Bucket Seat: Mahindra XUV 3XO AX7L

The Mahindra XUV300 AX7L (Luxury variant) is the flagship trim of the XUV300 lineup, offering a blend of style, performance, and advanced features that cater to urban and highway driving. First out, I think Mahindra have done a stunning job with the design of the car, its eye catching, its appealing and its just stands out from the crowd. Even though I had one of the more subdued colours in its line-up, it still had presence and it definitely echoes the right direction for the brands design philosophy. I spent a relatively short time with the car, not my usual 7-days which I felt didn't do the car justice but in any case, here are my thoughts on this new variant from the Indian motoring giant. 

DESIGN

The XUV300 AX7L stands out with its bold and muscular design, reflecting Mahindra's modern design philosophy. Front Features a prominent grille with chrome inserts, projector headlamps, and LED DRLs that lend a sophisticated and aggressive look. The car sports 17-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels and a strong character line running along the side, giving it a dynamic stance. The LED tail lamps are sharp and sleek, enhancing its premium appeal. The rear spoiler and silver skid plates add to its sporty demeanor. It comes in vibrant and dual-tone color options, which enhance its youthful and premium look.

PERFORMANCE

The XUV300 AX7L is available locally with only one engine option, that being the 1.2L Turbo-Petrol Engine from which it derives 82kW and 200Nm of torque, this is paired with a 6-speed automatic AISIN gearbox which I'll be very honest, I didn't quite enjoy. I felt that it quite often slipped gears especially in take off and the transitions were not smooth at all, with quite aggressive feedback at times. On the open road it didn't fair too badly, I found it peppy and a bit more refined, but it's meant to be a city car and I suppose for that aspect, the driving dynamics were not the greatest but given its size, nimbleness and its decent fuel economy, it may still fair well for many. 

COMFORT

The cabin of the AX7L variant is plush and equipped with high-end materials, offering a premium in-car experience. Soft-touch materials and a dual-tone theme dominate the dashboard, giving it an upmarket feel. Leatherette upholstery with excellent cushioning ensures comfort during long drives. The front seats are ventilated, a nice option for the hot, humid Durban summers.The car is spacious for its class, with ample legroom and headroom in both rowws. At 257 liters, the boot is adequate for daily needs but could feel limited for larger trips. The AX7L is loaded with segment-leading features which include a 7-inch touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support, paired with a premium Harman/Kardon sound system. On the safety side, it includes 6 airbags, ABS with EBD, ESP, and a tyre pressure monitoring system. Driver Assistance Systems include: Advanced features like adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and autonomous emergency braking set it apart.Comfort Features which are note worthy are dual-zone climate control, panoramic sunroof, and an auto-dimming IRVM enhance convenience and luxury.

VERDICT

The Mahindra XUV300 AX7L is a great choice for those seeking a feature-packed compact SUV with robust performance and advanced safety tech. While its boot space could be a drawback, the overall value it offers makes it a compelling option in its segment. The AX7L variant is priced at the premium end of the XUV300 lineup, but its features and performance justify the cost. It competes with models like the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, and Tata Nexon, holding its own with its feature-rich offering and strong engines.

 SPECIFICATIONS

Engine	1.2L Turbo Petrol
Gear Box	6-speed AISIN
Torque	200Nm
Power	82kW
0-60KM	4.6 seconds
Price	R404,999

Bucket Seat: Citroen C3 Aircross - 7 Seater

When it comes to French cars that are made in India, lets just say that I am not the biggest fan of them. So when the Citroën C3 Aircross 7-seater rolled into my driveway for testing, I didn't have much hope for it. While from the outside it looks fantastic, sitting inside the car gave me flash backs of the cheap and nasty materials, lack of insulation and general irks that I found with other cars that come from the sub continent. It’s positioned as a compact SUV designed to accommodate larger families, with a focus on maximizing space in a relatively small footprint and it probably works well in India as the people are generally smaller built than as South Africans. I on the other hand was not going to load it up with 7 people and drive around town but I had some interesting routes planned for the C3 which involved all types of terrain and all sorts of climates and I must say, this car surprised me a lot. In fact, it changed my view on French cars made in India, suffice to say humble pie was had. Here are my thoughts on the C3 Aircross:

DESIGN

The Citroën C3 Aircross features a distinctive design, with a bold front grille, large headlights, and unique Airbump panels that give it a rugged yet quirky appearance. It has an elevated stance and muscular wheel arches, contributing to its SUV-like appearance. The C3 Aircross has roof rails that add to its practicality, offering additional storage options. Having drive the launch model 5-seater, the 7-seater version extends the rear of the vehicle to accommodate the extra seats, and the vehicle looks more extended than the standard C3 Aircross. It maintains the brand's modern yet playful approach to design, with contrasting roof colors and options for custom color packs. The large 17-inch diamond cut 4-spoke alloy wheels give it distinct look and adds to the charm of the overall design. I must say, the C3 Aircross is a looker and at first glance doesn't give you a budget look at all but a rather very Euro-Premium feel.

PERFORMANCE

I was quite surprised that the same 1.2-liter PureTech petrol engine which is in the standard C3  remained frugal to my demands, paired with a 6-speed automatic gearbox the engine produces 81kW, which is sufficient for city driving and moderate highway speeds, but it may feel slightly underpowered when the vehicle is fully loaded but like I said, I never had to carry a load so the engine was more than capable for what I had drive. The gearbox is smooth for the most part, though it may hesitate at times, especially during quick overtakes or sharp accelerations. The suspension is tuned for comfort, absorbing most bumps and road imperfections easily, which is one of Citroën's strong suits, the call it the "magic carpet feel" which I must admit, did its part when navigating soft beach sand and cushioned most of the harsh bumps on the gravel surfances. The driving experience is relaxed, and it's a good vehicle for families prioritizing comfort over sharp handling. However, because of its taller design, body roll is noticeable during cornering, and it doesn't feel as sporty or agile as some rivals in its class. The 1.2-liter engine, when mated to the automatic transmission, offers fuel consumption of around 6.0-7.0 liters per 100 km. These figures are typical for a vehicle in this class, but they may increase if the car is heavily loaded with passengers and luggage.

COMFORT

The interior is designed with a focus on comfort and modularity. The second row seats slide and recline, allowing flexible use of space for passengers or cargo. While the third row adds seating for up to seven, it's important to note that the rear-most seats are best suited for children or shorter trips, as legroom can be limited for adults. With all seven seats in use, the boot space is relatively small, around 165 liters. However, when the third row is folded down, the capacity increases significantly to around 520 liters, making it ideal for luggage on family trips. The Citroën C3 Aircross comes equipped with a range of tech features aimed at making the driving experience more convenient and enjoyable, most notable is the 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system which includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for easy smartphone integration. The graphics are clear, though the system can sometimes lag in response, also I did find it often disconnected from the wireless connection while driving quite  a few times. The car has a multi-function steering wheel with buttons for car info on the instrument cluster and to control media, but these were also buggy with the volume buttons sometimes ending controlling the skip function and then only making the volume lower not increasing no matter which button you pressed. The car came with standard manual aircon controls and no climate control but it did offer a sperate duct for the rear passengers which I thought was cool. The C3 Aircross has a ground clearance of 200mm which is good in its class and managed a host of terrains with is, included soft beach sand even though its not a 4-wheel drive car!

VERDICT

The Citroën C3 Aircross 7-seater automatic is ideal for families prioritizing comfort, flexibility, and a distinctive design. It offers a soft, easygoing ride, with good fuel efficiency and plenty of tech for the price. However, if you need to frequently transport seven adults or want a more dynamic driving experience, you might want to explore alternatives, as the third row is more suitable for occasional use, and the engine may feel underpowered with a full load. The C3 Aircross 7-seater typically offers good value for money, with its base models priced competitively compared to other SUVs in the segment. Prices can increase with additional features, trims, and technology packs, but even higher-spec models tend to be more affordable than some of its rivals. This makes it a solid option for families looking for a budget-friendly, comfortable SUV with seating flexibility. I spent a solid 9-hours driving it for an entire day and normally one would be quite fatigued from all the driving but the C3 managed to keep me comfortable through the experience, even while navigating some harsh terrain and for that, I must say kudos to it. 

 SPECIFICATIONS

Engine	1.2L Turbo Petro
Gear Box	6-Speed Automatic
Torque	205Nm
Power	81kW
Fuel Consumption	6.3L per 100km
Price	R354,900

Bucket Seat: Mahindra XUV300 - First Impressions

So last week I was handed a unique opportunity, I've been writing about cars for the past 7 years and for the first time I drove a car which had an embargo on it, which means I couldn't tell anyone I drove it or how it was since the official local launch only happened this week. Call me childish but it felt pretty cool in a way, driving around in something that is almost a secret to many. Also I was one of the first journalists to get behind the wheel of one. Anyway the embargo is over and the car has been officially launch, so let me tell you how my brief drive with the all new Mahindra XUV300 went. 

So first things first, the name of the car, its not three hundred, it's pronounced three double oh, yeah found that odd but I appreciate that they want to be unique or maybe that is how its pronounced in India. Also Mahindra has close ties with Durban as they have a small assembly plant at Dube Trade Port, where they put together various models, most notably their Pick-Up, so getting to drive the XUV300 on "home territory" was pretty cool. Moving on to the car, looks wise, Mahindra have done a great job, keeping the styling on point, and much different from their previous models. It has a more Euro styled front with elongated grille which tied into the sharp lights and the lines extend from the bottom of the headlamps to the fogs on the bumper below. 

Mahindra were sneaky in the design of this vehicle, as with tax laws in India, cars under the 4m length get taxed differently hence you'll find the XUV300 coming in just under that 4m mark. The wheel base is well spaced giving the car a greater feel of stability around bends. The XUV300 enters the local market in two engine options, the 1.2L turbo-petrol (81kw/ 200Nm) and a 1.5L turbo-diesel, both with manual gearboxes. For my drive I had the diesel engine, which is a complete brand new engine by Mahindra and from what I was told, torque vectoring was adjusted for our country, it produces 85.8kW and 300Nm of torque. That's a lot of torque for this little car. Taking the XUV300 on the open road gave me the opportunity to push the limits of the engine and with it being on the coast, the engine would perform better than up country. I was impressed with the smoothness of the ride, handling of the vehicle on the open road as well as how it kept composed in the high winds. Seeing that we had the car for a short time, we wanted to get some pictures of it. So I took it on some dirt road driving and it was pretty much the same as on tar road surfaces. The car didn't slide around, or get bothered at all. 

Having a look at the interior of the cabin, while it is almost a budget type of vehicle, the styling is brilliant. While the light colours might not be everyone's cup of tea, it does give the cabin that sense of luxury and comfort. The seats were comfortable and offered in various trims. The XUV300 comes with a full touch screen infotainment center which syncs to your phone via bluetooth and a cool feature is that you can link it to certain smart watches and even get an app for the car, giving you vitals of it, like your fuel level. The cars tech side is very on point with it being Apple Car Play and Android Auto compatible as well as giving you the option to share your stats via Twitter, Facebook or even on Whatsapp. 

Mahindra has been in our market for quite some time now and while many never really noticed them, people who do own them, swear by them. I've met many Mahindra owners who always had stories to tell me about their vehicles, only good ones at that. I feel that the XUV300 is the car to break the name into the market and get the attention of people who would never consider the brand. It's the perfect sort of vehicle for today's climate, decent size, packs all the latest gadgets and very economical. It slots into the market in the Ford Ecosport and Hyundai Creta sort of segment and with the two model variants being the W6 and W8 which are pretty feature packed, I can see it getting some good sales in the future. 

Pricing on the XUV

XUV300 W6 1.2L Petrol: R249 999 (incl VAT)

XUV300 W6 1.5L Diesel: R274 999 (incl VAT)

XUV300 W8 1.2L Petrol: R304 999 (incl VAT)

XUV300 W8 1.5L Petrol: R324 999 (incl VAT)

Bucket Seat: Ford Figo Sedan

It's been a while since we had a Ford to review but I'm glad we eventually got one, even though the Figo isn't much to write home about in terms of aesthetics and appeal, it still is a very important car for the brand and for the market in general. The Ford Figo has come a long way as a car, from being just a reboot of the old Fiesta to giving itself it's own identity in the market. With the local launch of the Figo taking place mid last year, I was finally given the opportunity to drive one, albeit the sedan and not the hatch, around for a week towards the end of the year and go to say, Ford have really "leveled up" with this one. 

DESIGN

The Figo was always an odd looking car but with this new model its finally coming into its own. I love the front of the Figo, that new grille with like a 3 dimensional design to it finished in brushed aluminum gives the car some level of elegance and dare I say, luxury appeal. The grille sits prominently but low and is the first thing that gets your attention of the car. The front bump is shaped well and its outlined by a splitter also finished in brushed aluminium that goes around the fog light housing, it just adds more dimension to the front end and really does like quite smart. The headlights have been redesigned and bares resemblance to the Fiesta a bit but has an elongated fin type finish to it. The general shape of the Figo is "bubble shaped" but works well unlike other models which tried this approach. The reason for it is to maximise space in the cabin. Moving along to the back, is where most budget hatch come sedan's tend to struggle with the addition of the boot. Most of them can be quite painful to look at but kudos to the design team at Ford because the boot flows quite well with the overall design of the car. The lines extend on the side profile upwards to the back and extends to the boot space. My only grip would be that the tail lights could have been finished better but that is just me. 

PERFORMANCE

The Figo comes powered with the 1.5TiVCT naturally aspirated 4 cylinder petrol engine. It's a strong motor from Ford and at the coast it performs exceptionally well. With 88kW and 150Nm of toque at its disposal, it makes easy meat of city travelling. The car is compact and light which helps the engine a lot in terms of performance, so even if you're on the open road, there really isn't a struggle to get the Figo up to speed. The 5 speed manual gear box is a treat and slotting it into gear is like slipping a hot knife into butter, this is helped by a smooth clutch. The combined fuel economy is listed in the brochure of being 5.7L per 100km, which is very achievable as I was hovering around the 6L mark with quite a variant of driving. The Figo isn't going to win you any drag races with its 0-100km/h time coming in at 11.8 seconds and its top speed capped at 175km/h but that's not what this car is made for and I'm guessing their target market knows that as well. 

COMFORT

As mentioned before that the overall shape is catered to increase the cabin space and it's pretty comfortable for four adults travelling in the Figo sedan. The car comes with cloth seats which are decent size and quite comfy, doesn't feel hard or rigid. Interior comfort is enhances with a manual air-conditioner. It has electric windows with a one touch power down for driver only. The in-car entertainment features a four speaker system with bluetooth and USB connectivity. Safety wise, the Figo comes fitted with two airbags, one for the driver and the front passenger and has anti-lock braking system. 

VERDICT

Overall the Ford Figo Trend is a great offering for the price tag it has, it's loaded with most of the essentials that one needs in a city car and the ride quality along with fuel economy just justifies its presence in the market as one of the better budget cars to get. While the car won't win any beauty contests, Ford have done a great job with the details on the Trend spec to make it look appealing. 

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine	1.5L NA
Gear Box	5 Speed Manual
Power	88kW
Torque	150Nm
0-100	11.8 seconds
Economy	5.7 L/100km
Price	R 197,950

Monday Choon: Big Pineapple - Another Chance (Don Diablo Edit)

Starting off this Monday with some new music that will be familiar to many dance music fans from the late 90's and early 2000's but whats intriguing about this is the artist. It's a mysterious new character with a Pineapple head, known as "Big Pineapple" and he's being brought out by none other than Don Diablo. Now we're not sure if this is an alter ego of Don's or an entirely new artist but the story given in the caption of the music video on YouTube is anything to go by, Don is making it seem like he is entirely a new DJ. The music shows the both of them touring India with Big Pineapple not doing much. The track "Another Chance" is a rework of the 2001 hit by Roger Sanchez, it's superbly done and Done has added his classy touch with his Future House sounds to it in the edit. 

Bucket Seat: Suzuki Swift & Dzire - First Impressions

Last week saw the launch of Suzuki's two new budget vehicles into the local SA market, first a name that needs no introduction, the Swift hatchback and the second which is a sedan version but has been re-branded as the Dzire, I was fortunate to have been invited to the launch which happened up the North coast from Durban, and this is how it went. 

The all new Swift is here. #AllTheRightFeels pic.twitter.com/iPHMNTd1JJ

— Suzuki SA (@Suzuki_ZA) June 6, 2018

Normally launches aren't as glamorous as it looks, it involves lots of travelling to get to the destination of the launch which start off with flights at sparrows fart in the morning, getting to the location, going through a briefing, jumping in a car and driving for 2/3 hours, have lunch and drive another 2 hours, then make your way back home all while trying to sum up what you did when your brain is working on empty. This one however was a bit different, it was extremely chilled and in essence gave off the vibe that Suzuki were marketing about that car, all the right feels. 

After settling in my luxurious room at the Fairmont Hotel in Zimbali, it was time for a meet and greet session where I got to meet the good people from Suzuki as well as members of the media whom were present for that rotation of the launch, this was followed by a dinner presentation, giving us insight into the new generation Swift and the Dzire. The Swift being Suzuki's leading budget hatchback has sold over 6 million worldwide, this the third generation swift is being built at a brand new facility in Gujurat in India. While the overall shape of the Swift looks very similar to its predecessor, the new Swift has had some dynamic changes to it's design, with the length decreasing but the width increasing. So in essence the new Swift is shorter and wider, thus improving the cars turning circle, making the cabin a bit more spacious and giving it a better driving feel, yup this car is all about the feels. 

Suzuki opted to leave the engine unchanged, and stuck with its 1.2 litre naturally aspirated unit which produces 61 kW and 113Nm of torque, not the most exciting figures but in a car like the Swift, it is plentiful. As I found the next day while driving it through the Cane lands. The car is extremely fun to drive, the low center of gravity makes it feel like a game as you maneuver through the bends. The car I drove came with the 5 speed manual gearbox which required minimum effort in gear selection and the same could be said about the clutch. The cabin is pretty basic but has most of the creature comforts, number one being AC for the warm KZN climate, bluetooth audio and telephone connection and electric power windows with auto down for the driver. 

The route was rather fun, with a nice mixture of highway, town and quiet road driving which the Swift performed well in all. Jumping into the Dzire, it felt virtually the same, only thing it had a boot. It gives much of the same feedback as the Swift but handling is slightly better on the hatch. The engines were rather new, so there was points where the engine was rev happy but on a long run you can be sure that it will settle in and nullify that problem. Driving back to our lunch spot in Salt Rock was a breeze and the Caravan park where it was being served provided the perfect example to test the tight turning circle, managing to gap the cars in close to one another facing the ocean. 

Overall, the new Swift and Dzire are perfect for what they're meant for, they sort of sit in the middle of the lower budget hatch segment and the higher spec ones, so for example between a Vivo and the standard Polo. The price is really a bargain and Suzuki are running a really great launch special nationwide on its range topping GL. So if you're in the market for a budget car be it hatch or sedan, that's not boring and extremely light on fuel, but also want that reliability and solid build quality, look no further that these two. 

Prices and models

Suzuki Swift 1.2 GA Manual R159 900
Suzuki Swift 1.2 GL Manual R175 900
Suzuki Swift 1.2 GL AMT R189 900
Suzuki Dzire 1.2 GA Manual R161 900
Suzuki Dzire 1.2 GL Manual R177 900
Suzuki Dzire 1.2 GL AMT R191 900

Monday Choon: Sander van Doorn - No Words (feat. Belle Humble)

Sander van Doorn, the Dutch producer DJ has come a long way since he first hit the scene. I recall seeing him at Durban's very own Origin nightclub where his style then was a bit more harder and trance like. Over the years his music has took a slight change, for the better? Some might argue not, but for others they would agree seeing that it's more easy going that might even make commercial radio play, not saying he's gone full commercial but the music can be played. Anyway, we have his latest track "No Words" featuring the vocals from Belle Humble, the music video is quite awesome as well, featuring the sights of India. 

Bucket Babe: Terushka Venkatsamy

As Winter strengthens its grip around the nation with its icy claws, its time for us to warm things up on the blog with another installment of the Bucket Babe. This month's featured beauty hails from the warm waters of the East Coast and coincidentally grew up in my neighborhood and schooled at the same school as me. She went on to complete her studies in Fashion design and upon a work trip was scouted and trusted into the modeling world. Since then she's been featured in a number of publications, local and abroad and has even dabbled in a bit of acting which she looks to further her career in. She's got a great taste in cars, fashion, music and food, especially when it comes to sandwiches, anyway that's enough from me, I'll let her take it from here. 

Terushka Venketsamy

Bio

My name is Terushka Venkatsamy, born in Durban, based in Cape Town most of the year and travel for work. I studied a BA in Fashion and design, it was for women-wear design, I got scouted in India whilst on a trip to buy textiles, to a model and did a random casting and there-after was selected for a reality TV show called 'The Hunt For the Kingfisher Calendar Girl', then the rest as they say is history. I studied acting in Cape Town for 2 years and it is a huge passion of mine. I have signed with international agencies, modeled in Turkey, Mumbai, Hong Kong and Prague for magazines, catalogue, lingerie, commercials for several brands including EY, Merrel, Triumph, Kellogs, Castle Lite, Carling, BMW and many stills.

I love to run, do yoga, boxing, hiking, adventure related activities such as road trips, I also love to cook, watch movies and series, Some of my other passions are writing, reading, travel, cultures, fine dining and cuisine, humanitarian work, fashion, design, architecture, interiors...all things design orientated regarding line, texture, colour and form. 

I'm a foreign English language teacher, a beautiful way to get involved in community work/ humanitarian work and I love working with kids. I also run shot rentals and involved in  property in Cape Town. Future goals would be to start another business, to teach English in Panama, live in LA, climb Machu Picchu and have a girls Europe trip with my sister Himarsha Venkatsamy and my two best friends, Lauren and Sulshine...probably to Ibiza and Barcelona!

Links

Q&A

1. Hot girls and hot cars go hand in hand, what ride would you like to  see yourself in?

• 1971 Jaguar XKE.

2. What sandwich are you most likely to make for me? and will it be toasted or plain?

• Toasted steak, chips, chill, cheese sandwich OR do they make a mutton bunny sandwich ;). 

3. Everyone loves popcorn (well I think they do) what is your topping/ sprinkle of choice?

• Butter and salt.

4. Dream cover shoot?

• W Mag, I.D or the face of some fabulous fragrance band ;)

5. If given a choice, full time model or full time executive, what would you choose?

• Full time executive in sexy suits and Louboutins.

6. Growing up you must have had someone you aspired to be, so who is your role model?

• My parents...dynamic, humble and open minded .

7. Anyone holding that hand yet? or is it available?

• Available with a dash of romance.

8. Obviously being a female you would love fashion. Favourite label/ designer?

• Balmain, D&G.

9. What type of music gets your booty shaking?

• Hip Hop and R&B from the 90's.

10. Which city is your dream party destination?

• Ibiza.

Tsogo Sun: High Tea at Jeera, Suncoast Hotel &Towers

Afternoon tea is a must for many and those wanting to spoil themselves often opt for a High Tea which is offered in many establishments but whilst most are great in offering the traditionalist what they expect, the team down at Jeera, located on the pool level of the Suncoast Hotel & Towers decided to give their High Tea a Durban twist. Durban is known to have the highest population of Indians outside India and we all know the significant cultural impact they have had on this city with keeping things spicy and that's exactly what Jeera has done with their high tea.

Last week Tuesday I was invited to par-take in their offering, not knowing what to expect, I was left mouth gaping open at the spread that lied before me. It's not your typical high tea and but at the same time they keep to the aesthetics of what it is meant to be, so you not going to be served a bunny chow and a cup of tea, although some might fancy that? Sandren Govender, executive chef at Suncoast Towers, who has experience in cooking throughout the world has meticulously created a menu to delight everyone's taste buds, with savoury and sweet delicacies to send you into a journey of food ecstasy.

A seating for two will get you a wonderful selection of sweet delights such as burfee shortbread, poli truffles - a modern twist on a traditional Indian favourite, blending chocolate, coconut and cardamom as well as cinnamon eclairs. On the savoury side, the offering expands to an equally wide selection including smoked salmon bagels with paneer cheese; chicken tikka, sheekh kebabs and my personal favourite, Sandrens butter chicken cigars, which is bread, flattend and filled with rich butter chicken curry, then rolled into a cigar shape, crumbed and fried till crispy on the outside.

"This tailor-made approach allowed for authentic creativity to come through quite strongly in the kitchen. We know at the end of the collaboration with our team, we have something unique to offer our guests" says executive chef Sandren Govender. He added that the concept was carefully planned and created incorporating the sense and relaxation associated with the afternoon tea experience.

You probably read this far and must be wondering, high tea but I have not mentioned anything about the tea? Well yes, there is the tea but the food offering is simply that great but the selection of teas will not only awaken your senses but the aromatic flavours and smells will entice you to want to smaple them all. Jeera offers a host of teas with various spices and scents from around the world, each guest has their on glass tea pot with warmer so you can see the flavours fuse with the boiling water. It really was a fascinating experience for me as it was the first time I had the opportunity to indulge a high tea and I'm glad this was the place I did it at.

Speaking to Palvi Oddone Aquino, who is the guest relations manager at Suncoast Hotel and Towers, she had this to say, "Much time was invested in crafting this concept where our primary goal was to take our guests through a journey of spice and distinctive flavour through confectionery - where tea becomes a conversation piece."

Jeera serves their high tea throughout the week (Monday to Friday depending on availability) between 14h00-16h30 and will be available for groups of four or more. Cost per person is R150 and each will get one or two of every serving on the platter, whatever is not eaten can be opted to be taken away for you to indulge at home.