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!

A South African Christmas

Christmas traditions and meals have long been a part of so many of the world’s cultures and can vary greatly from continent to country. Meals vary depending on local produce and local custom. However, Christmas celebrations and good food have always gone hand in hand and for many people the thought of preparing a Christmas meal is filled with stress, kitchen disasters and hour after exhausting hour in front of the stove. Not so for those who booked their Christmas lunch at the Beacon Isle’s Island Diner this year.

Both restaurants: warm Indigo Bay and intimate Coral Reef offered two seatings on the 25^th of December this year. The restaurant staff was busy from early morning, preparing food and decorating the tables for a festive feast. The theme was a traditional red and green; red being the colour of “festivity” and green signifying “life”. But you won’t find roaring fires and snowmen! There is no need as a truly summer South African Christmas is nothing short of paradise!

The restaurant started to fill up with families for the first sitting. They settled in with laughter and chatter amidst the sound of Christmas crackers and bottles being opened. Families snapped photos of each other and the beautiful view of the bay, while Christmas Carols floated through the restaurant along with the appetizing smell of Christmas lunch cooking.

An interesting fact to note is that in 1899, Queen Victoria of Great Britain had, amongst other dishes, the following on her Christmas Buffet: boar’s head, game pie, woodcock pie, roast fowl and tongue! Naturally, local produce for the region and familiar dishes for the era, but the Island Diner had something quite different in mind.

The restaurant offered what must be the quintessential South African coastal Christmas meal and the menu consisted of fresh bread basket for the table and crunchy Greek and Roast Butternut salads. A fantasy Christmas Platter to suit every taste bud was the central dish of the banquet. Faces lit up with anticipation as waiters, sporting Christmas hats, started to serve the platters. Laid out for all to share and enjoy were Christmas staples of roast turkey and glazed gammon, tender and juicy. Tender rump cubes and roasted lamb spelled out a truly South African celebration and the addition of fresh filleted line fish and crumbed calamari steaks were stars of a truly Beacon Island feast. The platters allowed families to share their food and time with each other on the special day of Christmas.

By the time dessert was served, steamy Christmas pudding on Amarula milkshake the good times were well under way. Those that would normally be rushing off to the kitchen to wash dishes and stow leftovers could lean back in the seats, watch the tables being cleared and relax. This is how Christmas should be… sharing a meal with loved ones, simply served, delicious and oh-so-easy!

Eat your way through Island Diner's Deals

Wow! Talk about value for money! The Island Diner at the Beacon Isle Hotel has always been renowned for delicious food and great prices but the NEW Island Diner Deals just steal the show!

The restaurant is offering breakfast, lunch and dinner deals that will leave smiles on everyone's faces. The breakfast offerings include a traditional cooked breakfast, a healthy continental option, a sunrise omlette or a scrumptious benedict all served with your choice of tea, coffe or juice.

The lunch and dinner options are similarly valuable with a glass of house wine, 300ml draught or soft drink included in all Deals. Enjoy a famous Island Diner beef or chicken burger with all of the trimmings, a sirloin steak and egg or a fresh hake fillet all served with hot chips.
For those looking for an Italian meal, there is spaghetti bolognaise or pasta with a fresh pomodoro sauce. They even have a pizza meal deal for the young or young at heart!

And what could be better than high tea with the girls? Served overlooking the bay, happiness is a cup of tea or coffee, a good gossip and a slice of heavenly cake at the Island Diner.

With Deals like this, the whole family can afford to visit the beautiful Island Diner again and again... and again.

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!

Plenty of fish in the sea

It’s a new year bringing new possibilities and encouraging fresh beginnings. It seems that at the Beacon Island Lifestyle Resort, it’s time to cling to the old clichéd catch phrase- ‘there are plenty of fish in the sea’.

As the waves crash against the boulders, a number of young boys and their dads are scattered across the smooth rocks in tight huddles. Looking intently at each other, this bonding experience appears to be more then just a holiday activity. It is a memory in the making; a learning experience that will be carried into the future.

Another group made up only of children are squatting around pool of water between the rocks looking for easy prey. “There are lotsth of fith in thiths one,” says a little boy with a lisp to the rest of the crowd. Using a white fishing net, the younger boys keep themselves amused as the older men fiddle with their fishing rods, dangling bait from rather sinister looking hooks.

“Mom, I need R20” says a young boy to his mother who is soaking up the sun. “For what?” she replies with a slightly drowsy tone or as mothers do to the incessant demands of their young ones. “For fiishh” he says rolling his eyes as though it is obvious, “Bait!” he cries. Knowing that he’ll be kept busy for the rest of the day, she hands over the money with ease and the two seem satisfied with the transaction. Peace and quiet for hours of unlimited exhilaration gave the impression that a fair trade had taken place.

Another mother goes to check that everything is alright, then tiptoes over the rocks back to her chair overlooking the small beach in front of the hotel. “Did they pose for you?” she asks, “They’re not very good at posing” she says. The Steele family from Johannesburg have been coming to the resort for five years with their children. “I’ve been coming since I was a kid though” she adds, “it’s lovely here.”

Most of the fish caught wouldn’t end up on anyone’s plate, but that’s not to say that a lot of fish don’t get eaten at the restaurants. “Most people order fish,” says one of the waitrons serving guests, “It’s fresh and it’s nice for people who don’t usually eat fish at home” he adds. The menus offer a range of delectable fish dishes- simple yet tasty and suitable for a ravenous appetite.

A definite must try for fish lovers, particularly raw fish lovers is the sushi. Mandla, the sushi chef, has been flown out from Johannesburg to cater for the season demand of the much-loved Japanese style cuisine. “Lots of people enjoy my sushi” he says with pride. Ordered from a local business, Robberg Seafood Safaris, the fish is delivered daily ensuring quality and freshness. The vegetables are also sourced from local green grocer: Uitsig Fruit and Vegetables providing the added benefits of local trade tariffs, value and wholesomeness.

After enjoying some sushi ourselves, we found another satisfied young customer eating a plate of sushi outside Café Estoril. “The sushi is amazing” he said. His friend also joined the conversation saying, “we came here for the sushi, we have a house near Robberg 5 but my friend is from England so we decided to come here because we heard the sushi’s really good.”

But if fish isn’t what you’re looking for (other than through a pair of diving goggles in appreciation of their beauty and grace) the vegetarian sushi options could be for you. The avocado maki makes for the perfect healthy starter/ late afternoon or between meals snack. That leaves you without the hassle of organising a quick bite to eat and allows for more time to check out the other of fish in the sea!

Beach, Braai, Bake and relax in warmth and comfort!

Smoke billows from a vigorous braai in short puffs down at the pool. The sun is beating down from the cloudless blue sky as a cool breeze softens the blazing heat.  Iconic images of the perfect seaside holiday come to mind standing on the soft green grass with a panoramic view of the ocean- children playing and laughing, seagulls squawking and the subtle sway of moving, splashing water sounding in the background.

As lunch time nears, children start surrounding the braai in anticipation. The rolls are set out and the sizzling of the boerewors leaves the children staring from the sidelines in wide eyed wonder. For R25, guests can expect to find a quick and easy, no fuss lunch served with proficiency at their beach loungers. “When the weather is nice like this we have a braai- we do boerewors rolls one day, burgers another, chicken burgers the next,” says Lloyd as he turns the slowly browning ‘wors’.

The day is filled with fun activities too. In front of the indoor swimming pool, kiddies’ tables and chairs are set out with a daily activity planned. Today, the children are cutting out, colouring and decorating mobiles, which they can take home for keepsakes, recalling fun memories of their holiday spent at the Beacon Island Lifestyle Resort. Children are kept safe and busy, allowing parents and other adults to read, relax and enjoy their holiday. However, if you feel your inner child is in desperate need of a little creative therapy- you could join the table of miniature furniture and get your hands dirty, earning yourself a home-made mobile reward for your efforts.

A tug-of-war competition is soon underway as males and females line up on opposite sides of the rope to determine the winners. After a mighty heave, the females topple over in fits of laughter as they fall to the ground. Then, within seconds all the participants are diving to find R5 coins in the swimming pool after an announcement that who ever finds the treasure gets to keep it.

While the children search endlessly for the coins a pro diving group is testing their diving equipment. The animated instructor jokingly explains to the ‘eager-to-learn’ crowd, “your first time under water is called organised chaos,” he laughs at the concerned faces looking back at him and then explains what he means putting their minds at ease.

For added relaxation, two beautiful JIWU Spa and Salon staff members are promoting and providing massages for guests’ right next to the pool. With a range of sun screens, the two ladies are making sure that no one is getting burnt in the scorching heat. Everything you need can be found right at the pool area making your holiday stress free and enjoyable!

To see more pictures visit our Facebook page- Click here: Island Diner

New Year's Eve- a roaring success

 Lights, flashes and a vibrant flair filled the dining areas of the Beacon Island Lifestyle resort with exuberance as 2010 came to a close. In a fabled fashion, guests celebrated the coming of a new year wearing colourful masks and fancy shoes.

Within a stones throw of Central beach, guests were caught up in the magical stir of the evening, watching the flying fire lanterns rise and twinkle across the ocean. The night air was warm, outside Café Estoril couches were filled with guests drinking wine and enjoying the atmosphere. Inside, toasts were being made with shooters in hand after the food plates had been cleared.

Although there were three venues to choose from, it seemed as though they were joined, spreading across the resort like one massive party. People filled the spaces between the restaurants, standing sitting and some even dancing. From the calm tables inside the lounge area next to Café Estoril to the loud pumping music in the marquee outside Indigo Bay people were enjoying themselves with their families and friends.

The decorations, which were arranged with detail and effort by the Island Diner staff, transformed the usual look of the restaurants into a fantastical feast for the eye. Outside, two women wearing flashing devil horns shot deviant cheeky smiles at whoever noticed. With amazing food and great entertainment, The Beacon Island Lifestyle Resort proved to be the idyllic spot of the season for celebrating New Year’s Eve.

Stepping outside under the marquee, the temporarily fashioned dance-floor was alive, buzzing with exhilaration. Singing the lyrics of the words aloud, “Baby tonight, the DJ’s got us falling in love again…” the diverse crowd were united in the festivities. Twirling around hand in hand, old and young, men and women danced the night away happily. 2011 is sure to be a spectacular year assuming it carries on the way it began that night!