Embrace Cape Town’s culinary scene at The Cape Milner
If you’re thinking of escaping to the sunshine, Cape Town has plenty to offer, including a vibrant culinary scene, writes Katie Ann Lamb…
I have always been a fan of South African cuisine and Cape Town has become a real destination spot for foodies in recent years. If you are seeking a sunny holiday, which also offers excellent food and wine, this is the city to visit.
Cradled beneath the majestic Table Mountain in Cape Town’s trendy suburb of Tamboerskloof, lies The Cape Milner. This boutique hotel offers 53 rooms in total but 10 have an extra bit of luxury, along with two special suites. Conveniently located in the city centre of Cape Town, with close proximity to the V&A waterfront, the white sand beaches of Clifton and Camps Bay and a short drive from the vineyards of Constantia, the Cape Milner is perfectly situated to explore the very best of Cape Town.
The executive suites boast king size beds, a lounge area, revolving TV and en-suite bathroom. There is also a private balcony offering panoramic views of Table Mountain, which is essential for first-time visitors to the city.
Recently refurbished by interior designer Beth Murray the rooms have a neutral palette with a play on texture and vibrant accents. This ensures a light and airy space is achieved in all the rooms. I was particularly taken by the artwork of South African Photographer Kyle Mijlos which adorns the hotel’s walls.
While it is impressive, I shouldn’t get too distracted by the interior design of the property as the main focus of my visit to Cape Town on this occasion was to explore the food and beverage scene. The hotel offers two dining options, 2 on Milner and the Swanky New Glass Lounge Cocktail and Tapas Bar.
2 on Milner offers breakfast and dinner incorporating fresh ingredients and modern presentation. At Breakfast a continental and hotel buffet breakfast is available to order. Meanwhile, the A la Carte evening menu includes an enticing set selection of starters, mains and puddings. The Roasted Veal Loin Carpaccio and Poached Cape Salmon are outstanding. The food menu is accompanied by a carefully selected wine list. What I love about Cape Town, is that the wine is normally all sourced from well-known local cape vineyards. For this reason, the city is a wine aficionados paradise.
The Glass Lounge was inspired by the 1920’s Speakeasy Prohibition era with a contemporary twist. With a range of classic cocktails, fine wine and delicious gins the lounge is a place to see and be seen. Whether you’re looking for a quiet coffee or a trendy place for cocktails and tapas under the stars, the lounge is worth a visit. The tapas menu features a trio of beef sliders, kalahari board and truffle and cheese croquettes amongst other innovative options. The portions are generous in this city and there is certainly no holding back when it comes to making sure everyone leaves full!
At lunchtime, you don’t need to leave the comfort of your sunbed on the pool deck and can enjoy a gourmet Sandwich or light salad while perfecting your tan.
In recent years, Cape Town has developed a name for itself as a culinary capital and it attracts a chic crowd that love to wine and dine. A short stroll from The Cape Milner is Kloof street. This is bursting with trendy restaurants and bars so you can sample lots of different styles of food during your stay. Equally close is Bree street, which is home to Liam Tomlin’s famous Chefs Warehouse. This really is a must visit.
Conveniently, The Cape Milner offers a courtesy shuttle service to the “CBD” and “Waterfront” between 8am- 5pm on weekdays. So, if dining isn’t your scene the vast array of shops in the V&A waterfront, or local museums and mountain walks are sure to keep you entertained. As well as 24 hour security and underground parking, The Cape Milner has an in-house gym and conferencing facilities, which makes it a perfect location for corporate travel. However, it is well-accustomed to welcoming leisure guests and is an excellent base from which you can explore my favourite gastronomic metropolis.
Book a stay at The Cape Milner by visiting www.capemilner.com or by calling +27 21 426 1101
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