Thursday, April 13, 2023

Pre-concert early supper at De Warenmarkt, Stellenbosch

We decided to treat ourselves to an early dinner before the concert we would be attending
at Stellenbosch University's Endler Auditorium
Because of Graduation at the University, many places were booked out
We ended up at a venue we are familiar with, De Warenmarkt,
and could only have a table for two there by promising to be out by 6.30

The last time we were there was for a function at which you could  find a place to sit and eat 
and choose dishes from different stalls. It now appears to be a conventional restaurant 
It has a good wine list featuring Stellenbosch wines

It has an interesting, if slightly limited, menu
so we were extremely conservative in what we ordered, given the time constraint
A dish of crisp fried baby calamari with a Vietnamese Nuoc Nam sauce, chips and a tartare sauce on the side
The calamari tubes were tender; the tentacles were crisp and so were the wedge potatoes
But, for some reason, they were covered in a very sweet sticky sauce and no sight of the Nuoc Nam?
A bit disconcerting and Lynne did query it with the very helpful and busy Manager
It was their version of Nuoc Nam, which is actually Vietnamese Fish sauce
Could the chef have meant it to be a Nuoc Cham dipping sauce,
which is made of  fish sauce, lime juice, rice vinegar, palm sugar, lemon grass, chilli and garlic?
We were offered a new dish, but time was upon us and Lynne had eaten half of the dish so we declined

John ordered their famous Hamburger and was very happy with it ....

... one of the best he has had lately.  Lynne had a glass of Zevenwacht Sauvignon blanc
and John a Devil's Peak King's Blockhouse IPA and the bill came to R480 with service



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Wednesday, April 12, 2023

Oriental tapas supper at Silk restaurant, Cape Town

It is Restaurant Week again but, actually, it’s Restaurant Month, as it will last for the whole of April. There are some really interesting restaurants, some very new restaurants and some impossibly expensive restaurants offering “specials" that we still can’t afford. Have a look, we are still considering where to go next. Our first venture was to Silk restaurant, now part of the grouping of restaurants run by Faisal Khakoo and Anna Rascola, his  Catalonian wife, and Christophe and Sabrina Durand. Faisal and Anna own La Bohème and La Bruixa (the Witch) in Sea Point. Christophe and Sabrina own Bouchon in the premises of their Dorrance winery, in the same Heritage Square building. In partnership with Faisal, they serve excellent French style tapas there. Silk is on the corner of Buitengracht and Shortmarket Street in what used to be the Africa Cafe ground floor premises. Parking is available in the square, but be aware that the area is now filled with very popular restaurants and it can be very crowded, especially on the weekend

The entrance


We are, as you have probably gathered, rather fond of Asian food; the menu here is filled with things we love to eat
The special at the moment is three Asian tapas dishes for R255
and the servings certainly are big enough to share with your partner
All the dishes on the menu are tapas sized, Lynne was told by Christoph
and they have a good wine list and serve cocktails as well

We were given a very warm welcome by Christophe, Sabrina, Faisal and Anna


The restaurant was very busy and is obviously very popular


Attractive Asian style decor to get you in the mood

We were treated to a glass of local bubbly; we suspect, looking at the wine list, it was from Kleine Zalze
We loved the cute lamp on the table which makes menu reading much easier. 
The table is set with chopsticks and knives and forks
We liked the use of the mahjong tile as a chopstick rest

Bamboo, adding to the ambiance

Suitably inscrutable, imperious!
Relishing the food coming and really enjoying the glass of Dorrance Kama Chenin Blanc,
so French, so dry and layered in flavour and sophistication. A good serving and good glassware too

On the table was a dish of chilli oil and some fresh pickled cucumber which John enjoyed


More Asian decor

A smiling barman making sure everyone is served quickly and the glasses are polished


Page one of the menu, Oysters are extra

We stuck to the Tapas special but, on a return visit, we might add some sides like Noodles or Edamame beans

The wine list is helpful; if you are driving you only want one glass of wine

Some interesting choices, some favourites and a couple of new names

The first course to arrive was seared baby squid polpetti
with garlic, lemon and parsley and a Japanese tartare sauce. So tender, delicate with a hint of chilli
If you love squid, maybe not a dish to share.....




The next dish was perfection. Sesame crusted, just quickly flamed on the outside, Tataki tuna from the grill fire
The long fin tuna season is in full swing and this Tataki was perfectly flavoured, with exceptionally fresh pink tender tuna
If you are ever offered black tuna; refuse, it's old or bruised
The lively green apple salsa, daikon radish and the sesame oil and ponzu just lit it up




Another thing we are fans of is Soba noodles, especially as a cold salad in summer
We had asked what Christoph for a recommendation and he said to try the Steamed Fish
Lightly steamed fresh hake, falling into lovely flakes
and complimented by the subtle but present ginger, garlic and soy sauce, with lemongrass perfuming the dish
We recommend it too




There was quite a long pause between the first three dishes
The fourth was something we cannot resist on any Asian menu, dumplings
The Japanese call them Gyozo (these were called Yaki Gyozo) and were filled with pork and prawn,
very finely minced, so the prawn was a bit shy. Served with a sesame, ginger and chilli dipping sauce




Now, Bao can be contentious. In our world, they need to be light, airy, pillow soft and foldable
and able to hold the filling really well. Never stodgy and solid
These were just right, and the filling was the slightly sweet and five-spicy Char sui tender Pork belly
It  was delicious. The bao are topped with a rainbow slaw which adds texture and crunch
If sharing, we need four; sharing one could cause an argument ....


The final dish was the duck croquettes. Know that we can never resist duck on any menu
Crisply deep fried, Panko crumbed with a hint of their origin - Pekin Duck with Hoisin sauce


We could have ordered more, but, honestly, we were really replete
so we will have to come back to try some of the other items on the menu
Our bill, with service, came to R750. It’s a good offer

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Friday, March 24, 2023

In MENU This Week. RMB Starlight Classics, Vergelegen; Rigel Retreat BnB; Klein Constantia book launch, Meerendal La Romantica, Mykonos meze

This week’s MENU is a little later than we would like. The scribe went down with a nasty dose of Lurgy which meant that the words for the stories had to be delayed. But here it is with a good selection of stories for the weekend. The year rushes on and suddenly we are at the season when three of the world’s religions celebrate major events. We send all our readers our best wishes for Easter, Passover and Ramadan

2023 RMB Starlight Classics Concert at Vergelegen - Singing in the Rain

We were delighted when we were invited to the RMB Starlight Classics Concert this year, held again at Vergelegen; one of our favourite events to cover each year. Multi-talented performers at a great venue and some good food and wine to accompany it. We were welcomed by Joandra Griesel, Communications Manager at Rand Merchant Bank, and her team. Read on…

The Rigel Retreat AirBnb in Schapenberg, Somerset West

When we are invited to a prestigious evening event in the country, we try to find affordable accommodation for the night. Our budget on our pensions is small, so we are always delighted to find something good. We were invited by RMB to the Starlight Concert at Vergelegen and found a small but perfectly formed apartment on the Schapenberg, only 12 minutes' drive away. It was also a very easy drive on major roads. Read on…

A brief look at the Vergelegen estate

Vergelegen is one of the Cape's and South Africa's most historic properties. After Willem Adriaan van der Stel succeeded his father, Simon van der Stel, as Governor of the Cape in 1700, he claimed a 30,000 hectare piece of land for himself, just as his father had done in his time at Constantia. It was registered on 1st February 1700 and he used the resources of his employer, the Dutch East India Company, to improve the estate and build the famous manor house. Read on…

High Tea book launch at Klein Constantia

On Thursday 9th March 2023, Klein Constantia launched a new book about the history of this historic wine estate and we attended. Established in 1824, the Klein Constantia 146 hectare estate originally formed part of “Constantia”, a vast property established in 1685 by Simon van der Stel, the first governor of the Cape. Famous for its world renowned wines, and the revival of the famous 18th century sweet Constantia wine, known as Vin de Constance. The book is available for sale on the farm. Read on…

Meerendal's new La Romantica Restaurant

We were invited by Meerendal Wine Estate owner Herman Coertze to the opening of La Romantica, a new Italian themed restaurant at Meerendal. Durbanville is a great food and wine area; they believe in generous piled-high plates for reasonable money and they produce excellent wines. It took us only half an hour to get to Meerendal on the farming outskirts of Durbanville, driving down one of the most spectacular roads through the wheat lands and vineyards, the Vissershok Road off the N7. Read on…

Meze platters at Mykonos, Sea Point

Sunday evening was chilly and a bit wet, but our spirits were up as we had a reunion with a friend whom we have not seen for two months. We decided to go to Mykonos Taverna, a local Greek restaurant, and found other friends eating there too. NB - We were told that the Sea Point Mykonos is due to move soon to a new location in Sea Point, but we were not told where it will be. Read on…



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Meerendal's new La Romantica Restaurant

We were invited by Meerendal Wine Estate owner Herman Coertze
to the opening of La Romantica, a new Italian themed restaurant at Meerendal
Durbanville is a great food and wine area; they believe in generous piled-high plates for reasonable money
and they produce excellent wines
It took us only half an hour to get to Meerendal on the farming outskirts of Durbanville,
driving down one of the most spectacular roads through the wheat lands and vineyards, the Vissershok Road off the N7

The old restaurant area has been opened up and has such good space, both here and in other areas, and outdoors
It also looks to be a good space for special functions
The farm produces excellent award-winning wines, has a boutique hotel
and also focuses on events, weddings and conferences
For the energetic and athletic, they offer 5 km, 7 km or 9 km running, cycling and BTB trails
through the Meerendal vineyards,
offering spectacular views along the way. Now you can enjoy a reviving meal after your exercise

Chef Adrian Cook is in charge in the large kitchen

The restaurant has three different menus, all available on their website https://laromantica.co.za/menu/
One for Breakfast, Mains and one for Bambinos! - as well as a very comprehensive wine and drinks menu
All the dishes we were served were mini taster versions of the full-size dishes on the menu
and they do have a date night special

Plenty of friendly waiting staff, who helped us find a table as more and more guests arrived

and the mini bites of the food began to arrive almost immediately
This was a tender, moist and flavourful lamb kofta on a stick, dipped in Tzatziki

A Margarita pizza topped with slices of fresh avocado was superb
The crust is thin and very crisp and the topping was the classic that one expects
One to order and share, definitely. They also have a vegan option with vegan cheese

Tiny Caprese salads on a stick, mozzarella, tomato and basil with basil pesto dressing, were also much enjoyed

and this dish of Penne pasta in a Creamy Brandy Flambéed Bacon, Mushroom & Parmesan Sauce

was one of the best dishes we tried. Definitely one to return for, to enjoy a larger portion, with good crisp bacon,
creamy sauce and lots of good parmesan cheese. The pasta is your choice: Linguine, penne or tagliatelle

The Hamburger fans amongst us were very impressed by the texture, flavour, sauce and layers of these mini hamburgers
There are several choices on the menu


This dish, "Steak a la Romantica", of rare sirloin on a bed of linguine was very much enjoyed,
the good quality of the meat being remarked on

Tiny arancini rice balls 

We were able to try the organic Meerendal wines with the food and also could enjoy two cocktails
This is the one Lynne chose, a favourite Tanqueray Seville Orange gin
The other was made with Red Bull and vodka. They have an extensive bar

Small spinach and feta lasagnes much appreciated by the vegetarians

Tara looked after our needs very well

Lynne and Esme Erasmus of TygerBurger chatting to Chef about the food and the plans he has

Many people were arriving; all the tables filled up quickly

A treat was to see General Manager and Cellarmaster Wade Roger-Lund
Wade won the Young Winemaker of the year award in 2017 (we were there to help him celebrate!)
and has gone on to have a stellar career in wine. He was previously at Jordan wine estate
Wade is converting all the vineyards to organic status

Deep fried hake in batter with matchstick chips

Esme having a laugh with restaurant owner Benjamin Lazarus
He told us that they do hope to franchise La Romantica to other venues in the Cape

The crew we spent the afternoon chatting to:
La Romantic restaurant owner, Benjamin Lazarus, Meerendal owner Herman Coertze, Chef Adrian Cook,
Meerendal Marketing manager Benny Howard and Cellarmaster/GM Wade Roger-Lund

Another round of that marvellous Penne. We also had samples of the delicious pork belly

We sampled two of the desserts, a very creamy unset 'crème brulée' topped with shards of caramel
and a killer chocolate ganache, another definite to return for

Another area of the restaurant, one with views across the vines and valley

and outside on the terrace

Everyone was enjoying the evening, despite a bit of a breeze

Autumn vines on Meerendal with the Stellenbosch mountains in the far distance

The restaurant from the lawn
Thank you all at Meerendal and La Romantica restaurant for a great experience

We drove back on the Contermanskloof road, which winds its way through the wheat lands,
now all fallow after the summer, past the cement factory and had a terrific view of Table Mountain,
which we had never seen from this angle with so much  swirling cloud cover 

The city and mountain covered in the roiling cloud, suggesting we might have some welcome rain. And we did
Meerendal is only half an hour from the centre of Cape Town
The cattle were grazing on the shorn wheat fields

All the stories we have published can be seen in the Blog Archive near the top of the column on the right

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