Makaron at Majeka House, Stellenbosch – Delectable and darn good-looking!

I’ve dined at most of the best and renowned restaurants in Cape Town and Stellenbosch, and have never come across this gem, never even heard of them, until September that is, and what an absolute pleasure it was!

The Good:

Everything!

The setting is beautiful and modern, the staff is friendly and service prompt without being invasive. Great location, as Makaron is situated in the Majeka House in the beautiful Stellenbosch. I was pleasantly surprised, wowed actually at the immense style this restaurant depicts from the get-go.

 

Extensive and exciting wine list, we had the Catherine Marshall Pinot-Noir which was enchanting ( the sommelier thought this very amusing and coincidental upon discovering that I am a vegetarian, as Catherine is a vegetarian, and therefore her wines are all vegetarian…) Fun fact.

The amuse-bouche was delightful and beautiful, followed by a surprise course of the chef’s play on a pink-vienna dish, which she cleverly turned into a mouse, and served in a tin. Such a fun idea to proof that her favourite child-time food ( the vienna) could be so much more, and could be served in a 5 star restaurant. I had the pleasure of sampling the Ancient Grains, delicious!!

 

We did not order starters, which I am truly haunted by to this day – having known then what I knew know, I would have ordered a full 3 courses, even if it meant having to force-feed myself like a foie-grass duck!

Mains were a winner all around, plated to perfection with delicate details. There is no doubt that this young chef does every single this with love, care and passion. I had the Roast Butternut Cannelloni, it was to die for! Definitely the best pasta and/or butternut dish to have every graced my taste buds.

 

 

Desserts were great too, and very creative – but comparing desserts to amuse-bouche/second course and mains, the first bunch comes out on top. And then, just to make you wonder again, there is a wooden chest filled with ice, and different flavoured bite-sized ice-cream sandwiches… I mean really, what more do you want? This is perfection!

 

The Bad:

Hold on to your seats – I have nothing to say here. This might be a first.

The Ugly:

And here it is for a second time – nothing, yes, absolutely nothing.

 

Tips:
Book a table here NOW. Go, on treat yourself!

Do not eat lunch before dining here, if you are going for lunch, skip breakfast. In fact, just starve yourself for a good 24 hours. The food is amazing and inspired, and you’d want to be able to eat as much of it as possible.

Now I can safely say that this is by far one of the best dining experiences I’ve had, in my life. And I can vouch for this, by letting you in on a secret: we had a gorgeous and big lunch the afternoon before our dinner here, and were stuffed (hence not ordering starters). And even with the feeling of not knowing how we would feasibly eat one more morsel of food – we devoured every single plate! Even with all the extras. Everything was just so darn delectable and good-looking that you could not possibly say no.

I’m salivating as I think back on this lovely experience.

And in the words of Arnold Schwarzenegger – “I’ll be back”.

One more day ‘till weekend, you can do this.

Until we eat again…

Waterkloof Wines, Somerset West - Heaven on Earth!

Close your eyes, and have your mind wonder to a secret little place of awe and beauty.

Imagine a glass cube on the top of a hill, overlooking a valley of vineyards, abundant vegetation and the majestic blue sea.

You have that?

Now – go visit Waterkloof Wines, and exceed your imaginations expectations.

The most amazing fireplace with specially made leather couches and small tables and chairs that compliment this stunning feature in the centre of the room, beside the open kitchen. This double volume ceiling and glass walls give a sense of openness and amazement.

True serenity and bliss.

Situated just outside Somerset West in the Cape, on Sir Lowrie's Pass, this prize winning architectural structure is a highlight in its surroundings. Yes, a little drive if you commute from Cape Town or Stellenbosch, but well worth the travel.

Waterkloof restaurant is still quite new compared to the other vineyard restaurants, but will soon be in the top 10 – guaranteed.

Waterkloof has only offer their own wines, which is great, as these wines are delightful and you really wouldn’t want any other wine. I think what a suprises me most of this restaurant are the prices. The wines are at cellar prices, and the food with all the details and expertize are half (or less) the price that you would pay at any of the top 10 restaurants, or well-known places in the Cape. The owner of this little piece of heaven on earth has a passion, and is making it a reality, offering all a glimpse at paradise, without ripping you off and charging you near insane prices.

And I haven’t even started on the food!

An absolute master in food, Gregory Czarnecki will ensure that you have a food experience that lingers on in your mind for months. His knowledge of food, and combinations of flavor, textures, technique and plating is jaw-dropping, every course unique and exciting. And catering for vegetarians in no problem, and these dishes are just as amazing. It is here that I again realized my love for good food and wine.

Think Lentil Velouté with beetroot, truffle foam and foie gras; Scallop Ceviche with cauliflower and curry; Spingbok Loin with parmesan custard, smoked potato and pumpkin gnocchi; Monkfish, wild mushroom and Iberico; and for desserts – Sablé Breton and Hazelnut, burnt honey and clementine marmalade sorbet; Carrot Sponge, butternut ice cream with white chocolate and celery cream; and a cheese platter with liquid shortbread, truffled honey and foie gras snow.

My mind goes a little blurry as I reminisce about the total decadence that is Waterkloof. So I think it’s best if pictures do the rest of the work, as words escape me…

Untill we eat again...

India Palace, Weltevreden Park - Warm and inviting

On this cold and drizzly summers day (??) I would like to do 2 things – 1) Be dressed much more appropriately for winter, whilst cuddling under a huge fluffy duvet and watch movies, Masterchef Aus marathon, or an entire season of Grey’s…

2). Indulge in wonderfully warm feel good food, that makes you want more. I’m think along the lines of proper Indian.

 My favourite is Karma in Greenside, but recently I have been introduced to a charming slice of India, in a nook at the Palms Centre in Weltevreden Park. Yes – the centre is slightly suspect, but most things in Weltevreden Park are, but once inside India Palace you’ll not even notice the fake palm tree trying to disguise a signal pole or the KFC drive-through.

A lovely little restaurant with a warm interior and extremely friendly authentic Indian staff who make you feel right at home.

Whenever I dine at a restaurant of a different culture, my key is took look at the owner, chef and people who work there – if they are authentic, chances are the food will be too, which means you’ve got gold!

 A fair selection of wine, at a very reasonable price, and delightful warming dishes for all meat-eaters and vegetarians alike. What makes any Indian dish even better? Naan!! India Palace has a nice variety of naan breads and roti’s to select, to enhance the indulgence of your meal.

Crispy, non-oil dripping vegetable Pakoras and onion Bhaji with a spicy minty sauce is the perfect way to wake those taste buds for the love that is to come. The portions are very generous, definitely to share, and all appetisers for under R20.00!

Most people order Dahl as a side dish – but here, I had the black Dahl as my meal, and cleaned the little brass pot with naan to get every last bit of flavour.

The Korma is packed with flavour and ingredients, loads of different veggies, or juicy bite sized chunks of meat. At a glance and a smell the butter chicken look rich creamy sauce without the luminescent guava pink colour to it ( in my eyes, that is a bonus) which means only one thing – the colour comes from the proper ingredients used, and not from a little Moir’s bottle.

What I don’t like – the mountains of basmati rice that come standard with any order…rather give me Naan, or a choice of rice or naan. The massas of rice just goes to waste.

" I like rice. Rice is great if you're hungry and want 2000 of something."

                                                                                                                   - Mitch Hedberg

I think I might need a take away to calm my nerves after the storm that is to come. Keep warm, and your cars covered!

 

Happy Friday! Until we eat again…

 

The Red Chamber, Hyde Park - Tantalising authentic Chinese cusine

When you think of Chinese food, do you get an image of deep-fried balls/strips of what is supposed to be chicken, but could in fact be any form of animal protein (know as well as unknown to man), drenched in that sickly sweet pink sweet-and-sour sauce, accompanied by enough rice to feed a family of 6?
You have that picture in your mind, and feeling slightly uncomfortable and nauseated? Aha, yes – we all do, and if you don’t, you are in need of some culinary education.

Today I will tell you where to go to have anything but the above mentioned.
The Red Chamber.

Owned by a Chinese lady who has been running this authentic restaurant for almost 30 odd years, speaking a very good English but still with a heavy Chinese accent – you know you’ve hit the jackpot.

Dark wood with accents of bamboo to break the lighting on the sides of the restaurant, and proper chopsticks (well not the R0.50 wooden ones that splinter in your mouth) no silverware present on the tables – this is the real deal.

Armed with a delicious and curios array of dishes, lamb, duck, chicken, pork, seafood and of course vegetables, you’ll take a couple of moments to decide what to take and what to leave; who you can persuade to take the second dish you would like to try, doing so with the “sharing is caring” motto.

If all else fails and you still want to order food that might feed and army, ask the extremely helpful waiters or owner, who will tell you what the specials are, the most popular dishes as well as how they can change the dish you want to enhance your experience.

Big juicy spring rolls, packed with veggies and flavour, not transforming paper to translucent with oil, and a spring onion think-crust pastry is always the way to start, you  will not regret this, served with a soy, ginger, chilli dipping sauce - what an outright delight!

The portions are very generous, and ideal to share, especially if you are planning to indulge in starters and mains. However, I do not see the problem with a little take-away snack for late night nibbles.

An easy spotted favourite – or easy heard favourite is most definitely the sizzling duck, beef or kingklip with garlic and chilli. The sizzling and smokingly hot plates are delivered to tables all around with great fascination and delightful aroma. A little bit of theatre at the table.

What I love is that you order your own rice or noodles - as much or as little as you like, one portion of noodles is usually enough for 3. Waste not want not.

(I do suggest an ice-cold Chinese beer rather than wine to compliment the flavours).

This is without any doubt my favourite and most authentic Chinese restaurant in all of Africa (and other countries, perhaps maybe even China).

Tantalising tastes and wonderful flavour combinations guaranteed in this humble little place.

One of the very nicest things about life is the way we must regularly stop whatever it is we are doing and devote our attention to eating. ~Luciano Pavarotti

Untill we eat again…

Cafe Del Sol, Olivedale - Don's be stupid, break the habit

Sometimes we do things that are really extremely stupid. But I mean seriously.

Sticking your finger into a plug; purposefully touching the glowing red stove top just to ensure that it is indeed burning hot; ordering an unpronounceable dish at an unknown Chinese restaurant without pictures, possible ending up with earthworm soup or cat testies; having 2 bottles of wine, whiskey and shots on a weekday evening until 4am the day before you have to be in court at 8am.

Yes, the human race never seizes to amazing in doing stupid things.

 

If you want to break away and do something completely un-stupid, book a table for dinner or Sunday lunch at Café del Sol in Olivedale, JHB.
This is one of my favourites by far, and it’s not just me who thinks this - having one countless prizes, including best Italian restaurant in SA, and being rated as JHB nr 1 restaurant on Trip advisor by the masses.

The location is a little odd, in a small corner centre overlooking a parking lot.

However, once inside, the vibe is amazing! If there is background music, I’ve never heard it, as the chattering and laughing of guests, and clinking of glasses in celebration fills the space with absolute delight.

Simplicity is key, with modern touches here and there. The walls are filled with quotes about food and wine, and other little drops of wisdom. Inspiring and quirky alike.

So if your family or friends are not the most talkative, or you’re stressing about not having a topic of conversation on a date – there are walls full to fill the silence.

 

I’m always amazed at the amount of food that is being produced in that small open kitchen; and the magician chefs that man 6 to 8 pans of the burner at the same time? What a pleasure to watch!
For starters, think (the best) homemade gorgonzola and walnut gnocchi, beetroot risotto, fresh rocket and parma ham spring rolls, tempura prawns.

One of the signatures which I absolutely adored before converting to my meat-free ways, is the calamari limoncello with a black squid ink, parmesan rice tower – delicious!! Another classic is their balsamic fillet, as well as the stuffed calamari, served with a beautiful spicy vegetable noodle side. My tastebuds are dancing just thinking of this little gem of a place.

A selection of mouth-watering cakes are proudly displayed on the counter, pre-order a slice of lemon meringue if that is your poison, as it disappears before your eyes. And my personal favourite is the delectably smooth panna-cotta, always a different flavour.

The quality has never disappointed, not wavered even once.

This family owned restaurant offers an attractive selection of wine, and have friendly attentive staff, who are personal without being invasive.

We have been there so often that they know every one’s favourite dishes and drinks. The delightful owner always walks around telling about the specials and just having a quick chat.

 

Café del Sol sure does have a lot of Italian soul. If I would have to choose one restaurant in JHB, this would be it.

Go on, don’t be stupid, break the habit. But book in advance, as they are fully booked mostly a month or 2 in advance.

 

Happy Friday to all, until we eat again…

It's been a while, but I'm back

Regret is a funny thing, most people seem to be afraid of it and live by the "YOLO" motto in fear of missing out on something that could possibly be life changing, but most likely not.

Regret the things you didn’t do as opposed to the things you didn’t? - now there I do not completely agree, not only taking myself into consideration, but also thinking of really idiotic things that other people have done - off the top off my head - drinking 3 bottles of wine and adding some shooters, on a Thursday night (having an important meeting/interview the Friday morning) just in case you never get the chance to drink wine again; getting tattoo’s in foreign symbols, later to find out you are now inked with the word “dog food”,  getting tattoos of someone’s name; recording a video of oneself doing a cover of an Alanis, Cher or a Taylor Swift song, and posting this on Youtube - no wait, you recording yourself doing anything, with your smartphone's front camera, and posting this on Youtube. I bet there is an army of people regretting these kinds of things.

What I regret is not blogging and noting down my food findings across the plates of Joburg, Pretoria, Cape Town and abroad.

It's been too long, but I have devoted myself again to name and shame, as well as give praise to all culinary delights I might stumble upon.Luckily I do have the memory of an elephant, and yes, I do take pictures of pretty much all food I consume, as well as what the rest of the table is having - this I do not regret.

Before I dive into my next review, I think perhaps the time is now to reveal a little more about myself and why I think I am able to pass my judgement on food and their establishments.

I grew up in a family of 6 - 3 of us loving everything foodie and different to a plate with steak and chips. There are more cookbooks in our house than literary books - well very close, and I have paged through all of them, more than once, tried the recipes, adjusting where I see fit, to give a dish a little more hutzpah. BBC Food, Food Network, Masterchef (Australia - not the other rubbish versions) - bless the souls and makers of these programmes, I watch them religiously. Respect and awe for all the hard work, skill, and hours of preparation that go into every beautifully prepared and extraordinary plated dish that I have ever seen and devoured. It is true, we really do eat with our eyes as well.

When ever we travel, or when at home, we always have a look in the EatOut magazine, Tripadvisor etc to book place at one (or all if possible) of the top 10 restaurants. Lucky me! I have more than one friend who qualified as a Cordon Bleu Chef, and sometimes shocking, mostly rather impressed, I know more about food that they do. Sometimes the reviews in the magazines are bought and bribed, sometimes they are relatively accurate, but mostly Tripadvisor is the one I trust- as it is ordinary foodies, with ordinary camera's, no special lighting, smoke and mirrors, their own opinion, what they get is what you see.

As a lover of food and animals alike, I have become a vegetarian and been one for almost 3 years - however luckily the other 2 foodies in my family are both carnivores and I value and trust their opinions, as if it were my own.

And now my findings on culinary delights and horrors can continue.

Untill we eat again...

" One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well.”
― Virginia Woolf, A Room of One's Own