As we get ready to ring in 2019, lets reflect on the year that was 2018.
For us a JAR Photography we are truly blessed to be able to turn a hobby into a business and then spread the blessings to those less fortunate.
This year we had our second Fundraiser and successfully raised funds for all three beneficiaries. Its both an honour and privilege to be able to touch the lives of both young and old by way of this page.
There were so many new places we visited, some exceeded our expectations like Le Petit Manoir in Franschhoek and The Last Word – Long Beach ; definite top class in the full experience, lots personal touches which they do well, makes one feel valued.

Then of course our favourites, year in year out, they just do it “right” which is why we will continue to support them:
We’ve been lucky enough to have visited several Restaurants on the 2018 Eat Out Mercedes-Benz Restaurant Awards nominee’s:
1. The Restaurant at Waterkloof (Somerset West) ✔
2. The Test Kitchen (Woodstock, Cape Town) ✔
3. La Colombe (Constantia, Cape Town) ✔
4. Wolfgat (Paternoster, West Coast)
5. La Petite Colombe (Franschhoek) ✔
6. Greenhouse at Cellars-Hohenort (Constantia, Cape Town) ✔
7. Restaurant Mosaic at The Orient (Elandsfontein, Pretoria)
8. Camphor’s at Vergelegen (Somerset West)
9. Jardine Restaurant (Stellenbosch) ✔
10. Chefs Warehouse at Beau Constantia (Constantia, Cape Town) ✔
11. Fermier Restaurant (Die Wilgers, Pretoria)
12. Jordan Restaurant (Stellenbosch)
13. Foliage (Franschhoek)
14. Le Coin Français (Franschhoek)
15. The Chefs’ Table (Umhlanga, Durban)
16. Chefs Warehouse at Maison (Franschhoek)
17. La Tête (City Bowl, Cape Town) ✔
18. Overture (Stellenbosch)
19. The Shortmarket Club (City Bowl, Cape Town) ✔
20. The Pot Luck Club (Woodstock, Cape Town) ✔
The highlight being that we secured a booking at The Restaurant at Waterkloof weeks before the awards and when they won, we were so excited, and they certainly didn’t disappoint. What an experience! Worthy of the No 1 spot!
The year we also got to enjoy a few nights at the One and Only Hotel Cape Town and can I just say, I always knew they we great, I mean they are the choice of many a famous person. We visited all the restaurants and spent a day at the spa, total bliss, for 48 hours we felt like someone famous 😉
Deciding on our TOP 10 for 2018, wasn’t easy, so we have a bit more than 10….
• Tinstwalo Atlantic
• La Tete
• Reubens at the One & Only
• Nobu at the One & Only
• Janse & Co
• La Colombe
• Upper Bloem
• The Granary – Silo Hotel
• Makaron Restaurant at Majeka House
• Greenhouse – RW
• Le Petite Manoir Restaurant
• Chef’s Table at the Mont Nelson Hotel – RW
• Buitenverwachting – RW
• Waterkloof Restaurant
• Idiom Tasting Room
Below is a list and some links to all the Restaurants visited in 2018
3. Reubens and Mulderbosch – Chef and the Vine
4. Reubens and Graham Beck – Chef and the Vine
5. Italian Kitchen – Tokai
7. CWWU – Braaimaster at Lagoon Beach
8. Basilico – Steenberg
9. La Tete
10. Nest Deli – Constantia Glen
12. Morgenster – Olive and Olive Oil Tasting
13. Sauvage Franschhoek and Eikendal – Wine Dinner
14. Easter Feast at One & Only CT
15. Reubens One & Only – A La Carte Menu
16. Reubens and Mariaane Wines – Chef and the Vine
17. Stacked Diner
18. The Deckhouse
19. Racine Restaurant & Chamonix Wines
20. Old Mac Daddy
21. La Tete and Spioenkop Wines – Wine Dinner
23. Quentin at Oakhurst – Restaurant Week (RW)
25. Roast & Co – RW
26. Burger and Lobster – RW
27. 126 Cape Kitchen – RW
28. Ben Wei – RW
29. Myoga – RW
30. Reubens and Delaire Graff Wines – Chef and the Wine
32. Mink & Trout – RW
33. Janse & Co
35. CWWU – Wild Fig Restaurant
36. La Colombe
37. Upper Bloem
38. Primal Eatery
39. Conservatory – Cellars Hohenort
40. Reubens and Morgenhof – Chef and the Vine
42. La Tete and Fable Mountain – Wine Dinner
43. Azure Restaurant – 12 Apostles
44. Bacon on Bree
45. Ginja Restaurant
47. Sauvage Restaurant and Domaine Des Dieux Wine – Wine Dinner
48. Reubens and Avondale Wines – Chef and the Vine
51. Makaron Restaurant at Majeka House
52. Azure Restaurant – 12 Apostles
54. Nobu – RW
55. Greenhouse – RW
56. Reubens and Springfield Wines – Chef and the Vine
58. Sauvage Restaurant and Nicholas Van Der Merwe Wine – Wine Dinner
59. CWWU – Fork Diner with Alto Wines
60. Miko Restaurant as Mont Rochelle
62. Aquila Safari
64. Le Petite Manoir Restaurant
65. La Tete – Bot River Takeover
66. Reubens and Jordan Wines – Chef and the Vine
67. Sauvage Restaurant and Maastricht Wine – Wine Dinner
68. Foxcroft Sunday Supper Club
69. Ready, Steady Rum – Tobago’s Radisson Blue
71. The Square Restaurant and Migliarina Wines – Wine Dinner
73. The Skotness at Norval Foundation
74. Reubens and Hamilton Russell Vineyards – Chef and the Vine
75. De Drommedaris Beach House Collection La Baleine Paternoster
77. Pot Luck Club
78. Life Grand Café
80. Veuve Clicquot Spring Edition Brunch with Chef Claire Allen Roast & Co
81. Chef’s Table at the Mont Nelson Hotel – RW
82. Signal Restaurant at Cape Grace Hotel – RW
83. Livebait – RW
84. Azure at Twelve Apostles – RW
85. 95 on Park – RW
86. Mink &Trout – RW
88. Reubens – RW
89. CPUT – Hotel School Granger Bay
90. Diemerdals Farm Eatery – RW
91. CWWU – Moyo
92. Coco Safar – RW
93. Reubens and Taste of MCC – Chef and the Vine
97. Idiom Tasting Room
From us at JAR Photography, we wish you everything that’s magical for 2019. May all you wish for yourself become a reality.
See you on the other side.
For the love of food and wine…
For more pics please click the link to visit our JARPHOTOCT Facebook Page.
For any info regarding JAR Photography please contact us on:
- Tel No: 082 892 7911
- Email: renemesiaspetersen@icloud.com
Written for JAR PHOTOGRAPHY by René Mesias-Petersen
Photography for JAR PHOTOGRAPHY by Jason “Dubbz” Petersen