I admit it. I’ve been guilty of not being very nice about Hermanus after its rapid overdevelopment and rampant commercialisation across the years. Memories of ‘varsity days in a once-charming seaside hamlet and all that … Well, as one of our wayward willing friends said this last weekend (of a few of us in general): You just have to get off your high horse and step down to street level and walk. So that’s what we did. And she was right.
I’ve changed my mind about Hermanus. It has become a real arty place, particularly with its outdoor sculpture installations along the Cliff Path hugging the restless Atlantic Ocean. And then there are the coffee shops, restaurants like Lizette’s Kitchen with its divine Vietnamese-inspired dishes (yum-yum steamed prawn dim sum and super green ricepaper rolls with ginger-coriander dipping sauce) — and best of all, The Wine Glass tasting bar and restaurant (100 wines to taste and delish small plates of food to share or to keep all to yourself).
Perfect equilibrium above the hissing waves.
Different perspectives for different ways of appreciating. Left Meer Lig, or More Light.
Accompanying the male sculpture is part of a poem by Ted Hughes (the 1st two phrases did not appear on the plaque but to me are very apt, considering the backdrop of waves):
“The moon’s full hands scattering waste, The sea’s hands dark from the world’s breast, The world’s decay where the wind’s hands have passed, And my head, worn out with love, at rest, In my hands, and my hands full of dust.”
And so to The Wine Glass …
Ultramodern interiors, stacked doors folded back for lots of light, a gorgeous internal courtyard.
A striking display wall of the wines, and your various tasting options.
Blistered broccoli with flaked almonds and a yummy drizzle;
Medjool dates stuffed with cream cheese & wrapped in streaky bacon.
Stripes and swirls … the Egyptian-looking dude an interesting way to liven up a narrow corridor.
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