Archive for February, 2012

Competition – win three glass jars of sunshine.

That’s right, we’re giving away three Solar Jars from Consol Glass.
Designed by Ockert van Heerden and John Bexley, the jars features a solar panel on the lid which powers led lights inside.
It has been chosen as one of the 10 most beautiful objects produced in South Africa by a panel of design journalists and cultural [...]

Burrata restaurant at The Biscuit Mill.

Burrata restaurant opens on Friday in The Biscuit Mill.
First impressions are of an impressive, modern, industrial chic space. Think wood, glass, steel and open plan.
The kitchen extends across the back wall and you get a reassuring look at all the action as it happens.
It’s a big square room, with what seems like recycled wine stave [...]

Sunday Sushi at One&Only.

It’s here;  Sushi Sundays at One&Only.
From February 19th, Nobu Cape Town will be offering their Sushi Sundays in the Nobu Lounge from 6pm until 9pm as a permanent fixture.
Sushi Sundays are priced at R150 per person and include 8 pieces of assorted nigiri and 6 pieces of sushi cut roll.

South African ’sherry’ to miss out on the Downton Abbey effect?

Once considered the tipple of choice of grannies and ladies of a certain age, sherry is back in fashion, at least in the UK.
And it’s thanks to the TV drama Downton Abbey.
Sherry has traditionally been regarded as having a dowdy image, -  a Christmas aperitif for the older generation.

But thanks to [...]

Ommiberg 2012.

Flock to the Paarl rock – the biggest in the winelands, on Saturday 10 March for the OmmiBerg ‘Round the Rock’ festival: a daylong indulgence in sweetly seductive part-fermented wine, sumptuous savoury treats, live music and ambient tranquillity at 12 wine farms.
Munch on crisp, fresh bread with charcuterie and cheese [...]

Marketing to the Chinese. How to get it right, and wrong.

China is the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.
Millions of cash rich middle class citizens are looking for goods and services to enhance their lifestyles.
Western brand owners eye up the Chinese market with misty eyes. Getting it right at consumer level could mean enormous financial success.
On the flip side of the coin, [...]

ANC Centenary Celebration Wines.

The ANC, if you haven’t heard, is 100 years old this year.
As part of the celebrations a commemorative range of celebration wines has been produced. Not whisky, not cognac, and not champagne, but wine. South African wine. Sourced from 10 wine producing regions.
A variety of limited edition wines (sourced from 10 grape growing regions) have [...]

Leopard’s Leap Launch Party.

I like housewarming parties.
They are generally an occasion for joy and pleasure which marks an important milestone in people’s lives. Central to a good housewarming bash is good food and wine.
Last nights housewarming party for Leopard’s Leap was one of those special occasions where everyone came and looked, relaxed and enjoyed themselves and congratulated the [...]

Win 3 sets of double tickets to the Constantia Fresh Sauvignon Blanc Festival.

Shady oak trees, fine wines and gourmet cuisine from some of the best chefs in South Africa. That’s what’s on offer at this years Constantia Fresh Festival, the third year of this popular and enjoyable event.
Get up close and personal with Peter Templehof (The Greenhouse), Bertus Basson (Overture), Vanessa Marx (Dear Me), Roland Gorgosilich (Grand [...]

Valentine’s cherry tiramisu.

It’s Valentine’s Day and I thought it would be a great excuse to write up this great tiramisu recipe which you can make with Allesverloren Fine Old Vintage, which used to be an excellent Port, and is now and excellent Old Vintage, thanks to the pen pushers in Brussels.
Serves 2
300g black cherries
100ml Allesverloren Fine [...]

Dear Me opens up Dear Me Pantry.

Bottled preserves, jams, chutneys, nut butters, relishes, oils, vinegars, pickles,  an antique bread cabinet packed with freshly baked breads, like seed & raisin loaf, ciabatta, 100% pure rye bread (wheat-free), and gluten-free soya & honey loaf.

All of the products are handmade on the premises and are additive-free. [...]

The wines to drink when wilting in the heat. And get a free organic cotton bottle bag.

Chill out there and sample these 6 taste bud puckering wines which have been personally tried by Shirley ” The Palate” Griffiths of Vino Pronto in Gardens.
In fact, buy all six and you get a free 4 bottle organic cotton wine holder carry bag. What could be nicer?? There’s also room to stick a rolled up magazine in the bag, [...]

Picnics on the lawn at Casa Labia, Muizenberg.

Casa Labia are doing picnics on the lawn until the end of March.
The cost is R285 for two, and you get a generous hamper of dips, salads, cold meats, cheeses, fruit and chocolate brownies.
Kids are R50 a head (cheese rolls, cup cakes, fruit juice and a surprise toy).
A family pack for two adults and two [...]

Muisbosskerm restaurant, Lambert’s Bay.

A drive back from the Cederberg one Sunday was a perfect excuse to make a diversion over to Lambert’s Bay for lunch and try out a restaurant on the beach that I had been hearing about for a long time, but never had the time or opportunity to visit.
Muisbosskerm was the name and I had [...]

The Restaurant at Waterkloof.

The view from inside the main building at Waterkloof never fails to impress.
10 meter high glass walls frame glorious vistas out over False Bay and the countryside surrounding the beautifully designed building.
You have to stand there for a few few minutes to adjust, and take it all in.
A glass of their delicious wine helps, and [...]

Winemaker’s chat – Elunda Basson – J.C. Le Roux.

Who or what has had the biggest impact on you in winemaking?
My 7 years as winemaker at Nederburg really helped shape the type of winemaker I am today. It was an old cellar when I started there in 1999 and in the following few years our company invested a huge amount [...]

Dalewood Lanquedoc and Huguenot Cheese.

I have always felt that South African cheese could be as good as any cheese produced anywhere in the world.
The cheese platter at George Jardine’s is evidence of how good it can be. Too often in restaurants you get a badly chosen selection of cheeses straight from the fridge that taste of very little.
A few [...]

Tabak Chili Sauce.

Church Shop on Spin Street in Cape Town is owned by the President people. They are a design company, and they
organised the Toffie Food Festival in 2011 (and another one coming in 2012).
They sell all sorts of stuff there. I mean, all sorts.
Retro design calendars, vintage balls from South America, wooden sunglasses, T-shirts with photo’s [...]

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