Suite Dining with Island Diner

Starched white linen, shining glasses and covered dishes bring to mind a time past when butlers served drinks in hotel suites and meals and cocktails were brought to the guest’s room for private enjoyment.

For me, the words Suite Dining conjure up the scene in Pretty Woman where champagne and strawberries are served in the hotel room overlooking the Los Angeles skyline. Stylish room service lends a sense of luxury and personal attention that seems to be missing in many modern day conveniences. 

Well, the Island Diner has decided to bring back this sense of privacy and opulence with the return of Suite Dining. At the Beacon Island Lifestyle Resort, and in the comfort of your hotel room, the Island Diner will now serve dinners, canapés, breakfasts and more for a private meal for two or a celebratory group of up to 15 people.

Imagine sampling a sumptuous seafood platter and chilled wine in the privacy of your own suite, whilst overlooking the beautiful bay and mountains. Dinner and sundowners doesn’t get better than that! Suite Dining can be set up for the ideal romantic gesture for a wedding proposal or celebration. The Beacon Island is known as one of South Africa’s romantic retreats of choice – now taking “room service” to the next level.

This exclusive service is not confined only to hotel guests but can be arranged at any venue of your choice. Suite Dining is an ideal solution for office parties or special functions, focussing on smaller groups from 2 – 15 people. Thus ensuring the continued quality, service and delicious food you have come to expect from the Island Diner restaurants, all served at the venue of your choice.

All of this to bring back a bit of old-school charm and service to any dining experience, function, celebration or intimate occasion. 

For more information, contact the Island Diner at the Beacon Island Lifestyle Resort on (+27)44 533 35 45 or email functions@islanddiner.co.za

www.islanddiner.co.za  

Celebrating the New Year - Island Style

“Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right.”

This past year has been one of great change for the Beacon Island and New Year’s Eve is an appropriate time to look back on this past year.

Traditionally, January marks the first day of the Gregorian calendar and is named for the Roman god, Janus. Known as the god of gates, doors and new beginnings, Janus is represented as having two faces, one looking towards the future and the other towards the past. This is a time of reflection and celebration of new beginnings and is true this year at the Beacon Island more than any other since its opening in 1972. The renovation of the hotel has both staff and guests looking towards the future with pleasure and anticipation of many more years enjoying the best of the “BI”.

To ring in 2012, the Island Diner put together an epic feast and party which will be remembered for many years. The Sea Lounge and Indigo Bay were decorated in a festive “Salsa” theme with a dance floor on the deck. The evening was warm and the excitement in the air was palpable.

To start the evening off, guests were served a welcome cocktail, bread basket and a salad bowl for the table. The feast began with a starter platter including crispy crumbed mushrooms, Beef trinchado and mild Peri-Peri chicken livers. In true Island Style, the main platter included fresh seafood: Queen prawns in lemon and garlic, fresh Line Fish, local Mussels in a creamy garlic, white wine and parsley sauce and crumbed calamari strips. Mouth watering! If that wasn’t enough reason to celebrate, there was also juicy Rump Espetada and mushroom Chicken Fillet!

Dessert was white chocolate mousse with a sweet berry topping and biscotti, with champagne chilling in anticipation of midnight. Out on the deck, the music played a soundtrack to the end of a year and the beginning of a new one and it didn’t take long for the diners to digest their feast and put their party shoes on!

For those looking for a more elegant celebration, the Coral Reef restaurant was set up to see in the New Year in style. This uniquely organic restaurant, with unsurpassed views of the bay, served an exclusive menu. Welcome tastes and drinks were enjoyed in the cool restaurant: French champagne and Cape sherry, toasted almonds, marinated olives and spicy potato skins. The intimate tables were garnished with a bread basket and fresh organic salad. To get the party started guests were offered a starter of Beef Carpaccio, Salmon Nagiri, Coral Prawns, Fried Dim Sum or Caprese. The light and tasty starters served were all natural and organic.

Main course options continued to impress the revellers with an option to suit any fancy. There was a Fillet Roma served with hand cut chips and mushroom sauce, an indulgent shellfish platter with West Coast Lobster tails and Prawns and a slow roasted Karoo Lamb with mint béarnaise. Also on offer were roasted Chicken Breast with an orange and port sauce, fresh Line Fish served with a lemon and thyme sauce and an appetizing Vegetarian peanut satay pastry.

The delectable spread was well received by all diners and finished off with a variety of desserts including white and dark Chocolate Mousse and Crème Brulee then a cheese platter and coffee.

Meanwhile, upstairs the party was getting into full swing with dancers celebrating. The New Year was rung in true Beacon Island Style with the setting off of Chinese Lanterns and a vibrant fireworks display. A very memorable evening in a very memorable hotel!

Indigo Bay Greek Evening

When I think of a Greek celebration, I imagine musicians moving around a circle of dancers, smiling faces raising their glasses for a toast and, of course, Mediterranean food.

This past week, Indigo Bay at the Beacon Island Lifestyle Resort hosted a Greek evening filled with music, wine and excellent food. The evening was headlined by the musical brothers, Nico and Peter and they set the tone perfectly for a great night!

We arrived at the restaurant just before sunset; the music was already playing and the room filling up with eager patrons. Our table offered panoramic views of the ocean and waves crashing on the rocks below. We enjoyed our first drinks as the sun slipped below the horizon, colouring the ocean, mountains and sky.

I couldn't help smiling as I looked across the vibrant restaurant; the music, lighting and ambience blending perfectly with the hub of laughter and conversation. It looked and felt like a celebration. And it was: a celebration of family, of good food, music and wine.

Our first course was a Mezze Platter (a selection of Greek dips served with warm pita bread). I love this style of eating - a sample of this and that whilst enjoying a glass of wine and a good laugh. The authentic Greek flavours of chickpea, cucumber and herbs complimented the wine and our table sat in silence for a moment, looking out over the bay as the sun set. The dishes that caught my eye included sizzling steaks, plates piled with prawns and I was very nearly persuaded by a juicy beef espetada. Tempting dishes of ribs, chicken and fish served with fresh veg, rice or chips moved past our table and the decision of what to order was much debated!

In keeping with the Mediterranean theme, we decided on a Seafood Platter. Indigo Bay is a seafood and steakhouse specialising in fresh fish and quality food. The menu boasts a variety of platters including seafood, meat and a combination of both. Our platter was served for the table: prawns, fresh line fish, grilled calamari, baby squid and mussels served in a light lemon-butter sauce with chips, rice and vegetables. The flavours of the sea took centre stage and the food was cooked beautifully, tender and tasty.

While we enjoyed our meal, the music began to take on a new tone, Greek and Mediterranean songs with a festive tempo. The restaurant staff moved about their work while swaying to the beat and diners clapped their hands in time. A couple of patrons moved onto the dance floor to delight in the unique rhythm. The atmosphere was one of relaxed enjoyment; people enjoying each other's company, enjoying their meal and the music.

Indigo Bay's Greek evening was delightful and encompassed everything good about dining out in Plettenberg Bay: quality food prepared with care, conversation, music and wine - all with the Best Views in Plett!