Monday, June 18, 2012

The Bombay Bicycle Club - Lets go to the circus...




The  Bombay Bicycle Club is situated at the top of Kloof street! Its part of the Madame Zingara venture! This is my 'celebration' restaurant. I've been here for a date, with family and with a group of friends. Bombay can be enjoyed by just having a drink or for wining and dining. A night here will let you forget that you are in Cape Town!

Outside Bombay Bicycle Club 

 First impression: You won't know where to focus. There is a table with swings as chairs, sharks hanging from the roof, clutter as décor and usually a fully packed restaurant. Their décor reminds me of a  mix between the circus and a vintage bargain store.

When you make a booking ask for the table with the swing chairs!

Bombay Bicycle Club

I see something new every time I visit!
Food

Begin your evening with one of their really nice starters. I've tried the carpaccio (R75) and phyllo parcels that contained chicken, spinach and mozzarella served with a creamy mushroom sauce(R60).  Something I still want to try is the Drunken Camembert (R45). Its Camembert deep fried in beer batter served on a basil infused tomato coulis. 

I'm not a big meat lover but Bombay's ribs (R145) converted me. The ribs are based in a sweet sticky marinade and served with the best potato and pumpkin mash that I have ever had! They are also famous for their chocolate chili steak. Take note that for R145 you only receive the steak, chocolate chili sauce and some garnish of crispy noodles.

More affordable dishes on their Menu are their pastas ranging from R 65- 95 but if your budget allows it... HAVE THE RIBS :)

End off the evening with Bombay cigars (R45). They are chocolate filled cigars that are deep fried and served with ice cream.




Chocolate chili steak
Drinks
House wine goes for between R90 - R110 a bottle. If that's too steep for you they allow corkage at R30 per bottle between 4 people. They don't serve the best cocktails that I've had and I enjoyed the wine more together with the cosy atmosphere. 
Service
At the entrance you are greeted by a dressed up guard :) From there on a very and attentive waiter will serve you throughout the night. 


Positive points
  • Original
  • Great for a cosy dinner or a fun night out
  • They have props like hats ect scattered throughout the restaurant that you can use to take cool photos or keep yourself entertained 
  • RIBS :)
Negative points
  • This is more of a budget breaker restaurant
Contact information
  • bombay@madamezingara.com
  •  Central reservation: 086 162 3263
  • After hours/direct line: 021 423 6805
  • Address: 158 Kloof Street Gardens, Cape Town, South Africa, 8001 
  • Mon - Sat 16:00 - 23:00
Specials 
  • 2 for 1 at 16:00 - 18:00 and after 22:00
  • Black label, Castle Lite, Long island ice tea, House red & white wine by the glass and some of their shooters.
  • Monday 2 for 1 ribs

Sunday, June 17, 2012

Brownie point scoring date - The pink flamingo & The fire and ice hotel





A dinner and a movie is a cliche yet an enjoyable date but why not mix it up a bit? Have you heard of the awesome rooftop cinema in Long street? The Pink Flamingo is located on top of the roof of the Grand Daddy Hotel.

Movies start at 18:00 and for only R60 pp you receive popcorn, vintage sweeties, a welcome drink  and an alternative way of watching some old time classics. Dont be afraid of sitting outside and getting cold. They have heaters and blankets making the experience more romantic.
Way more comfortable than the standard cinemas.
Popcorn is made on location!
Bigscreen with the city lights in the background.
Pink Flamingo Cinema.


Movie line-up for June:

  • 18 June - Out of Africa
  • 25 June - Once Upon a time in Mexico
Check their facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Pink-Flamingo-Roof-Top-Cinema/183755982523 or website http://www.granddaddy.co.za/calendar/  for regular updates of what's showing . They release the next month movies usually at the end of the month and regularly asks feedback on their Facebook page of what movies the public wants to see.

To make reservations email reservations@granddaddy.co.za  or 021 424 7247

End off your evening with a milkshake at the Protea Fire & Ice hotel  situated in New church street. They have flavours ranging from Ferro Rocher to Peaches and Cream! My favourite is the Chocolate Brownie Milkshake. The decor is amazing and you can be comfortable in the lounging areas or sit in the restaurant area where there is a giant fish tank! 

Contact information: 


Beautiful decor at the Fire & Ice Hotel.

Milkshakes are R35 for half a pint and R45 for a full pint!
Go and check out all the bathroom cubicles at the Fire & Ice hotel! Some surprises await you!

Picture Protea Hotel Fire & Ice! Cape Town in Cape Town CBD, City Bowl, Cape Town Region, Western Cape, South Africa
Fishtank in restaurant area.

Saturday, June 16, 2012

Restaurant réservation simple

Two websites that i would recommend you take a look at it are www.tablemagic.co.za & www.comedine.co.za. You can use these websites to make bookings at restaurants. You put in a request and they will confirm the booking with an e-mail. A day or two after your visit to the restaurant they usually send you a e-mail and ask you to rate your experience and give a short summary of what you think of the place or tips for others. By doing this you earn reward points and after you have accumulated enough points you can use it to get a free bottle of wine at your next outing or receive a free meal ( terms and conditions apply).

Another awesome feature of both websites are that they categories restaurants in regions so you can see all the places in the City bowel, Blouberg, Stellenbosch ect.  They give you an estimates of how much it will cost to go and eat there, if the restaurant has specials and comments of previous diners that went there. I use these websites alot and really have discovered some places that most people dont know even exist! 


Wine makes every meal an occasion, every table more elegant, every day more civilized. 
~ Andre Simon, "Commonsense of Wine"
















Friday, June 15, 2012

Delicatessan - Lazy sunday morning breakfast...

I recently spent a cold Sunday morning with a group of friends at a deli outside of Stellenbosch located on the Tokara wine farm. Say hello to DELICATESSAN!

First impression: At first the place looked very posh and i thought to myself that a breakfast here will probally put a dent in my budget but i was pleasently surprised. We stepped into a warm atmosphere with treats on display, a fireplace, beautiful view and very friendly staff!


Food:



 I had the baked eggs with spinach and parmesan served with brown toast (R45). It is served in a deep dish piping hot!  Perfect comfort food for a rainy day! The health breakfast made up of homemade muesli, natural yogurt  and seasonal fruit compote together with a smoothie on the side (R38) is an awesome healthy breakfast alternative.
They are very generous with their portions!
Scrambled egg, bacon and butter croissant for R40
Drink: I loved how they served their tea in loose tea leaves form in these cute teapots as seen above.

Service: Very friendly and efficient staff! We never waited and all our needs were met. The service was a big factor that contributed to the awesome dining experience at Delicatessan.

Positive points: Beautiful location, comforting food and excellent service. You can also do a olive oil tasting or buy products such as  chocolate truffles, Karoo venison,  freshly baked bread, Canadian maple syrup ect.


Tel: 021 808 5950 / 021 808 5951
Fax: 021 808 5955
Email: deli@tokara.com

Business hours
Mondays - closed
Tuesday - Sundays

  • Breakfast : 09:00 - 12:00
  • Lunch 12:30 - 15:30
  • Shop Sales: 09:00 - 17:00

2012 Deli Holiday Breaks
Monday 30 July 2012 - Monday 13 August 2012
Sunday 23 December 2012 - Thursday 3 January 2013

They have this awesome 'chair' outside the restaurant where we took photos









Charly's bakery - Say hello to Mr Sugar-rush!









One of my all time favorite bakeries is Charly's bakery! Before you read, first try to say no to these.... ( The girls in the photos are available and awesome catches haha :) )
Double chocolate cheesecake... your life will be complete! 


Chocolate cake drowned in chocolate sauce 

Red velvet cake
 These pictures only shows the minority of treats and delicious mucking afazing desserts charlies have to offer! They are known for the fun and cheeky cupcakes as well as their creative celebration cakes. Here are a few photos from their facebook page! (http://www.facebook.com/charlysbakery)



Business work according to a walk-in basis! You are greeted by a dozen friendly smiles, you pick your treat and pay! I would just like to warn you that you wont be able to pick one thing so prepare yourself for a sugar rush!

My favourites
  • Double chocolate cheescake
  • Lamingtons

Fun facts
  • Every worker and their immediate family all receive cakes for their birthday.
  • They have their own reality series that aired on SABC 3 - Charlies Angel.
  • They have baked cakes for Madiba and Elton John!

Location: 38 Canterbury Street, The Fringe District, 8001, Cape Town
Hours: Tue - Fri: 08:00 - 17:00
             Sat 08:30 - 14:00
Tel: 021 462 5181
Website: www.charlysbakery.co.za
          
Once you have visited let me know what  your favourite treat was... if you can choose!

        


Everybody loves a special :) - Andiamo

If you are in the Cape Town area and craving a decent bowel of pasta or a delicious pizza be sure to visit Andiamo located at the Cape Quarter (72 Waterkant Street, Green Point, Cape Town). The have a special running till the end of October where you can get 2 pizzas or 2 pastas or a pizza and a pasta for only R119. The bowels of pasta are stacked high and very filling and they have some awesome topping combinations for their pizzas. My table ordered a pizza topped with chili chicken, crumbed feta & peppadews as well as a pasta lathered with a creamy pesto sauce and filled with chicken,mushrooms,peas and green beans. DELICIOUS! 





To make the meal even more bargain worthy they have cocktail special running till 18:00. R20 mojito's YES PLEASE!

Bookings: 021 421 3687/8 or email: info@andiamo.co.za
Menu linkhttp://www.andiamo.co.za/menu/
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday open 09h00, kitchen closes at 23h00