Cape Town - The year can be measured by the commercial events we ricochet between. No sooner did we get over Christmas than it was back to school.
Easter is just around the corner – Lent begins next Wednesday, and the marshmallow eggs are already in store.
But between all that, we have Valentine’s Day.
Somewhere along the line, it has expanded from just February 14 and become “the month of love”.
Since this is a leap year, that extra day becomes crucial for anyone thoroughly unmodern enough to still want to embrace the ancient tradition of women proposing marriage on February 29.
Here is a list of romantic ideas to woo your loved one this year, with picnics carrying the day, so to speak:
l The St Luke’s Hospice Valentine’s Day in Wonderland evening picnic has been running for more than 20 years, and has been a highlight of the hospice’s fundraising calendar. It takes place at Buitenverwachting in Constantia next Sunday from 6pm till 10pm.
Tickets cost R600 a couple and include a three-course picnic meal prepared by Hearty Foods and Alphen Farm Stall, a bottle of Buitenverwachting wine, music by the band Spectrum and entry into a lucky draw – main prize is a R5 000 voucher from Peter Gilder Jewellers.
St Luke’s Hospice is celebrating 36 years of caring for terminally ill patients this year. Your support will help it continue to offer its palliative care service to patients and their families at no cost (unless the patient still has medical aid funds and what are the chances of that?).
For more information, call Joy Booysen or Melissa Zaayman at St Luke’s Hospice on 021 761 1700.
l Anthonij Rupert Wyne in Franschhoek will host two Valentine’s Day events this weekend. There will be an open-air screening of A Good Year (a rather lovely movie starring Russell Crowe) next Saturday. Tickets cost R480 a couple and include the movie, a picnic basket and a glass of L’Ormarins Brut MCC on arrival. Next Sunday there will be a brunch in the tasting room. It costs R180 a person and includes a choice of coffee or a glass of MCC. Booking for both events is essential, via www.webtickets.co.za.
l At the One&Only Cape Town in the V&A Waterfront there is a range of luxurious treats from spa treatments, dinners and gourmet picnics, a red-themed afternoon tea buffet – served next Friday until Sunday – plus a night at the hotel. The tea is R295 a person, from 2.30pm to 5.30pm. See www.oneandonlycapetown.com.
l The Radisson Blu Hotel, Waterfront will host a picnic for a maximum of 14 couples on the lawns overlooking the Atlantic ocean. For R645 the hotel will provide a blanket, an umbrella and a picnic basket filled with treats, plus a choice of red, white or rosé wine. There are two time slots for the picnic; the first begins at 12.30pm and ends at 3.30pm, and the second is from 5pm till 8pm. Booking is essential. Call 021 441 3000 or see www.radissonblu.com.
l The Backsberg Centenary Picnic Concert Series at a Klapmuts farm begins Valentine’s Day with a performance by vibey indie-rock band The Plastics. Tickets are R120 from www.webtickets.co.za and R150 at the gate. Students pay R60 and it is free for children under- 12. Buy food and snack boxes on the day. Snack boxes can be pre-ordered at [email protected] for R160 for two. Gates open at 3pm. Call 021 875 5141.
l There are four options at Peddlars & Co in Constantia on Sunday. Volare Restaurant offers a three-course menu for R275 a person, including a glass of bubbly on arrival and petit fours to end the meal. Graciales serves small plates designed for sharing. For Valentine’s day in Graciales there will be platters for two, including a strawberry daiquiri, for R250. On the Oak Terrace, a three-course menu will cost R170 a person. But if all the gooey romance is too much for you, head to The Local for drinks specials and a competition with prizes for couples and singles. All restaurants are open for lunch and dinner and booking is essential. Call 021 794 7747 or see www.peddlars.co.za.
l Cupid meets country decadence at Gabriëlskloof Estate in the Overberg this month as it transforms its popular Lunch Box experience into a Love Box of taste temptations. At R300, the Gabriëlskloof Love Box is perfect for two adults and features all things pretty and pleasurable... salmon, strawberries, chocolate marquise pots, candy floss and milkshake with a twist. Gabriëlskloof is open daily for lunch and wine tastings – except on Tuesdays and bookings for the Love Box experience are essential. Call 028 284 9865 or send an email to [email protected].
l Marianne HQ in Stellenbosch will host a wine and music pairing to find out whether different styles of music alter the sensory experience of wine. The pairing will be hosted in the cellars, then canapés and live French gypsy jazz by Manouche in the tasting room. Tickets are R400 a couple and include a bottle of Marianne rosé, sauvignon blanc or Cape blend. Arrive at 7pm for a sundown drink and mingle on the deck. Pairing begins at 7.30pm sharp and the music ends at 10pm. Book via www.webtickets.co.za or call or email Melissa Cunliffe at [email protected] or 021 875 5040 with any questions.
l Webersburg Wine Estate, on the slopes of the Helderberg Mountain between Stellenbosch and Somerset West, invites you to have a picnic on the lawns in front of its manor house accompanied by live bands. Gourmet picnic baskets at R450 for two are available for pre-order, each served with a bottle of award-winning Webersburg wine. Call 021 881 3636 or email [email protected]. For more information on specials and upcoming events see www.webersburg.co.za.
l Durbanville Hills has two options. One is to lie about on the lawn under the olive trees with a picnic basket – R350 for two, including a bottle of merlot rosé – between 11am and 3pm. The other is a four-course menu paired with DH wines for R425 a person upstairs in the restaurant. Bookings are essential and can be made by contacting the cellar on 021 558 1300, or by sending an email to [email protected].
l Everyone always says they want to be with someone who can make them laugh. If your plus one has a sense of humour, take them to the Cape Town Comedy Club (V&A Waterfront). Tickets are R120 a person which includes a Champagne cocktail on arrival and a show featuring four comedians. The club has a full a la carte menu, plus a special three-course set menu for R250. The headline act is KG, with MC Martin Evans and support from The Brothers Streep. Lungelo Ndlovu will be on open mic. Doors open at 6pm, show at 8.30pm. Book at Computicket, Shoprite or Checkers. For more information, call 021 418 8880/079 495 3989, email [email protected] or see www.capetowncomedy.com.
l The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa will offer its Valentine’s menu throughout the month, with a five-course menu that will be available in the Azure Restaurant for both lunch and dinner at R695 a person. On Valentine’s Day, choose between a lunch buffet (R340 a person) or a five-course dinner, including a drink on arrival, live music and a red rose (R955 a person). Plus the Twelve Apostles Tea by the Sea, with an “I Love You” theme, will be served in The Leopard Bar and Conservatory all month for R215 a person. From next Friday to Sunday, it goes up to R240 and includes a glass of bubbles. Contact restaurant reservations on 021 437 9029 or [email protected].
Bianca Coleman, Weekend Argus