The air is fragrant with roses thanks to the well-established rose bushes. The Cape Dutch-style buildings are flamboyant, old-school glamour and the staff are waiting in the driveaway to welcome you.

It won’t be easy to find rooms or villa-sized suites with sumptuous décor in such a brilliant location that’s as slickly managed, luxurious or private anywhere else in Cape Town. Located on the oldest original wine farm in Constantia, Steenberg Hotel stands out for its ideal location – halfway between the city and the beaches of the southern Peninsula, you could call it the best of both worlds. You also have access to the whole Steenberg private estate lifestyle, including wine tasting, a choice of restaurants, an 18-hole championship golf course, nature trails and biking routes. But what really sets this venerable hotel apart is its distinct sense of place, complete with a secluded swimming pool and pool lounge with facilities for early check-in or latestay guests plus a spa with fabulous QMS facials and Africology body treatments. It’s both a haven and inspiration, and unlike any other hotel we’ve encountered.

The individually decorated rooms are vibrant, openplan spaces, incorporating timber floors, grey and soft blue tones, pink vanity design with gold finishes, natural materials, modern fabrics, contrasting textures and a clever curation of furnishings by South African designers. They also feature the latest mod-cons such as iPod docking stations and PC data and power outlets as well as Wi-Fi, fresh flowers from the garden and locally made Healing Earth bathroom amenities.

While no two rooms look exactly alike, there’s a fresh, contemporary theme, culminating a well-balanced, serene space. Our one-bedroom suite also had French doors that opened up onto a private terrace, which is probably the best place to watch the stars pop out after the sun has gone down. The three villa-like suites – which are best for big families and feeling right at home – have oodles of space and their own private pools.

Even if you don’t overnight here, you’ll want to stay for a meal at one of the two excellent, reliable and consistent restaurants, both overseen by chef Kerry Kilpin. Pre- or post-wine tasting (the sparkling wines, sauvignon blanc and Nebbiolo hit the spot), we recommend a decadent breakfast or lunch at the cellardoor bistro, Bistro Sixteen82. In this sociable space, you’ll be tempted by a mix of classics and contemporary fare that offer fantastic value for money – think a pankocrusted cheese fritter, curried baby calamari, beef tataki, broccoli and spinach risotto, ethically sourced fish and braised lamb neck. Enjoy the estate’s cool-climate wines or a glass of bubbly with fresh fare like Saldanha Bay oysters and the lightest tempura prawns imaginable, served with a peanut and coriander noodle salad, harissa mayo and chilli syrup. For mains, the roasted pork belly served with celeriac mash, pecan nut and green bean salsa and maple jus is a must-order – and don’t skimp on the sides; the hand-cut chips are a sensation. But Chef Kerry is also a dab hand at desserts, so save room for the lemon posset served with yoghurt and mango sorbet, berry coulis and white chocolate shortbread. Attentive staff who fulfil every request – whether spoken or otherwise – make for an absolutely flawless experience.

Steenberg Estate, Steenberg Road, Tokai 021 713 2222 www.steenbergfarm.com

LA MOUETTE

Best for: A luxurious dinner and fancy service … with a manageable price tag

Forget all about difficult-dish decision-making – La Mouette’s tasting menus give you the chance to wine and dine on the very best that recently appointed culinary advisor chef Neill Anthony has to offer at a range of different price points. It’s all about finely prepared French-inspired cuisine with seasonal South African influences and foraged indigenous ingredients. The opulent-looking restaurant’s interiors – crisp white linen, signature blue water glasses and dining rooms with fireplaces – and the mountain views are a bonus. Choose between a two (R350), three (R450) and fivecourse (R350) tasting menu. Chef Neill’s obsession with local ingredients, techniques and flavours finds expression in the five-course tasting menu, in which each plate offers a bite-sized course that makes the most of seasonal food. It’s fine dining, condensed. For an additional R300, the elegant wine pairing option is hard to refuse and each glass chimes with the flavours of the plate without overwhelming your senses (or your sobriety). The five-course tasting menu starts with snacks – chicken liver parfait cornetto and deepfried truffle mac and cheese with grain mustard – followed by your choice of tuna tartare or fresh asparagus. The former is a colourful, zingy blast of summer in food form; the seaside tang of tuna combined with the acid kick of fennel mousse, radish salad and tom yum vinaigrette.

Next up is the refreshing celeriac velouté with caramelised Granny Smith apples followed slow braised Karoo lamb neck, line fish or fresh fettuccine. In the lamb dish with harissa yoghurt, peas, broad beans, feta and mint, chef Neill masterfully balances flavour and texture in intriguing ways. And, as ever, his veg-centric fettuccine dish with rocket pesto and pecorino is as complex as its meaty counterparts. Perhaps controversially though, the star of the night is the mango parfait with coconut sorbet and coconut crumb that’s so good you’d be excused for ordering two. After your meal on a clear summer night, enjoy a parting cocktail in the tranquil courtyard where all the tables are positioned circling the fountain centrepiece.

78 Regent Road, Sea Point 021 433 0856 www.LaMouette.co.za

DAY 3: VICTORIA & ALFRED HOTEL

Best for: Plush eclectic décor, an unparalleled vantage point and unbelievable value for money

What you can see from the entrance of the Victoria & Alfred Hotel in the V&A Waterfront, part of the Newmark Hotels, Reserves, Lodges & Residences portfolio, doesn’t prepare you for what’s tucked neatly into the building. Offering possibly the best value in the city, this hotel holds many trump cards, not least its historic location and old-school vibe. However, the superlative views of Table Mountain always end up stealing the show.

From the road, you enter a starkly modern architectural space with a handsome secretarial desk that opens out into the smart, spacious indoor-outdoor Ginja restaurant with a harbour view. There’s a lot of hotel packed between mountain and sea, including a spa, gym and swimming pool. About a third of hotel’s rooms, which are in ship-shape condition, are loftlike spaces, but they all overlook either the waterfront or a nearby piazza. The rooms are decked out with every home comfort imaginable – think a swivel TV, king size bed, writing desk, air-conditioning, 300 thread count bedding and more. In this location with five-star service and design interiors, you can’t go wrong.

The whitewashed brick mountain-facing rooms are generously sized and elegantly decorated with crisp white bed linens, jewel-toned velvet armchairs and commissioned art. White subway tiles and topaz marble jazz up the generously sized bathrooms. The post-sunset vista from your window has to be one of the best views of the waterfront found anywhere on earth. Breakfast is served downstairs in the restaurant or in your room. With hot specials ranging from fluffy Spanish omelettes to eggs Benedict or Florentine, it delivers on the property’s unspoken principle: It’s like your home, only way better.

Featuring the use of timber and leather seating, the casual Ginja restaurant and adjacent coffee shop have undergone a very successful makeover. The number of restaurants and bars within strolling distance to your doorstep are plentiful, but don’t miss a dockside prawn dinner served with a view of Table Mountain at Ginja. The Prawns & Wine Special Offer for two includes 16 queen prawns, chips, toasted ciabatta, a table salad and a bottle of Iona Sauvignon Blanc. The juicy prawns are done in a spicy, garlicky chilli and garlic sauce, which makes for a spicy and refreshing meal. With tropical, floral and fine herbal notes, the Iona Sauvignon Blanc is the perfect wine with the simply cooked prawns.

Pierhead, Dock Road, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town 021 419 6677 www.newmarkhotels.com

HARBOUR HOUSE - V&A WATERFRONT

Best for: Tucking into treats from the sea and a glass of fizz

With its postcard-worthy location and crowded tables, Harbour House - V&A Waterfront is one of the best restaurants for eating the ocean’s gifts and the ultimate spot for a very Cape Town long lunch. It gives you the feeling every restaurant should leave you with – utter refreshment, and those five-star views out over the ocean and harbour are a big part of it. Because of its positioning and extensive glass walls, it feels as if you’re almost floating on the harbour, surrounded as you are by water.

The food is best described as aspirationally fresh, local and elegant fare. For starters, the kitchen delivers delights ranging from a simple snack of fried calamari with rocket, spring onion, green olives and anchovy and tartar sauce to a seafood stack with salmon tartare, tempura prawns, caviar, avocado mousse, tomato, cucumber and sweet chilli sauce. We recommend ordering the oysters with lemon granita and the salmon roses that never disappoint (the ratio of sushi ingredients is near perfect), even if it’s just an excuse to order more wine. Because, fun lovers, the wine list is brilliant and really thoughtfully put together. If you’re here to luxuriate a little and can lock down a table on the upstairs deck, you’ll want to spend some time with it while you soak up some summer goodness.

Served up for mains are signature seafood dishes alongside killer cocktails featuring a sublimely seasonal mix of ingredients. Order the grilled crayfish done in a lemon butter to keep the meat, moist served with a roasted garlic aioli that adds a flavour punch, or the luxuriously rich, creamy seafood pasta with handmade pappardelle and an abundance of calamari, mussels, prawns and line fish in a Parmesan sauce. Each dish is a taste explosion that leaves you wanting more. On a nonseafood note, both the rib eye and pork belly are to die for, as is the salad with heirloom tomatoes, feta, pickled onions, black olives, basil aioli, herb croutons and honey lemon emulsion. Don’t miss the eton mess for dessert; a pretty-as-a-picture plate of raspberry sorbet, wild strawberry meringue, white chocolate mousse, almonds and macerated strawberries. Silky-smooth service only adds to the appeal.

DAY 4: THE PRESIDENT HOTEL

Best for: A grand yet unpretentious place to stay in a fashionable neighbourhood

The President Hotel in Bantry Bay is a feel-good hotel where most of the staff have been around for years and many guests are regulars, which comes as no surprise as the place is astonishingly good value. With mesmerising views and an atmosphere worth forfeiting a day out – or at least cutting the day’s sightseeing short – it’s one of the most stylish and sun-soaked hotels to lurk in when visiting Cape Town. Book at the right time and it’s a bargain!

Nestled beneath the majestic Lion’s Head and just a two-minute walk from its pedestrian pleasures, the hotel offers sublime ocean views, easy pedestrian access, excellent food and authentic, warm service. In keeping with the splendid surroundings, the rooms are decorated in a beach-bling palette of blue, silver, grey and white, whether facing the sea or the mountains behind. If you can, book a One-Bedroom Apartment with an open-plan kitchenette, spacious lounge and dining area, separate bedroom and en-suite bathroom, balcony and front-row views of the glittering water.

Aside from the beautifully appointed rooms, there are plenty of comfortable public areas to unwind in, including The Islands Restaurant, The Deck Bar & Terrace, Botany Café, Senate Bar and a lovely infinity pool.

Lunch alone makes a trip to this chic hotel worthwhile – it’s no wonder the hotel has such a loyal following. You could stay for a week and still not try everything: Artisanal wood-fired pizzas with gourmet toppings, a seafood platter in a lemon butter sauce, tandoori Norwegian salmon, Atlantic line fish, a beef burger, basil pesto caprese pasta and a steamed bun piled high with sesame pulled chicken, carrot salad and miso aioli are among the choices. It’s hard to go wrong, but definitely don’t miss the baked rhubarb cheesecake served with ginger crumble, ginger candy and strawberry granita. If you’re not in the mood for somewhere so sceney, the hotel can arrange for their acclaimed dishes to be delivered to your room. The laidback bar is one of the best places in the city to toast to the setting sun. Tables spill out past the swimming pool, where the hotel has its own sunbeds and umbrellas. Settle in for cocktails like the Presidential Piña Colada, Lion’s Head Mojito or Mother City Margarita, or grab a ride into town if you feel like dancing till late. The only caveat: The longer you stare at the ocean, the less you’ll feel like venturing out. At The Islands Restaurant, there’s a seasonal dinner menu for those who don’t feel like going out (with vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options), but a plethora of excellent restaurants just a few minutes away.

4 Alexander Road, Bantry Bay 021 434 8111 www.presidenthotel.co.za

LA COLOMBE RESTAURANT

Best for: A truly unforgettable culinary experience featuring Constantia’s finest wines

Perched up on Constantia Nek on a working wine farm, the pressure to secure a table is the only unpleasant aspect of what is otherwise the best fine dining experience in the city. A white-table-clothed ode to modern fine-dining, at the multi-award winning La Colombe Restaurant you’ll find passionate eaters excited about the famed Tuna ‘La Colombe’ and a bevy of Instagram-loving locals and tourists, all at the ready with their cameras. The food is generally inspired by nature; it’s a world filled with imaginative flavours and textures as well as top-notch service and grape pairings.

We highly recommend coming in the day for the whimsical 11-course chef’s lunch menu (R895 plus an additional R800 for the optional beverage flight) for a sense of dining in the treetops from the treehouse-style restaurant, which reflects its garden and forest-inspired themes. You’ll start with snacks consisting of game fish with burnt lime and lamb roti followed by a decadent bread course with sweet potato, wagyu drippings and bone marrow butter. Thereafter, it’s innovative course after course, such as the mussels and curry in a burnt passion fruit shell and the kerala style quail with prawn and coriander. You’ll ooh at the unexpectedness of the signature Tuna ‘La Colombe’ and the mandarin and kalamansi palate cleanser (no spoilers). It’s dishes like these that explain the restaurant’s status as a table to book well in advance – especially in summer.

No palate is left wanting as the elegantly presented next few dishes cater for a variety of tastes, with a range of specialties from line fish with lemongrass and coconut to heavenly petit poussin with wild mushroom and truffle jus gras. The well-choreographed tasting menu ends with your choice of cheeses from ‘the cheese chest’ with smoked pear and rooibos, a strawberry, cashew and rose dessert and finally garden treats including coconut and tonka macaroons. With comfortable yet classy indoor seating and views of the vineyards along with crisp linen, earthy wood and well considered crockery and cutlery, there’s no joy like being immersed in nature in this mountaintop dining room. A place where you’re truly able to relax, to escape and to dream, it’s one of the very best restaurants to bookmark now for your next Cape Town trip.

Silvermist Wine Estate, Main Road, Constantia Nek 021 794 2390 www.lacolombe.co.za

TAKE A WALK ON THE WILD SIDE

Connect with the great outdoors at Mabula Game Lodge

If you’ve been fuelling your wanderlust with plans for post-isolation travel while you’ve been stuck at home this year, there’s never been a better reason to make your next adventure a safari at Mabula Game Lodge. Distinctly African in style, the accommodation is colourful, contemporary and nature-noisy, the food and drink is way beyond typical safari-carnivorism and the staff are seemingly effortless, but passionate and utterly brilliant.

For those who love wild places, there’s nothing comparable to seeing elephants wandering through camp, lions napping in the dust of a dry riverbed at midday or hyenas sniffing at the tyres of your safari vehicle, unbothered by your camera clicking furiously.

Recently refurbished and now one of South Africa’s most eclectic game hotels, Mabula Game Lodge has struck the right chord between design hotel and safari ground zero.

But for all its smart details, Mabula Game Lodge is still a classic safari camp.

Located just two-and-a-half hours’ drive from Joburg in the Waterberg region of Limpopo against the backdrop of the lush green Waterberg Mountains, the lodge boasts seriously Instagrammable rooms and even better views outside. The overhaul of the interiors is a delight: The suite feels more like a chic, serviced house than a standard hotel that comes complete with air-conditioning, a flat-screen TV as well as tea and coffee-making facilities. With a mix of antique and new furnishings, the interiors are not your usual fare – instead, thatch roof accommodation contrasts against luxury finishings, with soft neutral bushveld colours throughout and massive windows bringing the African wildlife indoors. It’s innovative and dramatic. The space allows for plenty of privacy for its guests, but a communal pool and outdoor seating areas provides time for guests to mingle – and maybe spot a warthog.

Offering day and night game safaris, tours leave the lodge twice daily (early morning and just before dusk) and head to Mabula Private Game Reserve, which allows for all types of African animal watching.

The tours have a high success rate – and trust us when we say that you’ll leave completely satisfied! Training your eye to distinguish a hippo track from an elephant footprint or to spot a leopard tail hanging from a distant tree is a transformative experience that gives you a connection with the natural world. In the saffron-tinted dawn light across the savannah, you’ll see a sleekly powerful lioness yawning extravagantly before picking up one of her cubs. An hour later, you’re drinking hot chocolate spiked with Amarula liqueur as a herd of elephants amble past on the other side of the watering hole. It’s romantic and adventurous all at the same time, allowing guests to indulge whilst exploring.

Back at your suite, soak up the daytime safari noises and incessant chatter of happy birds while you enjoy a bubble bath. Add a glass of bubbly and you’ve got yourself a holiday! Sundowners of G&Ts, nuts and biltong cap off the day on the evening safari, but don’t fill up on snacks as the lodge has fantastic dining facilities. Each evening meal is an unforgettable experience – one night you can find yourself dining by candlelight and dancing beneath the stars at a wilderness-themed bush dinner the next. The food is superb and the whole vibe is classic ‘Old Africa’ – think chicken kebabs, lamb pie, warthog potjie, impala casserole or the best malva pudding with a wonderful South African shiraz. The serenity is broken only by the bittersweet realisation that this might be about as good as life gets.

CONTACT DETAILS

3rd and 6th Avenue, Bredell, Kempton Park 011 541 1300 reception@levelsevenrestaurant.co.za

TRADING HOURS

Monday to Saturday 12h00 – 12h00 Sundays 12h00 – 16h00

WWW.LEVELSEVENRESTAURANT.CO.ZA

Level Seven Restaurant and Sky Bar

Perched at the top of the new Radisson Hotel & Convention Centre near OR Tambo International Airport, Level Seven Restaurant and Sky Bar epitomises quintessential Johannesburg glamour. With an extensive menu of gastronomic indulgences, the cloud-gazing establishment comes complete with an exclusive selection of local and international wines.

The luxurious setting is dressed to thrill with modern, sexy interiors and tables elegantly decked out with white tablecloths fit for fine dining. A prize ticket for romantic date nights, special occasions and business meetings, guests have the option of the beautiful main dining area (which seats 120 people), private dining room (two groups of 12 or 30 people collectively), sky bar (50 people), cigar lounge (40 people) or casual lounge (30 people).

However, it is the tuned-in service and tremendously talented team of people that make the magic happen. The aim is for each patron to feel a part of this and to see that for the Level Seven team, this is not just a job, but a lifestyle.

The international menu is extensive and offers a variety of accomplished, brilliantly executed dishes. From vibrant opening bites to hearty main meals, it is guaranteed to jangle and soothe curious palates. Imaginative dishes include gorgeous beetroot-stained salmon, melt-in-your-mouth coffee-crusted fillet steak, luxurious prawn and scallop risotto as well as tender, sweet baby lobster that is buttery perfection and worth shelling out for.

Like the menu, the wine list offers exceptional variety, allowing discerning drinkers to discover everything from local wines to grapes from far-flung vineyards. In addition, guests can expect nightly entertainment such as jazz and blues, which makes for the perfect amorous atmosphere.