The Jeffrey Levin Jewelry Collection Update

Some of the jewelry Jeffrey has been busy carving and producing the past few months along with a few all time favorites. Coming sooner than later to the website. Stay in the know, follow Jeffrey's workbench playlist, new product launches and news on Facebook

Jeffrey Levin Lotus Blossom & Butterfly Charms

Jeffrey Levin Diamond & Stamped Medallions

Jeffrey Levin Skinny Ring Charm Holders and Ring with Diamonds Pendant

Jeffrey Levin Tiny Charms

Jeffrey Levin Signature Heart Charms

Jeffrey Levin Reclaimed Wood Collection

Jeffrey Levin Initial Charms

36 Hours in Capetown Via NY Times Travel

36 Hours in Cape Town does a nice job of covering some of the not-to-be-missed sites and a few new places I'll check out next visit. In 36 hours one can only cover so much -- it takes about that time to acclimate to the time change! Lots more to learn about Cape Town and Surrounds and via Walking Tour

Eating, Cape Town & Surrounds

We've done our share of eating in and around Cape Town. Some of our fave places and a few we haven't yet explored...

Cape Town:
- Beluga. Inside The Foundry. You can eat outside on the inner square or indoors. Happening scene. Menu is the restaurant's cookbook. You can spend the eve perusing recipes if you need some conversation starters.

- Bread. The European style bistro inside the Bromwell; we haven't eat there yet but we looked at the menu and were intrigued.

- Bukhara. Just off Green Market Square, upstairs. Amazing Indian. Their Kingclip tandori or tikka are amazing, very paneer saag paneer!

- Col Cacchio Pizzeria. Camps Bay location faces the ocean. Simply, one of the best places for gluten free pizza we've come across. Delicious composed salads and crafted pizzas.

- Fork. On Long Street. The upstairs has a cozy vibe and a balcony when the weather permits. Tapas. Some very interesting small plate creations from Spanish and Mediterranean cuisine.

- Grand cafe and Beach. It's along the waterfront, passed the Radison Hotel and Old Yacht club and if I'm remembering it's the 2nd left onto a dirt road. When the weather permits, make a resi for a table on the beach. Make to check out the curated items in the retail store. Enjoyed the Avocado Ritz salad, Sugar Salmon, Grilled Kingclip and the long rectangular pizza.

- Greens. Around the corner from the Wellness Warehouse. Simple, fresh menu.

- Groot Constantia. Constantia winelands. Lovely tea and scones for a lazy afternoon. We ate outside in the courtyard at Jonkershuis Restaurant.

- Melissa's. This just in from Anna who writes an amazing blog about her travels, including in Africa. She says Melissa's is great healthy fare (May 2010)

- The Neighbourgoods Market. Woodstock area. Saturdays only. Local vendors create delicious breakfast and brunch fare.

- Newport. On the waterfront, passed the lighthouse. After a power walk or bike ride, there's nothing like their muesli or Bircher breakfasts with fragrant honey and julienned apples and a fresh carrot juice.

- The Opal Lounge. Kloof Street. This was recommended by the owner of the Cafe Felix in Reibeek as it's his Cape Town location. We haven't eaten there, but it looked to have a hip vibe and we adored the well-crafted menu at Cafe Felix.

- Sand Bar. Camps Bay. The cappuccino place to be in the am any weekend.

- Wellness Warehouse's WellCafe. Where Long Street turns into Kloof Street. Very casual, bring your laptop or read the paper. Great vegetarian options, including Gluten Free bread. We enjoyed the grilled mushroom sandwhich with rocket and Eden cheese.

Hout Bay:
- Kitima. Main road towards Chapman's Peak. Trendy, inside fancy, outdoor more casual (yet in a hip lounge-y way). Delicately prepared Asian fusion cuisine.

- Chapman's Peak Hotel Restaurant. Classy, great vibe, amazing Kingclip (where my love of Kingclip was born in 2008).

Franschhoek:
- Le Bon Vivant. A block off the main road in town. Sophisticated dining. Each bite a work of art. Portions are just right.

- Le Petit Ferme. In the winelands. Very lovely views, great food. Don't feed the baboons on your way over, nor roll down your window to take pix!

- Reuben's. On the main road in town. Inventive fusion food, hip crowd.

Riebeek Kasteel & Riebeek West Wine Valley

The Riebeek Wine Valley has a long history tracing back to the Huguenots. The early settlers arrived in the 1700's, establishing many prominent wine farms still in production today. A more recent crop that has brought visitors to the area is the olive, an industry only about 13 years old. While olive groves are plentiful, they were not tended to and the fruit was left to drop to the ground. In the late 90's 6 gentlemen, previously city dwellers and immigrants, traveled to Italy to be schooled in olive farming.

We visited one of the oldest wineries, Kloovenberg, which is as well-known for its wine as it is for its olives, olive oils and skin care products made with the rich emollient fruit. The Olive Boutique supplied a tasty variety of dried olives and olive chocolate (mixed with dried fruits and brandy) and the Goedgedacht charitable trust provides services to take rural children out of poverty and a community development center focused on climate change education.

Unlike the more established Stellenbosch or the quaint Franschhoek, the Riebeek Valley is still a bit more "mom and pop," making for an easy 1/2 day trip. The highlights were the olive tastings, the Royal Hotel (one of the oldest hotels in South Africa, recently refurbished to the highest standards) and Cafe Felix (an upmarket restaurant and cafe with a gorgeous menu).

Goldfish Live at Kirstenbosch, Sunday March 7

Deep house grooves, vocals, hypnotic sampling and talent on live instruments.

More official photos thanks to Bernard: http://www.flickr.com/photos/2oceansvibe/sets/72157623576623708

Eating, Shopping & Exploring Woodstock, Cape Town, South Africa

We spent a few hours this morning on Albert Road in the up and coming industrial neighborhood of Woodstock, one of Cape Town's oldest suburbs. The main attraction is the Old Biscuit Mill renovated in 2006 with eco-conscious flavor and housing stationery shops, antique artefacts, clothing, jewelry, art, ceramics and other collectibles.

On Saturdays at the Mill, the Neighbourgoods Market takes place, featuring organic farmer's market produce, flowers, herbs, cheese, bread, honey and fresh prepared gastronomic delights for every taste including designer beer and curries to butternut frittata, young coconuts, acai smoothies, fair trade coffees, parisian macarons and coal fired pizza.

Find a spot on one of the long communal benches and it's elbow to elbow creatives, raw foodies, organic hippies and  tourists listening in the annex to the sounds of the DJ spinning or the French pop tuned in to the speakers in the main hall.

Local fashion and accessories designers have their own shade covered area as part of the Neighbourgoods Market. Here you can find hand crafted footwear, one-of-kind applique t-shirts, the finery of bespoke BlueCollarWhiteCollar or kidswear in the Kindergoods Market area.

Named one of the city's improvement districts, companies are incentified to locate to the Woodstock area and add to its vibrant culture. We visited in 2008 and since, the area has really emerged.

Vintage Dutch modern furniture and pottery can be found in some of the older shops, while a newer boutique mall (a renovated 1927 hotel that used to be a brothel) called the Bromwell offers curated objects to covet or buy via computers located in each well-dressed room for a self-guided shopping experience. Superette, Bread Cafe and Boulangerie, What if the World gallery and Weekend Special are noticeable amongst the still-delapadated storefronts.

We ran out of time to visit the art galleries on Sir Lowry Rd (including Raw Vision Gallery, owned by our friend Mike Fisher) and await a return visit early next week.