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For the best that the Cape West Coast has to offer, a stay at Russells on the Port in the Port Owen Marina in Velddrif is a must. Russells on the Port overlooks the yachts and boats in the marina and Berg River mouth with its bird-rich wetlands.It offers six suites in the 4-Star guest house and a new guest lodge with nine luxurious rooms. Some rooms have garden views, others have marina views.
Relaxing in luxury
It’s the small well thought through interior touches that elevates the guest experience
From England to Velddrif
Russell Foster, owner of Russells on the Port, is an entrepreneur who hails from the Northeast of England. He ventured to the West Coast of South Africa more than a decade ago where he planned to retire after falling head over heels for the West Coast on previous visits. His initial idea was to open a restaurant on his doorstep where he could enjoy first-rate food and wine with supreme service. Little did he realize how popular the restaurant would become with visitors coming from Langebaan, Elands Bay, Cape Town and as far as Hermanus.
Guests travel from far to enjoy this view
A postcard picture scene
Staying at Russels on Port
The guest house is built in the colonial style and was one of the first to be built in the Port Owen area. Russell’s son in law, Mark Hird, designed and decorated all the rooms. He had done the interior decoration on 30 restaurants and hotels in the UK. The decor is an eclectic mix of owner, Russell’s private collection of Hollywood and West End memorabilia such as George Harrison’s guitar from his time with the Travelling Wilburies, which included band members such as Roy Orbison, Tom Petty and Bob Dylon. There is an original birthday invitation for President John F Kennedy, where Marilyn Monroe sang her famous happy birthday, including the guest list. Dean Martin’s jacket from the film 4 for Texas and jewellery from famous stars, can be seen.
The colonial style of the building adds a unique touch to the guesthouse experience
An eclectic mix of owner, Russell’s private collection of Hollywood and West End memorabilia
Dining at Russels on Port
Head chef Cornel Abrahams produces contemporary and seasonal dishes with global influences. Cornel picks vegetables from the guest house’s own vegetable garden. Dishes of West Coast seafood, lamb rump, crispy pork belly and locally sourced game are staples. A meal on the water’s edge will not be complete without award-winning wines from the South African winelands. Russell has more than 40 years experience in the restaurant industry and oversees the winelist. He selects wines on visits to wine farms in the Cape Winelands. Wine Wednesdays where the house wine is two for the price of one and Thursday’s wine specials; is the ideal occasion to see the sun set over the river while sipping on your favorite wine. The guest house also has regular winepairings dinners, where winemakers dine with guests. Evenings with Van Loveren and Grootte Post were held recently. If you’re looking for more luxury guesthouses that make wine evenings a thing, read about about another great getaway option here.
Dinner with a view
A mix of luxury & comfort
Three wines from the Stellenbosch region that are excellent choices with a meal.
The Beyerskloof Pinotage is a smooth, medium-bodied wine with dark fruit flavors such as red berry and plum and elegant tannings. It is perfect with a red meat dish, or just to sip on. Buy Beyerskloof wines here.
The Tokara Chardonnay displays a vibrant straw color. Aromas of lime zest and orange blossom spring from the glass with underlying notes of fresh brioche and a hint of toasted almonds. The entry on the palate is vibrant with fresh pineapple, grapefruit and lime zest notes. The mid-palate has a creamy rounded texture, yet the wine finishes bone dry with an aftertaste of toasted almonds lingering for a while. Buy Tokara wines here.
The Warwick The First Lady Cabernet Sauvignon is a tribute to Norma Ratcliffe, the founder and first winemaker at Warwick estate and of the first women to make wine in South Africa. Cabernet Sauvignon is the first wine made under the Warwick label. It is fitting that this is the best known and most popular wine from the estate. It has dark fruits, earthy smoky tannins and hints of honeycomb and thyme. It is a well-balanced wine and the perfect match for bitter and sweet, dark chilli chocolate. Buy Warwick wines here.
Russell also owns Charlie’s Brew House where five different beers and brewed and Poetic Licence distillery, where four different gins are distilled. The products are available at Russells on the Port.
Head chef Cornel Abrahams’ recipe for seafood pasta paired with the Tokara Chardonnay:
Delectable seafood pasta from Head Chef Cornel Abrahams
Ingredients
2 prawns, butterflied
50g Squid
150g mussels, blanched whole
Garlic and herb compound butter
20 ml olive oil
Halve a lemon
60 ml homemade tomato sauce base
40 ml fish stock
30 ml cream
140g homemade tagliatelle
35 g chorizo diced
Parmesan for shavings
A sprig of basil
Season to taste
Method
Bring some water for the pasta to a boil, in a pasta pot and add salt.
Start off by placing a heavy base sauté pan on medium heat, add olive oil. Season the prawns and place them butterfly side down. Halfway add the squid, sauté for a minute and add compound butter and a squeeze of lemon juice.
Remove the seafood from the pan and set aside. In the same pan add the chorizo, render that fat, then add the fish stock. Reduce by half. Add the tomato base and cream, cook for 3 minute, before adding the mussels to warm up and season to taste.
Place the pasta in the boiling water, cook for 3 minutes. Remove the sauce from the heat, add chiffonade basil. Remove the pasta from the water and drizzle with olive oil. Place prawn and squid under the grill for 30 sec.
To assemble: Place the pasta in a bowl, pour the saucy mussels over, arrange the sauteed seafood on top and garnish with fresh basil leaves and Parmesan savings.
If you’re not sold on the view yet, the sunsets will surely convince you
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BY Maryke Roberts | June 24, 2021
Maryke is an award-winning, Cape Winelands based journalist who has been writing about local and international wine and travel for over three decades. When she's home, her days are almost exclusively concluded with a walk on the beach and a glass of South African fine wine or spirits.
Maryke is an award-winning, Cape Winelands based journalist who has been writing about local and international wine and travel for over three decades. When she's home, her days are almost exclusively concluded with a walk on the beach and a glass of South African fine wine or spirits.