Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
It’s the season of sensual pleasures – indulge
Ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day with your love, or solo
THE world is divided into two camps: those who are smitten with the idea of Valentine’s Day, and those who want to run away and hide.
To the latter I say, carry on, but don’t forget you can practise a little self-love as well; there’s nothing wrong with treating yourself to something special next Thursday, and no one knows better than you what the perfect date will be.
For the rest, we’ve rounded up some ideas to spoil your significant other, or leave this newspaper lying open somewhere they’ll see it.
Table Mountain Aerial Cableway
will transport lovebirds to the summit for a memory of a lifetime. South Africans with valid green ID books are invited to take advantage of the halfprice Sunset Special. Book your tickets online or buy them at the ticket office from 6pm each night.
Take your love to new heights by entering the Feel The Love competition which runs until February 14. With 25 double half-price Sunset Special tickets up for grabs every day on the Facebook page (where you’ll find all the details), this is one love-filled giveaway you do not want to miss.
The cableway’s operations are weather dependent so check www. tablemountain.net or call the weather line on 0214248181 for updates.
Steenberg Farm is playing Cupid for the whole of February with romantic encounters for couples across all the signature experiences at this Constantia wine, restaurant and luxury boutique hotel destination.
Whether you are looking for an intimate Valentine’s dinner, a nurturing couple’s spa pamper, an overnight retreat, or a bubbly pairing at the winery, Steenberg has all the right ingredients to spoil someone special.
On Valentine’s Day, chef Kerry Kilpin will be exploring sensual new tastes at Catharina’s Restaurant with a four-course dinner menu.
Setting the mood with a Kir Royale and a secret amuse bouche, the menu entices with dishes including tempura prawns and calamari, a rose-scented harvest sorbet and porcini dusted pork belly.
A raspberry ganache with strawberry and buttermilk ice cream is the cherry on top. The vegetarian alternatives are herbed chevin tortellini and a vegetable and chickpea medley.
The Valentine’s Day menu is R895 with wine pairings, or R595 without wine. For bookings, call 0217137178 or email reservations@catharinasrestaurant.co.za
Take a moment to pause and connect with your partner and indulge in one of two signature Valentine’s couple massages in the tranquil Steenberg Spa.
Finish with a bottle of Steenberg 1682 Chardonnay Méthode Cap Classique and chocolate coated strawberries in the relaxation area around the pool.
The packages are available throughout February and vary in price from R2 200 to R3 050. For spa bookings, call 0217127481 or email spa@steenberghotel.com
Savour the full Steenberg experience:
a night’s stay with a glass of Steenberg Méthode Cap Classique on arrival, breakfast, a complimentary wine tasting and vineyard walk, and a Pinotage couple’s massage.
For dinner, guests will be treated to a three-course meal of their choice at Catharina’s Restaurant.
Available exclusively in February, this experience is R4050 per person.
Call 021 713 2222 or email reservations@steenberghotel.com
Abalone House & Spa in Paternoster is one of the West Coast’s gems. This Valentine’s Day, Reuben’s at Abalone House is creating a romantic atmosphere with a five-course menu for the evening which sees executive chef Darren Stewart keeping things simple yet elegant, finding inspiration from seasonal ingredients.
At R680 a person, the offer includes a glass of sparkling wine and chocolate treats.
Pamper your significant other this February with a relaxing treatment at The Spa at Abalone House. Book the Africology Shea Aroma therapeutics 60-minute full-body massage for R599 a person, valid till February 28.
Bookings are essential: call 022 752 2044/014 0040131, email info@abalonehouse.co.za, or go to www.southofafrica.co.za /properties/ abalone-house/
Balducci at V&A Waterfront has two menus planned for February 14, one of which is vegan.
The first menu is R395 a person, and includes a glass of pink bubbles on arrival followed by antipasti starters of oysters, grilled or fried calamari, or melanzane alla parmigiana.
The second course is a choice of butter chicken pasta, kingklip or fillet steak, and to end there is white chocolate cheesecake.
The vegan menu is also R395 and includes bubbly. The starter choices are zucchini tartar, falafel and tahini, or soup of the day; main courses are Thai red curry, cashew nut cream pasta, or salad in a jar.
To finish, there is pistachio raspberry ice cream cake.
To book, call 021 421 6002/3, email contact@slickrestaurants.com, and go to www.balduccis.co.za for more information.