Whether you are looking for memorable first date, preparing for Valentine’s Day or even just trying to add a little spice to your relationship, a romantic dinner is one of the best ways to connect with your partner in an age old tradition tailored for romance and intimacy.

A romantic dinner needs to be special if it’s going leave a lasting impression on both you and your partner long after the night has ended. It’s not an everyday affair. It’s a once in awhile treat that needs to break routine if it is to be savoured. It’s an occasion to dress up in the clothes you are dying to show off, enjoy a spectacular meal that delights the senses and luxuriate in a venue that lends the evening a sense of elegance and glamour.

Bombay Brasserie is a prime location for those wanting a truly fancy night out. Amidst its contemporary design and luxurious decor you will find a rich atmosphere of intimacy and exclusivity. Its highly acclaimed menu provides an extraordinary choice of starters, mains and desserts as well as a wine list tailored to pair the best of South African wines with the best Indian cuisine.

The Twankey Seafood, Champagne and Oyster Bar is the place to go to spoil you partner. With its smooth pillars and dark wood surfaces, Twankey is the perfect place for pre-dinner drinks, or it’s delicious selection of hot and cold seafood tapas in the privacy of its corner booths. Twankey’s plush, comfortable decor and soulful music compliment its selection of fine champagnes and oysters, ensuring an evening of romantic indulgence.

For those wanting to enjoy a romantic dinner outside under the trees, Mint Restaurant’s relaxed atmosphere and varied menu of local and international dishes is ideal for a romantic first date. Mint’s mezzanine level is also perfect for private dining, and features an open plan show kitchen.

The Taj Cape Town provides luxury accommodation in the heart of the mother city. The Taj is a leading destination for fine dining in Cape Town, and ideal for planning your next romantic dinner.

This Christmas, the Taj Cape Town is featuring a number of elegant events for the whole family.

Taj Christmas celebrations range from relaxed family afternoon tea to sophisticated evening functions.

Christmas Eve

Treat your family this Christmas eve with a festive gourmet dinner at Mint Restaurant. Mint offers fine dining in a relaxed atmosphere, making it the ideal venue of the whole family to enjoy a special Christmas Eve supper. The four-course menu offers reduced prices for children under twelve, and kids under five eat free.

A more formal Christmas Eve offering is to be found at the Bombay Brasserie.

Bombay Brasserie is renowned for offering some of the finest gourmet Indian cuisine. On Christmas Eve, the five-course tasting menu promises to be a gastronomic adventure par excellence. At R550 per person (or R750 with wine pairing) for five exquisite courses, it represents good value too.

From 6.30 PM the Taj will be hosting Christmas carols in the lobby, with complimentary cocktails and live musical performances.

Christmas Day

The Taj Cape Town has a number of fantastic options for Christmas Day, including a festive buffet at Mint and afternoon tea in the Lobby Lounge.

You will enjoy live jazz during lunch and there will be live festive entertainment throughout the day.

In the evening, you once more have the opportunity to enjoy fine-dining at Mint and the Bombay Brasserie.

Mint is offering a superior a la carte three course menu, for R250 per person (or R350 with wines selected by Mint’s sommelier).

At Bombay Brasserie, you can enjoy an elegant five-course tasting menu, designed with the most demanding epicureans in mind.  This is set at R550 per person, or R750 with sommelier-paired wines.

Day of Goodwill

On 26 December 2010, Mint Restaurant is hosting a sumptuous champagne brunch. Enjoy jazz and relax with the whole family at this festive occasion.

Continue the festivities with a lavish supper at Bombay Brasserie.

The Taj offers luxury accommodation in Cape Town.  Too book any of these special festive meals or events, and for other dining reservations, you can call the hotel directly on +27 (0)21 819 2000.

December is party time in South Africa. Not only are there the usual New Year and Christmas festivities, but the summer weather puts everyone in a mood for celebrating.

The Taj Cape Town provides an elegant way to mark the closing of another successful year, and to really get into the spirit of the Festive Season, without even leaving Cape Town.

With superlative cuisine and five-star service, the Taj offers understated opulence, for a more refined end-of-year celebration.

The Taj Cape Town is home to two world-class restaurants: Mint, offering exquisite contemporary dining, and the Bombay Brasserie, which serves gourmet Indian cuisine. Both are offering special menus around the festive season, including Christmas and New Year feasts.

For a more informal party, the Twankey is great venue for special occasions. The Twankey serves an impressive selection of fresh oysters, wines and cocktails.

Tailor-made year-end parties

For anyone planning a year-end party, the Twankey’s private mezzanine can be reserved for up to thirty guests. This is ideal for office functions or for social groups that wish to mark the end of the year in a fun and stylish way.

The Taj can also arrange private functions for larger groups, such as year-end parties for larger businesses. As many as 100 guests can be comfortably entertained, with various music, decor and menu options available.

End-of-year functions are an excellent way to reward employees for their hard work over the course of the year and promote harmony at the office. To organise a year-end function designed to take care of each of your guest’s needs, phone the Taj Cape Town on +27 (0)21 819 2000 to speak to a function coordinator.

The Taj, conveniently situated in the Cape Town city centre, is easy to access and will provide guests with secure parking.

To book luxury accommodation in Cape Town or to organise a end of year function email the Taj or call the hotel directly on +27 (0)21 819 2000.

If you’re looking for a sophisticated year-end function venue, look no further than the Taj Cape Town. Our central location, beautifully restored buildings and ample facilities position us as the venue of choice for up-market events. Our private venues can accommodate exclusive events for between 6 and 100 guests. Event rooms are beautifully restored and feature natural light with subtle, elegant finishings.

Book an extra special lunch or dinner at either Mint or the Bombay Brasserie, or host your stylish cocktail event at the Twankey bar. Taj Cape Town also has a number of versatile function rooms which can be configured to suit sit-down or more informal parties.

Contact Taj Cape Town to get more information about hosting your year-end function in one of our facilities.

Spa treatment (image by stock.xchng - http://www.sxc.hu/)

Natural and holistic spa treatments
Jiva Spa’s treatments are based on the philosophy that the life force is the foundation of wellness. The Jiva Spa values ensure that everything that touches the body is completely natural. Signature holistic treatments combine Ayurveda principles with natural products and exotic Indian ingredients. Every treatment is created to bring about mental, physical and spiritual balance, whilst pampering, healing and rejuvenating the body.

Signature Jiva treatments:

• Relaxing massage therapies, detoxification and aromatherapy treatments. 
• Healing Indian cupping therapy and invigorating scrubs and wraps.
• A host of indulgent beauty treatments, including nourishing and deep-cleansing facials, manicures and pedicures.
• Tranquil Jiva yoga and meditation programs are offered at the spa, along with goal-oriented fitness programs.
• Jiva Spa offers single and double treatment suites, beauty treatment rooms, relaxation pools, yoga and meditation zones, and fully-equipped gyms.

You deserve to be pampered, so treat yourself to Jiva Spa’s Indian wellness and beauty therapies. Visit the Taj Hotel to discover Jiva Spa and to book your treatment.

The guide offers accurate dates, pricing and venue details of events, along with informative descriptions of each event. Join Taj Cape Town’s Facebook fan page and gain access to all the latest events and attractions that the Mother City has to offer. If you’re already a fan, why not share the page with friends or relatives who may be visiting Cape Town in the future?

Taj’s Facebook events diary caters to all tastes
The new events diary caters to every interest and entertainment preference, and features an extensive variety of events, ranging from theatre productions, music concerts and comedy shows to food and wine festivals and sporting events. The calendar is updated regularly to ensure that fans are always up to speed with the latest events in Cape Town. Plan your social schedule months in advance by diarising forthcoming attractions listed in the guide.

The event portal includes click-through links to the Facebook pages of featured events, adding to the convenience and functionality of the online diary. You’ll also be able to read overviews of each event, to find that ones that most pique your interest.

Join Taj Cape Town’s Facebook fan page and access the event calendar feature, your one-stop resource for all local event information.

Yesterday, Tuesday the 22nd of March 2010, was the first day that Taj Cape Town was officially open to the general public. In the last few months we’ve undergone an extended soft-launch and this has enabled us to work out all the kinks; allowing us to ensure that, by the time you come to say, the Taj Cape Town is nothing short of exceptional.

Presently we’re full. Yes all 177 of our beautiful rooms are booked but we’d still love to see you here for a meal, a night (sometime in the not too distant future), a business conference or a board meeting.

If you’d like to book a room click here and if have any questions please contact us on +27 21 819 2000.

At the Taj Cape Town we offer couples, on honeymoon, an unforgettable Cape Town experience.

Honeymoon couples check into their Taj Cape Town Tower Luxury Room*, with a beautiful Table Mountain view, for four nights. A fifth night, of honeymoon splendour, is supplied as a wedding gift – compliments of the Taj Cape Town.

While in residence at the Taj Cape Town, newlyweds are treated to a selection of experiences that include a memorable sunset cruise or horse carriage ride, an indulgent Jiva Grande Spa Signature Treatment, a bottle of South African Méthode Cap Classique, a selection of delicious handmade chocolates, fresh strawberries; and on one special evening the couple will enjoy a romantic private in-room dinner accompanied by a complimentary bottle of wine.

*Complimentary room upgrade to a Suite (subject to availability).

They make use of floor-to-ceiling glass facades, and private balconies, to offer panoramic views of the city and Table Mountain.

The Tower Rooms and Suites décor effectively maintains the timeless Taj Cape Town theme of elegance, without overwhelming the modern architecture. They exude an warm air refinement thanks to their colour palette which was inspired by the colours of the setting sun on the mountains surrounding the city of Cape town.

The classic Taj Cape Town Tower Rooms and Suites is amplified by plush carpeting, decadent fabrics, exceptional wood and leather work and luxurious bed and bathroom linen.

If you’re in the area pop in and have a look at our art. You could also stay for breakfast, lunch or dinner at Mint; a dinner at the Bombay Brasserie or some seafood tapas at The Twankey (when it opens).

All the Taj Cape Town Heritage Rooms have been lovingly restored and tastefully updated. They all still boast their original, and historically relevant, large sash windows which look out onto a Table Mountain or the Cape Town city centre.

The Heritage Rooms and Suites exude an air of complete calm thanks to their tranquil colour palate – which features easy-to-live-with shades of aquamarine and turquoise – and their double-glazed windows which effectively keep the city’s noise at bay.

All the Taj Cape Town Heritage Rooms and Suites furnishings are classical and their rich and decadent décor – plush carpeting, beautiful wood and leather pieces, modern fittings, decadent fabrics and luxurious bed and bathroom linen – ensure that every Heritage Room and Suite guest feels like royalty for the duration of their stay.

The Taj Cape Town Heritage Rooms and Suites are captivating, so much so that we fully expect that the majority of our guests will never want to leave.

Just to rehash – regarding the three nights for the price of two Taj Cape Town introductory offer – if you take advantage of this introductory offer you get to experience two nights at the Taj Cape Town, at the best available rate*, and the third night is complimentary.

Don’t you think that it is about time you took a long weekend? Now you have the perfect excuse. Click here to book a Taj Cape Town Introductory Offer.

*This includes accommodation, breakfast and taxes for all nights.

Hermant Oberoi (image courtesy of Once Bitten - www.oncebitten.co.za)

While the busy Chef Oberoi was in town he made time to wine, dine and entertain a handful of delighted journalists. Among those in attendance were Fairlady and Once Bitten; you can read more about their experiences and thoughts, regarding the Taj Cape Town and Hermant Oberoi, here and here.

In fact – a few weeks ago – we had some Taj Cape Town friends round to try a few Bombay Brasserie style dishes and help us tweak our wine pairings.

There were artist impression but artist impressions are not enough to effectively convey the feeling, the mood and the magic of a place like the Taj Cape Town.

During this month we’ve seen the Taj Cape Town get to the stage where people no longer have to use their imaginations. Every day this majestic property gets closer to completion and, in doing so, starts to look more sensational.

Theo Cromhout has over 18 years experience in both the local and international tourism and hospitality industry.

Theo is a respected member of the South African tourism community and has worked in senior management positions in operations, sales and marketing in the luxury five-star hotel sector both locally and abroad, these include: Starwood Hotels and Resorts, Sun International, Ascott International Management and now the Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces.

Justin Arenhold began his career at the Cellar-Hohenort in the Constantia Winelands. Following this he filled the role of General Manager at Cybele Forest Lodge in Mpumulanga. Justin then spent a lengthy period as General Manager of Ellerman House in Bantry Bay, Cape Town. After that he was appointed as Deputy General Manager at Cape Grace in the Cape Town Waterfront – a position he filled for three and a half years.  Justin was most recently Island Manager and Lodge General Manager at the exclusive North Island Lodge in the Seychelles.

Justin brings his talent, organisational skills and love of luxury guest experiences with him to the Taj Cape Town.

Throughout this month we’ll be highlighting the various packages starting with the Taj Cape Town’s Stay of 3 Pay for 2 offer.

The Taj Cape Town Stay for 3 Pay for 2 offer includes accommodation, at the Taj Cape Town, for three nights and only pay for two. That gives you a whole extra day to discover the sights, sounds and secrets of the Cape Town city centre.

In our development efforts we have worked tirelessly to ensure that the key original elements, of each landmark property, have remained unchanged. These elements have all been magnificently restored and many now surpass their former glory.

We’ve put a significant amount of work, love and dedication into making the Taj Cape Town a reality; and we want to make sure it is the best experience it can be when we officially launch in January 2010. To ensure this we will be going through a scheduled three-week soft launch in December 2009.

During this soft launch select individuals will be given the opportunity to trial the Taj Cape Town experience and provide us with feedback. We will then use this feedback to fine-tune our offering. This means that, in January 2010, when we officially launch we will be able to offer our guests an exceptional Taj experience.

St George's Mall Pedestrian Crossing looking almost ready for its return to the city of Cape Town.

We looked long and hard before we filled our various positions and now we’re going to introduce you to a few of the individuals who will make your stay – at the Taj Cape Town – unforgettable.

Let’s start with the man at the top – Michael Pownall. Michael Pownall is the Taj Cape Town’s General Manager.

Michael’s career has included being General Manager of Cape Town’s legendary Mount Nelson Hotel, General Manager of an Orient Express in the USA and CEO of the world-acclaimed Sandy Lane.

Michael brings over 25 years of five-star luxury hotel industry experience to the Taj Cape Town. His impeccable attention to detail, excellent management skills and experience make him the perfect person to lead the Taj Cape Town management team.

Take for example the Iziko Slave Lodge. It is located just opposite our main entrance and it is one of the oldest remaining original slave premises in South Africa.

Built in 1679 the Iziko Slave Lodge could, at any one time, house up to 1000 Dutch East Indian Company slaves. These slaves were all used by the Company to set up Cape Town as a halfway station. A place where ships could be refueled with fresh produce, water and other necessities for the remainder of their voyage. Without these slaves Cape Town would, in all likelihood, be a far cry from the beautiful and world-renowned city it is today.

To highlight the role the slaves played in the development of Cape Town the Iziko Slave Lodge uses beautiful voice overs, poems, images, models and other devices that effectively capture the sentiment of that bygone era.

Just over two weeks ago we posted about the Bombay Brasserie progress we’d made and used this picture:

Here is a more recent Bombay Brasserie picture, of the same area, taken just a few days ago:

The Bombay Brasserie – modelled on its namesake in London – will treat guests to the finest Indian specialty dining. Here mouth-watering meals will be skilfully prepared using traditional ingredients, creating some of the finest Indian cuisine outside of India.

The Bombay Brasserie – located in the Cape Town city centre on Wale Street – will be a combination of contemporary design and the elegant opulence of the old Reserve Bank. High ceilings will create a sense of space, without detracting from the exclusivity and intimacy of the experience. The luxurious décor will complement the existing heritage pieces and create a rich atmosphere, a wonderful stage for the highly acclaimed menu.

At the Bombay Brasserie all dishes will be a delicate melody of flavours, a taste of modern fine-dining Indian fare.

The Bombay Brasserie in the making.

Less than one month ago the Mint show kitchen looked like this:

The Mint show kitchen now looks like this:

Things – at the Taj Cape Town – are really starting to take shape.

Mint will specialise in innovative international and local fare. Here diners can expect to find a menu that consistently tempts their senses, taste buds and appetites.

This surprisingly intimate three-level restaurant will have a spectacular open-plan show kitchen, allowing guests to glimpse cuisine being created. An impressive floor to ceiling wine wall, an informal wine tasting nook and a mezzanine level (perfect for private functions) all adding to the ambiance. A ceiling-height sliding glass façade, opening onto St Georges Mall, will allow Mint guests to experience outdoor under the trees.

Mint’s setting and tasteful décor will create a relaxed atmosphere where every guest feels at home.

This will soon be Mint's show kitchen.

Mint’s a la carte menu and light meals are ideal for business lunches, dinners and celebrations.

Before:

After:

When you’re standing in the hall you can feel its history and heritage. It’s big without being cold and grand without being ostentatious.

It really is perfectly Taj.

With the scaffolding completely removed – from the St Georges Mall side of the Taj Cape Town premises – you can get a really good idea of where this going.

The old Temple Chambers (BOE) building has also had its scaffolding removed and – for the first time – passersby can see just how exquisite this piece of Cape Town history is.

This commitment, to preserving and improving on what already exists, is what the ground floor of the old Temple Chambers (BOE building) – in the Cape Town city centre – has experienced. It has been restored to remarkable condition and – when the Taj Cape Town officially opens its doors – it will be the home of The Twankey Seafood, Champagne and Oyster Bar.

The Twankey Seafood, Champagne and Oyster Bar is a rare find. Flowing champagne and local wine, the freshest seafood tapas, elegant décor and sublime local music tell an unforgettable Cape Town city centre story.

The large street-side windows will create a unique viewing room for The Twankey guests. While its interior, all plush comfortable décor and soulful music, will effectively distinguishes it from the lively city bustle that lies street-side of the glass. Its design and central location will give diners the opportunity to indulge in delicious champagne and South African wine, delectable seafood tapas and other seafood delicacies, while watching authentic Cape Town pass them by from the best seats in the house.

The Twankey will be open from mid-morning and serves light breakfast snacks, pastries, coffee. For lunch and dinner – and everything in between – speciality seafood dishes are served as tapas. An express lunch – a light selection of hot and cold seafood tapas – is also on offer for the time constrained.

This statue is wrongly assumed – by many of those who know of its existence – to to be Britannia, a relic from the Cape’s days as a British colony. It is in fact a piece from a later period, a symbol of the humanity of the Board of Executors.

It was commissioned by the architect George Murray Alexander in 1894 and was supposed to illustrate a shepherdess, holding in her right hand the crook – her left hand resting on the anchor – while approaching her a cupid is submitting a book (or volume) containing facts on which information or guidance is required; and another cupid (of client) who has one hand on the Scales of Justice and in the other a wreath. All very whimsical!

This whimsical statue didn’t sit well with the townsfolk and neither did its cost of 94 Pounds. Which, in those days, was a substantial sum of money!

For these reasons the statue – a large, draped female – came to be known as The Widow Twankey who is a famous pantomime (play) dame. The Widow Twankey is – in the world of pantomimes – always a figure of fun as was the statue in the eyes of the townsfolk.

George Murray Alexander – the architect – was wholly blamed for this disgrace and to this day the sculptor and model remain anonymous.

It really has got a great selection of pieces from the original structure. These include beautiful marble detailing and wood-paneling. All of this, coupled with the exceptional food and trademark Taj service, adds to the The Taj Cape Town Bombay Brasserie dining experience. It’s going to be unforgettable.

Work presently underway in the Taj Cape Town's Bombay Brasserie

The Bombay Brasserie Indian specialty restaurant is unlike anything presently on offer in Cape Town. The Bombay Brasserie’s dishes are not all about heat or sauce; instead they’re a delicate melody of flavours, a real taste of modern Indian fare.

Mint, the Taj Cape Town’s relaxed all-day dining restaurant, will showcase innovative international and local cuisine. Its main features – apart from the consistently tempting menu – are the open-plan kitchen (making it possible for diners to sneak-a-peak at their meals being prepared) and the floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors opening onto St Georges Mall. These doors, when open, create a seamless indoor-outdoor dining experience.

The final dining experience on offer – at the Taj Cape Town – is the Twankey Seafood, Champagne and Oyster Bar situated on the corner of Wale Street and Adderley Street. Here flowing champagne, fresh seafood, elegant décor, wrap-around glass windows and background jazz tell a glamorous story. Twankey guests can spend an hour, an afternoon or a whole day sipping on something delicious, snacking on delectable seafood tapas and watching the Adderley Street bustle pass them by.

Behind the scenes at Mint. In the background you can see the floor-to-ceiling glass façade that opens onto St Georges Mall.

Things are really starting to get exciting at the Taj Cape Town!

It’s the first time is years that these two beautiful Cape Town city centre landmark buildings – the old Reserve Bank and the Temple Chambers (BOE building) – have been free from their building braces.

If you’re in the neighbourhood come and take a look. You’ve got to see this girl!

The old Reserve Bank building now looks even more spectacular than when it was original built.

It’s hard to believe that these gardens were among the first things set-up by Cape Town’s founder, Jan van Riebeeck (Henrik Boom did the heavy lifting). If you remember your history you will recall that Cape Town was originally established as a refueling station for the Dutch-East India Trading Company; a place where they could pick up fresh water, vegetables, fruit and meat. The vegetables and fruit were all grown in the expansive Company Gardens.

Image courtesy of Danie VDM

The Company Gardens, that exist today, are a fraction of their original size but they’re still am impressive piece of living history. It really is amazing that 350 years on these gardens are still here and still carrying their original Dutch-East India Trading Company purpose related name.

In each room – thanks to the incorporation of the various historical elements – you can picture the country influencing conversations that must have taken place over a Friday afternoon drink.

Original large window and wood-panelling in a Taj Cape Town Boardroom

This unique incorporation of history into a modern offering has ensured that each meeting room is filled with a feeling of inspiration. They are the perfect places to make great decisions!

Before cleaning ...

After a good polishing.

* To clean each urn-like shape, restoring it to its former glory, took a little over four hours per piece.

The Heritage Rooms and Suites are situated in the two historic buildings (The old BOE building and the Reserve Bank building). Old-world quality and modern features tastefully complement the original landmark architecture, evident throughout the Heritage section.

The Tower Rooms and Suites are, in contrast, modern in design with their floor-to-ceiling glass façades and private balconies. These balconies open onto some beautiful views.

Then there is the exceptionally glamorous Presidential Suite, located on the 15th and 16th floors, which offers (among other things) completely unobstructed panoramic views of Table Mountain and the Company Gardens.

The old Reserve Bank and BOE buildings are still in the process of being restored and renovated, but everything is on track for an early December 2009 launch.

History buffs will be happy to hear that modern interventions, in the external façade, have been kept to a minimum. These are exquisite and historic pieces of architecture and to ruin them, through thoughtless modernisation, would be a shame.

Instead – of reckless interventions – the Paarl granite and wrought iron work, on the old Reserve Bank, has been lovingly restored. It now looks as striking as it did when it was first erected.

It’s interesting to note that restoring the existing heritage items and working with them, incorporating them into the overall design and aesthetic, isn’t the easiest option. Most would have balked at the excess time and work restoration requires. Opting instead to destroy beautiful aspects of these prize Cape Town landmarks, or choosing to do nothing and letting them fall into disrepair.

Luckily for these two exquisite buildings, and the Cape Town city centre, that’s not the Taj way.

That means we’ve excelled for 107 years in the notoriously competitive hospitality industry – which is a remarkable achievement, even if we do say so ourselves.

As a brand the Taj has seen some fantastic things and lived through inventions that have forever changed the way the world works. Over the course of the 107 years we, at the Taj, have had to learn to adapt to the changes, without losing the charm and magic that makes every one of our hotels so spectacular.

At the Taj Cape Town we plan on tackling the fine art of blogging in the same manner the Taj group has always handled changed, by taking it in our stride.

We believe that blogging will allow us to share what we know makes our Cape Town city centre hotel so unique and spectacular.

Over the course of the next few weeks, months and years you can expect – through this blog – to be included in our whirlwind Cape Town adventure.

Welcome to the Taj Cape Town.