Cape Town - Earlier this week, in an e-mail conversation, someone wrote to me saying that it’s important to have special treats, especially when one is busy.
I’m a firm believer in taking time out for the good things in life, and the Two Flights Experience offered by The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa definitely fits that description.
Our group of four gorgeous women – including my regular cohort Diva, as well as Ms Honey Bee and our hostess Five Star Janie – took a Friday trip to the five-star hotel just beyond Camps Bay, where we were spoiled rotten with a fabulous lunch in the Azure Restaurant complemented by flights of three wines selected by sommelier extraordinaire Gregory Mutambe based on each of our personal preferences, followed by the second flight – in a helicopter to the V&A Waterfront.
Normally, this package begins with the flip from NAC Helicopters offices and launch pad at the Waterfront, and you’re shuttled back in the hotel’s luxury vehicle afterwards, but we did it the other way around. Whether you’re coming or going, The Twelve Apostles helipad is at the back of the hotel, and accessed via a pretty walk through fragrant fynbos. One day I’d like to explore this area further, and happily I might get that opportunity sooner rather than later since I have an afternoon tea date there later this month.
If anyone remembers my helicopter flying lesson story a while back, you’ll know these birds do not fly in any and all conditions. We had a perfect day with no wind, which also enhanced our luncheon experience because The Twelve Apostles has one of the best views on the Atlantic seaboard. The menu for this package is specially selected by executive chef Christo Pretorius – a choice of five starters, five main courses, and three desserts. In addition, there is a very decent vegetarian menu.
For my starter I had the Autumn Garden, which is the most gloriously coloured dish you can imagine – a soft poached egg spilled its golden insides over a mixture of baby root vegetables flavoured with beetroot veloute, passion fruit and buttermilk.
The Cape Malay chicken curry has been a speciality at Azure since forever (for good reason), and it’s available as one of the main course options. As tempted as I was, I’d had it before so I had the roast baby chicken instead.
A lot of people – me included – don’t order chicken in restaurants because, well, it’s chicken. And we can all make it at home, right? Yes, but when you do decide to have it made by a professional, it’s always excellent. This tender leg and wing was anointed tableside with a mushroom and ginger consommé.
For dessert I simply had to have the Death By Chocolate – white chocolate mousse, dark chocolate crumble, and white chocolate ice cream. After lunch we were escorted up to the helipad where we awaited our transport home. There are few things more exciting or sexier than the throb of a helicopter’s blades (that you can do with your clothes on at any rate). The flight is quite short – about 12 minutes – and it takes in some of the best views imaginable.
l The Two Flights experience costs R1 650 a person (minimum two guests per flight) and includes a one-way helicopter flight with NAC Helicopters Cape Town from the V&A Waterfront to the hotel, followed by a three-course lunch at Azure and a flight of three wines, as well as a hotel shuttle by vehicle back to the V&A.
To book contact [email protected] or call 021 437 9047. Flights are available from the V&A at noon or 2pm, with lunch between 12.30pm and 3.30pm. The transfer shuttle back to the V&A leaves the hotel every hour on the hour. Please note that the Two Flights Experience is weather dependent.
Weekend Argus