Bellevue Market

Bellevue Market is the place to be tomorrow evening. Every last Friday of the month you can wine and dine underneath the stars while listening to live music. My first visit to the market was last month and I am so sad that I am missing tomorrow night as I am on call :(

Bellevue Market

 

It starts at 16:00. Perfect to head over straight after work. Start off with a glass of wine, craft beer or even gin cocktails. My favourite was a pomegranate flavoured gin. While you are getting in the mood browse through various clothes and décor stalls.  There's ample seating but if you want to be more comfortable bring a blanket and make a picnic of it!

It is always gin'o clock!

Food wise they cater for all. For the adventurous tuck into delishous curries or pulled pork burgers. We enjoyed a delicious vegetarian pizza that we spiced up with some jalapenos and onion marmalade. As the cold showed face this week you can even tuck into some hearty soups and maybe take away some for the week?

Delicious pizza!

Before you leave be sure to grab some dessert on the go. I left with a few cupcakes and my weakness, a pecan nut tart.

Loved the fairy lights!

Bellevue Market, the perfect place to start your weekend! See you definitely next month!

 

 

Location: 5 Bellevue road, Kloof

Time: 16:00-20:00

Like them on Facebook

 

 

The Eatery Deli is now open!

Welcome to The Eatery Deli

One of my favourite places  to eat in Hermanus is The Eatery and they've now opened a stand alone Deli! Yay!


My final year and a half of Medicine started in August and for three months there was no time for me to visit home. This was torture! So when my holiday recently started one of my essential things to do was to visit The Eatery. When I arrived it was the day their Deli also opened! Double score! Double treats!

Fresh produce greets you at the door!

Why do I love them so much? They are affordable, they deliver every time and the atmosphere is relaxed and homey. One of my favourite things to order is 'eggs and soldiers' and they even succeed to make this simple dish something exciting and delicious.

The Deli is situated across from the restaurant where you can buy freshly baked pastries, pies, cakes, cookies, preserves and more.


Rustic inviting space

They day I visited they were busy making chocolate chip cookies in the oven! Heaven! Goodbye December bikini body...



The aromas will make you buy way more than what you planned for!

I am definitely going to utilise The Eatery Deli when I plan picnics for December holiday. You can even purchase a basket there. The Eatery Deli has also supplied numerous evening meals for my mom and I. My favourite is their chickpea salad and aubergine bake. Oh and we also managed to finish an entire apple crumble pie in one day. Oops :) yet so worth it!!!

So do stop by to enjoy the deliciousness the deli has to offer. They are well priced, well stocked and won't disappoint. It's also an ideal place to shop for gifts for your loved ones!

Here are some pictures of all the lovely goodies you can buy...



Cookies, rusks, brownies, meringue, fudge...

 


Bread, croissants, jams...

 


Buy and bake your own cookies!

 


Vanilla flavoured sugar!

 


Spoil someone with some beautiful flowers

 


Yogurt, lasagne, aubergine bake, salads ect

 


Klapper ys, fudge and Turkish delight! Perfect treat to eat in the car on you way home :)

 


Chocolaty brownies 

 


Pies, quiche and sandwiches

Click here to read my post I wrote when The Eatery initially opened. Since then the restaurant has doubled in size and they still manage to deliver. As it's essential to visit the whales when you come to Hermanus, it is as essential to spoil your tastebuds at The Eatery!


Visit them at 4 Long Street Arcade, Hermanus
Open Monday-Saturday 07:00-16:00
Like them on Facebook

Cape Point Vineyard

Driving to Cape Point usually was just that little bit too far out for my liking. Now I have changed my tune since I visited Cape Point Vineyard.
 
The drive to Cape Point Vineyard took us past part of The Silvermine Nature Reserve which was already awesome. If you are a keen hiker who loves nature then you will enjoy Silvermine which forms part of Table Mountain National Park. You can hike from here to Table Mountain if you have an entire day to yourself. We were however on the quest for wine...
 
We eventually arrived at Cape Point Vineyard and was treated to this view...


Look at that view!

 
So worth the drive! How can you not have a fabulous day with this??
 
We decided to enjoy a wine tasting as the sun was shining and we had to celebrate the day. What sets Cape Point Vineyard apart from other wineries I have visited is that you can taste wine by the glass. A taster range between R5 to R10. You can also order wine by the carafe which ranges between R25-R80. We opted to order three carafes and host our own wine tasting. It was actually nice as we could taste and enjoy the wine at our own pace. We tasted their Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon. I enjoyed all three but we left with a few bottles of the Sauvignon Blanc. I actually just had a glass and I still love! Too much of an easy drinking wine :)

Let the tasting begin!

Cheers!

 
Cape Point Vineyards is also a prime picnic spot. Unfortunately you have to order your basket 24 hours in advance so we missed out but it's on the 'to do list' for summer! You can enjoy your picnic in a large space around their dam while chilling on some comfy cushions or utilise some of the picnic benches. There are also numerous umbrellas around that will protect you from the sun. With that view, great wine, a group of friends and delicious treats you are ensured of a fabulous time!

Pricewise a picnic basket that serves two is R395. It contains the following:

Bobotie wraps

Cured meat selection

Cheese selection with crackers and chilli jam

Smoked coronation chicken salad

Chickpea, lentil, basil and mint salad

Caprese salad with pesto dressing

Roasted red pepper and corn hummus

Chicken liver pate with thyme and honey glazed bacon lardons

Roasted garlic snoek pate

Ciabatta loaf

Double chocolate and almond brownies

 
A vegetarian option is also available.
 
If you want something light then go for the snack basket for R230:

Cured meat selection

Cheese selection with crackers and chilli jam

Roasted garlic snoek pate

Ciabatta loaf

Olives

They also cater for the kiddies at R65 with a hot dog, potato salad, cheese and bacon pinwheels,fruit salad, juice box and old fashioned fudge.

There's ample space to enjoy your picnic in private

Choose your spot and relax...

You are ensured of a great view no matter where you sit!

Some pillows are available to ensure you picnic in comfort!

 

On Thursdays they host a Community Market from 16:30-20:30. The Kitchen Cowboys, Cakes&Desserts and Imhoff Cheese are just some of the vendors that will tantalise your taste buds. As a sidenote, if you love markets, check out this website which summarises all the markets in a particular area as well as feature what markets you can visit on the different days of the week.

 

As you can see Cape Point Vineyard has a lot to offer. They also have a restaurant where you can feast on Italian/Mediterranean food. They currently have special where you can enjoy a two course(R150) or three course(R180) lunch on Wednesday and Friday from their a la carte menu.

 

The deck of the restaurant

 

They cater for a wide range of people and budgets. I'm sure you will find something there that you will love! That view alone is price-less! Add it to your summer 'to do list'. I can't wait to return!

 

Contact them at 021 789 0900 or bookings@cape-point.co.za

Visit their website for more information

Like them on Facebook

Follow them @CPVineyard

 

We ended off our day with a drive through Chapman's Peak. Wow, I am so privileged to live in such a beautiful country!

 

Hello beautiful South-Africa



Whoo hoo! Bring on summer!

 

Happy Sunday!

Hope it's a wine, delicious food and friends filled day!

 

 

Haute Cabrière

We had a fantastic time at the Bastille Festival this weekend. Blue, white and red ribbons were all over Franschhoek. As you walked down the main road you could feast on food and drinks that were supplied by all the shops, bars and restaurants on the strip. The majority of the people were dressed up in the French colours and wore cute berets. Something that was also prominent was the security that was present all over Franschhoek. This created a safe atmosphere as we all know the horrors of pick pocketing that occur as some of these events.

There was also a market you could browse at. Apparently the Franschoek Village Market is there every Saturday from 09:00-14:00. I was impressed by the variety as well as the prices of the produce.  You can buy a large piece of cheesecake for only R20.

We decided not to go the festival wine tent but to visit a wine farm and then soak up the atmosphere in town.

We visited Haute Cabrière and wow I was impressed. I regularly drove past the hobbit house looking cellar and was always intrigued . The weather on Saturday was perfect so we sat outside on the lawn to soak up the sun and the beautiful view.

Let the tasting begin!

Our host Luvuyo was extremely charming and hosted a great tasting experience. There are three tasting options to consider that are R20, R30 or R40.

We went for the "Classic tasting" which was 6 wines for R30.


Now all the MCC's are named after the original founder of Haute Cabrière, Pierre Jourdan. The still wines are named after the property. Haute Cabrière was the first place in South Africa to produce wine according to the correct methode cap classique style. All their wines are produced from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir cultivars.

Our charming host Luvuyo!

We started with the Pierre Jourdan Brut(R110). Now this is one of my favourite alcoholic beverages to drink. If it was possible I would request and IV infusion of this every Saturday :). It provides you with a refreshing and crisp explosion in your mouth. I bought a bottle which will be enjoyed next weekend! Can't wait!

Pierre Jourdan Brut

Next was the Pierre Jourdan Rose(R120). It's made with 100% Pinot Noir cultivar and has a beautiful blush colour and fruity taste. Not as refreshing as the Brut.

Pierre Jourdan Rose

We were very impressed with the Pierre Jourdan Tranquille(R55). This is a very 'dangerous' wine as you can easily finish a bottle on your own. It's a fresh and crisp white wine that will pair perfectly with light salads or seafood.

The other three we tasted were the Chardonnay Pinot Noir(R85), Unwooded Pinot Noir(R85) and Pierre Jordan Ratafia(R85). As a group we preferred the unwooded Pinot Noir over the Chardonnay Pinot noir. The Ratafia is a 'sweet wine' that would definitely warm you up during these cold winter evenings.


The tasting experience at Haute Cabrière is one I would return to. I have done a lot of wine tastings and always enjoy them but rarely I say that I want to return. Haute Cabrière is an exception as they offer a comfortable environment, excellent wine tasting hosts and a beautiful view. Even the parking guard was very charming. A great thing about Haute Cabrière is their education center where they ensure a prosperous future for their employees' children. It's overseen by a qualified teacher and children of school going age can do their homework here in the afternoon while the small kiddies come for day care. I take my hat off to an establishment that goes the extra mile for their employees!

Wine and food pairing wheel

Dining at their adjacent restaurant is also on my bucket list. They also offer cellar tours Monday to Friday from 11:00-15:00 and if you visit on a Saturday you can enjoy the cellerman's tour at 11:00.


Were you at the Bastille Festival? What wines or places stood out for you??

Cheers!

 

Visit them at the beginning of the Franschhoek Pass (R45)
Contact them at 021 876 3688 or restaurant@cabriere.co.za
For more information visit their website
Tweet them @HauteCabriere
Like them on Facebook

Take note: Haute Cabriere Restaurant is closed from 14th July- 5th August for their winter break.

The Eastern Food Bazaar

Welcome to the Eastern Food Bazaar

The Eastern food bazaar needs no introduction.

I went in with the notion that I was going to compare it with Bukhara where I discovered my liking for Indian Cuisine. Unfortunately, you wont find the same quality at the Eastern Food Bazaar BUT you will be able to buy loads of food in large portions for ridiculously cheap.

One of the food pick-up points

The Dosa house

One of the seating areas downstairs.

All the different food prep stations nestled closely next to each other.

The cheesy chicken masala dosa being prepared.

My boyfriend and I decided to go for dishes we have not tried before. For starters we shared a bowl of fried bites  I won't order that again. It was oily and old so rather stay away.

For mains the boyfriend opted for a lamb bunny chow and I had the cheesy chicken masala dosa. If you are not into Indian cuisine you can also buy pizza here.

Lamb bunnychow, snack bowl of starters and cheesy chicken masala dosa

Portions were so large we only ate a quarter of it!

The food was tasty and way too much! This was a once off experience for me. Our whole meal was R100 and the low prices really makes this establishment attractive.

The best part of the whole meal was the delicious ice-cream. For R10 you receive two scoops.

 

There's seating downstairs where you buy your food as well as upstairs. It's very vibey and a range of diners can be observed. There were a lot of tourist, large families and friends dining together. Just be careful with all your belongings. Two of my friends have been robbed here.

Eastern Food Bazaar won't be my go to place for Indian cuisine but it's a place you have to experience once and a option when there is more month than money left in you budget.



Location: 96 Longmarket street
Open times: 

• Monday - Thursday 11:00 - 22:00
• Friday - Saturday 11:00 - 22:30
• Sunday 11:00 - 22:00

Food is 100% Halaal



 

Located around the corner of Eastern Food Bazaar is one of my favourite sushi places, Nuri Sushi ! Do check them out!

Dornier and Waterford : Blaauwkippen road exploring

Welcome to Dornier!

 

I decided this weekend to explore the Blaauwklippen road just outside of Stellenbosch. The last time I was here was five years ago! We were a group of four who started at Dornier. Dornier offers wine-tasting for only R25 for five wines from two ranges and the fee is wavered if you purchase a bottle. What stood out about Dornier, except for their nice wine, was how liberal they are with their wine tasting portions. Perfect for a sunny winter afternoon.

Hello beautiful mountains!

Outside tasting area

Dornier has three different ranges namely Dornier Donatus, Dornier and Dornier Cocoa Hill.  The Cocoa Hill range is the most affordable with wines between R53-R66. From this range I was most impressed with the Rose. I am not a Rose fan, due to over indulgence in Four Cousins wine as a younger student who did know of anything better, but Dornier's really impressed. It would be the perfect wine for a hot summers day!

Dornier, generous with their wine.

Happy tasters!

All the bottles in the Dornier range is R100 each. Here my favourite was the Chenin Blanc. I was surprised how the two wines I am not usually fond off were the best tasting wines at Dornier. They have converted me again!

If you want to taste from all the ranges then it would cost you R40.

The tasting room has a eclectic Latin inspired feel. One of the more creative tasting room spaces I have been in.

 

 

Dornier wine collection

Inside tasting area

They have the following special tastings

• Wine and flammekuchen tasting
• Monday-Friday 11:30-17:00
• R110 pp
• Pre-booking required
• Gourmet tasting
• Wine and platter tasting
• Monday-Friday 11:30-17:00
• R150 pp
• Pre-booking required

The restaurant Bodega is also on the Dornier estate. They have the following specials at the moment

• 2 course for R175 or 3 course for R230
• 50% of all shellfish on Wednesdays
• Tapas platter for two, including a bottle of wine, R250

Dornier wine estate

Bodega

I browsed through the winter menu and here are examples of a few dishes

• Starters
• Beetroot risotto
• Springbok flammekuchen
• Slow roasted oxtail tortellini
• Mains
• Roasted pork belly
• Beef fillet
• Slow braised lamb shank
• Dessert
• Homemade amarula truffles
• Trio of crème brule
• Warm chocolate brownie

All the dishes on the winter menu are also available as single dishes.

Bodega is also kid friendly with a large area of grass for the kids to run around as well as a castle inspired jungle gym. Mains for them are R35-R60 and dessert R15-R25.

Entertainment for the kids

Dornier is perfect for a sunny weekend afternoon! Have any of you been to the restaurant? Food looks great! Will let you know once I visit :)
Like Dornier Wines or Bodega on Facebook
Tweet them @DornierWines
For more information visit their website
Visit them

• Wine tasting
• Daily 10:00-17:00
• Bodega
• Lunch Wednesday-Sunday 11:30-16:00
• Tapas Wednesday-Sunday 15:00-17:00

Our next stop was at the beautiful Waterford. Wow this estate really takes your breath away. You experience a sense of calm when you walk through the archway towards the courtyard.

Driveway leading up to the estate

Archway leading to the beautiful courtyard

Beautiful courtyard

They offer the following tastings

• Standard wine tasting R45
• Selected Waterford estate wine, Kevin Arnold Shiraz and Pecan Streams wine
• Wine and chocolate pairing R50
• 3 wines with 3 Von Geusau Chocolates
• We did this one and I will elaborate below
• Waterford estate experience R70
• Combination of above two
• Waterford Estate Library Collection Reserve Tasting R200
• Pre-booking essential
• Current Library stock  of special blends including The Jem
• The Jem Tasting R50
• Current vintage  of the Waterford  Estate Flagship red
• Wine drive safari
• Landrover takes you out to the vineyards where you taste wine
• bookings@waterfordestate.co.za

Excited to start our tasting!

Perfect pairing!

We decided to do the wine and chocolate pairing. Our tasting was hosted by Reece. He was very charismatic and made us feel welcome. They paired the following wine and chocolates together:

• Kevin Arnold Shiraz and Masala spice 70% dark chocolate
• The wine first of all was so smooth and velvety. I loved it. The wine and chocolate are both spicy but not overpowering.
• Waterford Estate Cabernet Sauvignon and   sea salt 70% dark chocolate
• I love a sweet and salty combination and as a Cabernet Sauvignon is a wine usually paired with savoury dishes this combination paired perfectly.
• Waterford Family Reserve Heatherleigh aka " 'n lekker soetwyntjie" was paired with a delicious milk chocolate that tasted like a zoo cookie! This was the clear favourite!

This is a wine estate you will have to put on top of your bucket list!

For more information check out their website
Like them on Facebook
Visit them

• Monday-Friday 09:00-17:00
• Saturday 10:00-17:00

Contact them at 021 880 5300 or info@waterfordestate.co.za

The other wine farm on the Blaauwklippen Road we did not get to was Mont Marie. Wine tasting, breakfast, lunch and dinner can be enjoyed here. I quickly scanned their website and their setting looks beautiful. The restaurant is right next to the Blaauwklippen river.

Will let you know how they rate as soon as I head out there again. Like them on Facebook or check out their website for more information!

Hope you have a great weekend! If you have no plans, a daytrip to the above wine farms won't disappoint!