Our Anniversary Dinner at Terrarium: beautiful dishes with some trompe l'oeil
My wife Lianne (The Roasted Mom) and I celebrated our wedding anniversary at Terrarium recently. It is a fairly new fine dining spot that feels perfectly matched for a milestone celebration. As we walked toward the Queen Victoria Hotel in the historic Portswood Ridge precinct, it started to rain - just like it did on our wedding day.
CRUST Bakery in Rondebosch (review)
It’s not often you find a neighbourhood secret hiding in plain sight, but that’s exactly what happened when I went hunting for a meeting spot for my crochet business, In Stitches. I was looking for a local small business with a good vibe and even better coffee—and that’s how I discovered the iconic red corner that is CRUST Bakery.
Suur Bakery in Foreshore
If you like bread as much as I do, you need to check out Suur Bakery in Foreshore. It is the new home of Francois Zietsman, whom I first met back when he was operating out of Makers Landing. After running The Bread Bar for few years at the V&A Cruise Terminal, Francois has opened this dedicated space - a “lifestyle bakery brand”. The name Suur (Afrikaans for sour) is a clever wink to the sourdough at the heart of the business.
Date Night at Little Fox in Constantia
My wife Lianne (The Roasted Mom) and I try to go out for dinner together at least once a month. Date night is a rare time where we have no kids around and it is our chance to re-connect and catch up over a meal.
Restaurant week is on at the moment (from 27 March to 3 May) and this is a great time to explore Cape Town’s culinary scenes. Restaurants that are usually booked out months in advance or priced for a special occasion become more accessible to locals through fixed-price menus.
Little Fox in Constantia offers a Restaurant Week menu for just R700. The value is hard to argue with. The service was a bit of a mixed bag, but we thoroughly enjoyed the menu.
The best Claremont coffee shop to work from
We’ve all been there: the dreaded “car service day.” You drop the keys off at the repair shop, and have two hours of time to fill.
On April 9th, I found myself in exactly that position. Instead of hanging around and killing time scrolling through my phone, I took a short walk to I Love Coffee on Garfield Road. I went in looking for a caffeine fix, and a place to work on my laptop. I left with a renewed appreciation for this Cape Town small business that does so much more than serve coffee.
Chef Ollie’s new cook book Freestyle Cooking available at Poetry stores
Chef Ollie’s latest cook book Freestyle Cooking is now for sale at selected Poetry stores nationwide. I joined him - and many other foodies from Cape Town- at the Seapoint flagship store to enjoy some of his dishes and buy his cookbook.
Eleven restaurant review (Franschhoek)
Eleven restaurant is named after its location as it is situated on 11 Huguenot street in the heart of Franschhoek. It is the first South African-inspired restaurant by chef and owner Ryan Shell, who is also responsible for the very popular Ōku and Yama Asian eatery, which are only a stone’s throw away.
Monneaux restaurant review (Franschhoek)
Franschhoek is known for its great restaurants. Many are fine-dining and some of these are quite formal. If you are looking for a relaxed atmosphere, but still want a great culinary experience, Monneaux is the place to go. You can have a peaceful lunch in the verdant fountain terrace, or have dinner in the original Manor House.
The Vineyard Suites by The Royal Portfolio (accommodation review)
Nestled amidst the rolling vineyards and breathtaking mountain views that define the Franschhoek valley, and a stone’s throw from La Residence, are the Vineyard Suites. Part of the collection of luxury hotels and lodges that make up The Royal Portfolio, there are five Vineyard Suites in total. Each is tastefully decorated in a way that manages to blend luxurious comfort with a homely feel. The best part for us - children of all ages are welcome.
Cape Talk interview with The Roasted Dad
After collaborating with Juicy Delicious and creating several recipes including stone fruit, I was invited on Cape Talk to cook three of these dishes and share some braai tips.
