Wildly enamoured with the Wild Fig

The Wild Fig Restaurant, which has been around for as long as I can remember… and their infamous Chicken pie is something that I have dreamed of for years!

Their offer of *that country feeling on your doorstep* couldn’t be truer… with a relaxed restaurant and some lovely tables on the stoep – not to mention the bar in the restored barn next door… everything about this place screams comfortable country dining.

but dont get me wrong – this isn’t just basic food – they have a wonderful menu with reasonable prices to match and their staff are friendly and efficient (our waitress Tammy was super great).

The fam-damn-ily went for dinner on our last night in SA – Mom, Dad, Bulent, Aunt Jules (famous for her lemon meringue pie, lemon tart and bobotie recipe), Uncle Arthur, HIM and I…. and lets me honest, as a waitron – nobody wants the table of 7 to look after… as they never co-ordinate their drink orders… they ask for things at different times… etc etc… (but of course my family are special… so everyone wants to serve us… right?!?)

We ordered the Roasted Butternut and Beetroot Salad (main R68) for the table to start…and I promise that it was beautifully presented when it arrived – but by the time I had got out my camera… a few pieces had already been served.

Dad ordered the Chicken Pesto Pasta (Strips of chicken in a creamy basil pesto sauce with fettucine pasta R88):

while Bulent opted for the Vegetarian Dolmades (Braised cabbage leaves stuffed with sautéed aubergine, grilled ribbon vegetables, mushroom & basmati rice, served with a basil mayonnaise R89) – and he said that it was DELICIOUS

Jules ordered the Crispy Roast Duck (Wild Fig’s signature dish, served with orange & Van der Hum sauce R145) and she Mmm-ed all the way through the meal!

Mom went for the Chicken & Mushroom Pie (comfort food at its best, baked to perfection in homemade pastry R95)

While HIM ordered the Chicken & Prawn curry (A spice driven North African curry with flavours of barishap, cumin & gharam marsala. Served with basmati rice, sambals & a poppadum R105)

and finally – Uncle A and I were both taken with the Game of the Day Special – Ostrich medallions served a top a large black mushroom with a blue cheese sauce… HELLOO!!! (R140)… it was DELICIOUS

and with the gorgeous crispy roast potatoes

All main meals are served with sharing plates of vegetables of the day and the BEST roast potatoes you have ever had!

and of course … with HIM in the room, we had to have desserts 🙂 his favourite being Créme Brulee (R37)

while Uncle Arthur choose the Ice Cream and chocolate sauce option (R36)

I had the Banana Fritters (R38) as I am a sucker whenever I see this dessert on the menu and this one was particularly divine!

and Mom ordered the Bread & Butter pudding (with fresh cream and apple sauce R39)

Would I go back? DEFINITELY… in fact, they were one of the contenders as a venue for our upcoming wedding… and the only reason we didn’t choose them was because the venue is too big! But their menu would have been spot-on!

The Wild Fig

Address: Liesbeek Avenue, Valkenburg Estate, Mowbray, Cape Town, SOUTH AFRICA

Telephone: +27 21 448 0507

email: info@thewildfig.co.za

www.thewildfig.co.za

Opening hours: Monday to Saturday: 12h00-15h30 & 19h00-22h30, Sunday: 12h00-15h30 & 19h00-21h30

Sushi with a local socialite at Sevruga

Yes…I finally get the opportunity to name drop….. (don’t shake your head, you know you would as well!)

HIM and I had lunch with LipGlossIsMyLife (yes – that socialite!)… not only has she appeared on the pages of YOU, Huisgenoot, Clicks clubcard magazine (amongst others)… but she is now in the SEVRUGA menu magazine… as one of their favourite sexiest socialites! And I know her! I have known her since before she was beautiful and famous… back when she was just beautiful …and in school uniform, learning a few things in a classroom with moi!

I don’t have any embarrassing school photos of  her (well – at least not the ones that I would share on this blog!)… but I do have this fabulous shot of her article!

Anyway – this wasn’t the only amazing part of our day at the V&A Waterfront (see previous post about our activities prior to lunch)… it was also about the fact that we tried out SEVRUGA (the sister restaurant of BELUGA), opened in June 2008 and in the perfect position to watch the people (and the tourist catamarans) go by!

I had a HUGE craving for sushi… and landed up being a little piggy and ordering far too much (which I still managed to consume…*hangs head in shame*)… but I have to admit that their salmon was so super duper fresh and melt in the mouth, that I have been dreaming of it ever since! I also blame the fact that sushi was half price… so I felt like I had to take advantage of this bargain!  Salmon Roses (4 pieces = R58 normal price or R29 half price special), Philadelphia rolls (cream cheese and salmon make the perfect partners, 8 pieces = R70 normal price or R35 half price special) and Prawn tempura rolls  – another of my favourites (8 pieces = R74 normal price or R37 half price special)… So essentially – this whole platter of sushi only cost me R101!! Bargain!

yum yum yum

LipGloss gal ordered Tuna Roses (just like their sibling, the Salmon rose… but with gorgeous fresh tuna instead!) plus a bowl of tom yum soup (hot and sour prawn soup with ginger, lemongrass and chilli R50) … and Crab salad (R36 normal price or R18 half price special)

And HIM opted for a more traditional route (especially since sushi is just not his thing!)… and ordered the tandoori Chicken breast (with a lemon & thyme velouté and matafam potatoes R109)

beautifully presented.. and HIM said it was very tasty!

would I go back again? Yes…the staff were smart and courteous. Sushi was delicious and of course… the view and the ambiance just make it the place to be!

Sevruga

Address: Shop 4, Quay 5, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town SOUTH AFRICA

Telephone: +27 21 421 5134

email: info@sevruga.co.za

www.sevruga.co.za

Gourmet Samosas at Market on the Wharf

HIM came to Cape Town this past Christmas (2012)… his first trip to South Africa and his first visit to meet my folks. Both went well…. GRIN

And a few outtings were planned while he was in the sunny Cape – namely a day trip to Franschhoek with my old (in tenure, not age) school mates (post here) and then on Boxing Day (26th December), HIM and I headed out to the V&A Waterfront early in the morning to visit the Two Oceans Aquarium, followed by a steamboat trip around the harbour (named Vicky – and is an exact replica of the steamboat featured on the Humphrey Bogart/Audrey Hepburn movie The African Queen. Steamboat Vicky is driven by a primus boiler and seats 40 passengers and offers a wonderful way of touring the Harbour while learning a bit about the history of the V&A Waterfront) and of course… between this, we managed to find our way into the Market on the Wharf (previously used for the Music Warehouse)

Offering a range of premium fresh food across multiple stalls – this concept is a true winner! Offering everything from Argentinian to Cape Malay to Danish to German to Greek…. From cheese to eggs to fish to fresh fruit & veg… From cook books to cookware and speciality foods anywhere in between… this market has it all!

We fell in love with the Gourmet Samosas stand…. Moona’s gourmet samosas were born out of a passion for cooking with only the freshest and very best ingredients… these little triangular gems are lovely hand-crafted with exotic aromas bursting with every mouthful. 5 for R45…. they were so good – that we had to go back and get another 5 to take home for snacks that evening!

We tried the Prawn & Himalyan rice in Saffron Sauce, which was a pretty decent combination, then the Haloumi ones – also a winner, Sweet Potato and butternut with cinnamon was definitely my favourite, while HIM’s favourite was the Tandori chicken! There was also slow cooked lamb, spinach & ricotta, chickpea plus a lentil option…. all were more delicious than the next!

would I go back? DEFINITELY…… not only for the Gourmet Samosas but also for all the other gorgeous delights that they had on offer!

Market on the Wharf

Address: Dock road, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town, SOUTH AFRICA

Telephone: +27 276 0200

email: info@waterfrontmarket.co.za

www.marketonthewharf.co.za

Opening hours: Wednesday-Sunday: 09h30-19h30

Gourmet Samosas

Stand: 30 & 31 of the Market on the Wharf

Telephone: +27 84 603 3649

email: moonachaudhry5@gmail.com

Sushi and Spa at the Vineyard Hotel

3 Gals having been friends for almost 20years…. 2 married and 1 in the process of planning a wedding (me)… and have been getting together for the last few years (starting in 2006) for annual *Girls Weekends* (even before meeting before mentioned husbands/fiancé).

Our weekends have always included eating and spa treatments… in no particular order. We have been fortunate enough to try spa treatments in Mangwanani (JHB), Plettenberg Bay, Spinnakers (Cape Town), 5 Mountains Lodge (Wellington), Wedgeview Country House & Spa (Stellenbosch), Clos Malverne (Stellenbosch) and now at the Vineyard Hotel in Cape Town.

view of the hotel (courtesy of their website)

With over 200 years of history, this hotel and spa is one of the *hot spots* within Cape Town (and the *Constantia crowd* are easily visible). The spa, first founded in 1998,  has taken the name from the Angsana Tree – known for its “crown of golden fragrant flowers that burst into bloom unexpectedly for just one day” and the essence of the spa revolves around this similar concept of savouring the moment.

We had a plethora of glorious treatments…

I had a 90minute manicure (R250 plus R50 for polish), while Kirsty had a 90minute Pedicure (R250 plus R50 for polish) and Shelley decided that a body scrub (R250) was her morning spa treatment of choice.

Feeling particularly spoilt – we decided to visit the restaurant/lounge at the main hotel for some sushi (a quick choice as we only had 1hour before our next set of spa treatments!) We decided upon a range of sushi – which in hindsight could have been doubled as we were all so hungry after doing nothing!

sushi for 3

view of their terrace

Kirsty and I opted for the Peace Package (60minute massage and a 60minute thai facial = R890), while Shells choose the Expressions Package (60minute massage, 30min head massage and 30min face massage = R890).

spa entrance (courtesy of their website)

Vineyard Hotel

Address: Colinton road (off Protea Road), Newlands, 7700 Cape Town, SOUTH AFRICA

Telephone: +27 (0)21 657 4500

www.vineyard.co.za

email: hotel@vineyard.co.za

More than Generous portions – Mugg and Bean

Mugg & Bean which started in September 1996, by Ben & Judi Filmalter, with its first restaurant in the Cape Town V&A Waterfront has grown in leaps and bounds with stores across South Africa (as well as International franchises).

It’s tagline of “giving you more and more” is definitely 110% true with portion sizes being on the overly generous side, bottomless cups of coffee and giant muffins that just have to be shared! And all of this has made for a winning combination and a name brand that people have grown to trust and love.

So when meeting up with Mom’s lifelong friend who was visiting family in Cape Town (and by lifelong – I mean over 40years of friendship and contact) – and with only a 2hours before she had to dash off to the airport, we met up at Mugg & Bean in Tygervalley centre (Shop 581C, Tygervalley Shop, Durban Rd, Bellville +27 21 914 4143).

Bottomless coffee followed by perusing the menu for Breakfast choices was on the cards (all the while gabbing away to accumulate as much of a catch up as possible.)

Aunty L had the omelette ( R24.90) with tomato, mozzarella cheese and onion (+R4.90 for tomato and onion plus +R11.50 for the cheese):

While mom opted for a scone – served warm with chunky strawberry preserve and whipped cream (R22.50) – and let it be known that the plate shown below is a dinner plate size… so work out how BIG the scone was!

and I had the Creamy mushroom and cheese stack   – a rich creamy blend of brown and white mushrooms on toasted ciabatta with rocket, pecorino shavings and hint of garlic (R58.90) – so generous was the portion, that I couldn’t even see my slices of ciabatta until I was halfway through all those mushrooms!

Would I go back? Mugg & Bean is an institution in SA, offering everyone the opportunity to get out of the house and have a great meal out without breaking the bank. Found in all shopping centres, it is a great place to stop, relax and recharge while enjoying your retail therapy – so yes… if you haven’t already… visit your local Mugg & Bean! But remember – portion sizes are generous, so consider sharing 🙂

Mugg & Bean

use the store locator to find the closest one to you

Telephone: +27 860 672326

www.themugg.com

Bread and Butter (deli) – winning find!

My mother can find anything! She is also the queen of Factory shops… and amongst her other talents, she also always knows the perfect place to stop for a mid-morning cup of coffee and snack. And my first morning in Cape Town for my weeks holiday, had mom raving about a place in the Sunningdale Lifestyle Centre in Blouberg.

Bread&Butter is a little gem of a place offering wonderful menu (imagine delicious gourmet style sandwiches and home-baked treats) along with interior design, decor and gift ideas.

Started by Eileen Cross and her husband Stephen… this husband-wife team put their plans into action and created a home for good old-fashioned food and treats the way your mother made it!

Newly opened so they don’t have a website up and running yet – but are in the process of creating one (www.breadandbutterco.co.za) but already in the swing of things in terms of offering great food in a relaxed and quirky environment with staff who smile like they really enjoy working there!

don’t the cakes and home-baked treats look amazing?

inside…

I ordered a cup of a tea… and got the most gorgeous little tea-cup and pot…. and looking around – I noticed that other people were getting tea cups and pots in different designs – quirky and fun!

my own little teapot…. and flower power tea-cup and saucer

Mom and I shared a smoked chicken, camembert and jam sandwich on sweet potato bread (yes – sweet potato bread that was so heavenly that I had to buy a loaf to take home!).

double yummy and served on a wooden board instead of a plate… how fun!

Bread & Butter

Address: Sunningdale Lifestyle Centre, Sandown Road, 7441, Cape Town

Telephone: +27 21 554 5817

facebook site

email: info@breadandbutter.co.za

Blowfish – Imagine if everything else was as good as the view??

Don’t get me wrong – I have always been a big fan of BLOWFISH Restaurant on Marine Drive in Blouberg , with the most magnificent views of Table Mountain and Table Bay… and have never had a bad experience there until recently (and even this I can be forgiven as it is so minor…)

With a view like this…. from most tables:

a view like this from most tables… *sigh*….

through windows that span the length of the restaurant along with a menu that caters for most palates (and some of the most mouth-watering sushi and seafood items!)…. Mom, Aunt 1, Aunt 2 and I headed out for a pre-wedding scope-out of the venue (and of course for some lunch).

We were the 2nd table to arrive at 12h30 on a Monday… and were told that the kitchen would only open at 13h00… NO PROBLEM… we would take this time to enjoy the view, sip on some wine and just have a good catch up with each other. I also saw this as an opportunity to have a few words with their event manager who was aware that we would be around for lunch to discuss using the venue for a wedding in 2013… unfortunately, after 3 attempts through staff to get him to our table – he had disappeared.

This was however made up for by a wonderfully friendly young waiter who explained the Spring menu, took our orders and was very attentive (10 out of 10).

Aunt #1 had the Beef Fusion Salad (looked and tasted DIVINE… as I had stolen a piece – a fusion of flavours with tender, wok-fried beef cubes served atop a Greek salad)

Beef Fusion salad… YUM

Aunt #2 had the seafood pasta (and confessed that she normally gets food envy when other people’s plates arrive at a table, but this was one occasion where she was 101% happy with her choice – Calamari rings, black mussels, poached line fish and tiger prawns, cooked in white wine, tomato and clam sauce, served over tagliatelle)

seafood pasta in all it’s creamy glory!

While mom and I decided to try out the *Seafood platter for 2, served with a bottle of Wildekrans Sauvignon Blanc for R150* – it promised Grilled prawns, calamari and line fish served with French Fries and side salad (we asked for the french fries to be swapped out for rice and didn’t realise that this meant that we would forfeit the salad as well…and yes, I am guilty of not mentioning it at the time, but only realised that the salad was missing when I started to write the post). Although the seafood platter was UBER delicious (I really can’t fault them on their taste and preparation… the portion size (in my humble opinion) was perfect for one person (4 prawns, 1 piece of fish and a handful of calamari) but not for two people… but then again – at that price… do I really have the right to complain?

Am i just being a piggy – or do you think this is enough for 2people?

The wine, on the other hand was a fantastic accompaniment and Aunt #2 and I enjoyed it thoroughly!

Would I go back? Probably… as nowhere else in CT has this kind of view and offers such good value for money when it comes to seafood and sushi. I would however not order from a specials menu again…. and rather opt for their normal menu instead.

Blowfish restaurant

address:  1 Marine Drive, Dolphin Beach, Blouberg, Cape Town

Telephone: +27 21 556 5464/6735

email: info@blowfishrestaurant.co.za

www.blowfishrestaurant.co.za

All you can eat sushi at Sake, Sable Square

I landed in Cape Town for a weeks holiday after a bit of a travel ordeal…

Imagine it – driving an hour and half from Maastricht in the Netherlands (which was where I had just spent 2days for company conference) to Zaventem Airport in Brussels, Belgium… to catch a flight to London Heathrow… then another flight to Johannesburg, South Africa and finally a flight to Cape Town, South Africa.

This alone is daunting… now imagine your flight from Brussels to London is delayed… and you only JUST land in London in time to run through passport control and the next set of security control (thank goodness it was all in the same terminal)… to arrive at your boarding gate 10minutes before gates were supposed to close – only to find the pilot and crew walking OFF the plane…

This planes engine(s) was no longer in the land of the living and we were informed of an expected 2hour delay while they sourced a new plane for us and that all connected flights would be corrected. Shoo – disaster averted! Unfortunately, second plane had a problem with fueling… so we watched as the fuel ran off the planes wings and fire engines cleaned up the mess…  and then only we were ready to board.

Flying cattle class has never been comfortable – but I did manage a few hours of shut-eye…. before I started my epic sprint between international and domestic terminals to catch my connecting flight to Cape Town (which had unfortunately already left)… so I was stuck in limbo… trying to find my luggage and an available seat on the next flight out (and lets not even start the discussion regarding how neither domestic or international counters would take responsibility to sort out the connecting flight :().

The good news is that things went pretty well and with only a 5hour delay in JHB …. I managed to turn a standby ticket into a real boarding pass and I was on my way to my family!

I arrived dirty, hungry and tired… but a quick shower, unpacking and a friendly smile, hug and chat from my mom did wonders for me… and then we were off to SAKE in Sable Square.

They offer an amazing special of R129 (yes, 13 Euros) ALL YOU CAN EAT SUSHI…. (not available for Take-away obviously), whereby you receive a tray and are able to help yourself from the Sushi carousel as many times as you like! If you want Salmon roses and Sashimi,you can order directly from the waitress but there is however a limit (only 8 pieces of sashimi)!

funky fish tank inside….

It was brilliant! The sushi was fresh – there was a wide variety of choices and not all of them conventional sushi choices… for example: spring rolls and deep-fried banana (with either chocolate sauce or fruit coulis)….  But all of it went down really well (probably, because as I already mentioned… I was tired and hungry)

clockwise from top left: chicken and vegetable springrolls, salmon and avo california rolls and prawn nigiri

Clockwise from top left: Tempura prawns, Bean curd sushi, chicken and veg springrolls, prawn and avo california rolls

Clockwise from top left: Tuna Californa rolls topped with deep fried prawns, Deep fried banana with fruit coulis, Avo & Salmon Californa rolls and Wasabi/Salmon stacks

What I go back again? Most definitely… even the food being served off their normal menu looked awesome (and there is also a 30% discount off normal sushi plates)… and for 13Euros?… this was a wonderful treat!

Sake, Sable Square

address: Ground Floor, Shop 2, Sable Square, Cape Town, South Africa

Telephone: +27 21 528 7586

email: empireasia@gmail.com

http://sakesushi.co.za/

Colonial Mt Nelson High Tea

You really can’t get much more colonial than the afternoon Tea at the Mount Nelson in Cape Town… in fact… I always day-dream while I am sitting there on a plush little settee that this would have been a perfect life for me… the Lady of the Manor being served delicate finger sandwiches and exquisite little petit fours and scones….with my ladies-in-waiting… while waiting for the Lord of the Manor to return home after a tiring day taking over the world (or something)…. might even through in a hand-held fan or a pair of finger-less lace gloves….

courtesy of the Mount Nelson website.... but it truly does look like this!!!

*BUBBLE BURST*

There are no ladies in waiting… and I am not waiting for any Lord of the Manor… BUT the Nelly (as it is affectionately called) does offer a High Tea Spread that would please the Queen (Liz or even  Freddie for that matter)

I have lost count of how many times I have been an active chipmunk in this setting (and by chipmunk – I refer to my gift of being able to stuff as much treats into my cheeks before my stomach realises that it is full!)… but I can promise that I have been there at least as many times as I have fingers… (that’s 10… just in case you were wondering if I ever did woodwork at school :))

a little plate of heaven (looking at this - I have to resist the urge to lick the screen...)

The Tea promises finger sandwiches filled with rare roast beef and rocket, smoked salmon, egg mayonnaise or cucumber (strangely enough…  the cucumber is my favourite);  followed by delectable dark chocolate cake, lemon meringue (which unfortunately is no match for my Aunt J’s version which is extra extra TART) and of course… freshly baked scones with clotted cream and preserves!! They even have the *south african* delicacy of “melktert” … and serve this all up with your favourite choice of tea….

different pots of tea intermixed with a few glasses of bubbles... just how I like it!

you can have the option of a morning tea… but this just doesn’t have the same appeal… especially since I like to order a bottle of bubbles to accompany the tea (and some folk just look at you strangely if you start drinking before 11am)

Daily: 14h30-17h30

very classy ....

Price: R185 per person (remember not to eat lunch or dinner… then this is  a pretty good deal)

Dress code: smart casual

Address:  Mount Nelson, 76 Orange Street, Cape Town, 8001 (SA)

Telephone #: +27 21 483 1948

www.mountnelson.co.za

Oozingly good Chocolate Fondants… Cooking school courtesy of Chez Gourmet

I can’t believe how quickly time flies by… honestly… it felt like it was YESTERDAY that PE Bestie and I were planning a Hen Night out for our CT Bestie (been friends with these 2 for 16 odd years)… and now CT Bestie has recently celebrated her 1year wedding anniversary!

PE Bestie and I came up with a plan for a Hen Night that included all the future brides favourite things… cooking, chocolate and of course, US! 🙂 And by putting this all together we got a fantastic night out at www.chezgourmet.co.za (a venue that offers short cooking courses (amongst other things) run by a team of fully qualified Cordon Bleu Chefs who allow their clients to choose the time, level, pace and price that suits them best! Not to mention a modern and well equipped teaching kitchen and a separate dining room in a restored Victorian beauty)… And all of this is in the heart of Cape Towns Southern Suburbs!!

More than enough space for 15 woman to enjoy a meal

The idea was to arrive at 18h30 for 19h00… have a drink and get comfortable. Then move into the teaching kitchen for the *heart* of the evening by learning how to make *Chocolate fondants*  which were popped into the oven (for 45mintues) as we sat down to nibble on our nacho’s!

mexican theme saw us nibbling on nacho's

 This gave these little babies more than enough time to get all gooey and oozy inside… and be at just the right temperature to be served with a bowl of vanilla ice-cream post the tortilla wraps filled with chicken con carne and topped with guacamole, salsa, sour cream and cheese!

The recipe is as follows: CHOCOLATE FONDANTS

Serves 2

 Ingredients:

50g butter

50g good quality chocolate

1 egg

1 egg yolk

30g castor sugar

10g flour

1.  Heat the oven to 180 C.  Grease 2 moulds (175ml) and place on a baking sheet.
2. Melt the butter and chocolate together over a bain marie or in the microwave, stirring occasionally.
3. Whisk together the egg, egg yolk and sugar until pale and thick.
4. Whisk in the melted chocolate and butter mixture

5. 

   many hands make light work

6. Fold in the flour with a pinch of salt and divide between the two moulds.
7. Bake for 10 – 12 minutes.
8. Loosen the edges with a round bladed knife and turn out immediately.
9. Serve with ice cream.
   

   serve with a little ice-cream

and then BAM… look in side (just like the Kinder egg surprise!)

crack open this little baby to reveal the chocolate ooze

Their address is: 36 Palmyra Road, Claremont, 7708 (Cape Town, SOUTH AFRICA)

contact them on +27 21 671 2080  or info@chezgourmet.co.za

They also offer Industry training, Host Events, Catering and have a little Gift store as well!!

TRULY a HOME FOR GOOD FOOD and inspiration