Wine of the Month: Vergenoegd Terrace Bay 2003, R70
Ten reasons why I am chosing this as my wine of the month.
1. Any wine this hard to pronounce must sell on quality alone;
2. When most tasting rooms are selling tired 2010 whites and tannic
2010 reds, to find someone offering an eight year old is a godsend;
3. Where [...]
This is a rich, creamy and mild Malaysian recipe which is also popular in Singapore.
Finished off with spring onion, red chilli and roasted peanuts, it’s light enough to enjoy as a summer dish with beer or with a full bodied white wine.
Ingredients. Serves 4.
3 Tbsp groundnut oil.
2 large, finely choppped onions.
4 crushed garlic cloves.
3 finely chopped red [...]
6 little stunners from Wine Concepts, all under R50.
Vansha, Cab Sauv/Merlot,comes in at R45 and has lots plum and hints of mint.
Will go down a treat with lamb.
The Nerina Rose, R49, is made from Shiraz, and has a bit more body than
the average rose. Try with a Nicoise Salad or seared beef salad.
The Tukulu Chenin Blanc, [...]
In this hot weather here are two dishes which are easy and fast to make and will definitely cool you down. Mix the ingredients in the gazpacho to your own taste.
Posted in Restaurants 
Tags: gazpacho, liquid salad, societi bistro, stefan marais 
4 Comments read more »
In a sentence? – Cheap and cheerful, shame about the food.
On the roundabout in Newlands Village.
021 683 5989
www.basilico.co.za
Posted in Restaurants Tags: basilico, gnocchi bolognese, linefish, newlands village, pasta, pizza 7 Comments read more »
I like it when a publication that I know well steps outside of the box and does something unusual and different.
I associate House and Leisure with being an interior and lifestyle magazine – and usually get my fix of the best South Africa has to offer via its beautifully styled, well written and presented pages.
They [...]
Babel is a new restaurant nestled in one of the oldest wine estates in the Cape Winelands, called Babylonstoren.
The heart of the farm is an extraordinary formal fruit and vegetable garden.
Measuring 3.2ha of extensive fruit and vegetable plots, it’s on a scale that is overwhelming.
There’s even a lovely enclosure for a family of ducks. It’s [...]
Posted in Restaurants Tags: babel, babylonstoren, cape winelands, franschhoek 2 Comments read more »
You wait for a while for a decent cafe to open and then two come along at one go.
Hot on the heels of Cafe Paradiso, a joint venture between Giorgio Nava (Carne, 95 Keerom, Down South and The Mozarella Bar) and Vanessa Quellec opens.
Called Caffe Milano, it’s located beside Manna Epicure and diagonally across from [...]
Drinking this wine is like sticking your head into a barrel of autumn fruits and berries.
Deep red, and crammed with upfront dark berry taste it seduces you, and all for only R89 per bottle.
The Big Three Italian blockbuster grapes of Barbera (69%), Sangiovese (23%) and Nebbiolo (8%) deliver hugely on taste.
Part of the La Vierge collection, the name [...]
Posted in Wines of The Week Tags: barbera, la vierge, la vierge collection, nebbiolo, sangiovese, satyricon, www.lavierge.co.za 4 Comments read more »
Patrick Moreau, chef/owner of Cassis Paris, the best pastry outlets in Cape Town, has opened his first Salon de The beside his Newlands Village branch.
“It’s not a restaurant”, he points out with a Gallic wave, “It’s just an extension of our offerings to our customers”.
A boutique, swish and stylish space, there certainly is an air [...]
This is a recipe from Tamasin Day-Lewis’s “Good Tempered Food” that I just had to share with you.
It is so tasty and easy to make. It’s ideal for summer eating and kids love it.
You’ll need;
1kg ground pork. It has to be fatty so as not to dry up during the cooking process. Get the best [...]
Cafe Paradiso is a delightful restaurant.
First of all, the outdoor and indoor spaces are really wonderful.
Creative whimsical interiors are Mediterranean in character and there’s nice attention to detail here and there. This set the scene for lunch under the dappled shade of the oak trees.
At Cafe Paradiso they take their produce seriously; eggs are free [...]
Posted in Restaurants Tags: bakery, bread, buttermilk, cafe paradiso, eggs, free range, greek salad, kloof street, organic, organic sirloin 9 Comments read more »
I’m a huge fan of Elizabeth David’s writing and recipes.
I watched a drama documentary on her life a few years ago and it made a huge impact on me.
I have most of her cook books. I even have a first edition of French Provincial Cooking, the pages are stained from a previous owner and the paper [...]
Eric Bulpitt is joining The Roundhouse Restaurant, Camps Bay; the start date is March 1st.
This move sees the dynamic 33 year old heading up a strong culinary team of ten focusing on fine dining.
Existing chef PJ Vadas will collaborate with Eric on the food, but Eric will get to concentrate on the cooking and PJ [...]
Jardine on Bree Street will close on February 28th.
Wilhelm Kuhn, co owner, explains that the lease was up;
‘’After five years we had come to a point where we weren’t in a position to commit for another five year lease. George Jardine had moved to the Jordan Estate and my focus has moved to the restaurant [...]
Posted in Restaurants Tags: bakery, bree street, george jardine, jardine restaurant, jordan estate, takara, wilhelm kuhn, wine lands 10 Comments read more »
The last dish you need for lunch on these hot summer days
is a plate of pasta with a heavy sauce.
That’s why this dish is just right; it’s tasty, light and hits the spot.
It’s also quick and easy to prepare.
You’ll need;
400g spaghetti.
200g cherry tomatoes, quartered.
Some finely chopped black olives.
4 tbsp pine nuts.
Olive oil, to drizzle.
Some shredded [...]
Bayede! is a Shiraz produced on the Eikendal Estate for the Zulu King; His Majesty King Goodwill Zwelithini.
It is part of an upliftment programme which also has seen the opening of the Beyede Conference Centre and Cafe which sells the best of Zulu produce such as Linen shirts, clothing, crocodile and ostrich leather goods and [...]
All these restaurants are Cape Town city based. My choice is based on a combination of the food quality, service levels and overall ambiance.
All are worth taking a peek at in 2011.
Aubergine, atmospheric, moody, slick service, precision food.
465 4909.
Bizerca, French chef dishes up French Bistro favourites.
418 0001
Bombay Brassiere, pared back Indian dishes in a sexy [...]
“Seed to Table” is a wonderful little book of recipes inspired by Abalimi Bezekhaya, which is an initiative in the Western Cape which works to empower the disadvantaged through urban agriculture.
What’s urban agriculture? Essentially it’s growing vegetables on any small plot of land, sometimes only as big as a door. Abalimi’s efforts help ensure food [...]
The memorable moments of 2010 have been done in alphabetical order – all the
experiences were special in their own way.
1. BIZERCA,Granny Smith apple sorbet, with Calvados. Guaranteed to titillate
the most jaded of tastebuds.
2. CRISTOPHE’S,Stellenbosch. His pork casserole, on a windy winters day, was French
bistro cooking at its best.
3. GAAITJIE in Paternoster – idyllic location, wonderful food, memorable staff,
and Suzi [...]
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