Cafe Nood

Cafe Nood is a delightful place to eat and grab a cup of coffee or a drink. They have half portion tasty pastas that are just the right size for lunch and will not break the bank. The decor is 'just right' and there is even a bakery where you can buy brownies or other tempting delights. But be warned - the baked goods come at a cost! Some other negatives are that the service is a bit on the slow side and there is a TV that detracts from the dining experience. All in all though, a great little place for a bite to eat! A novel aspect to this restaurant is that you can buy packets of chips or books and magazines there too so it feels like a little delightful corner cafe. The milkshakes are also very good!

R8ing: 8/10

A Tavola Ristorante

A Tavola, meaning 'to the table' is a well-run restaurant on Wilderness Road in Claremont. There is an interesting menu of fine Italian foods with prices that are not steep and portion-sizes that are "not too big, not too small'. I was, however, surprised that, as an Italian restaurant, they did not provide patrons with bread while they waited for their food! There were also a few other surprises. The menu was laminated with the specials inside on a piece of inserted cardboard - not very professional. The table cloths (allbeit easy to clean) were plastic. Other than that, you could see that the tables were turning over fast, there was a family atmosphere and the service was prompt. There was no television in sight - which is a bonus as most restaurants have them and it does not make sense to go to a restaurant so that you can be glued to the box instead of savouring the fine food on offer. Really - if you want to watch tv - eat at home. Back to A Tavola... they get an...

overall r8ing: 7.5/10

5 Ryneveld

A lovely lunch experience in Stellenbosch. An interesting menu that is charmingly quirky - also resonant with the restaurant design. The burgers and milkshakes are divine. Possibly also a great place for supper. Only the sweet potato wedges and the service could be slightly improved. The prices were not reasonable nor exorbitant. I recommend the delightful courtyard for lunch provided there are not too many smokers. All in all, a lovely dining experience with excellent food presentation. R8ing 8.5/10. P.S. Worth the visit if just for the Steri Stumpi and ice-cream milkshakes!
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Theatre: Die Vreemdeling

You need to see this play even if your Afrikaans is iffy! This is what theatre is made for! Die Vreemdeling is a delightful, musical, whimsical and relevant play that captures your heart and imagination. Ephraim Gordon, Dann-Jaques Mouton, Rudi Malcolm are talented young actors who will whisk you away into a story about a small rural community afraid of foreigners. Ephraim Gordon is excellent in his portrayal of a rural girl who decides to open her heart to a foreigner in need.

R8ing: 10/10 - I cannot fault this!

For more information:

Magnet Theatre

presents

DIE VREEMDELING

Mark Fleishman received the Donald Gordon Creative Arts Award 2010 which lead to the creation of Die Vreemdeling.

Directed: Mark Fleishman,

Assisted by: Frances Marek

Written: by the cast based on a short story by Frances Marek

Featuring: Ephraim Gordon, Dann-Jaques Mouton, Rudi Malcolm

Design: Craig Leo

Choreography: Jennie Reznek and Ina Wichterich

Award nominations for Die Vreemdeling:

Aardklop 2010: Aardvark Beste Afrikaanse Produksie by Aardklop 2010 and Ephraim Gordon as Beste Akteur.

kykNET Fiesta Toekennings: Beste Nuutgeskepte Afrikaanse Opvoering asook Beste Opkomende Kustenaar (Ephraim Gordon) en Beste Byspeler (Dann-Jaques Mouton).

'n Verlate dorp in die middel van nêrens,

'n Gemeenskap wat hulleself met 'n heining beskerm,

'n Vreemdeling verskyn in die verte: honger, dors en swak,
'n Jong vrou sien hom,
Sy besluit om die hek oop te maak.

“Dit gaan oor migrasie, agterdog en berou. Die beste en die lelikste in die menslike hart paradeer oor die planke. Dit is bittersoet, aanskoulik, basies - en ja, magneties. Dis duidelik waarom die Magnet Theatre vroeër 'n Fleur du Cap toekenning vir vernuwing in teater losgeslaan het." Deborah Steinmair, Die Beeld Bylae.

DATES: 26, 27, 28, 29 January 2011 @ 20h00.

30 January 2011 @ 18h00

1, 2 and 8, 9, 10 February @ 19h15

4, 5 and 11, 12 February @ 20h00(Fri and Sat)

6 and 13 February @ 18h00 (Sun)

VENUE: The Magnet, Old Match Factory, corner Lower Main and St Michaels Road, Observatory.

TICKET PRICE: General public: R 65 per ticket

Schools, students, groups of 10 and more, pensioners: R 30.00

(Through generous support from HCI Foundation, bus transport can be arranged for schools and community groups. Please call Margie on 021 448 3436)

TICKETS CAN BE BOUGHT ONLINE THROUGH WEBTICKETS (www.webtickets.co.za) OR AT THE CAPE TOWN TOURIST OFFICE OUTLETS. Alternatively contact Margie on 021 448 3436