.

Thursday, November 22, 2012

Marlene vd Westhuizen's Abundance/Oorvloed launch

The huge spread of food cooked from recipes in the book

Sweet and savoury

The menu of what was presented, with added mayonnaise

The “interview” stage at the Book Lounge

Marlene van der Westhuizen

The large crowd gathered to listen to the chat

Marlene’s husband Deon with Elize Goffe-Wood

Marlene and Barbara Jordaan being introduced by the manager of the Book Lounge

The chat began with questions about how she conceived this book

Chef Pete Goffe-Wood

Lots of amusement

Elize buying a copy of the book

Marlene’s husband took lots of photos....

... as did John

A great initiative the Book Lounge has running

Buitenverwachting's annual trade wine & food pairing evening

The new coffee shop The Coffee Bloc at Buitenverwachting

One of the magnificent Eagle owls that nest in their oaks each year

A welcoming glass of Buiten Bubbly

Chilling by the pond

We renew acquaintances, greet friends and get to know new faces

Some serious discussions about the excellent Sauvignon Blanc

Hermann Kirschbaum' the Cellarmaster with front of house stalwart Katrina Pietersen and Hanna Hoffmann who works for the Coffee Bloc

Fresh local Oysters with Strawberry Mignonette Caviar

2009 Cabernet Franc for tasting on the barrel, help yourself

The Loose Cannon Chenin blend was excellent

Executive Chef Edgar Osojnik in his kitchen, overseeing the preparation of the canapés

One of the chefs loading up one of the many platters that came out to tempt us.

What was on each tray – absolutely delicious if a tiny bit dangerous to eat with all that flaky pastry which exploded with each mouthful:

Kitchen staff Robin de Jongh and Shanice Gouws, arranging the food

From the top: Chicken galantine; duck liver pate; bocconcini and tomato skewer; Pear and blue cheese; more bocconcini; tuna sushi

Hard to decide but there was plenty and plenty of choice

ustice Blosé, keeping us well supplied with wonderful food

It was a lovely long summer evening

Now we are at the red wines and lots of chatting and teasing was going on.

Brad Paton, the winemaker, to the right of Lynne, had just become a father for the second time on Monday

And finally the showstopper red blend Christine 2002

Gibson's Gourmet Burgers & Ribs at the V&A

The restaurant is long and narrow in an L shape

Starter number one was char grilled baby squid with garlic and lemon. Tender and delicious its an option we would definitely order again.

Starter number two is the really good sticky pork ribs which were not at all fatty and the meat just fell off the bone. You get six in the starter portion, which for Lynne is very adequate. This also comes as a much larger main and you can order a beef option

John’s Vegas Hamburger with not-so-crisp chips came with a creamy mild black pepper sauce and lettuce, tomato and lots of gherkin, despite his asking them not to put it on the bun.

There are lots of craft beers as well as commercial on the menu – the prices are quite steep and while the menu says 440,ml for the Boston larger R35 John was served a smaller 330,ml bottle, but was charged R23 accordingly.

Wine prices are mostly around R80 to R105 a bottle. These are mostly house wines and we feel the prices are quite good for the Waterfront. You can order French champagne with your hamburger and it will only cost you R650 for a bottle of Moët or Pierre Jourdan’s good local brut for R185. All wines, bar the champagne, are available by the glass – bravo Gibson's