Saturday, June 29, 2013

Christmas travels....

I am heading to ....


 
  
 
 
 
during the December holidays. I have been to London and Amsterdam and done all the typical tourist stuff but never have I visited Vienna and Prague. Do you have any tips, must see and must eat places that you can recommend to me? Or any don't even bother, stay away, be careful places???
 
All help will be appreciated as I am trying to go on this holiday as prepared as I can be by starting to plan now!
 


Friday, June 28, 2013

Jason's Bakery

I've been following @jasonbakery on twitter for a while now and all their tweets about their baked goods finally convinced me to pay them a visit.
 
I was a bit disappointed because when we arrived after 13:00 we only had two options for a sweet treat : a white chocolate brownie (R16) and plain cheesecake(R29). We chose both but the clear winner was the white chocolate brownie. The size of the white chocolate chunks in the brownie are massive and the moistness  was unbelievable. For R16 the brownie was also very budget-friendly! Luckily there was only one left otherwise I would have had to deal with a serious sugar-rush.
 
I was looking forward to a larger variety to choose from though such as
 
 
Blueberry brioche
Cronuts or dough-sant.... Jason's creative combination of a donut and a croissant ( I WANT THIS)
Cinnamon swirls
Peanut butter caramel chocolate éclair with candied bacon strip
Ruby grapefruit tartlets
Ginger Brule tarts and many more.....  
 
My number one tip therefore is that you should get there early and come prepared to fend away the crowds as Jason's Bakery is a top priority for Cape-Tonians. Better luck next time for me then :)
 
Drinkwise you can enjoy beer from &Union and bubbles from Paneer champage & local producers. Coffee is from the Deluxe coffeeworks range. 

The hatch
 
If you are in a rush head to the hatch-door and grab something on the go. A large blackboard outside display delicious sandwich options or buy a loaf of bread to enjoy at home. The hatch is also the only place on a Saturday where you can get your weekend fix as the restaurant is closed during the weekend.
 
Service was nothing fantastic, a bit too layed back, but the chocolate brownie I was indulging in made that a distant memory.
 
 
Space is limited inside but outside there are multiple benches to sit on and heaters to drive away the cold. If everything fails then just order the brownie x 2!
 
 
My friend Christine enjoying our sweet-treats 

Have you been to Jason's Bakery and had the honour to try the famous cro-nuts???
 
Visit Jason's bakery at 185 Bree street
Open Monday-Friday 07:00-15:30 and Saturdays(The hatch) 08:00-14:00
Contact them at 021 424 5644 
Like them on Facebook
 
 
Not all the photographs are my own and I therefore except no credit for them as they are borrowed from @jasonbakery.
 
 
 


Wednesday, June 26, 2013

A morning in Woodstock


 
I associate Woodstock with The Old Biscuit Mill, but recently  discovered that this area has much more to offer.

I started my morning at The Woostock Exchange ! Here are some of the gems I discovered  accompanied by my friend Christine!

Superette

 We started our morning at Superette. This is such a cool space. Outside it looks like a construction site but inside there are pops of yellow all around with plants hanging from the ceiling and ample seating to accommodate everyone.
Pops of yellow everywhere brightens up the grey space
Come for a great place to work at or enjoy a delicious breakfast or lunch

On the table the flowers are set in "chemistry" vases and even the sugar occupies smaller "chemistry pots". The space is filled with design elements contrasting each other and actually difficult to explain to you, so come and check it out.
 
The majority of the menu consist of "something" paired with different types of bread. I had the sour dough toast paired with sauteed mushrooms served with sour cream and lemon dressed greens(R40) .Christine chose the "childlike" egg and soldiers (R35). My mushrooms were so well seasoned that for breakfast I could have had just a bowel of that! Five thumbs up! Christine also enjoyed her breakfast and we were very amused by the egg cutter they gave with the dish that you use to open the top part of the egg.

Egg and soldiers
Mushrooms and toast

Great ceramics for sale
 
I will also recommend you visit for lunch, as there were very yummy sandwiches which caught my eye, such as slow roasted pork belly cooked in butter and thyme served with rocket, caramelised onion and honey roasted apples on sourdough bread(R55).

They also cater for your sweet tooth with a peanut butter chocolate cheesecake served with ice cream and berries (R35) !

The food is served on awesome ceramic plates with messages on them and they are also for sale in the restaurant. Breads, wine, cookies and preserves are always something extra to look into.

You can come here to gather with friends or to do some work as there were numerous clients on their computers. There even was a magician that came for a interview with prospective clients. What more do you want in the morning than breakfast and a free magic show?

The waiters are super nice and not dedicated to one table each so someone is always there to help you.
The building in which Superette is,  The Woodstock exchange,  also houses loads of different shops and other coffee shops and below I have mentioned a few.

Located at 66 Albert Road, Woodstock
Open Monday to Friday 08:00 - 15:00 & Saturdays 08:00 - 14:00
Contact them at info@superette.co.za or 021 802 5525
Like them on Facebook
Visit their website


Lady Bonin Tea Parlour

Beautiful tasting area
 
We visited Lady Bonin Tea Parlour as I wanted to purchase some tea. My flatmate gave me a beautiful glass teapot for my birthday and I have not brewed tea in it. I chose some chamomile tea, as I  know it's known for its calming effect, and sometimes I seriously need a sedative before a test ;)The shop assistant was awesome and explained the different teas to us. She also allowed us to smell everything to see what we like. You can do a tea tasting here where 3 teas will cost you R100. There currently is a special on Groupon where you can purchase a voucher allowing you to do the tea tasting for R100 for two people!
 
My chamomile tea was R60 for 50 grams
 
Visit them at Shop AG11b at The Woodstck Exchange
Contact them at ladybonon@gmail.com or 083 628 2504
Like them on Facebook
Visit their website


Chapel
I've been looking for a backpack for ages to use in the hospital but I could not find anything that is practical but also pretty. Luckily I saw these pretty bags!
 
I love the leather straps! My biggest concern is that I need a big enough space to carry all my books, gadgets and snacks in it when I go to the hospital! I am currently using a one shoulder bag and I will definitely develop a hunchback if I don't intervene soon.  The bags above are the "Ride bags" and have a big central compartment that is also closed with a zip. My biggest choice now is what colour??  Help me choose :) 
 
 
An interesting fact about Chapel is that they started the business as they could not find bags they like in South-Africa they could use when they are travelling around on their bikes! Currently they have expanded  from the "ride bags" to   leather overnight bags, book-bags and technical accessories! 
 

Contact them at info@chapelgoods.co.za or 021 827  0258
For more options check out their website
 
 
Some more picture from The Woodstock Exchange
The passages of The Woodstock Exchange are decorated with interesting design elements. There are also art galleries to go and check out!
These shoes I have seen at most markets and are available at The Woodstock Exchange.

Some original reading and sunglasses!

In the mood for decorating....
The Starling and Hero Bicycle Café is also available for some breakfast or lunch!
 
Come in for breakfast and maybe leave with a bicycle!

 
After our visit to The Woodstock Exchange we did head down to The Old Biscuit Mill to go and look at the shops there and here are some of the cool treasures we found...
 
Abode
 
Abode was one of my favourite discoveries! There are loads of original décor pieces. I especially loved all the different bunnies they had as I do have a bit of a obsession with them. What I also liked about the shop is that there are affordable as well as expensive pieces in the shop making it a place to shop for all!

I have been stalking these bunnies at a few shops now...
 
They have loads of lighting pieces and wall art

Something maybe for my practice one day

Loved this lamp!

Loads of lamps to choose from

Looks like test-tubes are making their comeback!
 

 
Located at shop 140E at The Old Biscuit Mill
Contact them at info@abode.co.za or 072 261 3540
Open Weekdays 10:00-16:00 & Saturdays 09:00-14:00
Visit their website
 
 
Quirky Me
 
Another gem at The Old Biscuitmill! I could have left this shop with bags full of goodies. I discovered my favourite turquoise bunny here. Planning a visit to go back and buy him! Have a serious case of buyers regret!
 
Quirky me also offers a gift service for those days when you cant get to a shop but need a gift ASAP. They wrap and deliver the gift for you. Check out the catalogue on their website.

Tea towels(R80)  to your left and place mats to your right.

Cute cookie cutters

My favourite bunny!
 
Located next to Abode at The  Old Biscuitmill
Open Weekdays 10:00-16:00 & Saturdays 09:00-14:00
Visit their website
Contact Ingrid at 082 417 1885
 
 
Mu & Me
A few years ago I bought a very nice pencil case from Mu and Me . During my recent visit I've seen that they have expanded the brand more and now you can even buy cake decorations as well as children clothing.
 
The bottles filled with sweeties retails for R149

Beautiful notebooks

Interesting stationary
Visit their  website for more information.
Located at The Old Biscuit Mill next to Quirky me
 
 
Other finds at some of the other shops...
 
Bunnies :) 
Balsamic and olive oil bottle (R65) my purchase of the day :)
 
Water jugs for only R40!

Loads of scarves to choose from!
 
So as you can see there is more to Woodstock than The Old Biscuitmill BUT that there is still some great places to visit there as well during the week.
 
What other Woodstock discoveries can you tell me about???