http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/ Welcome to Been there. Your tips on the places you know - that you love, live in or have just visited - are what make this guide. http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/29750 Saturdays 9am - 2pm.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/29750 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/26405
Baia Seafood Restaurant
A Portuguese take on seafood, with great views of the V&A Waterfront’s harbor.
Shop 6262, upper level, V&A Waterfront: +27 21 421 0935
www. baiarestaurant.co.za

Cape to Cuba
Eclectic Cuban restaurant with fishing-harbour views and armfuls of esoteric Cuban collectables.
Main Road, Kalk Bay: +27 21 788 1566
www. www.capetocuba.com

Chapman’s Restaurant
Poised at the foot of Chapman’s Peak, take in the expanse of Hout Bay and enjoy a large seafood collection – it’s famed for its calamari.
Main Road, Hout Bay: +27 21 790 1036
www.chapmansrestaurant.com

Harbour House
Elegant upmarket seafood restaurant with endless sea views of the Kalk Bay Harbour and beyond.
Kalk Bay Harbour, Main Road, Kalk Bay: +27 21 788 4133
www.harbourhouse.co.za

Vista Lounge & Bar
Hotel bar to Sol Kerzner’s One & Only, this spot looks out on a marina and the backdrop of Table Mountain. They serve light snacks throughout the day and turn into a cocktail bar by night.
V&A Waterfront: +27 21 431 5800
www.oneandonlycapetown.com

On The Rocks
Get the picture-postcard view of Table Mountain at this West Coast favourite.
45 Stadler Road, Blouberg: +27 21 554 1988
www.seascapecollection.co.za]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/26405 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/25791
Picnic among some of the Cape's oldest camphor and yellowwood trees in the extensive grounds that showcase South Africa's chequered history and Cape Dutch architecture. Experience the sensory beauty of the cultivated rose and herb gardens, the original Van der Stel Winery, the Library, mill, ruins and Slave Lodge as well as authentic Pigeon House.

Breakfast al fresco at The Rose Terrace Bistro, open November to April or sample the fish, meat and vegetarian dishes which are served in the Lady Phillips restaurant together with a selection of premium Vergelegen wines including Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz varieties. Cellar tours are also offered.

Combined with good weather an outing to Vergelegen is well worth its R10 entrance fee. As it is very popular, booking is advised. It is a thoroughly enjoyable experience and well worth a visit especially if heading from Cape Town to Hermanus to enjoy some whale watching.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/25791 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/25109 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/25109 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/22441 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/22441 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/21821
The food is simple, with Cape Malay dishes the speciality.

Booking at weekends is recommended]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/21821 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/21819
They cater for both small and large parties of people with surprising ease. The steaks melt in your mouth, and if you have a sweet tooth, the duck & cherry pie is very good. For dessert I've never got past the creme brulee, but they all look very good]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/21819 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/21448 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/21448 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20558 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20558 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20433 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20433 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18940 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18940 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16648 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16648 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16647 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16647 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15501
It's 22 storeys up at the top of the Ritz hotel and looks like an alien spaceship has landed on top of the building to the casual observer. Inside it's well decorated with an open kitchen and candles on the tables.

There is nowhere else you can get this standard for so little money (mains from 90 rand). A pianist plays while you dine which, combined with the great food and super service, makes for an unforgettable experience.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15501 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15499
Smooth jazz plays in the background while you eat. Try the brandy steak and the chilli calamari.

The Buzbey is a Cape treasure. Reasonably priced, booking is advisable at weekends. Gay friendly.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15499 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13452
The whole lunch experience starts at 12pm when you pitch up on the beach with your own cooler box filled with wine and ice cold beer.

From there, a 12 course seafood meal gets served along with homebaked African bread made in the cast iron ovens on the beach.

All in all this experience will have you playing in the sun and sea while dining in a five-star location with the best meal. You're kindly asked to leave by 6pm but I'm sure if you ask nicely they will let you stay for the dinner session which is from 7pm - 2am.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13452 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11768
You will learn how to mix masala, fold samosas, and how to balance the delicate flavours of a Cape Malay curry. Real fun!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11768 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9557 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9557 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/1938 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/1938 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/1928
The beauty of a roadhouse, of course, is that you don't really take the food out. You take it to your car, parked a few feet away, and gobble the delicious, piping hot food, which steams up your windshield as you watch the ebb and flow of the crowd around the take-out counter.

The Wembley is a beacon at night, a brightly lit temple. Cars of all types come and go, carrying happy families. It's their Friday night out. You can wait in your car for a waiter to appear at the window – he will take your order, dash off, and return with your food on a tray, and a smile of apology for being a little late.

Or you can step up underneath the take-out awning – don't be shy to push to the front – and order your meal from one of several harried-looking women who front the engine of the operation. The kitchen: a noisy, organised chaos. Note the colour of the post-it note which she writes your order on. The pink or yellow or green scrap will disappear into the kitchen, then resurface in 10 – 15 minutes next to foil-wrapped lumps, which is your food.

The place recalls 1950s America as seen in movies like Back to the Future. The difference, of course, is that you're in South Africa, in a township, and all the eats are halaal. Groovy. Over the years I've honed the perfect take-out order, which I recommend to all first-timers:

1 Masala Steak Sandwich (the supreme Wembley creation, with french fries on it)
2 mince samoosas (spicy ground beef triangular pastries)
1 koeksister (aniseed-infused doughnut)
1 small faloodah (indescribable – a sweet drink which requires both straw and spoon)

For vegetarians, the food is no less delightful: eat a vegetable curry with rice and 2 veg samoosas, then proceed to the koeksister. Vegans are not catered for – probably not even heard of.

To see what the Roadhouse looks like, check out the 2002 video, “Starbucks”, which the British band “A” shot in Cape Town. The Wembley was sacrilegiously transformed into a generic fast food joint for the shoot, and features throughout. See the video at Rock-Sound.net, among other sites.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/1928