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We recently popped in at Hemelhuijs Restaurant in De Waterkant Street, Cape Town and were delighted with what we found - take a look! 

A unique new concept to Cape Town, owner Luke Williams who trained in the art of cheese making at the Nottingham School of Artisan Food, brought Culture Club Cheese to life and the little shop-cum-restaurant has created a bit of a buzz. Luke is an expert in all things cheesy and fermented. While working at the famous La Fromagerie in London he was able to develop his cheese making and fermenting skills which he now shares with all of us – by way of delicious, tangy cheeses and magical microbiological juices. 

The shop has a cheese counter, where you’ll find Luke, or his wife, Jessica most days and over 50 different types of cheeses to choose from.  

Culture Club Cheese also boasts a restaurant serving breakfast which includes poached seasonal fruit with free range yoghurt, stacked pancakes and a hot banting option, lunch where you can choose from cheese-based dishes like pea and mint risotto with Gonedsa Boerenkaas, not-so-traditional toasties with mature cheddar, walnuts, caramelised onions and apple sauce; and desserts such as buffalo milk cheesecake and probiotic chocolate kefir pudding. 

Luke is full of stories about his journey with cheese, and chats happily to visitors as they come pouring through the door of the little yellow cheese shop on Bree.

Opening Times:

Tuesday to Friday 8am - 5pm
Saturdays 9am – 4pm

Contact:
215 Bree Street, Cape Town
Telephone: 072 428 9572
Website:  www.cultureclubcheese.co.za
Email:  cultureclubcheese@gmail.com
Twitter:  www.twitter.com/lukecultureclub
Instagram: www.instagram.com/lukecultureclub

Our dear friend, Allison Foat of Cape Town Diva blog, visited Culture Club Cheese on Bree Street in Cape Town last week. Here's her story: https://steller.co/s/4VVXxJJyd3V

Culture Club Cheese on Bree Street has just opened. It specialises in artisanal South African cheese and cheeses from around the world. 

Culture Club Cheese is owned and run by Luke Williams, a cheesemaker from the UK and his wife, Jessica Merton. Luke trained in the art of cheese making at the Nottingham School of Artisan Food and spent four years as a cheesemonger at the famous La Fromagerie in London. He also travelled around South Africa for a year, working alongside over 40 artisanal cheesemakers whose cheeses are available at Culture Club Cheese.  

The shop sells over 50 different types of cheese, bread, coffee, charcuterie, condiments, seasonal fruit and veg and lots of store cupboard essentials; and also serves breakfasts, light lunches and cheese platters. 

Coming soon, Culture Club Cheese will be announcing pop up dining experiences. 

A series of cheese tasting events paired with wine, champagne, craft beer and whiskey, as well as cheese making workshops will be rolled out. 

Opening Times:

Tuesday to Friday 8am - 5pm
Saturdays 9am – 4pm
 
Contact:
215 Bree Street, Cape Town
Telephone: 072 428 9572

Website:  www.cultureclubcheese.co.za
Email:  cultureclubcheese@gmail.com
Twitter:  www.twitter.com/lukecultureclub
Instagram: www.instagram.com/lukecultureclub

Graciales is a new eating experience located at Peddlars & Co. in Constantia.

The emphasis at Graciales is on sociability and the sharing of food.

The food: expect the unexpected! Small plates of deliciousness, perfect for sharing with friends and family.  Sticky Pork Belly with Salted Caramel, Beef Tataki and Chicharrónes with Hot Sauce – dishes jumping with flavour.

The drinks: the wine list focuses on the Constantia Valley Estates and there is a crafted menu of classic cocktails.

Award-winning Chef Brad Ball is passionate about sustainability. This is reflected in the produce he uses.

The Graciales interior is funky and bright. This inviting space spills out onto the terrace beneath the oak trees.

“The food at Graciales is about exciting taste buds and people enjoying themselves.” says Brad Ball.

Graciales Opening Times

Monday – Thursday 3pm to 11pm
Friday – Sunday 12pm to 11pm
 
Peddlars & Co.

Spaanschemat River Road, Cape Town, 7806

Telephone: 021 794 7747

Email:  info@peddlars.co.za

Website: www.peddlars.co.za 

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/Peddlars 

Twitter:  www.twitter.com/PeddlarsandCo   

As we gear up to welcome the arrival of autumn, people all over the Cape are flocking to the winelands to make the most of the last of the summer days, and there are few places better to while away your time than at Laborie Wine Farm.

One of the oldest operational wine farms in the country, Laborie offers a taste for every palate and delights for every age.

Taste on the Deck

This new restaurant at Laborie, is a thoughtful extension of the original tasting room, and offers glorious views of the vineyards and Paarl Rock. Here, guests can relax on the spacious deck and pair a wide range of wines and bubbly (including the award-winning 2010 Blanc de Blancs MCC) with mouth-watering charcuterie platters, tapas style dishes and even chocolate and macarons. For the little ones, Taste offers grape juice and sweeties pairings and also boasts the most picturesque jungle gym in Paarl.

Bar Di Bar 

Those looking to sample some fantastic craft beer should look no further than Laborie’s quirky and original new venue, Bar Di Bar, which offers local craft beers by the bottle or on-tap as well as tasty tapas to share. This retro addition to Laborie Wine Farm comes complete with an old-school juke box and a 1970’s Volkswagen Surfer Kombi which serves as the bar.

Harvest Restaurant

A longstanding favourite, the #KLINK award-winning Harvest restaurant continues to serve up scrumptious locally-sourced and sustainable food. Chef Matthew Gordon’s soon to be launched autumn menu is sure to tickle the taste buds. The garden terrace offers the perfect setting to take in the scenic surrounds, sip the farm’s wines and tuck into delicious, beautifully presented food.

Jonkershuis luxury self-catering accommodation

The newly-renovated Jonkershuis is the ideal accommodation option for a night spent in the winelands. Sleeping six, and tastefully decorated in Cape French style, this luxurious self-catering holiday home features a terrace with mountain views and a sparkling blue swimming pool. Jonkershuis at Laborie is currently running a special offer of R2,750 per night for the house.

For more information, visit www.laboriewines.co.za. Alternatively, phone 021 807 3390 or email info@laboriewines.co.za.

Photographs by Claire Gunn Photography.

We asked fave photographer, Claire Gunn, to capture some of this incredible food. What she deliveed will leave your mouth watering.

Visit Claire Gunn Photography to read more or take a look at the Kyoto Garden Sushi website.

KWV swept the boards at the 2014 Veritas Awards, winning 9 Double Golds and 14 Golds, accumulating a total of 55 medals, the most of any producer.

In an extraordinary performance, KWV won the Best Producer Award for a 4th year in a row. This is the first time this has been achieved by a South African producer.

Commenting on the overall performance, KWV Chief Winemaker, Johann Fourie said, “We are delighted with the results which demonstrate strength in all categories, across wine and brandies“

He added, “The South Africa wine category has seen a huge jump in the quality and style of wines, as we have fought to compete on the international stage in tough economic times, against strong competition from both new world and old world wine producers.”

Fourie noted that whilst the rate of stylistic evolution and overall improvement amongst South African producers has been marked, “The rate of KWV’s wine style evolution in SA over the last ten years has been especially rapid, some would even say revolutionary. The focus for the wine making team has been on techniques that promote vibrancy, freshness and regionality. These attributes can be seen throughout the entire KWV product range, and it’s this focus that has underpinned our success at Veritas.”

Pieter de Bod, Chief Distiller at KWV commented, “KWV’s craftsmanship in brandy is being recognized as a credible and formidable competitor to French Cognac. Quite simply, KWV is the leader, nationally and internationally, in wine and spirit excellence.”

“KWV management have supported the wine making pursuit, with capital investment in winemaking equipment and vineyards, which has allowed our young, dynamic wine making team to innovate and experiment. Our grape growers have evolved with us also, and are a key part of our success” added Fourie.

The 9 Double Gold winners for KWV are;

Laborie Blanc de Blanc MCC 2010
KWV The Mentors Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon 2009
KWV The Mentors Sauvignon Blanc 2012
KWV The Mentors Petit Verdot 2011
KWV Abraham Perold Tributum 2011
KWV White Muscadel Jerepigo 1968
KWV Reserve Port Limited Edition 672 1929
KWV Alambic 15 Year Brandy Limited Release
KWV 12 Year Barrel Select Brandy

Steenberg is the Capes’ oldest farm, established in 1682 by the enigmatic Catherina who was the first woman land owner in South Africa. Situated against the mountains in Tokai, the views of the Cape are close enough to marvel at, but far enough to feel like you are away from the city and enjoying the peace of a luxury mountain-side resort.