Scene in the City - Spring 2021

Celebrating the best of life in Joburg

F O O D & D R I N K | S T Y L E & B E AU T Y | T R AV E L & L E I S U R E

SPRING 2021

Spring HIT LIST

Beauty products to stock up on RIGHT NOW!

New restaurant

openings you should know about

A gourmet

wine-tasting holiday in

FRANSCHHOEK

READY TO GET

HIGH?

Never-before seen views of Joburg at Alto 234 Bar

The MARC is a hidden gem and central point within the heart of Sandton that is being utilised to bring you a shopper’s delight, not withholding the existing culinary and retail experience available to our shoppers. We have embarked on a new and exciting strategy to use this amazingly positioned building to create an indoor Pop-Up & Market platform for our South African designers, crafters, artists and entrepreneurs to showcase their talents.

The MARC houses 15 000sqm of shops and restaurants and 88 000sqm of offices. Hip restaurants and cafés, the excellent value Food Lover’s Eatery as well as a handy supermarket, pharmacy and beauty salons are situated bang in the middle of all of the Sandton action – with many big hotels including the Hilton, Radisson Blu, Holiday Inn and Protea Hotel Balalaika just a two-minute walk away. Among the dining options are the ever-popular Tashas, the fun and friendly Wok n Roll and casual burger restaurant, Ribs & Burgers. For something more glamorous book a table at Saint, which attracts a fashionable crowd and serves fantastic Italian food in glitzy surroundings.

Health and beauty has no measure at The MARC. The fitness-first, healthconscious shopper can continue working towards their body goals at the 2500sqm Planet Fitness gym. Boasting world-class high-tech facilities, the club offers a unique fitness experience. Meanwhile, Clicks promises its customers the best in all things health and beauty, offering shoppers a wide range of Clicks exclusivities. For a new ’do, head straight to Flow Hair Designs – experts in cuts, colour, hair extensions and hairstyling – which also offers a private room for new moms or anyone needing a little privacy.

IF SUCCESS HAD AN ADDRESS, IT WOULD BE AT THE MARC – A RETAIL CENTRE EMBEDDED AT THE BOTTOM OF A 5-STAR AND 4-STAR OFFICE PARK BUILDING, WHERE LEISURE AND WORK COMES TOGETHER.

Fancy a spot of retail therapy? Check out Willberrys for luxury accessories, Cape Union Mart for essential camping and hiking gear or Frond and Filigree for the most beautiful gifts and bespoke flower bouquets.

010 001 3881

129 RIVONIA ROAD, SANDOWN, SANDTON

WWW.THEMARC .CO. ZA

IF YOU HAVEN’T VISITED THE MARC SANDTON YET, IT’S A GOOD IDEA TO GO CONVENIENTLY LOCATED IN THE HEART OF SANDTON

Medical Suites at The MARC offers patients a new dimension of exclusivity and relaxation. Ideally located in The MARC precinct in Sandton CBD, on the corner of Maude and Rivonia Road, our blend of personal attention and superior amenities provides guests with a refined atmosphere of comfort, privacy and serenity. This is coupled with the services of our highly skilled medical practitioners, who provide the finest in healthcare.

Featuring a real-time online booking platform, Medical Suites at The MARC is committed to enhancing the outstanding medical care provided by our network of doctors in order to ensure an unparalleled experience for our valued guests.

Whether you’re in need of a check-up or a COVID-19 test, travel vaccine or gynecological and obstetric services, our goal is to do everything possible to foster a convenient and comfortable environment.

127 Rivonia Road, Sandton 010 443 6012 WWW.MARCMEDICALSUITES.CO.ZA

ARE YOU A MEDICAL PRACTITIONER? We have a spot for you! Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to become a part of The Marc Medical Suites Team. The space is fully equipped and furnished; all you have to do is move in.

CONTENTS ON THE COVER

As spring activities go, it’s hard to beat whiling away an afternoon or evening at one of the best rooftop bars in Joburg. The City of Gold never looks as beautiful as it does from up here at Alto 234 Bar. Flip to page 11 to read more.

FOOD & DRINK 10 18

Our 4 favourite new food and drink experiences in Joburg Restaurant spotlight: Chef Candice Philip’s seasonal tasting menu at

Basalt Restaurant

STYLE & BEAUTY 22 30 34 38

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12 lust-worthy products to give yourself a beauty overhaul Our top 7 spring perfumes of 2021 6 clean, cruelty-free beauty products you need right now from S T R L ?

New beauty products that will get you in the mood for spring

TRAVEL & LEISURE 42 52 58

Two perfect days at Leeu Estates Samara Private Game Reserve – a place of quietly profound beauty Chic stays: The Parkwood Boutique Hotel

MANAGING DIRECTOR Deborah Bailey deborah@hotwiremarketing.co.za

42

EDITOR Candice May candice@hotwiremarketing.co.za

SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER Daniela Tsakiris info@graphixdani.co.za

For sales queries, contact Deborah Bailey at deborah@hotwiremarketing.co.za

A CALMING, BLUE BOTANICAL CONCENTRATE THAT PROVIDES INSTANT RELIEF FOR DRY, ENVIRONMENTALLY STRESSED OR TROUBLED SKIN.

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restorative Helichrysum, it soothes skin and

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need of hydrating, nourishing care.

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.

S C E N E I N T H E CIT Y

THE

SEASON OF

delight

Our 4 favourite new food and drink experiences in Joburg It’s springtime, and the eating is easy. Now that you can go out, where should you go out? After a tough year marked by news of closures, for the first time in a year and a half there are several openings to report. Across Joburg, new, buzzy eateries that make the most of local seasonal ingredients and options to match every mood and palate are popping up block by block. While this is by no means an exhaustive list of every good new spot, one thing you can rely on is that we’ll only include places that we’ve genuinely checked out.

Without any further ado, these are our favourite places to eat and drink, and our favourite places to tell everyone else to eat and drink, in the City of Gold at this very moment.

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EDITOR’S PICK: ALTO 234 BAR Sandton’s rooftop to know about for a sky-high cocktail As spring activities go, it’s hard to beat whiling away an afternoon or evening at one of the best rooftop bars in Joburg. Ready to get high? Going up!

The City of Gold never looks as beautiful as it does from up here at Alto 234 Bar. Open just in time for the heatwave, this rooftop bar atop The Leonardo is exactly the kind of plush glass-encased bar you’d expect to find on the 57th and top floor of a buzzy, see-and-beseen hotel – a minimalistic aesthetic, a comfortable coolness, an extensive drinks list and smooth service that anticipates your every move. African prints in shades of green and orange, black and brass metal finishes as well as and trendy custom-designed furniture provide an approachable atmosphere for the inevitable Insta-worthy selfie. Drawing day-drinkers and sunset-seekers, this stylish sky-high establishment set against the Sandton skyline seamlessly goes from a vibrant terrace to a sleek late-night spot. Revel in some of the city’s most cinematic views as you sit amongst the rooftops in the airy, lush setting and sip on one of the expertly crafted cocktails. The cocktail menu is short and succinct, and changes regularly: The menu might include the ultra-refreshing What’s Poppin’ (Inverroche Amber, strawberry wine, citrus and lemonade) or the Golden Raindrops, made using Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve, apricot, vanilla, L’Ormarins Brut and edible gold glitter – it’s bitter, sweet and tangy all at once, hitting a magical synergy between the honeyed whisky and zesty sparkling wine. On a really sunny day, we’d suggest opting for the well-prepared, slow-drinking Flora cocktail to quench your thirst while you bask in the sun. Made to perfection with Tanqueray No Ten Gin, elderflower and citrus, it’s ideal for a boozy afternoon. For a perfect after-work kick, make sure to order the Don Summer – a mix of Don Julio Reposado Tequila, orange, thyme and dry lemon. Guests can also graze on bar snacks and a rotation of seasonal tapas by The Leonardo’s award-winning dining destination, Aurum Restaurant. We recommend the marbled wagyu biltong, truffle salt cashews, oysters with a soy and lemongrass dressing topped with purple garlic flowers, seared foie gras, crayfish peri peri and the delicate salmon infused with a cure made of herbaceous dill, tart orange, sour lemon and mild vodka. Book online for the Afternoon Experience from 12h30 to 15h30, the Sunset Experience from 16h00 to 18h30 or the Night Lights Experience from 19h00 to 23h00 for a price tag of R300 per person (excluding food and drinks) and look forward to a glamorous and refined – yet unfussy – affair.

This is one of Sandton’s glossiest addresses.

You should also know: Well, if you’re there … you may as well order a 200ml Moët Mini (with a golden sipper, of course) from the exclusive Moët Mini Machine using Moët tokens – or a bottle if you’re eager. Stay until sunset for an unforgettable view of Sandton in the fading light.

The Leonardo, 75 Maude Street, Sandton 011 806 6888 www.alto234.co.za S p r i ng 2021 | www. sce n e i n th e c i ty . c o . z a | 11

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ETHOS RESTAURANT Refined Mediterranean cooking amid the buzz of Rosebank After moving to a smart new space in Oxford Parks, Ethos Restaurant has become one of Rosebank’s top tickets thanks to the deft hand of executive chef Ken Phuduhudu. His fierce energy (he worked alongside chef Luke DaleRoberts at The Test Kitchen) translates to abstract-expressionist edible artworks presented on handmade ceramic ‘canvases’. Everything in this seafood-centric restaurant seems to achieve the perfect balance of refined and casual: The clean, bright lines, use of wood, ceiling baffles, Arabescato marble, big olive tree and mellow colour scheme make the space both a swanky date spot and a prime location for a business lunch. Either way, the food here is inventive as ever, with top hits including mussels saganaki, spanakopita salad, paella-style risotto and lamb kleftiko that keep the tables packed. The effortless blend of traditional and tranquil, cosmopolitan and cool, continues in the bathrooms decked out with the special little touches that are not easily forgotten, such as brushed gold fixtures and Aesop hand balms. All this, and there’s outdoor seating, chef’s table seating, a 14-seater private dining room and an ace little bar, too. Forks clash over starters of zippy calamari ‘romesco’ full of roasted tomato and pepper flavour; buttery-soft octopus carpaccio with preserved lemon dressing, ras el hanout semi-dried tomatoes and olive dust; and wafer-thin slices of kudu carpaccio with pomegranate molasses ‘balsamic’, aged Parmesan, rocket and avocado.

Main dishes emerging from the kitchen include a simple but showstopping herb-crusted lamb rack; boldly seasoned, risotto-like creamy chicken orzo; richly layered lobster moussaka with herb-fired lobster tail; and our top pick – the truly luxurious langoustine and scallop tortellini made with hand-rolled saffron pasta, Mozambican langoustine and scallop mousse. Lemon oil and fresh herbs gently perfume each ounce of meat, while a light bisque cream provides the perfect bed for these little pillows of perfection. Save room for dessert: We’re practically 12 | w w w.s c en ein t h ec it y.c o.za | Spring 2 0 2 1

salivating at the thought of that baklava, oozing with honey and sweet as can be, served with pistachio and yoghurt ice cream and a mixed nut tuile. As well as the wine, the cocktails here – from contemporary creations like the beautifully fragrant Litchi Lavender Elixir to perfectly-done classics – are out of this world. We know a good gin and juice when we sip one. This is the spring restaurant opening we’re constantly refreshing Dineplan for, so book ahead and expect high aesthetics, technical wizardry and a moneyed young crowd of foodies illuminated by smartphones.

Let the sunshine vibes reign.

You should also know: You’ll find this Ethos Restaurant tucked inside Oxford Parks – a growing walkable precinct that in the next few years will connect Rosebank with Illovo – among heaps of other cool eateries.

Oxford Parks, 199 Oxford Road, Rosebank www.ethosrestaurant.co.za

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PEACHY A scene-shifting creative hub with exquisite seasonal sharing plates The weekend starts here! In a city that’s not short on eye-catching openings, it takes a lot to turn heads. But that’s exactly what Peachy – 44 Stanley’s new dine bar – has done, with its pastel coral and mint walls, candy stripe bar, Murano chandeliers and iridescent mosaics set against a backdrop of chillout beats. This is beautifully rooted food with a real sense of adventure by chef Jess Doveton, who’s known for her flavour-packed, authentic Thai cooking with a cleverly light and fresh touch. She works flawlessly together with her close-knit team to ensure an afternoon or evening of delightful food and drink. More than half of the menu is plant-based, with vegan options ranging from prettily plated charred broccolini with a tahini soy drizzle to crisp cucumber salad with a spoonable black vinegar and chilli oil dressing. The aim of the game is to share – to kick off, there are snacks that include next-level tempura vegetables with a salty-sweet satay sauce and pipinghot deep-fried olives stuffed with pimento and dolloped with a punchy roasted garlic aioli. The airy kimchi fritters, with smooth-melting milky Gruyère packed inside a fluffy pocket, are a must-order too. But it’s the crowd-pleasing small plates you’re here for – think lip-smackingly juicy and zingy Koreanstyle hot wings that are a knockout in every sense (slather them in the rich sauce and nibble to the bone) or meltingly soft pork belly cubes served on a mint salad; a deliciously salty and refreshing combination. For pudding, it’s got to be the delicate peach sorbet or the off-the-charts indulgent deep-fried chocolate chip cookie dough served with salted vanilla ice cream. And then just sit back and take in the dreamy interior while you digest. The cocktail list here is as creative as the food menu, drawing in spices, shrubs and floral ingredients. Start with a sweet and fruity Peach Margarita or Peach Bellini, but finish with an imaginative cocktail like the Influencer in the Wild – made with Havana Club, orange liqueur and marshmallows. If you’re playing it safe, the Beefy Vegetarian (Beefeater Gin, apple juice and lime) works nicely with some of the sharper flavours on the menu.

You should also know: Open Wednesdays to Sundays, check Peachy’s Instagram page (@wearesopeachy) for regular local live entertainment to really get the party going.

44 Stanley, 44 Stanley Avenue, Braamfontein 063 210 3599 www.peachy.co.za

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THE PEEPING TOM Hotly anticipated bistro dishes in a loud neon-lit corner The Peeping Tom, the latest project from the creator of Morning Glory Café, is as Joburg as they come. A kitsch take on a traditional bistro with exposed brick, pops of lemon yellow and bubblegum pink, and cheeky neon signage (‘fancy as f*ck’, one such sign declares), it’s about to become big news. It’s not fancy, or particularly pretty – this is a place young couples and boisterous groups sip on cocktails garnished with edible flowers inside and out on the street as well as get stuck into a convivial meal with a bold line-up of dishes. Desserts, in particular, are outstanding. We adore the absurdly delicious Paris Breast – a toasted doughnut loaded with strawberries, cream, hazelnut chocolate, caramel and nuts – while bourbon fans will devour the boozy Bourbon Caramel Popcorn Shake.

Other dishes are equally spectacular: The Prawns Gone Wild, a simple prawn and avocado cocktail starter; beautifully gooey Mac Au Gratin with truffle, shoulder bacon and fried potato ribbons; a dressed-to-impress Crayfish Roll packed with sweet crayfish meat and flaked hake, served on a humble toasted roll; and the Oyster Bloody Mary in which the spicy flavours of this classic cocktail marry really well with a freshly shucked, briny queen oyster. The Boozy Cock bourbon-infused pulled chicken burger dripping with coriander aioli; melt-in-yourmouth tasty Brisket Flatbread with slow-cooked pulled brisket, Parmesan and plum sauce; and the Eggplant Emoji – crusted eggplant schnitzels served with burnt butter mash, gravy and greens – is also sublime, simple food with prices that belie the quality. The Peeping Tom is one of those perfect, low-key options for almost every occasion, whether it’s a weeknight supper or that dreaded first date. It’s also an amazing place to sit back and simmer after a day in the thrum of the City of Gold and a fabulous perch for people-watching The Parks’ coolest crowd over several glasses of rosé champagne topped with cotton candy. The atmosphere just works its magic. The staff are also more than happy to explain the process behind each fascinating drink. Bookings are essential and can be made via their website.

You should also know: Outdoor tables are fairly limited (but primed for people-watching on Park Corner), plus there’s plenty of space inside, too.

146 Jan Smuts Avenue, Parkwood 064 544 6556 www.peepingtomrestaurant.com

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T: 010 1100 308 | E: info@cocoonlifestyle.co.za | W: www.cocoonlifestyle.co.za 3 Desmond Street, Kramerville, Johanesburg, South Africa S p r i ng 2021 | www. sce n e i n th e c i ty . c o . z a | 15

A high-rise restaurant fit for an artful city. This 165-seater, Infinity Restaurant is everything a glamorous escape atop Cape Town should be, complete with panoramic views and an interior playfully themed, afro-chic, according to the tropical wallpaper with exotic birds, mixed textures, animal print dining chairs, chic and shimmering chandeliers as well as splashes of cream, lilac and emerald green.

Lively, romantic, cosy – whatever you’re looking for when making lunch or dinner plans, you can have it all at Infinity Restaurant while taking in the natural beauty of Cape Town. Choose from popular internationally inspired dishes, such as a Sous Vide Rolled Pork Neck with Apple ginger gel, honey wine pear, rich cumin nut mole with polenta rounds & almond crumble, as you feel transported to simpler times; a point in space and time that seems infinitely distant, or test your Combining 360-degree mountain and palette on specialties like Beef Brisket sea views with ‘skystronomy’ – the Moroccan spiced braise with smoked concept of gastronomy in the sky, carrot cream, sour leek, poor man’s courtesy of our Olympian chef, Infinity mustard, layered potatoes stack with Restaurant boasts a stylish scene with a horse radish, a powerful flavour punch, smorgasbord of celebratory drinks and paired with a wine from our stellar, wideon-trend dishes made from fresh, topranging wine list. If you fancy something quality ingredients. a bit more extravagant with your meal, there’s also a fabulous selection of French It’s a spot for casual comfort food – champagnes plus some lovely MCCs and think dishes like Smoked Chicken with green vegetables, root vegetables, pickle Proseccos. Adding doses of over-the-top eclecticism, the Afro-chic décor sets the mix and charred pepper, Tikka Chicken mood itself. with Bo-Kaap style curried butternut squash, chimichurri sauce with pickles.

Dining at Infinity Restaurant is a crash course in Africa’s melting pot culture Infinity is also a beacon of breezy and history, vividly retold by dishes indulgence; the perfect space to take that make the most of local seasonal in cosmopolitan views with laid-back food underpinned by bold flavours and Mother City ease where one cocktail international flair. Book in advance to from our superb cocktail list, which avoid disappointment – the 10-seater celebrates all the classics, can quickly Captain’s Table seats 10 and offers the spiral into two or three … or more. Not to be missed is the namesake drink, the best views in the house.

Infinity Cocktail – shaken with Bacardi, mango, strawberry and curaçao, it’s bursting with the flavours of the tropics.

CONTACT DETAILS 9 Lower Long Street, Cape Town, 8000 021 879 5043 info@infinityrestaurant.capetown WWW.INFINITYRESTAURANT.CAPETOWN

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RESTAURANT SPOTLIGHT Reviewed: Chef Candice Philip’s seasonal tasting menu at Basalt Restaurant Foraging can be an over-hyped word. For many, it means banging on about the stir-fried dandelion greens, garlic mustard pesto, stinging nettle soup or violet-infused syrup they once made. For chef Candice Philip, however, it forms part of an inventive approach to cooking that’s based on a total sensory experience. Her story has taken her from Grei at the Saxon Hotel, Villas & Spa, then, earlier this year, to Basalt Restaurant – a dimly lit, seriously sexy dining room situated in The Peech Hotel’s original heritage house.

Go for the intimacy, the je ne sais qois and the brand-new Forage & Flora tasting menu.

Finally, something to dress up for. The vision at the core of chef Candice Philip’s residency at Basalt Restaurant is both different and bold: A new seven-course tasting menu every season, each with a different theme, all riffing off memories and ideas. The flashy and splashy dark-grey interiors, meanwhile, are just as extravagant as the deliciously fine-tuned cooking skills the chef shows in the kitchen – with pops of burnt orange, brushed copper, dark wood furnishings and plush velvet chairs. It feels as much of an intimate dining experience as a masterclass in playful, produce-led fine dining.

The newly launched Forage & Flora tasting menu for spring promises an unparalleled dining experience that’s refined, ambitious and intense. By searching for herbs, fruits and roots from the wild, chef Candice creates food that rivals high art and brings diners unique experiences closer to nature.

Dishes like the line fish on the pescatarian menu may be tweaked from week to week. But the big-hitters, sourced through consistent channels, rightfully retain prime position. Spoiler alert: For those who want each and every of the seven courses to be a surprise, look away. Just go along and take an open mind (there’s nothing particularly challenging though). For others, we’ll keep a few of the plates to ourselves.

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Some courses come with the scent and tang of the sea, while others are focused on proteins from land that are whipped into edible masterpieces. First up is a generously portioned trio of bread and snacks – plump baobab milk bread with beechwood smoked butter; dainty lemon poppy lavash garnished with micro herbs and edible flower petals; and mussel pani puri, the perfect blend of spice and crunch featuring a crispy, wafer-thin outside and a mouthwatering filling that packs a rich punch. Up next is the sushi-grade ceviche studded with chamomile and almonds, giving a burst of tangy acidity.

It’s followed by pink slices of beef served alongside truffle and bay leaf (heavy on the former ingredient, just the way we like it) – earthy in flavour and silken in texture.

The main course of duck cooked to glistening perfection is a triumph of the senses, if we were to sum it up in five words. The duck breast is as soft as fresh pasta, tingled with slightly peppery red cabbage and tart hibiscus reminiscent of pomegranate.

Closing the menu is a not-all-sweet amasi, apricot and bee pollen dessert to scrape with your spoon and wonder how slightly sharp fermented milk – that tastes like something between cottage cheese and yoghurt – can be quite so puddingy. And finally, phyllo pastry wrapped around a savoury Karoo crumble cheese filling with walnut and green tea to prep the palate for the tempting after-dinner treats.

Beetroot and rose pavlova truffles, lemon and lavender Turkish delight, and miniature café noir cakes decorated with golf leaf are works of art and culinary prowess that let chef Candice’s impeccable techniques do the talking. We washed our food down with a bottle of the Vondeling Sauvignon Blanc 2020, loved for its green herbal flavours and racy acidity with aromas of peach blossom, white pear, passion fruit and lime. Next time, we’ll try the food-friendly wine pairings by specialist fine wine importer, Great Domaines. Chat to the mixologist at the bar for recommendations on post-supper tipples to round off the evening.

Cost: R875 per person for the food menu (excluding the optional beverage flight) The Peech Hotel, 61 North Street, Melrose 011 537 9797 www.basalt.restaurant S p r i ng 2021 | www. sce n e i n th e c i ty . c o . z a | 19

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micro-needling PERFORMANCE INTELLIGENCE pioneered and perfected

by Environ Micro-Needling is arguably one of the most popular professional and at-home skincare treatments today.

More and more consumers are focusing on skin health and using the power of at-home skincare technology to optimise results.

Environ pioneered Micro-Needling Technology to help safely and effectively deliver more essential nutrients and intelligent ingredients to where your skin needs them most. Micro-Needling is the route to the best results in the world. Environ’s approach to safe and effective Micro-Needling continues to build on a legacy of beautiful, healthy-looking skin for a lifetime.

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FAST TRACK YOUR JOURNEY TO BEAUTIFUL HEALTHY-LOOKING SKIN

FAQ'S ANSWERED IS MICRO-NEEDLING PAINFUL? Cosmetic Micro-Needling should be a beautiful experience that is safe and effective. Environ supports Micro-Needling with shorter needle lengths (0.1mm or 0.2mm) to ensure that it's easy to do and painless which allows for a more intensive needling experience. It's all about the number of holes, not the needle length to get the best results.

CAN ONE NEEDLE AROUND THE EYE AREA AND THE UPPER LIP? Environ makes it perfectly safe and easy to micro-needle the smaller, hard to reach areas. The Cosmetic Focus-CIT® can be used to improve the appearance of hydration, signs of ageing and skin discolouration around the eyes, frown area and lips.

While the world may be experiencing a Micro-Needling revolution today, it was Dr Des Fernandes (Founder and Scientific Director of Environ) who pioneered this innovative technology more than 20 years ago.

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DOES MICRO-NEEDLING CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE SKIN? All Environ Micro-Needling Instruments are medical grade, safe and premium quality.

Individually sharpened needles (0.1 to 0.2mm) allows for precise micro punctures without damaging or breaking the skin.

DO LONGER NEEDLES DELIVER BETTER RESULTS? Research shows it’s about the number of holes, not the length of the needle. The more holes made, the better the results.

Visit Environ Skin Care on YouTube to watch the Micro-Needling Technology video series and tutorials.

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Ask an Environ skincare professional for your personalised recommendation.

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Fresh AS A DAISY

12 lust-worthy products to give yourself a beauty overhaul With the clocks going forward, we’re relishing a lovely little spell of sunshine and cheer. How, then, to prep the face for balmy days ahead that bring with them the promise of budding flowers, bare shoulders, linen dresses and barely-there sandals?

From preventive skincare, high-powered serums, golden highlighters and luxuriously creamy eyeshadows to a born-again lip colour as warm and bright as a weekend escape and a dry shampoo that captures the freshness of a favourite bloom, the sweet season’s best beauty arrivals will put a spring in your step.

Here are the 12 products you’ll want for the months ahead. Hello, sunshine!

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EDITOR’S PICK: WESTMAN ATELIER EYE PODS - LES JOURS

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Although we’re partial to our particular favourite liners, lipsticks and the like, our heart rates spike with every exciting makeup release. Makeup artist to the stars and queen of ‘second skin’ looks, Gucci Westman’s brand, Westman Atelier, is now exclusively available at Skins Cosmetics – and the no-makeup makeup line’s luxuriously creamy and dewy products truly tick every box of our criteria. This spring is evidently all about easy-to-apply formulas: Westman Atelier’s first-ever, consciously formulated eyeshadows strike the perfect balance between a cream and powder formula (thanks to coconut oil), so you’ll get nothing but full pigment and zero fallout.

You can purchase one of two eyeshadow trios – the subtle and glowing Les Jours (rich chocolate, warm bronze and iridescent ivory) or the deep and radiant Les Nuits (rich black, burgundy and iridescent pink).

A whole lot of luxury sits in the three super-compact, stackable magnetic pods – these plush shadows are ultra-pigmented, long-wearing and as elegant and tasteful as we’ve ever seen. There’s a special place in our hearts for the group of lighter neutral shades. A worthy investment for a glam smoky eye or subtle hint of warmth, they offer it all. The buttery metallic finishes make it intensely easy to create dimension in any eye looks – you won’t want to blend that away … but blend you must. One swipe of mascara and you’re complete! We also love that the brand is dedicated to clean beauty – many of the products include potent skincare ingredients, such as caper extract and camellia seed oil, and do away with harmful ones. This approach extends to recycled packaging, recyclable materials and – coming soon – refillable containers. *Adds to basket* R1,905 from Skins Cosmetics

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ELIZABETH ARDEN FOUREVER BRONZE BRONZING POWDER - MEDIUM Our skin is just emerging from winter hibernation, which is why this four-in-one cheek palette has become a VIP in our makeup bags. Facesculpting just got a whole lot easier with this do-it-all kit that features a rosy blush, pearlescent highlighter and two contour shades. Made from hyaluronic acid as well as vitamins C and E, it doesn’t just impart a candlelit glow at all hours of the day, it also promotes healthy skin.

The gold-flecked warm rose blush applies much softer than it looks – it flatters all skin tones and gives an amazing flush of colour to the skin.

But why stop there? The stunning champagne highlighter melts into the skin, leaving you with the perfect soft-gold shimmer you might not expect from a powder. Our go-to for a believable sunny-day glow, it’s easy to layer, looks luminous for hours on end and works just as well for eyes as it does for highlighting cheekbones. If you’re looking for a sun-kissed look, the multitasking palette replicates the way the sun hits your face when swirled together. The possibilities are endless. We like to dust the bronzer all over – the buildable formula is mistake-proof and easy to sweep over skin – and then add shimmer with the highlighter. Also nice: You don’t have to haul around a huge bronzer compact while you’re travelling.

Elizabeth Arden’s got you covered.

R570 from Woolworths, Edgars and Foschini

CHANEL HYDRA BEAUTY ESSENCE MIST

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There’s nothing like achieving that perfect dewy glow without even using highlighter.

As you begin to indulge in spring by enjoying the fresh air, don’t forget to pack this luxe facial spray that’s light on the skin in your go-to tote bag. We totally get that it’s a splurge, but the way its ultra-fine mist and pleasantly potent formula softens and soothes makes it worth every penny. Infused with plenty of skin-perfecting ingredients – white camellia extract, blue ginger, hyaluronic acid plus vitamins C and E – on a bare, just-cleansed face, it’s so hydrating that it will replenish and moisturise even the driest of complexions. So, not only does it smell divine and come in a slim, sleek bottle, it also gently relaxes dry lines to restore skin’s appearance. Use this luxury face mist right after cleansing to leave skin feeling reinvigorated and looking healthy, or make it the last step in your makeup routine to immediately lock in foundation and take the powdery edge off your final look. Whether you’re using it to beat the heat or envelop yourself in a soothing light floral aroma, it offers both comfort and pleasure. Fabulous for a midday pick-me-up – and just as great for soothing skin overnight – it’s definitely worth the buy. We recommend keeping it in your handbag and using it anytime instant hydration and radiance is desired.

R1,150 from Chanel fragrance and beauty boutiques as well as select Woolworths and Edgars stores

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RVB LAB THE MAKE UP HYDRA BOOSTER FOUNDATION

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Have you found the one yet? Finding your complexion soulmate can be a lengthy task, but once you do, you’ll likely never look back.

This outstanding new foundation made with clean ingredients has earned a permanent place in our makeup bag. It adds comfort without weight, covers flawlessly without settling into pores or fine lines and is radiant without veering into dewy territory, so you can apply powder bronzers or blush on top.

What more could one ask for? We like that the line-blurring liquid formula is smooth with a satiny finish and that it blends into the skin seamlessly. The skin-first formula leaves a luminous veil of coverage that lasts all day – you can trust it to go the distance on the longest of days … and nights. Almost every new foundation launch promises natural-looking light reflection, but RVB LAB’s skincare-inspired offering is one of few that truly succeed.

Consider it your one-and-done multitasker.

COLAB DRY SHAMPOO BOHO ROSE Once the warmer weather arrives, a quick spritz of perfume applied to your wrist or neck will do the trick for sunny spring days. But this hair-reviving hopeful for budding bohemians sends fragrant waves a little further north and lets your locks do the talking. COLAB’s dry shampoos have quickly become a hit in our office as a soft, subtle and alluring way to wear fragrance. Inspired by whimsical flower crowns, this vegan, cruelty-free dry shampoo in picture-perfect packaging features delicate scents of rose and peony to beckon the scent of a fresh blowout. It transforms hair into bouncy, shiny perfection without adding too much weight or grit, which makes it ideal for fine hair. We love the soft-force sprayer so it applies in an even mist without white residue that works wonders on sweaty post-workout hair. This is the essential you and your beauty bag can’t live without!

Mist it over your hair and be on your way.

R620 from www.orleanscosmetics.co.za as well as select spas and salons

MAVALA PROLIP LIPSTICK APRICOT It’s time to switch out those vampy lip shades like oxblood and deep berries and brighten things up a bit. Soft lavender can be hit and miss, and vibrant fuchsia is even more difficult to get right. But orange – whether it’s warm and wearable terracotta, cheerful and creamy coral or bright and bold pumpkin – has the ability to take the simplest of beauty looks to the next level. This striking burnt orange shade is bright with a capital B. It isn’t for the low-key, but it adds vibrancy to every complexion any time of year. The satin bullet deposits an apricot hue and a cushiony texture that looks truly beautiful on the lips with an ultra-nourishing formula rich in shea butter, aloe vera and vitamin E. This lipstick is a breath of fresh air for warmer weather and one slick lasts for hours, even through your morning (and afternoon) coffee. Though you may not need it, considering how much this unapologetic dash of colour can perk you up.

R295 from www.mavala.co.za

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R88.95 from Clicks

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NIVEA ROSE CARE HYDRATING SHEET MASK When you’re after a quick fix – or a pre-party, pre-makeup or Friday night treat – this new selfie-ready sheet mask will quickly deliver dewy baby skin and a heavy hit of hydration. Brilliantly good value and remarkably effective, it’s steeped in a blend of antioxidants and Hyaluron, all in a cooling base of the brand’s signature Rose Care organic rosewater. Ripping open the admittedly ‘grammable package, you find an absolutely heavenly mask soaked in a serum that smells just like a freshly cut bouquet of sweet pink roses. It sits tightly over the face for all 10 minutes it’s meant to stay on (so you won’t get serum dripping down your neck), leaves skin noticeably fresh and instantly brings down any redness. This is our go-to for serious moisture and breathing life right back into our skin for the days it feels just … meh. Consider it a rehydration sachet for your skin. Oh, and did we mention that it’s an absolute bargain?

R49.99 from Clicks and Dis-Chem

LAMELLE SKIN ESSENCE REJUVENATE Have you heard of ‘glass’, ‘honey’ or ‘cloudless’ skin? If you crave that bouncy Instagram skin aesthetic, a facial essence is the ultimate skincare essential to get you the coveted complexion. Our favourite for a model-worthy glow, this one contains impressively high doses of probiotic ingredient bifida ferment lysate, probiotic lysate and amino acids to intensely nourish the skin post-cleanse. Sure, it’s another step, but it’s the heart of our seven-step routine because its water-light texture feels relaxing as it’s patted and quickly absorbed into the skin. The best part?

This well-rounded essence does more than just hydrate – it also reinforces the skin’s protective barrier against external pollutants. It’s a one-stop product that offers long-lasting hydration in a lightweight formula you barely notice once it’s applied. Now that’s something to celebrate! Follow up with a serum, cream or oil to seal in all of the goodness.

R410 from www.dermastore.co.za

NUXE SUPER SERUM [10] There are few things that can make you feel like you have your life together more than a boujee skincare product. Naturally, we were obsessed with this universal antiageing treatment – a golden liquid with encapsulated botanical oils that melt into the skin upon application – as soon as it landed.

From plumping and firming to sealing in essential moisture and unlocking a luminous complexion, this crossover between an oil and a serum delivers. Not only does it benefit from a luxurious spa-like scent, its lightweight gel texture also contains hyaluronic acid and niacinamide encased in micro-spheres to leave skin feeling soft, smooth and less prone to irritation. We love that this product absorbs well, is super-versatile and can be seamlessly integrated into any existing skincare routine.

What’s more, used alone, it makes a flawless base for makeup, adding glow without an excess or filmy residue on the skin.

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R1,260 from from www.orleanscosmetics.co.za as well as select Woolworths, Foschini and Truworths stores

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GATINEAU HYDRA AURA ÉCLAT DE SOIE WATER CREAM This featherlight hydrator is like a breath of fresh, cool air – that, and it settles into the skin so quickly it practically feels like nothing.

You’d never be able to tell that this water-based gel moisturiser is doing the actual most. Its super-powered, carefully concocted ingredient list – featuring barbary fig, alpine skullcap, Dead Sea salt and seaweed actives – perks skin right up, leaving it looking bright, awake and youthful sans any sticky residue or unwanted sheen. Even more addicting is how it targets fine lines and wrinkles. Basically, if you want all-day hydration and more radiant looking skin then this formula is for you. It feels cool upon application, slips across skin like a bouncy gel, calms thirsty patches immediately and lays comfortably underneath makeup … you can’t go wrong. Whenever we use this cushiony cream regularly, we get more compliments on our refreshed complexion than we know what to do with.

R895 from www.orleanscosmetics.co.za as well as select Woolworths, Truworths and Dis-Chem stores

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DIEGO DALLA PALMA PROFESSIONAL OXYGENATING JELLY SCRUB We love a good face scrub in a heavy gold jar with minimal packaging as much as the next girl. However, this fun, playful dandelion and orange blossom-emblazoned scrub is one of the best we’ve tried so far. Not to mention, the packaging was just asking for a spot on our shelf. We’re all about glycolic acids and peel pads to give our face a glow, but sometimes we just want a little grit. Made from fresh organic dandelion juice and orange flower extract, as well as oxygen flow and supremely gentle sugar crystals, this super-fine exfoliator feels like the two-minute tropical vacation your skin deserves. Slough away dead, dry and dull skin whilst the formula simultaneously aims to soften and detoxify without any harsh stripping effect. We use a light layer, about the size of a penny, and rub gently in circular motions all across our face.

Wave goodbye to blemishes and clogged pores, and hello to baby-bottom softness.

R560 from www.orleanscosmetics.co.za as well as select spas and salons

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REN MOROCCAN ROSE OTTO BATH OIL Is there anything better than a hot soak for 30 much-needed minutes of me-time?

Don’t answer that … of course there isn’t.

But there’s an art to bathing – adding a luxury spa-scented bath product is the beauty of the bath, which makes it a very worthwhile indulgence. This bath oil is as sumptuous as it sounds: Submerge yourself in lashings of Moroccan rose, geranium and sesame oils, and you’ll feel relaxed in no time. The blend of 100% pure plant oils and vitamin E (that becomes light and milky once dropped into water) releases a room-filling fragrance that will slow a racing mind in minutes as well as leaves skin velvety soft and remarkably supple. Extra points for how lovely the glass bottle will look perched next to your tub! This bath elixir scented with thousands of rose petals makes a very chic present, but you’ll be hard-pressed to actually give it away.

We dare you not to keep it for yourself.

R750 from www.rencleanskincare.co.za and select Woolworths stores

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skin behaves as if it were 10 years younger*

*In vitro Test. **Vegan formula without ingredients or derivatives of animal origin.

new

Call Orleans Cosmetics on (021) 701 2900 for your nearest stockist, or to become a stockist.

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NEW

beginnings in a bottle

Our top 7 spring perfumes of 2021 Warmer weather, bikes with baskets, lemonade with honey and wine with bubbles. There’s something to be said about the renewal, strength and beauty of spring. After a long, dark winter, spring always arrives with optimism and full of promise in spite of it all (perhaps a tad dramatic, but it’s 2021, so we’re allowed). Whether you’ll be focused on spring cleaning or spring flings, if you’re anything like us, you’re of the mind that the changing season is a time for a new scent. We’ve handpicked our top seven new fragrances that encapsulate spring’s ever-present blooms and blossoms, sprouts and tendrils, plentiful fresh fruits and the desire to spend more time outdoors. Pick your favourite and get spritzing!

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QUICK TIPS Keep your fragrances in a dark, cool and dry place that’s free of both natural and artificial light.

Unfortunately, they shouldn’t be kept as a centrepiece on your dresser, as the introduction of light breaks down a scented liquid’s makeup. Unlike eau de parfums, eau de toilettes and colognes can be stored in the fridge because of their more robust chemical makeup.

TO KEEP YOUR PERFUME FRESH

Don’t store your fragrances in the bathroom – the most common storage mistake.

Bathrooms have extreme humidity and temperature fluctuations, both of which can alter the sensitive DNA and delicate chemical bonds of a fragrance. Instead, look for a cupboard outside the bathroom.

Especially in hot

spring months

Be mindful of when you debut a new fragrance. After the first use, oxygen causes the scent inside the bottle to dilute and become oxidised. Naturally, with more oxygen and less scent in the bottle, the smell will diffuse. Shaking a fragrance also introduces oxidation via bubbles.

EDITOR’S PICK: JO MALONE LONDON ELDERFLOWER CORDIAL COLOGNE Best for: Picnics and pink wine Fragrance family: Soft, powdery fruity-floral Ah, spring … bring on the picnics with a gingham tablecloth or patchwork blanket thrown out on the grass and, of course, the spread. Rosé wine, cheese and crackers as well a giant bowl of fruit salad with melon and berries. To match our picnic mood, trust Jo Malone London to deliver a note-perfect line of utterly delicious scents inspired by the British love of jam making that are as mouthwatering as you’d expect. Part of the limited-edition Marmalade Collection, this scent bursts with a hit of tart, fruity summer-green gooseberries, which quickly fades to reveal the elderflower – a soft countryside flower with an enchanting delicacy – at the heart of the fragrance. Base notes of dried fruits in fragrant syrup add longevity and a luxuriously rich texture, making it perfectly fitting for an alfresco lunch. While this is our personal favourite from the collection that consists of four seasonal scents along with a tried-and-true favourite, the full selection of colognes is delightful – Tangy Rhubarb, Orange Peel, Rose Blush and Blackberry & Bay. From the charming white ceramic bottles inspired by milk glass jam and marmalade jars to the vintage-styled blue font, this has to be one of our favourite fragrance releases this season.

R995 for 30ml from Jo Malone London boutiques and select Woolworths stores S p r i ng 2021 | www. sce n e i n th e c i ty . c o . z a | 31

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GIORGIO ARMANI CYPRÈS PANTELLERIA JIMMY CHOO I WANT CHOO VALENTINO DONNA BORN IN ROMA YELLOW DREAM Best for: A sunny escape on a salt-spray sailboat Fragrance family: Fresh and floral, with an emphasis on citrus notes If you’re in search of escapism, it doesn’t get much better than thoughts of azure waters, dramatic cliffside backdrops and palm-size lemons. The latest in the Valentino Donna Born in Roma family is the springiest and most verdant – this time, flowery Italian primofiore lemon snuck in for an unexpected olfactory experience.

Zippy and seemingly fresh-squeezed, contained within the rock-studded, prismatic bottle inspired by sweeping Roman architecture is an airy, feminine fragrance. Contrasting the sparkling citrus top note is the middle note of Damascan rose essence and base note of rarified white musk, which combine for an invigorating but not overpowering blend.

This floral fragrance is well-suited to daytime wear. Topping it all off with an Aperol spritz garnished with a slice of fresh orange is only fitting!

R1,300 for 30ml, R1,650 for 50ml or R2,500 for 100ml from select Edgars, Foschini and Truworths stores

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Best for: Balmy evenings and rooftop cocktails Fragrance family: Sweet, luxurious amber-floral Spring is synonymous with romance – even in the age of social distancing. Enter the latest scent from Jimmy Choo, a tingling olfactory love letter that’s as sparkling and pink as a glass of rosé. The mystery of a love affair in a bottle, it wouldn’t be a Jimmy Choo fragrance without some white flowers in the middle, and I Want Choo is no exception. Red spider lily and jasmine are at the heart of this fragrance spiked with vanilla, but it’s the sweet peach and juicy mandarin that make it feel like a surefire future classic. The result is indulgent and invigorating. As you can tell from the play-on-words name, it’s perfect for anyone who doesn’t take themselves too seriously.

The beautiful bottle alone, featuring a bold gold spray cap with a hammered jeweled effect, is incentive enough to invest in this decadent fragrance.

R1,099 for 40ml, R1,499 for 60ml or R1,899 for 100ml from Edgars, Foschini, Truworths, Clicks and Dis-Chem

Best for: Priming your mind for spring ahead Fragrance family: Earthy, woody and mossy chyrpe After a year and a half of being confined to our homes, this lively fragrance feels like a celebration of freedom and possibility. Built around a heady combination of citron, bergamot, floral neroli and mandarin orange, it makes for a compelling escape to Giorgio Armani’s luxurious holiday home on the Italian island of Pantelleria – known for its untouched nature and striking contrast between the sparkling light on the sea and its dark volcanic rocks. The crisp and herbaceous chypre (pronounced ‘sheepra’) scent opens with sparklingly spring-like notes.

A refreshing wave of invigorating cypress trees and sea foam forms the heart of the fragrance, revealing clary sage mixed with water notes, while the base features oakmoss, vetiver, amber wood and patchouli. The terrific shared unisex eau de toilette is an olfactory portrait of the perfect spring afternoon; a must-try if you love the smell of being in nature.

R3,200 for 100ml From Edgars

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NUXE PRODIGIEUX LE PARFUM FLORAL Best for: Evoking the scent of a fresh spring bouquet Fragrance family: Simple, clean floral Florals? For spring? Why yes … hear us out.

You’ve got your special-occasion scents, sure – but if you’re on the hunt for something you can wear every day, prepare to get hooked on this delightful fragrance made from 89% natural-origin ingredients. A classic reinvented, it conjures perfect spring days with a single sniff: As this feminine fragrance unfolds on your skin, it’s like lifting an assortment of magnolia and orange blossom to your nose, fresh from the garden soil. The floral notes are joined here by Calabrian bergamot, grapefruit and lemon, with creamy musk base notes that emerge throughout the day. If there’s ever a time to embrace floral notes that are all about sunny days in scented gardens, it’s now! This delicate blend is an ideal scent for someone who doesn’t like an overpowering perfume.

R910 for 50ml from select Woolworths, Foschini and Truworths stores

ELIZABETH ARDEN WHITE TEA GINGER LILY Best for: A whimsical garden party Fragrance family: Floral woody musk The lure of white ginger lily, the scent of freshly-cut lilacs, the sparkling zing of bitter orange – this airy eau de toilette leaves behind a scent that virtually anyone who loves florals will want to bathe in. Ginger lily blossom and white cedarwood are the stars in this latest iteration of the Elizabeth Arden White Tea fragrance that bottles up all the most welcome aspects of spring. It’s like your favourite ultrafine-knit cashmere wrap dress, but in a sheer chiffon texture with feminine frills to transition seamlessly into lighter nights and warmer weather. Although it’s soft, clean, fresh and surprisingly light on the skin, it’s definitely a scent for perfume-wearers who aren’t afraid of bolder notes. The skin-hugging musk and tiny hints of tonka bean round everything out with a touch of depth. It’s a lovely choice for a joyous garden party – think lemon tart, rose and pistachio cake, and lavender champagne cocktails. Salivating much?

R625 for 30ml or R940 for 100ml from Woolworths, Edgars and Foschini

L’OCCITANE EN PROVENCE OSMANTHUS Best for: Feeling like you’re in a field of flowers Fragrance family: Feminine, blooming fruity-floral It wouldn’t be a spring fragrance roundup without L’Occitane en Provence, famous for their creations featuring delicate flowers. Their newest one is inspired by the whisper-soft yellow Osmanthus flower, a symbol of good fortune, wealth, nobility and beauty. Sign us up. We’re all aware that you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but when it comes to this eau de toilette? The bottle, like a facelift for your vanity table, is a pretty good indicator that you’re getting into a truly cheerful scent experience. Easy, breezy, luminous … it’s all our daydreams in a spritz. There’s a massive dose of apricot, pear and bitter orange, all swirled up with Chinese Osmanthus, Mahonial and carrot seed oil. Cedarwood, sandalwood and Ambrettolide are what weave their roots together to create a gentle and happy scent that you’ll definitely reach for beyond spring.

The roll-on is a fabulous handbag purchase for instant zest.

R345 for 10ml, R565 for 30ml or R985 for 75ml from L’Occitane en Provence

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ECO GLOW-UP 6 clean, cruelty-free beauty products you need right now from S T R L ?

Once a niche, it’s no secret that the clean beauty movement has gone mainstream. Although the latest buzzwords – natural, vegan, organic, sustainable – are rapidly gaining momentum, the beauty industry is still far from perfect when it comes to preserving our planet. But our buying habits, particularly for our top shelf, have the power to change the narrative.

Brand-new online beauty store, S T R L ? – a treasure trove for cool, clean and cruelty-free products that aren’t available anywhere else in South Africa – is prioritising the planet and taking steps towards positive change with formulas you’ll love … without the ingredients you don’t. From deodorant to mascara, we’ve done the heavy lifting for you and rounded up our favourite no-nasties beauty buys that are as good for your skin as they are for our animal friends. It’s time to revamp your vanity and give your routine an earth-loving upgrade.

EDITOR’S TOP THREE PICKS

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A NATURAL DEODORANT THAT ACTUALLY WORKS (WE SWEAR)

Just like we detox our skin with a weekly charcoal mask, we need to do the same for our underarms. But a natural deodorant that’s free from aluminium – which is absorbed into the bloodstream and has been linked to severe health problems – is totally different from natural skincare products. Simply put, it’s tough to find one that actually does the job. We’ve tried pretty much every natural alternative, but few come close to rivaling the Salt & Stone Eucalyptus & Cedarwood Natural Deodorant. A different way to go au natural, this long-lasting formula – made with hyaluronic acid, probiotics and shea butter – gives your armpits a nourishing hug and makes you feel fancier every time you swipe it on. The masculine eucalyptus and cedarwood scent might not be to everyone’s taste, but we love that it’s more like a luxury fragrance than a classic

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deodorant scent. It’s everything you’d want from your deodorant – sleek packaging, a stick formation and effective ingredients that work together seamlessly to block out odour – with nothing you don’t (think baking soda, alcohol, parabens, sulphates, synthetic fragrances and dyes). Not to mention, being unisex, vegan, glutenfree and cruelty-free, this is the ultimate crowd-pleaser.

We like that it goes on light, doesn’t overly dry your underarms and helps prevent any uncomfortable wetness. If you suffer from razor bumps, this deodorant can help replenish those woes, too. It pairs perfectly with a pair of yoga pants and sports bra. Insta-worthy armpits, coming right up!

R300 from www.strl.shop

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2 A NO-NONSENSE FACE MASK TO MULTITASK IN Meet the minimalistic, fuss-free face masks from _faace, a new British brand aimed at providing ‘a solution to skin that’s been disrupted by life’ that we’re championing now and forever more. Debuting with its capsule collection of three ingredientpacked masks based on everyday realities – Tired Faace, Sweaty Faace and Period Faace – these ‘lazy’ products will take the confusion out of your skincare routine when you’re too busy to read ingredients lists.

The do-it-all _faace Tired Faace is a masking powerhouse if we ever saw one; the perfect antidote to a hectic schedule. Not only is it natural, vegan, 100% plant-powered and extremely shelfie friendly, it’s also bursting with ingredients that will inject a new lease of life into dull, lacklustre

skin – including vitamin C to brighten, lactic acid to gently exfoliate, caffeine to perk up dark circles, aloe vera to soothe inflammation, Frankincense to strengthen as well as rosehip oil (a natural retinol) to boost collagen. Five to 20 minutes is all it takes to reap the re-energising benefits of this brilliant mask that does exactly what it says on the tube, but you can also leave it on overnight or use it as a priming base underneath makeup. Although potent acids are present and the clear gel-like formula has a strong earthy, herbal scent, it applies smoothly without any tingling or irritation.

We love that it dries down relatively quickly, which means we can wear it while working from home and going about our day. Expect seriously glowy skin that feels healthy and recharged afterwards.

R730 from www.strl.shop S p r i ng 2021 | www. sce n e i n th e c i ty . c o . z a | 35

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A CBD FACE CREAM TO ADD A HIT OF CALM TO YOUR DAILY ROUTINE

Intriguing, controversial and full of secrets. Cannabis compound, CBD (short for cannabidiol) is the most buzzed about beauty ingredient of the moment – and may be your new favourite skin-soother. This Place is a truly unique German CBD skincare line that’s not here to mess around, offering a luxe spin on what used to be a highly niche category. If This Place The Glow Revitalising Face Cream’s swanky, sustainable lemon-yellow packaging isn’t enough to make you hit ‘add to cart’, then perhaps bio-CBD 422 from open-field cultivation in the Swiss Alps will. Disclaimer: It will elevate your beauty routine, but won’t get you high. Even better than its undeniable chic factor, this glow-boosting elixir’s clean, vegan and 100% natural formula is loaded with organic hemp extract, zinc, cinnamon bark as well as extracts from cedar and olive leaves. In addition to providing skin-calming and antiinflammatory benefits, other hard-working ingredients like hyaluronic acid pack a hydrating punch and ensure that your face feels baby-soft to the touch. Lightweight,

A SPA-WORTHY FACE SCRUB THAT’LL LEAVE YOU WITH BABY SOFT SKIN IN MINUTES

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nourishing and super-comfortable, it feels just as sublime as it sounds – we swear it’s a game-changer for addressing redness and boosting your skin’s natural glow. Plus, it smells like a decadent slice of cinnamon pie, but in the most elegant (and totally satisfying) skincare ritual kind of way … yum. Massage this in for a lit-from-within glow and one happy, hydrated face. It’s a great addition to both your morning and nighttime routine. Trust us, your skin will thank you.

R1,090 from www.strl.shop

Does the arrival of the sunny season also have you longing for a smoother, brighter complexion and noticeably minimised pores? You’re in luck. Facial exfoliators, the unsung hero of any skincare routine, have come a long way since the scratchy, apricot-laced nut shell scrubs of the noughties. Next-generation exfoliating scrubs – like the Terres d’Afrique Gentle Face Scrub – remove layers of impurities (without overstripping) and prime your canvas for a proverbial fresh slate post-winter. Safe and effective for any and every skin type, it earns big points for packing a onetwo exfoliating punch. A mix of reassuringly gritty sugar and rooibos flakes polishes skin to perfection without ever irritating, while omega-rich marula oil protects your skin’s natural barrier and locks in hydration.

Deeply cleansing yet equally hydrating, the rich balmlike texture is heaven on tired, dry skin that needs a little extra care. Plus, ethical beauty brand born in Madagascar, Terres d’Afrique’s science-driven formulas are super-clean and use the gentleness of responsibly sourced indigenous botanicals from organic farming.

R900 from www.strl.shop

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A CLEAN MASCARA TO AMP UP YOUR LASHES To be honest, we didn’t know whether we trusted Australian-owned company, Ere Perez – whose motto is “natural makeup for clean, conscious living” – to make a mascara up to our standards. We love huge lashes and the brand is known for its barely there vibe, but the smudge-free Ere Perez Natural Almond Mascara - Black hasn’t left our makeup bag. Generally speaking, clean mascaras are free of many chemicals and preservatives found in traditional formulas. These include carbon black, parabens, phthalates, silicones as well as synthetic dyes and fragrances. Two things first caught our eye with this mascara: The white packaging and the use of sweet almond oil in the plant-powered formula to ensure that your lashes remain soft and don’t dry out. One coat will give you a natural, fluttery look (and stay intact all night long – even after a few margaritas), but several will build up more drama and sky-high length, with zero clumping. No primer needed. The natural ingredient-based formula is inkyblack with a touch of shine and works well for those with sensitive or allergy-prone eyes and contact lens wearers.

R500 from www.strl.shop

A CHIC FLUORIDE-FREE TOOTHPASTE FOR A SAFER SMILE Have you been stashing your toothbrush and toothpaste into your drawer every time you have guests over? Then you’ve been missing LEBON, an Instagrammable eco-friendly toothpaste line formulated in Grasse, France that has a lighter load on the environment. Featuring natural ingredients, unique flavours and gorgeous wood fibre packaging that comes from sustainably managed forests, you’re sure to find one that suits your style – and your aesthetic. The LEBON Sweet Extravagance natural toothpaste, which comes boxed in pastel pink and thin gold trim, truly is mouth care for the beauty obsessed. The tagline reads, “Who said toothpaste had to be boring? Live cool and brilliantly!” Our sentiments exactly. Mint-forward with rose, orange blossom and extreme feelings of fanciness, it contains organic aloe vera and green tea to help prevent gum disease and tooth decay – with no parabens, colourings or artificial sweeteners. Its texture is silky rather than pasty, making this a very worthwhile indulgence. Plus, switching to a natural toothpaste is probably the easiest step you can take to a cleaner beauty routine.

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LATEST

LOVES

New beauty products that will get you in the mood for spring What is it about the seasons changing that throws our beauty routines right out of whack? Well, fear not – we get inundated with the latest and greatest beauty offerings every day (alas, that’s our editor’s burden to bear), and we’ve been busy carefully curating an edit of the best new products. Trying to narrow down our favourites can be hard, but we manage. Efficacy meets luxury with these skin, hair and body care products we’re currently obsessing over. Consider them as essential as your big-framed sunglasses, statement necklaces, goddess sandals and structured wicker bag.

SKIN CREAMERY THE BALM The best (clean) do-it-all beauty balm For us, the hardest part of packing for a trip isn’t choosing which clothes, shoes or handbags to bring. It’s figuring out how to pare down our skincare products. We have this irrational fear that if we’re stuck with only one moisturiser, face mask or heavy body cream, our skin – that’s used to testing a different one every night – will revolt. So, we brought it all to Cape Town for the last week, and guess what? We barely used any of it. Because once we tried this brand-new balm – a luxe face and body moisturiser, lip balm and cuticle cream in one – we were hooked. If ever there were an ultimate slow-beauty product, Skin Creamery’s deeply nourishing and supremely moisturising The Balm would have to be it. Healing, hydrating and luxuriously thick with a blend of oils, butters and plant extracts – this miracle-working, melt-in-your-fingers blue balm is the true opposite of spray-on-sink-in-quick-dry lotions. Rough patches? Salvaged. Dry cuticles? Softened. Split ends? Sealed.

The balm’s super-simple natural, organic formula has just five ingredients: Moisturising baobab, prickly pear and marula enriched with protective helichrysum and soothing blue spirulina. The texture of this meltingly fabulous balm is exquisite; the subtle, calming botanical scent is so gorgeous you just want to keep putting it on. If there’s such a thing as a spa in a balm, this is it! It’s an excellent skin protector that genuinely (and immediately) transforms every kind of skin, from dry and sensitive to seriously acne-prone.

Our best uses: Swipe it onto the ends of super-frizzy strands, or smooth it onto cracked heels and cover with socks for a deep-moisturising night treatment. But you’ll be tempted to use it on anywhere needing serious indulgence.

Now we’re leaving Cape Town with impressively soft skin and the same 7kg of product we came with.

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NUXE BODY RÊVE DE THÉ RANGE Body care products that will have you treating your body like your face Silky, smooth skin is the best accessory. You might spend hours pampering your face, but what about the less front-and-centre areas that often go unattended? With that in mind – and NUXE’s new offering, the Body Rêve de Thé range – it’s beyond easy to start a regimented body care routine for a hydrated, radiant body. We truly don’t know how our below-the-neck skin survived before we started slathering it with the Revitalising Granular Scrub, Revitalising Shower Gel, Revitalising Moisturising Milk and Fresh-Feel Deodorant.

First of all, the scent of these products is incredible – think crisp and green featuring notes of rhubarb, musk and light wood. But more importantly, they’re packed with 100% green tea extract to help you get all the goodness of the beverage, without actually having to drink it. First, scrub it all away with the body scrub, which will make you feel like a French girl. Unlike sugar-based body scrubs that dissolve within a few moments of use, this buttery cream is laced with bamboo grains to delicately buff away dead skin cells and provide everlasting exfoliation. Then, make your bathroom feel like a spa with the ohso-luxurious shower gel that’s worthy of the precious real estate in your shower. Designed not to strip skin, this citrus-tinged body wash is as good as the packaging it arrives in. The perfect way to awaken your senses each morning. Follow up with the body milk – a thin, silky lotion that spreads easily and soaks in rapidly – for greater scent longevity. It’s like placing fresh cucumber slices on your entire body, instead of just your eyes. The lightweight formula and bracing scent that lingers in a pleasantly subtle way are that refreshing. And on a warm day, the stain-free, roll-on deodorant that works overtime to combat odour-causing bacteria can feel like heaven.

R375, R225, R495 and R225 respectively from www.orleanscosmetics. co.za as well as select Woolworths, Foschini and Truworths stores

REDKEN ACIDIC BONDING CONCENTRATE RANGE A trio that has brought our strands back to life Dry ends, straw-like texture and overall lacklustre hair … anyone with chemically treated hair knows the drill. From true platinum and buttery blonde to new trends like toasted coconut and cream soda, having blonde hair is basically a full-time commitment. It’s time to stop hiding the frazzled texture of your hair in a topknot. Instead, quench and strengthen it with Redken’s new lineup of sulphate-free products: The Acidic Bonding Concentrate Shampoo and Conditioner, and Acidic Perfecting Concentrate Leave-In Treatment. Citric acid – an alpha hydroxy acid formulated with an acidic pH to reverse the damaging effects of hair dye, styling tools and even water – is the all-star that makes this range worthy of a spot in your virtual shopping cart. Ideal for bad-hair days and those that love smooth-feeling locks, the shampoo and conditioner are designed to repair broken bonds and restore your sensitised or colour-treated hair to optimum strength and shine. The best part? Your hair won’t ‘get used to it’ and you’ll be able to reap that healthy-looking shine for years to come, making damage a thing of the past.

Plus, the metallic pearl packaging will look great in your shower. The leave-in treatment is the stuff of dreams. Similar to other bonding hair treatments, it helps reinforce damaged and weak spots on each hair strand after you bleach or colour treat. For those still on the quest to master the perfect at-home blowout, this cream may help make the journey a lot smoother – literally. It melts into your hair as you blow dry, creating the best natural texture and giving hair the effect of a keratin treatment. As for the scent? It boasts an uplifting citrus scent with top notes of orange and bergamot that leaves hair delicately fragranced. Dreamy.

R360, R400 and R610 respectively from www.retailbox.co.za, www.splush.co.za and all major hair salons

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HOTEL SKY Cape Town, South Africa – Excitement is abound throughout South Africa as the ground-breaking new Hotel Sky Cape Town opened its doors on 1 April 2021. Located on the Cape Town foreshore, the iconic red outline of Hotel Sky has already entrenched its position in the Cape Town skyline and become a major talking point across the city.

Following the opening of Hotel Sky Sandton in late 2020 - an event that was lauded as the most anticipated hotel opening of 2020 by one of South Africa’s major publications - Hotel Sky Cape Town is generating an equal amount of excitement due to the hotel’s incredible facilities and cutting-edge tech.

CONTACT DETAILS Hotel Sky Cape Town 9 Lower Long Street, 8000 reservations.capetown@hotelsky.co.za Hotel Sky Sandton 150 West Street, Sandton, 2031 reservations.sandton@hotelsky.co.za

Hotel Sky Cape Town is the vision of veteran hotelier Paul Kelley, and takes the form of a 28-storey high rise across the road the Cape Town ICC’s main entrance. The massive high-rise building already elevates Hotel Sky Cape Town into a whole new realm, with almost every room offering incredible views of Cape Town.

“One of our primary goals with Hotel Sky is to build hotels in central locations, and then offer leisure and business travellers alike an unsurpassed experience at affordable prices,” says Kelley. “Hotel Sky Cape Town is our second establishment, and when we found a prime location in the heart of the City Bowl and in such an iconic building, we set ourselves the goal of embellishing on this base to offer a travel experience like no other.”

As at Hotel Sky Sandton, the Cape Town edition is fitted with cutting edge technology to enhance and optimise guests’ experiences. Some of this tech includes contactless booking, check-in and room access via the Hotel Sky app, and AI-powered robots that will supplement and support the large workforce being employed by the hotel, enhancing guest relations.

The hotel includes many amenities, including a gym, pools on the 17th and 22nd floors, and several restaurants and bars – including the Infinity Restaurant on the 26th floor. The most exciting feature, however, is the luxurious Sky on Long located on the 27th floor, highlighted by floor to ceiling glass windows offering unsurpassed panoramic views across Cape Town.

“Many of the world’s most iconic cities - London, New York, Madrid, Hong Kong, Stockholm - have Sky Bars,” says Kelley, “glass bars at the top of iconic buildings that offer locals and tourists alike incredible views of these cities.

And yet Cape Town, the most beautiful city in the world, did not. The second we walked onto the top floor and saw the views, we knew what we had to do.”

In addition, there is a thrill ride on the roof of the hotel, which opened in May 2021. The ride is 35 metres tall and will lift guests and visitors high above the city to experience views that are unattainable elsewhere.

Hotel Sky Cape Town is making Cape Town CBD accommodation affordable with specials from R895 per room per night including breakfast.

Hotel Sky is the ideal destination for corporate and leisure travelers alike, offering an unsurpassed experience at affordable prices in centrallylocated hotels.

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FRANSCHHOEK Two perfect days at Leeu Estates There are places you can’t help but fall in love with at first sight and return to year after year. Home to some of the most prestigious wineries on the planet, Franschhoek – carpeted in pretty vineyards, dusty olive groves and châteaux – is a paradise for oenophiles everywhere. And springtime, with its blossoms and golden-yellow flowers blooming between the vines, is the perfect moment; before steamy summer envelops this town that lies at the head of a scenic steep-sided valley in the Cape Winelands. Most visits are motivated by a desire to see fine art, sample culinary delights as well as admire swoon-worthy architecture and celebrated gardens – and you can do all of that right here, at Leeu Estates. Our detailed itinerary has been road-tested and perfected by our editor.

Here’s why you need to pack your bags and head to the food and wine capital.

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CHECK INTO THE PINNACLE OF WINELANDS LUXURY –

LEEU ESTATES For an experience straight out of French fantasy, visit Leeu Collection’s flagship property – the timeless, stately and serene 23-room Leeu Estates – and lavish in the idyllic grounds, over-the-top suites, a much-applauded restaurant, paradisiacal poolside allure and the best views in the area.

The founder, international entrepreneur Analjit Singh, is no stranger to hotels: He’s the man behind the eternally lovely prime properties Leeu House and Le Quartier Français in the characterful Franschhoek village.

This discreet spot nestled in the heart of the Cape Winelands, which spreads across a 100-hectare estate, is so deliciously private that you might not see the sign from the R45 Main Road. The height of French grandeur and opulence, it’s a draw for the elevated location, astonishing views, sense of secrecy, winding Franchesca Watson-designed gardens and small working vineyard overseen by A-game winemakers Chris and Andrea Mullineux. The first thing you notice is the landscape.

In every direction there are rolling vineyards of deep emerald and mountains beneath a fine layer of silvery mist – and almost nothing else. This is a gilded, awe-inspiring and powerful bucket-list destination even for locals. However, as they say about all kinds of raving beauties, it’s what’s inside that counts.

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Despite being classified as worthy of having even more than five stars, the extravagant edifice feels delightfully homely. If, that is, your home has impeccable interiors, a hand-picked contemporary art collection and a light-filled spa with a glass-walled relaxation room and a fitness centre for private yoga and Pilates – not to mention a whitewashed Cape Dutch-style cellar. For the rest of us, Leeu Estates feels like heaven. The handful of Rooms and Executive Suites in the Manor House, Max House and Protea House display a triumph of good taste, while small clusters of Cottages have a more pared-down elegance. If comfort and style are priorities, it’s best to book a Studio Room – a chic retreat tucked away above the spa with easy access to the spa, gym and pool – to sip, sleep and wake up to vineyard views.

Most of the high-end but understated rooms are similar in décor, rich with classic lines, natural linens, splashy canvases, mineral tones of grey and heather, artisanal furniture from South African makers Pierre Cronje and James Mudge, and vast arrangements of orchids, proteas and sweetsmelling blousy roses on the tables. The views are of the bluey-purple peaks of the Franschhoek Valley and surrounding mountains. Big, cool and very quiet – our room was decked in velvet flourishes and tea-dyed kudu leather,

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jazzed up with pale earth tones and splashes of jade and turquoise. It had elaborate doorways, a dreamy terrace, a fireplace, air-conditioning and underfloor heating, a whopping king-size bed with brilliant-white linen and plump pillows as well as a marbled splendour bathroom the size of an apartment outfitted with a deep bathtub, roomy rain shower and dual vanities for extra getting-ready space (plus fabulous technology, of course).

There can be few places finer on a lazy, bee-buzzing day.

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If the huge walk-in shower doesn’t soothe your woes, the Leeu Spa by Healing Earth – which can whip years off your face with a Healing Earth Tailored Facial Journey – might just also offer the best massages in the whole of the Winelands. Drawing on its surrounding greenery and olive groves to craft treatments incorporating all-natural ingredients, the spa has wide windows that highlight sweeping views of surrounding mountains. Four treatment rooms host exfoliation with pinotage vinotherapy or coffee, cinnamon and orange body polish as well as signature essential oil facials and massages. Steam rooms, a 15-metre infinity swimming pool, a plunge pool overlooking the lily pond and friendly staff (who know how to deliver the perfect guest experience) complete a day of indulgence. It’s an ideal venue for couples experiences too, such as the Signature Couples Connect – including a glass of wine or bubbly, full-body exfoliation, a massage using rose quartz crystals and a pinotage antioxidant facial ceremony.

There are a couple of other things that seal the deal here. One is the link with Le chêne Restaurant, meaning ‘the oak tree’. In keeping with Leeu Estates’ dining pedigree, room service dishes are well-crafted and beautifully presented. Multiple award-winning chef Darren Badenhorst (previously executive chef of The Restaurant at Grande Provence) is a wizard at injecting modernity into traditional French dishes. Using fresh-picked ingredients from the estate, he whips up exquisite seasonal two and threecourse menus – think burrata salad with heirloom tomato ragout, wild rosemary shortbread and foraged wild herbs; sustainable line-caught hake with prawn, salted lemon and garden pea risotto and aerated bisque; or a monochrome of summer berries.

After a breakfast of buttery croissants, homemade breads, estate-made preserves and spreads, local trout and cream cheese and melty croque monsieur, swim a few laps in the pool to make room for lunch at La Petite Colombe, Epice or Protégé.

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Wine, wine and … did we mention wine? Be sure to do the complimentary Mullineux & Leeu tastings at designer winery, The Wine Studio. Mullineux & Leeu Family Wines is a collaboration between wine industry pioneers from the Swartland region and Leeu Collection. They’re especially known for their versatile chenins such as the Kloof Street Chenin Blanc 2020 and their rich, powerful and full-bodied syrahs like the Mullineux Syrah 2018. Work your way through the Signature Tasting of highly rated limited-availability wines with breadsticks to cleanse the palate. Post-tasting, meander the stunning grounds or retreat upstairs for the most comfortable night’s sleep. To daydream with impunity is a luxury, and Leeu Estates – in all its glory with a savvy team, spellbinding views and mouthwatering cuisine – is one place to do it. A stay here is as much a part of the Franschhoek experience as the town itself.

There exists no five-star property more gorgeous or interesting in the Winelands right now.

Cost: Rooms start from R9,200 per room per night, suites from R17,700 per room per night and cottages from R27,200 per cottage per night Dassenberg Road, Franschhoek 021 492 2222 www.leeucollection.com

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TREAT YOUR TASTE BUDS TO THE FLAVOURS OF SPRING AT

LA PETITE COLOMBE You don’t have to be a wine lover to love Franschhoek … but it helps. For luxury-seeking couples who want to indulge their love of food and drink, Leeu Estates has it all – including one of the country’s very best restaurants, La Petite Colombe, not to mention chefs who love what they do and want you to feel the same (you will, we promise). Specialising in molecular gastronomy and food you consume via all five senses, it’s all very fairy tale-like – and probably not surprising that reservations are tough to come by, so be sure to book early. If getting in proves impossible, the more casual Protégé Restaurant is just down the road inside Le Quartier Français boutique hotel. La Petite Colombe serves what we’d call an updated interpretation of wine country cuisine, which translates to local ingredients that get a global makeover. Head chef John Norris-Rogers relies on the estate’s on-site garden for culinary inspiration, and you’re completely at his mercy when it comes to what ends up on your plate. The new spring tasting menu – your choice of the 11-course Chef’s Experience or 8-course Reduced Menu – could include anything from zesty beef tataki with a hint of warmth coming from kerala cauliflower, avocado and coconut; and confit salmon that celebrates spring produce with bacon sambal, asparagus and quail egg; to a light-textured and brightly flavoured guava, lime, coconut and tamarind dessert. You’ll have the opportunity to ooh and aah as whimsical creations are brought to your table.

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The restaurant also caters to vegetarians and pescatarians with tasting menus every bit as good as its carnivore counterpart. It’s all meant to pair with the vast wine list for unparalleled food memories, but you can save yourself the trouble of making any decisions by ordering the optional beverage flight. It’s certainly a food and wine pairing fit to awaken the senses. For the most extraordinary outdoor dining experience, we recommend opting for a table on the covered terrace amid life-size bronzes, blooming pink roses, exotic plants and magenta bougainvillea. The excellent valley views only add to the ambiance of this serene meal. Otherwise, the intimate glassed-in dining room with crisp white linens is the next best thing to dining outdoors. A meal here can last anywhere from two and a half to three hours, but the staff like it when you take your time.

Cost: R795 per person for the Reduced Menu (additional R450 for the optional beverage flight) or R1,095 per person for The Chef’s Experience (additional R650 for the optional beverage flight).

Leeu Estates, Dassenberg Road, Franschhoek 021 202 3395 www.lapetitecolombe.restaurant

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EXPLORE YOUR LOVE OF SPICE AT

EPICE RESTAURANT Since its opening, Epice Restaurant – the latest addition to Leeu Collection’s restaurant empire – has dominated the Franschhoek culinary scene with a cutting-edge interpretation of fine Indian and European cuisine. This contemporary-looking eatery in the heart of the village is smart, modern, devilishly cosy, quietly conservative, and, most of all, offers an unforgettable fine-dining experience. Inspired by head chef Charné Sampson (previously sous chef at La Colombe) and her team’s travels through India as well as Spain, Japan, Mexico, Denmark and the Unites States, each course is an adventure – a chance to break out of your comfort zone and try new ingredients, flavours and textures.

First-timers often wonder if the place is all hype, but the first bite of wagyu short rib roti with ginger and chilli puts all of their doubts to rest.

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alongside meat and vegetable dishes fragrant with masala, cardamom, star anise, nutmeg and curry leaves. If you’re not sure how to navigate the wine list, opt for the beverage flight (the local bear pairing with the bread course is top-notch) or trust the sommelier to find the perfect bottle to complement your meal. Splash out on the 10-course Full Spice Journey and you’ll be treated to inventive fusion dishes like wonderfully moist seared tuna with mango, avocado, mustard and cumin; balanced, joyfully bright quail and prawn with yoghurt, ginger and masala; and tender kabeljou with squid, mussel and coriander smothered in a rich marinade with a gentle kick of curry. Oh, and let’s not forget the sorbet trolley.

For pudding, coconut, vanilla and curry is accompanied by a feather-light mango sorbet. If seven courses feels more manageable, diners can opt for the Reduced Spice Journey. Matching the artistry on the plate are wood furnishings and tones of amber and brown, echoing the spice theme throughout the design-forward setting.

Think of eating at Epice Restaurant as a visit to India without the pricey flights. Arrive with an open mind (and large appetite) and don’t miss The Spice Test in place of the petit fours at the end. Leeu Estates offers a complimentary shuttle service to and from Le Quartier Français (approximately a five-minute drive) for in-house guests.

Cost: R695 per person for The Reduced Spice Journey (additional R425 for the optional beverage flight) or R1,045 per person for The Full Spice Journey (additional R755 for the optional beverage flight) Le Quartier Français, corner of Berg & Wilhelmina Streets, Franschhoek 021 492 4044 www.epice.restaurant

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CONSERVATION LUXE Samara Private Game Reserve – a place of quietly profound beauty Every big city needs a country retreat; a place of fresh air, bare beauty and brooding silence. Wedged between dust-bowl towns, sheep farms, high-plateau grassland and kilometre upon kilometre of empty veld, Samara Private Game Reserve – near Graaff-Reinet in the Eastern Cape – trims the edge of the dense thicket and vast wilderness of the remote Great Karoo. Run on core principles of an equal respect for land, wildlife and people, conservation and community go hand in hand at this top safari outfit whose dedication creates spectacular memories.

Whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast or an avid gastronome, here are our highlights that prove why it’s a dream destination for any kind of traveller.

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The luscious fantasy of an African safari – antiques, zebra skins, nineteenth-century lithographs, wicker baskets, tartan blankets and Stanley flasks – may be just that. And yet at the astonishingly placed Samara Private Game Reserve it all comes true, in a stylish interpretation of the original Karoo farmhouse beneath the looming stars. While other lodges in the overpopulated reserves farther north lean into the excitement of traditional safaris, Samara is more about settling into the overwhelming quiet and escaping into profound simplicity. The location is sensational and there’s a real sense of calm and feeling of romance. Intimacy and heart-racing views across the endless, silent plains rule at this oneof-a-kind luxury lodge with a thoughtful focus on sustainability in the otherworldly Great Karoo.

With so much open space and only nine suites, the eclectic Karoo Lodge – a bright, richly decorated space with punchy furnishings such as tangerine armchairs – is the perfect place to disconnect. We recommend 54 | w w w.s c en ein t h ec it y.c o.za | Spring 2 0 2 1

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booking one of the three memorable moody Karoo Retreat Suites, which are larger and set apart from the main lodge. The standalone sandstonehued cottages sit right on the plains and blend into the landscape. What’s inside is pretty special, too. As you’d expect from a safari spot that’s on top of its game, they’re a retreat from the elements and everything has been carefully considered. Our refreshingly contemporary cottage provided all the coddling we needed and boasted an aesthetic that drew influence from the varied landscape – think organic fabrics, woven rugs, clean-lined furniture, an indigenous-wood four-poster bed, bedside lamps emanating a rosy glow as well as natural elements that blend indoor and outdoor spaces seamlessly. Best of all were the little luxuries … extravagantly deep sofas, a huge clawfoot soaking tub and our own deck overlooking the game-filled plains of Camdeboo to take in the quintessential view with a just-brewed cup of coffee. Samara ticks boxes nobody had ever imagined.

But all that downtime is for after a game drive.

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An adventurous spirit carries over into the bold interiors of the main homestead. The immensely welcoming lodge is a triumph not just because it delivers on all fronts – including fresh, nourishing and inventive food – or because the chef listens and remembers what you express interest in. What you’ll remember long after you’ve returned home is the staff, and their warmth, enthusiasm and as-you-like-it flexibility. Fynbos-scented G&Ts and Amarula espresso martinis are poured at the bar that doubles as a museum with its collection of artefacts. Lunch is served as a picnic-style feast in the bush where baboons romp in the trees – there’s plenty of bubbly as well as fresh salads, fruits, sandwiches, wraps and chicken kebabs. Dinners are typically served as four courses, both indoors and out: Expect dishes like prawn rissoles, lightly spiced carrot coconut soup with homemade bread, rack of lamb with ‘squeaky’ Karoo mash and hot, gooey chocolate pear pudding.

Our favourites were the flaky tomato and camembert tart drizzled with fragrant herb oil, the beautifully presented stuffed chicken roulades with a creamy filling and the amazingly hued ‘sunset’ soup – a heart-warming beetroot and butternut soup.

Although Samara can’t compete with the game-viewing on offer at Big Five reserves, it stands out amongst the five-star lodges in South Africa thanks to its impressive array of experiences that extend beyond game drives.

These include walking safaris, conservation safaris, fly camping, mountain biking and the most extraordinary multisensory offering – tracking a coalition of eight wild cheetahs on foot. The guiding is excellent, and

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the trackers’ keen knowledge of the bush and gamespotting vision is unnaturally brilliant. It almost guarantees cheetah sightings on every morning outing and, if lucky, encounters with the elusive aardvark.

Thanks to conservation efforts, healthy populations of white rhino, zebra, giraffe, springbok and black wildebeest also call Samara’s own 67,000-acre conservancy home. But sometimes it’s the ineffable – the feeling of coming back to warm refresher towels, a glass of well-chilled sherry and the warm, attentive staff after several hours in the bush with top-notch guides choreographing the action – that truly defines the experience here. Don’t miss planting your own spekboom tree – the proudly South African wonder plant is water-wise and super-resilient, helps fight climate change and improves the quality of the air we breathe. Plus, its succulent bright green leaves are a firm favourite in the animal kingdom, especially for elephants, kudu and black rhino.

Petersburg Road (off the R63 to Pearston), Graaff-Reinet 031 262 0324 www.samara.co.za

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Chic STAYS

Reviewed: The Parkwood Boutique Hotel Spring is finally here, and with it a much-needed glimpse of gentle sun and blooming flowers … and the chance to take a breather and head out on a post-lockdown escape. There are a number of fabulous places in Joburg on our radar to help you enjoy the splendour of the season and get you in the mindset for the warmer months ahead. Some are perfect for relaxation, and others for adventure. If you’re seeking space, privacy or the freedom to set your own schedule, The Parkwood Boutique Hotel is our top idea to help you take advantage of the rising temperatures.

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WHY WE LOVE IT Joburg lives and breathes elegance but keeps its local charm right in its pocket.

The incredibly pretty Parkwood Boutique Hotel, run by a husband-and-wife team, is the easiest city break ever – you don’t even have to hop on a plane to find yourself a world away from the hustle and bustle. If you want to feel like you’re staying with the most fabulous friends for the weekend, book in here.

With just 16 rooms, the five-star boutique hotel, spread out over three leafy properties, is welcoming and intimate … and doesn’t feel remotely hotel-like. It both reflects Joburg and is an escape from it: It’s quiet, homely and delightfully warm so you’ll feel like a local of The Parks, but step outdoors and you’re back in the thick of the action just off Jan Smuts Avenue and Oxford Road.

With its visually stunning interiors, primped and preened gardens, emeraldgreen lawns, vibrant bushes of hot-pink bougainvillea and supremely private turquoise pool, you’d be hard pressed not to have a romantic weekend at this unparalleled escape. We recommend booking an Executive Room, which are draped in bright sprays of blousy bougainvillea and individually decorated in neutral tones and bold prints with burgundy, terracotta and almond green accents. Strikingly light and airy, these rooms each house a large, comfortable bed, a lounging area, lots of cupboard space, a bathtub big enough to float around in and an enclosed private patio for prolonged nightcaps. We love how the deeply spoiling space feels new and fresh while still remaining inviting with an unrelenting emphasis on comfort. There’s no restaurant at The Parkwood, but the no-restaurant issue is very much a non-issue. An excellent breakfast – a spread of cold-pressed juices, yoghurt, granola, eggs as well as homemade breads and pastries – in a cosy breakfast room lined with decent reading material (on everything from cookery and gardening to fashion and design) gives off a joyous feel in the mornings. At midday, you can mix yourself a gin and tonic from the well-stocked honesty bar and put your feet up with a pile of Sunday papers on the veranda where the sunlight pours through. Just 2km from the property is Keyes Art Mile – an assemblage of restaurants, coffee shops, art galleries and design stores – making it the perfect retreat for both foodies and art lovers alike. It’s also a stone’s throw away from Rosebank Mall plus Park Corner and 4th Avenue Parkhurst’s buzzing bars and restaurants.

From the moment you check in, you feel like a part of the family. The attention to detail is immaculate, there’s a committed embrace of laziness and it’s a genuinely soul-reviving, blissfully unhassled place to know in the area. Leaving will be the hardest part of your stay.

72 Worcester Road, Parkwood 011 880 1748 www.theparkwood.com reservations@theparkwood.com

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WHERE TO EAT Even with all of its majestic architecture, superlative fashion and world-class culture, one of the simplest pleasures in the City of Gold remains simply sitting on a sun-drenched terrace, people watching. With its knockout views around literally every corner, Flames Restaurant at Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff Johannesburg is the place to be to tuck into five-star cuisine. The lie-in-friendly Early Brunch, every Saturday and Sunday from 10h30 to 12h00 for R595 per person, is a secret you’ll want to keep to yourself. First, bubbly and a cold platter to share is sent out from the kitchen: A sparkling fruit salad with champagne mimosa dressing; raspberry and almond Bircher muesli; warm baked apple and cinnamon spring rolls; steamed dumplings; asparagus and Parma ham tart; prosciutto, blue cheese and fig quiche in a potato rosti; BBQ squid with a lime and chilli salad and zucchini noodles; and our favourite, cloudlike Milky Bar and rose cronuts. The half doughnut, half croissant treats will make you swoon with their buttery layers. For mains, order eggs Florentine – with streaky bacon and poached eggs with perfectly runny bright-orange yolks – on a spinach and goat’s cheese croquette smothered in smoked paprika hollandaise, or the breakfast bagel; a baked beauty schmeared with horseradish cream cheese and layered with sliced rare roast beef, a fried egg, caramelised onion and arugula. For a spicy start to the day, there’s a Mexican frittata made with cheese, spring onion and Peppadews, served with waffle croutons

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and a tomato, strawberry and rocket salad. And for the ladies who brunch, scrambled egg-filled crêpes served with cream cheese, smoked salmon, capers and chives on rye as well as death-by-chocolate French toast topped with strawberries and slightly sweet honeycomb mascarpone crème. Just make sure you leave room for a little pudding – our pick, the refreshing smoked rhubarb eton mess embellished with slowroasted rhubarbs, cacao nibs and vanilla crème, is quite possibly the best sweet treat you’ll find this spring.

There’s also a berry malva pudding with rose anglaise, raspberry-blackberry compote and raw honey sorbet and the ‘tropical chocolate’ – a chocolate mousse bar with whipped milk chocolate ganache, passionfruit sorbet and coconut caramel. But quite frankly, you could have a grapefruit or a fried egg on toast and still feel that Flames Restaurant is Joburg’s ultimate brunch spot. Plus, since the restaurant doubles as a bar, brunch can easily meander well into the afternoon (FYI, it makes for an absurdly pretty sundowner spot). Book well in advance, because it’s always packed!

67 Jan Smuts Avenue, Westcliff 011 481 6000 www.fourseasons.com www.flamesrestaurant.co.za S p r i ng 2021 | www. sce n e i n th e c i ty . c o . z a | 63

IDYLLIC ADULTS-ONLY EXPERIENCES

For couples, Centara Ras Fushi Resort & Spa is an exquisite adults-only island retreat in the North Malé Atoll. This heavenly hideaway houses a collection of beautiful beachfront and overwater accommodation, including the Deluxe Spa Overwater Villa, which is accessed via a wooden boardwalk and offers 42 square metres of living space with an outdoor spa bathtub and direct steps down to the reef – ideal for swimming or snorkelling around the lagoon. Alternatively, the Premium Deluxe Spa Water Villa features an elegant ocean-facing deck with an outdoor spa bathtub and direct access to the sparkling lagoon. Pure paradise!

With a choice of seven sensational restaurants and bars, exhilarating water sports, scuba diving, ocean excursions and soothing therapies at SPA Cenvaree, this intimate resort promises many romantic moments, during the day and under the stars. Every couple can immerse themselves in the tranquil turquoise seas with complimentary non-motorised water sports and snorkelling equipment hire throughout their stay, along with beach sports and activities, access to the fitness centre, E-Zone and Chill Lounge, and free Wi-Fi to stay in touch with home or post the most spectacular social media updates.

Centara Ras Fushi Resort & Spa offers a complete collection of meal plans: Bed & Breakfast, Half Board, Full Board, All Inclusive and Gold All Inclusive. Guests who choose the All Inclusive option will be treated to bountiful daily breakfasts, delectable lunches and dinners with generous daily credits at a choice of restaurants, including Thai, Italian, Middle Eastern and international options, along with afternoon tea, daily replenished minibar, all-day beverages, and evening canapés as the sun sets over the Indian Ocean.

For a truly sparkling stay, the Gold All Inclusive package promises all the benefits of All Inclusive, plus unlimited lunch and dinner privileges at every dining destination on the island, plus premium beverages, laundry services, daily credits for Thai-inspired treatments at SPA Cenvaree, and even daily snorkelling excursions by boat.

After the unprecedented upheaval of the last 12 months, a Maldivian vacation is a magical and memorable way to relax your body, revive your spirit and reconnect with your loved ones.

Let Centara create your ultimate island escape!

CONTACT DETAILS North Male’ Atoll, Maldives , Maldives (+960) 664-3880 crf@chr.co.th WWW.CENTARAHOTELSRESORTS.COM

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THE PERFECT TOUCH

EGYPT

CAIRO TO LUXOR EXPLORER

5 night tour from

LAND OF THE PHARAOHS PACKAGE 1

R10 450* LAND ONLY

OVERVIEW This tour encompasses the major highlights of Egypt. Uncover the treasures of Egypt at the Egyptian museum, explore the tomb strewn Valley of the Kings, take in the sights & smells wandering through the Khan el Khalili Bazaar, gaze in awe at the mighty pyramids & sphinx & discover the Temples of Hathor, Queen Hatshepsut & Karnak in 6 incredible days.

PACKAGE INFORMATION • Airport arrival and departure transfer on day one and day six • Four nights’ accommodation at four and five star hotels

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS • Cairo: Marvel at the legendary Pyramids of Giza and explore the Necropolis of Saqqara • Luxor: Roam around the colossal Temple of Karnak and take an optional tour of the beautifully illuminated Luxor Temple at night • Dendera: Explore the beautifully preserved Temple of Hathor with its exquisitely decorated ceiling • Cairo: Uncover the treasures of King Tutankhamun at the Grand Egyptian Museum and see the ancient mummies of powerful pharaohs at the National Museum of Civilization • Luxor West Bank: Discover exquisite tombs at the Valley of the Kings, see the towering Colossi of Memnon and explore the beautiful Temple of Queen Hatshepsut

• Daily breakfast • One overnight train accommodation in a private two berth sleeper cabin from Cairo to Luxor

** Excludes flights, transfers, visas, meals and drinks not specified, travel insurance, entrance fees (USD70-90 pp), paid in local currency, tipping kitty (USD40-50 pp, paid in local currency), and anything not mentioned above. Please contact us for flights.

• All relevant transfer and transportation in private modern air-conditioned vehicles

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

• Services of an Egyptian tour guide • Touring Cairo, Giza, Saqqara, Luxor and Dendera

Prices start from the advertised price and are based on a per person rate, sharing a double room, unless otherwise stated.

Prices are subject to change due to airfare increases, currency fluctuations and availability. Terms & conditions apply.

TRAVEL DATES: Selected departures: 25 to 30 July 2021 and 08 to 13 August 2021. Alternative dates available on request.

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8 night tour from

FOOTSTEPS OF THE PHARAOHS

R30 600 PPS - LAND ONLY

PACKAGE 2 OVERVIEW

PACKAGE INFORMATION

Great Pharaohs, gods and goddesses once walked these ancient lands and you will too when you embark on this mesmerising 9-day journey from Cairo to Aswan, to the temples of Luxor and the seaside splendour of Hurghada. Get lost in the legends of ancient civilisations, the stories of great battles and tributes to powerful men and women who once revealed their might through man-made wonders which followed them into the afterlife.

• Eight nights’ accommodation throughout • Eight breakfasts, three cruise lunches and five dinners • Audio headsets provided for optimal sightseeing • Transport by luxury air-conditioned coach • Three night luxury Nile cruise • Flight from Cairo to Aswan • City orientation tours • Services of an expert travel director and driver • All hotel service charges, tips, baggage handling fees and local taxes • Visit Cairo, Aswan, Kom-Ombo, Edfu, Luxor and Hurghada ** Excludes flights, transfers not mentioned, visas. travel insurance, meals and drinks not specified and anything not mentioned above. All tours and services are subject to a minimum number of visitors, weather conditions, force majeure or other unforeseen circumstances. Advance purchase, peak season surcharges, block out periods and minimum stay conditions may apply. Please contact us for flights.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS Prices start from the advertised price and are based on a per person rate, sharing a double room, unless otherwise stated.

Prices are subject to change due to airfare increases, currency fluctuations and availability. Terms & conditions apply.

TRAVEL DATES: 05 June 2021 to 29 October 2022

GET IN TOUCH! Email: yourdestination@hanieltravel.co.za S p r i ng 2021 | www. sce n e i n th e c i ty . c o . z a | 67 Call: 087 012 5663/ 011 783 9202

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FIND & FOLLOW US ON OUR SOCIAL PLATFORMS FOR PROMOTIONS AND SPECIAL OFFERS

The Protea Hotel by Marriott Johannesburg Balalaika Sandton has undergone a series of renovations, updating the upmarket Sandton venue’s facilities and elevating its appeal to both business and leisure travellers in the City of Gold.

Starting in September 2020, 156 of the Balalaika’s rooms were refurbished to include smart TVs and updated WiFi. This was followed by a comprehensive refurbishment of the old “Colony Restaurant”, which has been re-branded and is now known as The Conservatory. The old Crown Court Lounge received its upgrade in December 2020, and has reopened as the new airline and VIP lounge, “the Destination Lounge”.

Hotel conference room floors and the hotel gym also received upgrades, and the gym is now fully equipped with new steam rooms. The banqueting and conference facilities do not detract from the country atmosphere of the hotel and are situated out of sight on the first floor.

The Bull Run, our on-premises restaurant provides an experience that is both warm and welcoming, with a clever nod to the New York Stock Exchange and the classic NY grill house. Custom light fittings, plush furniture and handmade wall tiles contribute to the comfortable and evocative space.

Our new menu is inspired by fresh produce, succulent cuts of meat that create distinctive pairings of complimentary organic ingredients all ensuring unique signature dishes along with our staple best-sellers.

Protea Hotel by Marriott® Johannesburg Balalaika Sandton & The Bull Run Sandton reservations@balalaika.co.za | +27 11 322-5000 info@thebullrun.co.za | www.thebullrun.co.za | +27 11 884 1400 Maude Street, Sandown, Sandton 2196, South Africa

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