Wondering how to spoil your Valentine this romantic holiday? Look no further – we’ve compiled a list of some of the best things on offer in and around Joburg that are sure to show your partner how much they mean to you. Between dining, gifts, adventure tours, learning, dancing and relaxing, there’s something here for everyone.
VALENTINE’S DINNER AT VAN DER LINDE RESTAURANT
Spoil your loved one at one of Joburg’s favourite eateries, which is celebrating Valentine’s Day with a special three-course dinner.
Van der Linde – affectionately known by its customers and the locals in the area as VDL – is a light and airy restaurant that incorporates a bakery, a deli, a wine shop and a stunning gin and cocktail bar. Couples are welcomed with a drink, after which they can savour the meals devised by executive chef Amori Burger – the woman in charge of this popular Linden-based establishment – specially designed for couples on this day of love, with each meal plated for sharing.
Menu
- Starters: Broccolini, oyster cream & prosciutto; or Burrata, fermented pumpkin, cumin rye & orange
- Mains: Beef fillet with a pepper and Cognac sauce served with charred peppers, roast carrots & hand cut chips; or a whole chicken with a white wine and herb cream served with crispy roast potatoes & French beans; or Vegetable curry with chapatti, pickled veg, sambals & poppadoms
- Dessert: Roasted stone fruit, charred grapes, plum ice cream, toasted meringue, chocolate cake & rose custard; or almond Jacon sponge, poached pear, tonka bean & thyme ice cream & salted caramel cheese cake drops
Booking is essential. Van Der Linde is also open for breakfast, lunch and dinner from Tuesdays to Saturdays and for breakfast and lunch on Sundays and Mondays.
Location: Van der Linde Restaurant, 50 4th Avenue, Linden, Johannesburg
Time: 14 Feb
Cost: R750 p/couple
Tel: 010 594 5443 | Email: [email protected] | Website: vdl.restaurant
Facebook: VLD Restaurant | Twitter: @vdlrestaurant
GIN DISTILLING EXPERIENCE AT THE GIN SCHOOL INDABA
Do something different for Valentine’s with The Gin School: couples get the opportunity to express themselves and their unique personalities in a special and creative way whilst learning about and how to create one of today’s favourite spirits – gin.
A knowledgeable guide and presenter takes participants back in time to the spirit’s origin hundreds of years ago, all the way to the great popularity it enjoys today. Guests learn that, as love is a journey, so is creating a special bottle of gin.
After a welcome drink and canapes, a romantic Valentine’s Dinner is held, followed by a 2-hour gin distilling masterclass, resulting in a 500ml bottle of hand crafted Botanicals Gin with a personalised label for each person to take home. Also included in the experience is a gin booklet, recipe card, fun gift tag, artisanal chocolate box and luxury scented disc, as well as an available cash bar.
There are only 24 spaces for this event, so booking is essential. The Gin School is also set to host 2 more gin distilling events in March.
Venue: The Gin School, Indaba Hotel, Cnr of William Nicol Dr & Pieter Wenning Rd, Fourways
Time: Valentines Gin Distilling 16 Feb 6pm onwards | Standard Gin Distilling 2 & 30 March, 4pm onwards
Cost: Valentines Gin Distilling R995 pp | Standard Gin Distilling R795 pp
Tel: 011 840 6600 | Email: [email protected] | Website: ginschool.indabahotel.co.za
Facebook: Gin School Indaba | Twitter: @indabahotel
PICTURESQUE VALENTINE’S PICNIC WITH HEAVENLY EVENTS
Nothing says ‘romantic’ quite like a picnic does: celebrate this Valentine’s Day sharing a blanket with your loved one in a serene and spacious outdoor venue, located in the heart of Midrand by the banks of the Vaal River. With a welcome cocktail in hand, grab a picnic basket of choice and settle down to some live music. Guests are welcome to bring along throws and cushions for a cosy experience.
Picnic Menu:
- Meat Basket (Option 1): Selection of cold meats | Assortment of cheeses | French rolls | Homemade cranberry sauce | Chicken liver pate
- Vegetarian Basket (Option 2): Roasted veg sosaties | Mini quiche | Assortment of cheese | Savoury biscuits | Tsiki & hummus dips | Greek salad
- Both baskets also include: Choice of: strawberry cheese cake, chocolate mousse or fruit sosaties | 2 x bottles of mineral water | Bottle of white or red wine or non-alcoholic sparkling wine
Guests are also welcome to bring drinks of choice (there is no corkage fee), however there are also cocktails available to purchase. Booking essential by 9 February.
Location: Heavenly Events, Crowthorne, 1684 Midrand, Gauteng
Time: 16 Feb, 12am onwards
Cost: R600
Tel: 072 345 8996 | Email: [email protected] | Facebook: Heavenly Events
A MEMORABLE HOT AIR BALLOON RIDE WITH AIR TO AIR AFRICA
If you want to really blow your date away this Valentine’s, Air to Air Africa’s hot air balloon ride is sure to do the trick.
Air to Air Africa is situated in the Cradle of Humankind, known as a World Heritage Site after having held famous discoveries of ancient fossils. The area itself also falls part of a game and nature reserve, which offers balloon riders picturesque views of the Crocodile River and the vast landscape far beneath. There’s something simply magical about a hot-air balloon ride, making for a memorable and breath-taking experience.
Prices include breakfast and a sparkling refreshment.
Location: Air to Air Africa, Glenburn Lodge, Kromdraai Rd, Muldersdrift
Cost: Person U35kg R1275 | Person U85kg R2250 | Person U120kg R2775
Tel: 084 602 3491 | Email: [email protected] | Website: airtoairafrica.co.za
Facebook: Air to Air Africa | Twitter: @balloon_rides
CULINARY CHOCOLATE CRAFTS FROM JACK RABBIT CHOCOLATE STUDIO
Chocolate-obsessed Stephanie van Vuuren has funneled her passion for the treat into an award-winning brand: the Jack Rabbit Chocolate Studio.
Self-taught chocolatier Van Vuuren leads a professional and creative team in charge of creating artisanal chocolates and confections in Gauteng. The culinary wiz has sampled delights locally and across the globe to familiarise herself with the standard, opened an online and brick-and-mortar store, and recently bagged the ‘gold’ accolade in the European Open Category of the International Chocolate Awards as well as ‘silver’ version in the World Finals of the International Chocolate Awards hosted in London.
The studio creates all their fillings in-house, and pay particular attention to the balance of flavour. They find it extremely important that the customer experience is always fantastic, so each chocolate creation is hand painted and treated like its unique little masterpiece (even including a signature at the bottom!).
Made with love and passion, be sure to treat your Valentine to one of several Jack Rabbit Chocolate special Valentine’s packages and/or boxes on offer.
Venue: Jack Rabbit Chocolate Studio, Waterkloof Heights Shopping Center, 103 Club Ave, Waterkloof Heights. Alternatively, visit their online store.
Time: Tue to Fri 9am to 5pm | Sat 9am to 3pm
Email: [email protected] | Website: jackrabbitchocolate.co.za
Facebook: JR Chocolate Studio | Instagram: @jackrabbit_chocolate
SCENIC SIDECAR EXPERIENCE FROM URAL SIDECAR TOURS
Want to find out why dogs stick their head out of the car window? Ural Sidecar Tours have created a unique experience where guests tour through the countryside in an open sidecar, wind in hair, providing a new perspective on the beautiful landscapes that slowly pass by.
Ural Sidecars are modern machines with a vintage look, handmade in Siberia, Russia. Each Sidecar and bike takes three people – a driver and two guests (a perfect fit for you and a loved one). They supply helmets, gloves and jackets if necessary, and urge guests to bring a camera in order to document the experience. Each five-hour tour includes stops at various scenic venues such as restaurants, craft breweries, African craft markets, world-class museums, (e.g Maropeng) and lots more. One of the tours even includes a game drive through a private reserve!
Also included in the price of each tour is a light champagne picnic, making this a romantic experience to impress any date.
Times: Everyday
Cost: R1900 p/sidecar (2 people)
Tel: 079 497 2416 | Email: [email protected] | Website: uralsidecartours.co.za
Facebook: Ural Sidecar
GARDEN PICNIC AT TOADBURY HALL COUNTRY HOTEL
Toadbury Hall offers a delectable, gourmet picnic for couples to enjoy among the gardens, lakes and rivers of their 25-hectare country estate, surrounded by breathtaking views.
Their baskets contain 15 freshly prepared dishes, accompanied by a bottle of wine and an appointed waitron to take any extra orders guests may have – and for couples with kids, there’s a kiddies’ picnic basket option available (for ages 5 to 12 years old). Outdoor furniture, comfy picnic blankets and cushions add the finishing touches to this tranquil experience. Toadbury also caters for Sunset Gourmet Picnics and Gourmet Picnic Weddings.
Picnic Menu:
- Rillette of smoked Salmon | Chicken liver Pate with onion chutney | Smoked Chicken Pate | Hummus | Olive Tapenade
- Caprese Salad with Mozzarella | Greek Salad with Cured Cucumber, Jam Tomato, dehydrated Kalamata & Oregano | Spinach & Feta Quiche
- Beef Sirloin roasted with Horseradish | Roasted Lemon Chicken with Lemon scented gravy
- Tropical fruit salad | Chocolate Brownie
- Cheese, biscuits & preserve | Freshly baked breads
- Bottle of Splattered Toad Shiraz or Sauvignon Blanc or Grape Juice
For couples who have and want to involve their kids in the Valentine’s love, there are also Kiddies Picnic Baskets available!
Kiddies Picnic Menu:
- Mini Beef Burger with Potato Crisps
- Chicken strips with sweet barbeque mayo | Dry Wors
- Mini Cheese & Biscuits
- Mini Fruit Skewer | Chocolate Brownie | Danish Pastry
- Mini fruit juice
Because their picnics are prepared with the freshest ingredients, reservations must be paid for 48 hours prior to arrival to secure a booking.
Location: Toadbury Hall, Beyers Naude Dr Ext, Elandsdrift, Johannesburg
Time: Private Picnic Spots: Fri to Sun 11.30am to 3.30pm | Sunset Gourmet Picnics Fri to Sun 4pm to 7pm
Cost: R350 p/picnic basket | Kiddies R120 p/basket
Tel: 010 593 7523 or 078 550 6911 | Website: toadburyhall.co.za
Facebook: Toadbury Hall | Twitter: @toadburyhall
SUNSET DANCE PARTY AT THE BEACH RIVONIA
The latest addition to Jozi’s burgeoning cocktail lounge scene is The Beach, Rivonia. If you’re looking for something a little different, yet memorable, this new hotspot captures the spirit of coastal towns to the heart of Rivonia. Sheltered under tall palm trees and surrounded by white sand, the atmosphere is chilled out, paired with driftwood decor touches for a luxurious feel.
For Valentine’s Day, The Beach Rivonia is hosting a unique sunset celebration with their Valentine’s Sunset Beach Party. Local DJs will be providing cool tunes, while you can sip on one of the many chic cocktails on offer. What’s more, complimentary sharer jugs are given to every 4 people arriving before 7pm, so set the clock. Whether bringing a date, some friends or just yourself, visitors are bound to have fun dancing with toes in the sand and a designer cocktail in hand.
Regrettably, no U23s are allowed.
Venue: The Beach Rivonia, 19 Wessel Rd, Edenburg, Sandton
Time: 2pm til late
Cost: Free
Email: [email protected] | Website: thebeachrivonia.co.za
Facebook: The Beach Rivonia | Twitter: The Beach Rivonia
