Upstairs Downstairs: A Musical Memoir
A Musical Memoir comes alive
through all five senses
a Tale a Song a Taste
for each dish
Step into myDinner with a Story
Dare2Dream Dome Restaurant
Menu carousel
R950 per person
Course 1 of 11
Fantasy Mocktail & Sushi
Course 2 of 11
Champagne & Macaron
Course 3 of 11
Cappuccino-style tomato soup
Course 4 of 11
Caviar & Cava
Course 5 of 11
Purple Pears
Course 6 of 11
Pierneef Leeks
Course 7 of 11
Grappa
Course 8 of 11
Lamb Tagine
Course 9 of 11
Sorbet
Course 10 of 11
Hainan Chicken
Course 11 of 11
Coffee with Marshmallows in Swan Cups
Musical carousel
♪ Where Dreams Begin
Course 1
♪ Dare to Dream
Course 2
♪ A Man in a Million
Course 3
♪ Upstairs Downstairs
Course 4
♪ Dinner Starts as a Honeymoon
Course 5
♪ Our Culinary Love Affair
Course 6
♪ Snow Crab, Versace & Muffins
Course 8
♪ Caviar, Champagne & Tagine for Two
Course 8 · alternative
♪ Hainan, O Hainan Chicken
Course 10
♪ Swan Cups of Love
Course 11
♪ A Grand Fruit Parfait Affair
Breakfast · Course 1
♪ Chunks of Bread in Steaming Hot Milk
Breakfast · Course 2
♪ Haute Lamb Tails for Two
Breakfast · Course 3
Written by Karina Marais · performed by artists and AI
The evening
What happens throughout the evening
See what starts when
Starting times can change with the seasons. Please check with the hotel when you book.
A night to remember
Staying over?
Make a night of it
Dinner is included in the room rate when you stay over: choose the Dare2Dream menu or the Roots menu.
Set of Swan Cups available at Forum Homini Reception
R1,995
(opens the photo full size in a new tab)
Symbols of a lifelong bond
Ebook & Audiobook available online (opens in a new tab).
3-course FUN Breakfast
Included for guests staying over
Breakfast carousel
Course 1 of 3
Grand Fruit Parfait
Course 2 of 3
Chunks of Croissant with Caramelised Banana & Steaming Hot Milk
Course 3 of 3
Lamb Tails & Putu Pap
Course 1 of 3
Grand Fruit Parfait
Course 2 of 3
Chunks of Croissant with Caramelised Banana & Steaming Hot Milk
Course 3 of 3
Lamb Tails & Putu Pap
Course 1 of 3
Grand Fruit Parfait
Course 2 of 3
Chunks of Croissant with Caramelised Banana & Steaming Hot Milk
Course 3 of 3
Lamb Tails & Putu Pap
Course 1 of 3
Grand Fruit Parfait
Course 2 of 3
Chunks of Croissant with Caramelised Banana & Steaming Hot Milk
Course 3 of 3
Lamb Tails & Putu Pap
Questions
Which days does it run?
On selected evenings only. Contact the hotel for dates when you book.
What time does the evening start?
Starting times change with the seasons. Please check with the hotel when you book.
What does it cost?
R950 per person
Is dinner included when I stay over?
Yes. Guests staying over can choose the Dare2Dream menu or the Roots menu. Dinner is included in the room rate.
Can children come?
No children under 12.
Do I need to have read the book?
No. The evening opens with an introduction to Upstairs Downstairs in the lounge.
How do I book?
Bookings are essential. Call 071 533 1019, email reservations@forumhomini.com or send a booking request.
Is there a breakfast with a story too?
Yes, a 3-course breakfast is included for guests staying over.
Where can I buy the Swan Cups and the memoir?
At Forum Homini reception: a set of Swan Cups and the memoir Upstairs Downstairs for R1,995. You can also buy the book online (opens in a new tab) or in selected bookstores, and the audiobook is available too.
Where is Dare2Dream?
At Forum Homini Boutique Hotel, Letamo Game Estate, Kromdraai, R540 (Off N14), Mogale City, about 15 minutes from Lanseria.
Who is Karina Marais?
Karina Marais is a South African educator, entrepreneur, storyteller, songwriter and author. She created Dinner with a Story at the Dare2Dream Dome Restaurant, and she is a Non-Executive Director of Forum Homini Boutique Hotel.
What is Upstairs Downstairs about?
Upstairs Downstairs: A Musical Memoir is Karina Marais's love story of dreams and Living Apart Together. She and her husband Hendrik live apart together: his bachelor pad upstairs, her retreat downstairs, joined by a pink staircase.
What is a musical memoir?
A memoir told in words, lyric readings, music and video. Karina Marais wrote the lyrics of all 32 original songs on her three albums, the soundtrack of her life.
How is the dinner linked to the book?
The 11-course Dinner with a Story and the 3-course breakfast are inspired by the food in her book, Upstairs Downstairs.
Is there an ebook?
Yes. The ebook is on Amazon Kindle and Apple Books.
Who narrates the audiobook?
Karina Marais herself (11 h 26 min). The audiobook is on Spotify and Apple Books.
Who publishes the book?
Reach Publishers, in January 2026. The paperback ISBN is 978-1-0492-2206-6.
Where can I find Karina Marais's songs?
On Spotify: Karina Marais on Spotify (opens in a new tab). Her three albums are there, and the audiobook too.
Where can I watch Karina Marais's music videos?
On her YouTube channel: Karina Marais on YouTube (opens in a new tab).
What are Swan Cups?
Two cups that share one saucer. Swans bond for life, and the cups reflect the togetherness of Karina and her husband while celebrating their individuality.
Who designed the Swan Cups?
Karina's sister, Elize Nowakowitsch.
Has the book been in the press?
Yes: a review on IOL (opens in a new tab) (5 March 2026), also on Magic 828 (opens in a new tab); an extract in the Sunday Times (opens in a new tab) (3 March 2026); a feature in Get It magazine (opens in a new tab) (27 January 2026); and a panel at the Kingsmead Book Fair 2026 (opens in a new tab). All articles: In the Press (opens in a new tab).
Where can I find out more about Karina Marais?
On her website, karinamarais.life (opens in a new tab), with the book, the music, the press and Dare2Dream.
Where and getting there
Where
Forum Homini Boutique Hotel, Letamo Game Estate, Kromdraai, R540 (Off N14), Mogale City, Gauteng, 1732
Getting there
- Lanseriaabout 15 min
- Sandtonabout 40 min
- Pretoriaabout 60 min
- OR Tamboabout 75 min
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The story behind the dinner
Upstairs Downstairs: A Musical Memoir