A GLASS OF CHAMPAGNE WITH EVERY COURSE: An Epicurean Adventure with Ruinart at the Saxon Hotel’s five hundred

JOHANNESBURG (08/13) – David Higgs, celebrated executive chef at the Saxon Hotel in Johannesburg, brings a new twist to his six-course tasting menu at the hotel’s chic five hundred restaurant.  Intensifying the taste buds of almost any palate, a glass of Ruinart Champagne comes with each course, a panoply of the wholesome goodness from the chef’s organic gardens and earthy flavors of South Africa.   Each heady course presents the perfect time to raise a toast.  Now, how much fun is that!

This is the first time in Africa that a restaurant has joined with a champagne house to create an innovative menu.  While chefs seldom pair an entire meal with champagne, Niel Hendriksz, the Moet Hennessy Portfolio* Ambassador for Africa, says:  “Champagne as a food-pairing wine is always refreshing; it cleanses the palate and never overshadows the taste of the food. Bringing together the bold flavors of David Higgs with the freshness and elegance of Ruinart Champagne will leave you with a sense of veneration for what is presented before you.”

Each dinner is reserved 72 hours in advance and the chef tailor-makes each menu with what’s available that day to ensure the finest, freshest ingredients as well as accommodate specific needs and dietary requirements.  The best beluga caviar, foie gras and crayfish is sourced internationally while David’s organic garden supplies seasonal produce for most of the year.   The champagne served ranges from light and delicate to bold and robust.  They include R de Ruinart; Ruinart Blanc du Blanc; Ruinart Rosè; and the company’s creme de la crème, Dom Ruinart 1998.

David says “I believe in constantly experimenting with new cooking techniques and bold flavors, bringing in a few unexpected twists and turns as an element of surprise.  I draw my inspiration from contemporary world cuisine and classical combinations as well as modern African influences, at all times using only the freshest, handpicked seasonal ingredients and carefully selected artisanal produce.”  Full of ideas, David is at the top of noted South African chefs.

The intimate atmosphere of the Chef’s Table in the heart of five hundred offers the Ruinart Experience at Saxon five hundred the ultimate private dining experience for up to eight guests.  To enter the Experience, guests are escorted down a sleek black hallway lined with fine crystal stemware, past the open kitchen through a discreet door into the restaurant’s Chef’s Table.  The roomy space with its stunning contemporary art and elegant Ruinart accessories, offers a unique blend of privacy and glamour.  The central focal point is the open plan Chef’s kitchen and the impressive glass wine cellar.  Guests watch the chefs at work as they present the impressive six course menu – sort of like of food and champagne with a taste for luxury and quality of life,” adds David.

Managing Director George Cohen said: “We have created this experience in celebration of the close collaboration between the highly regarded House of Ruinart, the world’s oldest, most prestigious champagne, and the Saxon, voted the World’s Leading Boutique Hotel since 2001.”

The restaurant is open Tuesday to Saturday, evenings only from 6 pm.  The exclusive six-course Ruinart Experience menu is $500 (R4900) per person for a minimum of four people and a maximum of eight people. Guests from within the hotel and outside of the hotel are welcome.

For further information or reservations contact The Saxon Boutique Hotel at +27 11 292 6000 or visit: www.saxon.co.za

SAXON EXCITES WITH OUTSTANDING DINING EXPERIENCE AT THE NEW QUNU GRILL

Johannesburg, South Africa, June 07, 2013 | No matter how discerning their taste buds, mouths can’t help but water at the Saxon’s newest restaurant, Saxon Qunu Grill. Executive Chef David Higgs, noted as one of South Africa’s top chefs, and his team of culinary prodigies were elated with the official launch of the new restaurant, following months of development. An innovative menu boasts bold flavors and an honest approach to cuisine, using only the finest South African ingredients. Patrons can delight in a hearty breakfast, comforting lunch or cozy, intimate dinner, all with a distinct African flair.

From the West Coast mussels to the free range and grass-fed beef, sourced from the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, Chef Higgs challenges the norm with his creative menu items and attention to detail. Gastronomy aficionados and gourmands alike will revel in the multi-faceted selections. Guests are spoiled for choice. With a delectable variety of fish, beef, poultry, game and for the vegetarians out there, the menu features scrumptious vegetarian options too.

The grill exudes the warmth of the hotel’s African heritage from its rich surroundings, red tones, woven lampshades and ambient glow, enhanced by the remarkable hanging gardens. Just beyond the gardens, the glass double doors lead out onto the terrace where the striking canopy of age-old fig trees offer a sense of being an intrinsic part of Africa. Whether the occasion is a business lunch, a special celebration or simply to fulfill the need for inspired, appetizing cuisine, Saxon Qunu Grill provides the perfect setting.

The restaurant’s Xhosa name pays homage to the Eastern Cape village where former president Nelson Mandela was born. Mandela chose the Saxon as a quiet refuge while writing his memoirs, thus it’s only fitting that his birthplace has made a permanent mark on the hotel.  

"The introduction of Saxon Qunu Grill to the hotel’s dining options has been a natural progression for us, where the heritage of Africa is encapsulated in not only the décor, but in the flavors of the fare we present to our guests,” said Managing Director George Cohen.

“There is such synergy here, with the history of the hotel, and that of my talented culinary team. With an inherent focus on the experience and the food, Saxon Qunu Grill is a place where people can relax in the tranquil and charming atmosphere and revel in the fantastic service whilst indulging in the finest wine and food pairings,” added Chef Higgs. “With the Saxon exuding the warmth of a home, Saxon Qunu Grill’s experience is the very same one I would afford my family and friends in my very own home."

For more information about the Saxon Boutique Hotel, Villas, Spa and the Qunu Grill, visit www.saxon.co.za. 

EXCLUSIVE, NEW FINE-DINING SIGNATURE RESTAURANT OPENS AT WORLD-RENOWNED SAXON BOUTIQUE HOTEL IN JOBURG

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa- Thanks to the culinary flair and creative vision of star Executive Chef David Higgs (considered by many the best chef in South Africa), the Saxon Boutique Hotel, Villas and Spa in Johannesburg has opened a new and exclusive fine dining restaurant in a space that was formerly Suite 500, the Presidential Suite of owner Douw Steyn.  In his honor, the new restaurant has been named “five hundred.” The concept is a dining experience where food, wine and art converge, and where chefs and sommeliers interact with guests. The intimate, 40-seat restaurant offers a menu of dishes prepared with simple, fresh, flavorful and high-quality ingredients as well as wines from an extensive, well-curated cellar.

The Saxon’s luxurious signature restaurant fulfills the food philosophy of Chef Higgs, who says, "A successful restaurant is based upon repeat business resulting from the artistic preparation and presentation of its food. Classical or modern, a dish must be eye-catching, whether it’s visually colorful or a counter-play of textures.”
“Five hundred” comprises a private entrance; a reception area and the Ruinart Room which can accommodate up to eight guests for private dining at the Chef’s Table. In the main dining room, tables are set up side-by-side in a collegial arrangement with the open Chef’s Kitchen the focal point. Décor is dramatic yet simple: dark background hues counterpoint vibrant orange accents; bold, contemporary art on the walls echo the palette of oils on each table.
The dinner experience is an extraordinary journey of either four or six tasting courses, each paired with expertly selected local and international wines and vintages, under the direction of award-winning Head Sommelier, Francis Krone. While the menu is perused, a sommelier pours the guest a glass of Champagne and describes its virtues.  Then, once chosen, each dish is presented by a chef who explains how it was cooked and what may be expected of it. For the six-course menu, the sommelier discusses with the guest the personality of each vintage, the region that produced it, and its idiosyncrasies of flavor and aroma.
The Saxon’s new menus are designed to entice guests to return, not only from the point of view of flavor satisfaction, but from the hospitality proffered. Higgs was given carte blanche to change the entire food and beverage offering at The Saxon and to position it once again as the “most exceptional dining experience” in Johannesburg.
For further information or reservations contact +27 11 292 6000 or visit: www.saxon.co.za  

SAXON BOUTIQUE HOTEL, VILLAS AND SPA OFFERS JET-SETTING LOVEBIRDS A “SUITE VALENTINE’S PACKAGE”

This February, the award-winning Saxon Boutique Hotel, Villas and Spa is offering a Valentine’s Package designed to have jet-setters swooning. The package includes one night’s accommodations for two in an elegant Egoli Suite, a full English breakfast for two, a “Rain of the Gods” spa treatment for both, candle-lit dinner at a Saxon dining location of guests choosing (up to value of $ 285*), a rose petal and chocolate truffle turndown, and a welcome gift comprising a bottle of sparkling wine and vase of roses. The package is available for the price of $1,083.29* and includes complimentary use of the plunge pool, floatation pool, steam room and Jacuzzi.

Located in the exclusive Sandton suburb of Johannesburg, the Saxon Boutique Hotel, Villas and Spa provides glorious respite from the hustle, bustle and excitement of Johannesburg. Lovers can get lost in the ten acres of lush landscaped gardens, admiring the intricate Amalie von Maltitz sculptures along their way.

The full-service spa offers therapies and treatments fit for royalty, utilizing the finest beauty products and state of the art equipment. The “Rain of the Gods” treatment included in the package involves a welcome ritual, a full-body exfoliation, and a revitalizing Olive & Shea Butter Massage.

To further luxuriate, couples can lounge on the pool terrace, enjoy cocktails at the Olive Bar, or linger over lunch in the dining gazebo. In fact, there are a number of dining options for lovebirds to choose from, including private dining and two signature restaurants, all of which have been thoughtfully conceptualized by the renowned South African Chef, David Higgs.

For more availability and reservations, email reservations@thesaxon.co.za.

Design of the Times

FOR LOVERS OF THE SWEET LIFE, AFRICAN TRAVEL, INC. PRESENTS A DECIDEDLY TASTY CULINARY TOUR OF SOUTH AFRICA

South Africa is popping up on more and more “bucket lists,” and no wonder – the country is a must destination for veteran travelers who want amazing, new and fulfilling experiences for themselves and their loved ones.

South Africa offers the pleasures of a wonderful climate, friendly people, great safaris, exciting cities, superb surfing, exotic landscapes, and, on top of all that, unforgettable culinary adventures that run the gamut from the messy-finger affair called bunny chow to such high-falutin’ dishes as springbok carpaccio served with truffle remoulade. And the wines? Mwah! South Africa is a wine lover’s paradise, largely because those French Huguenots who settled there in the 17th century brought vines from their homeland and the know-how to cultivate them.

To savor the eclectic cuisine and world-class wines of South Africa, African Travel, Inc., invites travelers on an exclusive Sweet Life Culinary Tour of South Africa’s finest. The itinerary includes private wine tastings, gourmet meals, local recipes, culinary secrets from top chefs, a tour of the vaunted Winelands, hands-on cooking lessons and enough leisure time to visit bustling Cape Town as well as to take an elephant-back safari under the stars.

The tour begins at the Steenberg Hotel & Winery, an historic, five-star hotel located in Constantia, one of the four great wine regions of the Western Cape.

Day 1 – Fly from JFK/US to Johannesburg and on to Cape Town.

Day 2 – Arrive at the Steenberg Hotel & Winery, winner of the 2010 Travelers’ Choice Award for excellence and ranked as one of the top 10 luxury hotels in South Africa. Settle in to your stylish, African art-filled suite.

Enjoy a light, late lunch at the Steenberg’s new and innovative cellar-door restaurant, Bistro Sixteen82, comprising a Raw Bar, a Wine Tasting Bar, a VIP Tasting Room, a Wine Tasting Terrace, and a Wine Tasting Lounge, where guests can relax in front of a crackling, wood-burning fireplace.

Executive Chef Brad Ball (formerly the cooking master of two of Cape Town’s best known eateries – the River Café and Olympia Café), orchestrates a symphony of healthy, raw food- sashimi, gravalax, ceviche, carpaccios, oysters and tartares, freshly prepared by designated sous-chefs, and harmoniously paired with Steenberg estate wines.

Walk the grounds and discover why the vineyards are bordered by white rose bushes.

In the evening, dine at Catharina’s, Steenberg’s newly-renovated fine dining restaurant, presided over by Chef Garth Almazan, a born and bred Capetonian and culinary whiz who is 10-time winner of American Express’ Award for Fine Dining. Choose from among his simply sophisticated signature dishes- caramelized king scallops served with cauliflower purée or roast pork sirloin with red onion marmalade, ciabatta crouton, asparagus, and wild mushrooms.

Overnight at Steenberg

Day 3 – After an elaborate buffet breakfast, drive to Cape Town to see the iconic Table Mountain and the historic Cape of Good Hope. Then take a four-hour lesson in Cape Malay cooking complete with shopping the local market. Learn how to whip up Bobotie, the classic Cape Malay spiced ground beef curry.

Return to the Steenberg for a refreshing spa treatment followed by a pre-prandial wine tasting on Bistro Sixteen82’s Wine Tasting Terrace. Savor the award-winning wines created by expert winemaker John Loubser- Steenberg’s Sauvignon Blanc Reserve and Catharina’s, a red Bordeaux blend.

Dine in Catharina’s Restaurant where Chef Almazan will discuss the evening’s menu and recommend the best Steenberg wines (or Graham Beck champagne) to pair with such melt-in-your-mouth dishes as Sautéed Prawns and Tempura Soft Shell Crab served with litchi aioli, sweet chilli and market greens.

Overnight at Steenberg

Day 4 – After breakfast, tour the Western Cape’s vaunted winelands. Visit the 300-year old Morgenster Wine Estate in Somerset West, a thriving olive farm and winery, producing Bordeaux-style wines and prize-winning extra virgin olive oil. Participate in an olive oil tasting and take home some of Morgenster’s excellent bottled oils or other olive products, perfect gifts for foodies back home.

Next, visit Groot Constantia, the oldest wine farm in South Africa, dating to 1685. The elegantly-gabled Manor House is the finest surviving example of Cape Dutch architecture and now houses a cultural history museum containing a superb collection of Cape furniture, porcelains and maritime art.

On the grounds of Groot Constantia is the beautifully-appointed Simon’s Restaurant, offering indoor and outdoor dining options. If the weather is warm, relax on the rolling green lawn with a boxed picnic lunch that can be pre-ordered twenty-four hours in advance (021-794-1143) and collected from the picnic kiosk.

Afternoon and evening at leisure.

Overnight at Steenberg

Day 5 – Leave from Cape Town Airport for Johannesburg and on to Hoedspruit where you will be met by a guide from Camp Jabulani, a super-chic Relais & Chateaux, five-star safari camp that supports a world-class endangered species center.

After settling into your chalet, enjoy a light lunch served on your personal deck beside a sparkling plunge pool.

Take an elephant-back safari under moonlight with the shimmering Milky Way as backdrop. Your groom carries a searchlight for spotting game as your elephant tramps through the wilderness. Before night falls, you’ll dismount from your comfy saddle to enjoy sundowners (pre-ordered) and canapés served from a buffet table set in the bush. Safari over, visit the elephant stables and feed your favorites.

Dinner will be served in the stylish main lodge with the chef making suggestions on the day’s offerings.

Overnight at Camp Jabulani

Day 6 – Join fellow guests in the main lodge for a South African-style buffet breakfast.

Visit Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre to see the Vulture Restaurant (vultures are endangered, too, and these poor, put-upon birds need to be fed), Lover’s Lane (where the female cheetah chooses her mate), and the large pack of family-oriented wild dogs, one of the most endangered species in Southern Africa.

Lunch at Hoedspruit.

Return to Camp Jabulani for a delicious spa treatment on your deck or in your room.

Dinner in the lodge is a communal affair, where international guests can exchange travel adventure stories, “best bets,” and “must-sees.”

Overnight at Camp Jabulani

Day 7 – Breakfast at Camp Jabulani followed by a drive to Sabi Sabi, a luxury game lodge within the 160,000-acre Sabi Sands section of Kruger National Park, a wildlife paradise. Settle into your lodge.

Lunch

Afternoon game drive to observe at close quarters the Big Five and other species of African animals and birds.

Dinner at Sabi Sabi is served in your lodge or on your private deck, if you so choose.

Overnight at Sabi Sabi

Day 8 – Early morning game drive is followed by breakfast.

Afternoon at leisure.

A barbecue-style dinner tonight takes place within the boma, a fence-enclosed area used for outdoor meals and parties. Of course, at Sabi Sabi, the basic boma is elevated to a fabulously memorable communal meal in a sublimely romantic torch-lit setting. You’ll drink in the atmosphere as much as the fine wine.

Day 9 – Breakfast at Sabi Sabi then drive to Hoedspruit/Fly to Johannesburg

Settle in to the Saxon Boutique Hotel, Villas and Spa, chosen by Conde Nast Traveler as the best boutique hotel in Africa. The Saxon was originally a private mansion and it’s where Nelson Mandela stayed after leaving prison. Such luminaries as former president Bill Clinton and Oprah Winfrey are frequent guests.

Enjoy a light lunch around the pool.

A scintillating dinner a deux will be served at the Chef’s Table set in the Saxon’s newly-expanded main kitchen. Saxon’s sommelier will be on hand to suggest wine pairings, and the lucky twosome can watch the kitchen magic conjured by the Head Chef, who believes in using only the freshest local ingredients, transmuted into colorful and experiential dishes.

Overnight at the Saxon

Day 10 – Morning starts with a breakfast buffet composed of seasonal fruits and berries served fresh or made into compôtes and coulis.

Tour the Saxon’s wine cellar and tasting room.

The cool, wide Pool Terrace is an inviting area for relaxing and whiling away the late afternoon, sipping sundowners and taking in the spectacular sunsets. From there it’s easy to gravitate to the Olive Bar, beyond which you will find the well-stocked, impressive koi pond that never fails to amaze.

Dinner at the Saxon

Overnight at the Saxon

Day 11 – Breakfast in your room.

Enjoy a sybaritic spa treatment at the Saxon’s Spa & Studio, named by the Tatler as one of the top 100 day spas in the world.

Day at leisure, until it’s time to depart for Johannesburg Airport, where you can shop for South African wines and specialty packaged food items to bring home the memories.

Leave Johannesburg for return flight to US.

UPGRADES AT THE SAXON READY FOR FIFA WORLD CUP LUMINARIES

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA (02/10) – The construction of three new villas with 29 suites at the Saxon Boutique Hotel & Spa more than doubles the capacity of this luxurious hotel in time to host world leaders gathering here soon for the FIFA World Cup. The existing suites are also getting a lift so that the entire hotel will have a fresh, updated look when the project is completed in April.

Designed to offer the same exclusivity and luxury for which the Saxon is known, each of the new villas will have its own pool, terrace and lounge as well as a boardroom which may be converted into a dining room, a satellite kitchen and butler service. The suites will be similar to the open plan design of the hotel’s popular Egoli Suites with four one-bedroom Presidential Suites convertible into two two-bedroom Platinum suites.

Changes in the existing 24 suites in the main hotel will include new beds, linen, TV, blue ray DVD players, carpets/rugs, 1000 thread count linen, toweling and Saxon robes, mp3 docking stations, new integrated lighting systems, advanced air conditioning controls, free use of laptop in every suite as well as free wireless internet access. Also, one of the in-room telephones will be converted to a mobile phone for use during the guest’s visit.

The Saxon, a favorite among discerning leisure and business travelers alike, offers an extraordinary architectural design, full-service spa and gym, African art collection, fine dining and beautiful gardens as well as excellent service. One of the most sought after hotels in the world, it has been voted World’s Leading Boutique Hotel every year for the past eight years at World Travel Awards and was recognized in Conde Nast Traveler’s Reader’s Choice awards 2009 as the best hotel in Africa.

For further information, please contact The Saxon Boutique Hotel and Spa, Tel:
+27 11 292-6000 or e-mail reservations@saxon.co.