Welcome to helmar.org!

First let's start with the name. It's certainly got you thinking, what on earth is meant by "the best ugly", and yes, it's certainly "sticky" from a marketing point of view, but the word "ugly" in a restaurant feels somehow dissonant to me. That said, once stuck, it's there to stay. :)

What does sound right, though, is a number of other factors. Ok, the interior isn't quite finished (yet), so a few details need to be added, but with a bit of imagination you are getting a good idea what Robert and Victor have in mind there once Cape Town's suppliers have risen from their life-long slumber. :)

Downstairs there is space for about 100 diners. The atmosphere is modern, yet intimate. Outside, on the "stoep", you're witness of the happenings on Main Rd, the many walkers-by, and enjoy a semi-obscured view of the new stadium. Day or night, it's a lovely place to spend some time, although inside they still need some sound-proofing, because the unfortunately rather noisy South African crowds would turn this into a madhouse, if all tables were filled, which I am sure will soon be the case.

Upstairs an area equal in size is dedicated to a Jazz Club cum cigar bar. There too, outside, tables have been placed, so that you can enjoy many a summer night there. Inside, re-upholstered leather sofas grace the area around the fire place, while round coffee shop table "sit" on the other side where the bar is. There, too, finishing touches have to be added, like lighting for the tables and around the sofas, and the stage, where Robert and Victor envisage many a famous and still to be discovered Jazz artist to play, will also see further improvements.

In fact, the two have already lined up some of South Africa's top artists, like Jimmi Dludlu, Maurice Gawronsky and Alvyn Dyers to play, so expect this place to be THE meeting place for those enjoying top Jazz and top food in one of Cape Town's trendiest places.

The colours are subdued, black and white photographs grace the walls, the kitchen lit bright, so that German-born head chef Mario Hirse can work his magic. And this brings us right to the food - the best for last, they say...

As it was the first time there, we ate ourselves right through the menu and shared the food to also get a "2nd opinion". To release the suspense, the food was simply AWESOME! All four were incredibly happy with what they were served. It took some time for the starters to arrive, but just as Anne and I were commenting on that, they did arrive. Tuna Carpaccio with Fresh Coriander and Smoked Chili (R49), Portobellino Mushrooms filled with Croutons in Parsley and Garlic and Coppa di Parma Ham (R45), 6 (!) months matured, layered Mountain Cheese with sundried Tomato and Herb Pesto (R49) and a Smoked Venison Carpaccio on Fresh Garden Greens with Strawberreis in Balsamic (R58) is what we ordered. All of them delightfully presented, absolutely yummy and very reasonably priced.

For mains, I chose a wonderful Orientel Spiced Couscous with White Beands, Marrow, Chick Peas and Sultanas, with a hint of mint and lovely flavours inbetween (R58), whereas the others chose Chicken Breast in Ginger, Lime and Coconut with Jasmine Rice, (R85), Roasted Ostrich Medallions on Root Vegetables with Apricot and Brandy Jus (R125) as well as slow-cooked Rabbit Casserole in Dark Beer with Vanilla and Celery and Caramalized Carrots (R125), all three obvious no-gos for vegetarian yours truly.

As mentioned before, we were all delighted with the food. Full of flavours, beautifully presented, and - given the current state of the Rand - still reasonably priced. That, by the way, is a very good thing, because we know that Cape Town also has an off-season where restaurants depend on the local crowd to gather, and it's therefore with great pleasure to see Robert and Victor pay attention to it.

Inbetween courses, both came to the table to chat about their plans, and even Marco arrived afterwards to say a few words about what is still to come from the kitchen.

For dessert, White Chocolate Parfait with Peppered Sour Cherries (totally yum and very light!) comes in at R36, while an equally delightful Yoghurt Mousse with Berry Lid and Sugared Lime Zest, served with Berry Sorbet comes in at R38. The Pinacolada Best Ugly Pineapple Sals awith Bacardi Rum Creme and Coconut Sorbet at also R36 was just as delicious, while the Nut and Toffee Tartlet with Expresso Foam and Vanilla Ice Cream (R40) should appeal more to those favouring a slightly heavier dessert.

The wine list is varied, offering pretty much all wine by the glass, too, which is a good thing, although wine in general has become a little too pricey for my liking, especially by the glass. Again, food prices at The Best Ugly are very reasonable compared to what you get in presentation, quantity and quality. Full marks for that.

Restaurant Manager Alexis Cameron and waiter Jonathan were very friendly and attentive, although among the other waiters a few minor details still have to be sorted, like making sure when water is on the table, everyone's got a glass or not pouring too much of the red wine into the glass. But that's all peanuts compared to the superb dining experience which soon will find its atmospheric match when all the decor is up and the team working in full sync.

Soooo, the only review this year ended up to be a rather long one, but deservedly so, because I think it's a great place with even bigger potential upstairs, but as for the dining experience, that was just outstanding.

An early 9 out of 10 for this, with the one missing surely be added once the minor glitches have been sorted.

If you're a keen diner, do yourself the favour and pay a visit to

The Best Ugly
79 Main Rd, Green Point
Cape Town

Bookings: 021 434 1590
Email: info (at) thebestugly.com

Restaurant open Mon-Sat, 11am-11pm
Sun, 5pm-11pm
Bar open Mon-Sun 5pm-late


PS: Oliver's comment just came in. Here it is:

Starter (Venison Carpaccio): awesome, plentiful. Strawberries an interesting combination with venison.

Main (Ostrich): mmmmh, can't possibly say anything bad about it.

Dessert (all 4): really good, the Yoghurt Mousse should have been served in a different dish, though, but otherwise YUM!

Service: friendly, but partly lacking attention in minor details, ie. lack of glasses, food out even though ladies in bathroom.

Setting: downstairs really nice, comfy chairs, tables large enough, not squeezed. Upstairs needs a bit more warmth, still a bit provisionary, but I'm sure that's just a matter of time.

Conclusion: will definitely be back.

  Restaurant Review: The Best Ugly Rhythm Bar and Restaurant

  Water & Dust Art Exhibition at the Centre for the Book

What is the MKS:
------------------------------------------------------------
A 24-week correspondence course devised by the American businessman
(and author, medical doctor, electronics engineer, psychologist,
Freemason, Rosicrucian, ...), Charles Francis Haanel, back in 1912!
Sold over 200.000 copies before seemingly vanishing for 70 years.
Now resurrected through Rhonda Byrne's bestseller "The Secret"
(Thanks, Rhonda!) and given a mega boost through the German
translation (over 30.000 books sold since August 2007!), which
prompted translations into Brasilian, Slovenian, Greek, Kurdish,
Romanian, Italian, to name but a few.

The Master Key System is one of the finest studies in
self-improvement, mind-stuff, and higher consciousness ever written.
Covering everything from how to get wealthy to how to get healthy,
Mr. Haanel leaves no stone unturned. With precision, he elucidates
on each topic with logic and rigor that not only leaves you feeling
good, but also thinking good.

The Master Key System is a system that teaches the ultimate
principles, causes, effects, and laws that underlie all attainment
and success. When you want to attain something, The Master Key
System will show you how to get it. The results you will attain
from using this system are so startling as to appear incredible.
For this reason, more and more people are becoming students of The
Master Key System than ever before.

This age-old wisdom was written by someone who could perceive and
tap into Universal Mind but who seems to have no particular
allegiance to any specific system of knowledge. Haanel's numbered
common-sense messages still have a freshness almost one hundred
years after they were first assembled.

The content:
------------------------------------------------------------
In those 3 hours you will first get an introduction to the Maya
Calendars "Tun" and "Tzolkin", allowing you to resynchronise with
the intention that Creation had in mind for us.

Then the old debate between theology and science will be laid to
rest with an easy-to-understand "marriage" of the two, including
the holographic worldview.

This will lay the foundation on which you build using the MKS.

After the break - which you will need at that time - an equally
easy-to-understand model on how to move from "belief" to "knowledge"
will be presented to you, showing that "creating your own reality
the way YOU want" is neither magic nor rocket science, but a simple
set of principles.

I will then guide you through the Master Key System and also
show to you the significance and importance of the exercises that
accompany each chapter.

Then I will give you a host of website addresses for further
reading, support and information exchange, and allow for plenty of
your questions, that we may extend into the lobby over a glass of
wine, which at that time I will need. :)

Why "presinar"?
------------------------------------------------------------
Because it's a combination of a presentation and a seminar, where
you can apply what you've learnt right away, so it has a much
higher take-home value.

Who should attend:
------------------------------------------------------------
Anyone who is genuinely interested in making more out of their life,
no matter what circumstances! Therefore, it appeals to:

* those who've watched or read "The Secret" or other spiritual and
self-help books and now desire a practical plan of action
* businesspeople in need of "the meaning" for their doing
* spiritual people who've had enough of running around in circles
* anyone "plagued" by sickness or disease
* anyone who wants to be financially better off
* anyone who's struggling in partnerships, commercial or private
* young people and students who are clever enough to absorb this
knowledge now, thus avoiding many of the mistakes I made because
I didn't :)
* Seniors who really want to rock the many years that they have
left.

...so certainly none of those who are eternally "searching", as
this is not esoteric mumbo-jumbo or feelgood sweet-talk, but
scientific, practical and... above all... WORKING!

About the presenter:
------------------------------------------------------------
Capetonian by naturalisation, Helmar Rudolph, has been working on
the junction of marketing, Internet, databases, websites for more
than a decade. Early 2007 he completely changed direction to work
fulltime on the German version of the MKS.

He just returned from a Marketing conference in Colombia where he
merged his "Diamond CRM" model with the ancient Hermetic Principles
of Thoth, the Atlantean. Before that he toured Germany, Austria and
Switzerland, giving 24 talks in 29 days, presenting a seemingly
complex and often controversial subject in easy-to-understand terms,
enthralling and exciting the audience wherever he appeared.

Voices:
------------------------------------------------------------
"I'd like to say something to Helmar's presentation in Vienna. I
have read the MKS and internalised parts of it. Charles Haanel is a
genius, the MKS a gift for humanity, but what Helmar did with it
through his presentation is simply beyond words and much better
than any kind of information gathering. His statements sink in much
faster, clearer and deeper than reading the book multiple times, as
I am doing it right now. I also know the audiobook, with the
pleasant voice, but Helmar's presentation is much more powerful. I
wish there was a DVD with his presentation." - Anna Elisabeth
Hassan, Vienna, Austria

"I attended the presentation in Fulda, Germany. It was amazing,
almost 5 hours filled with your knowledge of the Master Key System
- many thanks for that. My perceived value for that was 50-60 Euro
(600-750 Rands), probably even more." - Angelika Riechers, Fulda,
Germany

"At last someone gets me. Thank you so much for the presentation."
Jethro Amaru Escobar Ventura, 11 years, Stuttgart, Germany.

"You are a genius, so positive, and you bring it across with such a
lightness, it's simply awesome!" - Sybille Schneider, Fulda

"I just signed up for the workshop in Graz. Helmar's presentation
in Unterprämstetten was soooo awesome!" - Nicole Mausser, Graz,
Austria

Why am I doing it:
------------------------------------------------------------
I've been living here for 15 years now, and it's time to give back.
I'd like to bring the MKS to South Africans, helping them build a
better life for them and therefore their country. The MKS is to my
knowledge the most profound and effective tool to accomplish that.

I've learnt so much about that stuff and am applying it every
single day, and I seem to have a way to explain complex things in a
very easy and humourous manner. Now I want you to benefit from it,
too, so please join me on that first of many MKS presentations in
South Africa.

Unconditional money-back guarantee!
------------------------------------------------------------
If you don't like what I've presented you with on the evening, I'll
pay you back the R100 when you leave - no questions asked.

Please help me spread the news!
------------------------------------------------------------
If you like what you've read so far, please pass it on to your
family, friends and colleagues - they will love you for it!

If you can't make it...
------------------------------------------------------------
The website www.masterkeysystem.co.za will soon have all the info
you need and much more. Stay tuned!

Want to interview me for your mag or on air?
------------------------------------------------------------
Helmar Rudolph - 073 228 7667 - helmar@masterkeysystem.co.za
Press comps available through me, too.
Ticket giveaways for radio shows available.

More info:
------------------------------------------------------------
http://www.masterkeysystem.co.za - ready by the weekend!
http://www.masterkeysystem.de - for those who speak/read German!

Again:
------------------------------------------------------------
Wednesday, 19 November, 18:30, African Premiere of The Master Key
System, presented by Helmar Rudolph at Labia on Orange, R100 with
full money-back guarantee. RSVP at the Labia. BOOK NOW and see
you there!

  African Premiere: The first Master Key System presentation

  A mis amigos colombianos

  Süßstoffe machen dick

Nosso ComGuru Emilio Cerri foi um dos nomes eleitos pela diretoria do SAPESC - Sindicato das Agências de Propaganda do Estado de Santa Catarina - para receber o “Troféu Sapesc de Contribuição à Atividade Publicitária de Santa Catarina“. O prêmio é uma homenagem às pessoas físicas e jurídicas que de alguma forma contribuíram para o desenvolvimento do mercado publicitário catarinense. No evento que será realizado no próximo dia 24 de setembro, às 20:30 horas no Lira Tênis Clube.

We're proud of you, Emilio! Peace and Blessings from all the friendly forces in the Universe!

  The Honouring of my friend and partner, Emilio Cerri

Was für ein Trip! Seit 2 Wochen bin ich in Deutschland, habe erst mit Franz die ersten Hundert Lieferungen auf den Weg gebracht, und nun sind wir dabei, den Buchhandel so effektiv wie möglich damit zu bedienen. In der Zwischenzeit wird das Buch bei Amazon schon fröhlich gekauft, so viel nämlich, dass wir nicht nur in die Top 100 vorgestossen sind, sondern auch umgehend die 2. Auflage drucken lassen werden, um die Nachfrage zu befriedigen.

Das Schönste davon ist, dass uns überall gleichgesinnte Seelen in unseren Anstrengungen unterstützen und uns überall Tür und Tor öffnen. Somit schliessen wir uns zusammen und bewirken etwas, was kaum noch aufzuhalten ist - zum Wohle aller.

  Ändere Dein Leben - hole Dir den Master Key!

  Web Trend Map 2007 Version 2.0

Es hat einen Monat länger gedauert als geplant, aber nun haben wir die Bestätigung der Druckerei erhalten, dass das Buch am 2.8. ausgeliefert wird, und dann am 4.8. bei uns eintreffen wird.

Wer bis zum 4.8. bei uns 5 Exemplare bestellt, bekommt 2 kostenlos dazu - das ideale Weihnachtsgeschenk! Bei 10 sind es dann schon 4 kostenlose Exemplare, und bei 20 gibts 9 kostenlos dazu! Diese Sonderaktion verfällt am 4.8.2007 um 09:00 CET.

  Das Master Key System Buch ab 4. August verfügbar

"Obwohl seit einigen Jahren Satellitenmessungen Einzug in die „Rechnereien“ halten, gab die WMO in den 90ern die Zahl der Wetterstationen 1.400 an, die bei ihren Klimaberechnungen Berücksichtigung fanden ! Würde man jetzt — hypothetisch (!) — diese Stationen gleichmäßig über die 510 Millionen Quadratkilometer der Erde verteilen, was die Ozeane leider vereiteln, so müßte jede der 1.400 „Mittelwerte“ für ein Gebiet von knapp 365.000 km2 repräsentativ sein. Deutschland wäre mit einem Meßpunkt „repräsentiert“, und obendrein ist der Standort vollkommen egal, da die topographische Höhe keine Rolle spielt, denn alle Temperaturen werden ohnehin auf Meeresniveau reduziert — will heissen „gerechnet“ ! Der Form halber erwähne ich, dass auf den Weltmeeren Messbojen dümpeln und die Logbucheintragungen von Schiffen herangezogen werden, um dem Zahlensalat „Glaubwürdigkeit“ einzuhauchen. Spätestens jetzt sollte sich der von Opfergaben für den „Klima-Gott“ geschröpfte die Frage stellen: können sich diese rudimentären Messungen ehrliche Arbeit und Wahrheitsliebe nennen, haben sie überhaupt Aussagekraft ?

Wem das noch nicht als Volksverdummung ausreichend erscheint; jetzt kommt es noch „besser“:

Über physikalische Formeln hat man der Erde ein „Mitteltemperatur“ verpaßt die 15° Grad Celsius haben soll. Dies stellte die Enquete-Kommission des Deutschen Bundestages „Vorsorge zum Schutz der Erdatmosphäre“ in ihrem 1. Bericht 1988 fest. Die „Globaltemperatur“ betrage 15° Grad Celsius und sei in den vergangegen 100 Jahren um 0,7° Grad angestiegen, eben aufgrund der anthropogen(menschlich) bedingten Zunahme der „Treibhausgase“.

Gedankenstütze:
Bei einer Masse der Erdatmosphäre von ca. 5,17 ^18 Kg (das sind Trillionen !) und dem antropogenen CO Eintrag von ca. 25 Milliarden Tonnen — das ist noch nicht einmal der fünfmillionste Teil ! — glaubt da wirklich ein bei Verstand gebliebener Mensch, wir hätten einen messbaren Einfuß ? Was hält denn eigentlich ein Kongolese oder Eskimo von einer durchschnittlichen Globaltemperatur von 15/15,5° Grad C ? ;-)"

  Volksverdummung durch die Klima-Diskussion

"Gelegentlich besuche ich den Campo di Fiori in Rom. Ich liebe diesen Platz: das geschäftige Treiben an den Marktständen und das allgemeine Chaos, das hier herrscht, wenn kleine Kinder und Liebespärchen um freie Plätze konkurrieren. Die Statue von Giordano Bruno, dem Ketzer, der am 17. Februar 1600 verbrannt wurde, weil er das Glaubensdogma der „unbefleckten Empfängnis“ leugnete, ist sein Wahrzeichen.

Bis vor kurzem fand ich es nützlich, zum Campo die Fiori zu pilgern, um mich daran zu erinnern, wie die alten Mächte mit Freidenkern umgingen. Doch leider kann ich die Statue heute nicht mehr anschauen, nur um an die Vergangenheit zu denken. Zu Beginn des 21. Jahrhunderts stehen die westlichen Gesellschaften unter mächtigen antiliberalen, intoleranten und undemokratischen Einflüssen. Diejenigen, die die vorherrschenden kulturellen Glaubensgrundsätze hinterfragen, werden nicht selten wie unmoralische oder schlechte Menschen behandelt. Ihre Vorstellungen werden als eine moderne Form der Häresie dargestellt. Zu viele einflussreiche Persönlichkeiten gehen mit dem Recht auf freie Meinungsäußerung sehr salopp um und sprechen sich für ein Verbot „gefährlicher“ Ideen aus. Wer herkömmliche Wahrheiten infrage stellt, wird als „Leugner“ bezeichnet, und die Leugnung gilt allzu häufig als eine kriminelle Tat, die bestraft werden muss.

Den Anfang machte die Holocaustleugnung, die später auch auf andere Genozide ausgeweitet wurde. Plötzlich gab es auch die „Aidsleugner“ und die „Klimaleugner“. Bei der Auswahl der Themen, um die hier gestritten wird, geht es nicht so sehr um die Inhalte einer realen, hoch emotionalen Debatte. Hier sind tief greifende, intolerante Grundeinstellungen am Werk, die diese Tendenz vorantreiben."

  Von Holocaustrevisionisten und Klimawandelleugnern

  Video Einführung zum Master Key System von Charles Haanel

  Introduction to Charles Haanel's Master Key System

  Where does the money come from? Woher stammt eigentlich das Geld?

  V markes a mark in Washtington, DC

We arrived a bit early, although our table was only for 21:00. Needless to say that there was ample space available. In fact, when we came in, the entire bar section at the front was empty. Why they only allowed us to book for 21:00 will remain their secret.

Haiku is a pretty dark place, but quite stylish. As you come into the main dining area (which you cannot see from the street), there's a long kitchen and counter (to sit on) on the right hand side, with the dining area to the left. The decor is modern - a bit stark - yet exudes an elegant simplicity.

The welcome was very friendly, but our waiter a little too keen to clear the table - he could have left the stuff standing there a little longer.

Their menu is rather interesting. You pay per star, each one representing R35, and you need to consume at least four stars, read: R140 per person. Well, for that it had better be good - but it wasn't 100%.

It started with some rather spicy nibblies as we sat down - a nice touch. We then chose a Miso Soup and a Sweet Corn Soup, both of them nice, but not worth the R35, that's for sure. Willoughby's
Miso Soup is much nicer than this one, and IIRC it's only R19.

Then we went for the 2nd course. I had Tuna Sashimi sald, which was superb! It comes with an orangy sauce which makes it really delicious. I could have stopped after that, to be honest. Carla chose the BBQ Duck Spring Roll, which was also very nice. I'm not a friend of Duck... a bit too heavy for my liking.

The main course was also delicious. I had a whole fried fish (kingklip) while Carla had Beef Broccoli. Both were worth the 2 stars (R70). We kindly skipped desert as we were full after the soups, the starters and the mains.

The bill came to about R400 incl tip which was quite pricey given me just having one glass of wine. That said, I didn't expect Haiku to be cheap, but it wasn't the WOW experience either. It was a nice evening out, not only because Carla footed the bill (it's my turn next), but there are places where you get equally good food for less. I guess in the end it still balances itself out sortof ok, but for R200 a person it has to be tops - and it wasn't quite.

So there, my Haiku experience. If you're flush, pay them a visit and let me know what you think of it. Would love to hear from you!

Ah.. rating... 8 out of 10. There you go! :)

Haiku
Burg Street
Tel: 021 424 7000
www.haikurestaurant.com

Der Launch verlief recht problemlos, obwohl Konfigurationsfehler auf der deutschen Domain mich dazu zwangen, alles erstmal auf der .co.za Domain laufen zu lassen.

Am ersten Tag kamen dann auch schon gleich die ersten Bestellungen rein - sehr ermutigend und ein Antrieb noch mehr dazu beizutragen, dass der deutschsprachige Raum mit der Lehre Charles Haanels vertraut wird, sie anwendet und den nahezu unvorstellbaren Nutzen daraus zieht.

Also, wer den Kinohit "The Secret" kennt und ein Verständnis dessen erlangen will, wie man sich sein eigenes Leben so gestalten kann wie man es will, dann man bei dem Master Key System am richtigen Platz. Verfügbar momentan als eBook, bald auch als gedruckte Version, Hörbuch und Fernlehrgang - kurzum: für jeden etwas.

Nochmals: Charles F Haanel - Das Master Key System in Deutsch. Mag es Deutschland so verändern wie nur damals Klinsi oder Heiner Brand mit ihren Truppen!

  Masterkeysystem.de ist live!