Diemersdal Farm Eatery

When I've asked around about Diemersdal Farm Eatery the idea I perceived about their reputation was that they serve honest food of great quality in a simplistic manner. Now after a long day I was definitely in the mood for that, as well as a BIG glass of wine, so off to Diemersdal I went.
 
Interior wise I loved the beautiful wooden tables. It felt as if I was sitting in an old farm kitchen. The way they used their lighting together with all the candles also contributed to a cosy feel. The restaurant however lacked some atmosphere. Given that there were only two tables occupied in the restaurant and that it was a Thursday evening I can understand why. I do however think this can be corrected with some background music especially if the restaurant is not that full.



Loved their wooden tables



The interior on par with their farm like feel


A highlight of the evening was the wine. Oh it was lovely! It's one of those bottles that you won't drink a glass of every day as it would spoil the taste for you. It's that bottle that you will open after a long day, where after a glass, all your worries will be washed away. I'm talking about their 2013 Pinotage reserve. It's a full bodied wine that delivers in every category! It was the runner up at the Absa Pinotage Top 10 last year!

One of my favourite red wines this year!

Foodwise we were first treated to a lovely bread board. I loved the ciabattas with some butter and rough salt. The menu of the restaurant changes on a regular basis. They post the changes on their website. The week I visited, for starters,  you could choose between saldanha bay mussels in a creamy white wine and garlic sauce(R65), smoked duck breast served with pickled red cabbage, duck crackling and walnut nougatine(R55) and their estate salad(R45).

The delicious bread board

We skipped starters and headed straight for the mains. We feasted on a 250g sirloin served with a creamy béarnaise sauce, chips, onion rings and a medley of roasted vegetables(R120). Firstly the meat was cooked perfectly! Tender and moist! That sauce was creamy but not too rich. I also loved their presentation. This was actually the boyfriends dish but my fork made an appearance way too many times! It was delicious.

How good does that look!!!

I had the pan fried gnocchi served with roasted white and green asparagus, king oyster mushrooms and baby onions. This dish was also presented beautifully! The asparagus had a nice crunch to them and I loved the king oyster mushrooms! I've never had them before! One drawback would be that it needed  more moisture. Maybe adding a vinaigrette to the dish would have resolved that? The steak therefore was definitely the dish of the night that I would order next time!



Loved the 'freshness' of this dish


I spotted the dessert that consisted of macerated clementimes, chocolate torte, sorbet, macaroon and honeycomb(R50)! Unfortunately the mains treated me too well and I had to skip the dessert but next time maybe I will start there first :)

They also serve tapas if you are more in the mood for a wine and food sharing experience. The tapas also changes regularly depending on what is fresh in their garden!
 
Service was spot on. We were received with a  warm welcome and the waiter was not overly intrusive. It was actually one of the more mature waiters I've had to deal with in a long time. Service therefore 5/5!

I can now confirm myself that Diemersdal Farm Eatery serves honest and fresh food that's well priced and delicious. The chef really pays tribute to every ingredient he uses! I would rate them as one of those restaurants that will deliver with quality at every visit!

 

 

An event to look forward to this month is Season of Sauvignon that celebrates all the wine farms on the Durbanville wine route the 25th &  26th of October. Diemersdal is one of the participants and will entertain with food stalls, wine tasting and live music for R100 from 11:00-18:00. Entrance to Durbanville Hills is free. They will host a winetasting for R50 pp, have some footstalls for the peckish as well as a big screen for the rugby enthusiasts. You can also enjoy a picnic here but booking in advance is essential. Bloemendal will serve oysters and sushi throughout the day. Their restaurant Bon Amis will also be open for breakfast and lunch from 11:00-17:00 Saturday and 11:00-16:00 Sunday. Entrance is also free. Meerendal, one of my recent favourites, will have their Farmers Market the Saturday as well as a 3 course meal on offer both days. They are also one of the venues where you can enjoy a helicopter ride. For more information about the event and the offerings of the other wine farms click here 

Diemersdal Farm Eatery
Open Wednesday-Sunday 12:00-15:00 & Thursday-Saturday 18:00-21:00 (Booking is essential)
Located at on the M85 (Koeberg road), Durbanville
Contact them at 021 976 1810 or click here to fill in an online request
Tweet them @diemersdalwines
Like them on Facebook
For more information visit their website

Crown Restaurant at Meerendal Wine Estate

It was one of those sunny winter Sundays. You know one of those days, that we've been enjoying the last couple of weeks, that's usually followed by rainy and cold weather. A total teaser! I must say that winter has really overstayed it's welcome but I think we are almost official in summers' territory.  So I headed out to Crown for an afternoon of wine and sun before 6 weeks of Paediatrics took over my life.

Welcome to Crown

Crown is situated on Meerendal Wine Estate. If you are part of the 'active' crowd you will know that Meerendal is one of the places in the Northern Suburbs where you can ride your bicycle or go for a run and then hop right into Crown for a 'bederf brekkie'! Breakfast is served until 11:00 and range between R25-R60. I skipped the active part and headed straight for the wine and food part. Next time I will go with my running shoes :)

I was surprised how stylish the establishment was. I was impressed how they played with different shapes of furniture. One of my favourites was this awesome piece below as well as the bicycle wall!

Next time I want to sit in one of those! It looks so cool!

Crown paying tribute to all the bicycle lovers!

They also have one wall that is covered with mirrors that enlarges the space immensely. They have large concertina doors that open onto a big lawn. Ideal if it's a sunny day or if you go with little ones as you will always be able to keep an eye on them.

Large lawn that everyone can enjoy!

The mirror wall!

They serve simple food in an elegant manner. We enjoyed a cheese and chacuterie platter for R155. It was more than enough for two people and I will recommend that you share it between four. The only thing I did not enjoy was the boiled eggs. It took away some of the class of the platter and you should rather keep those 'delicacies' when you go on a road trip! I personally just hate them! The food that went passed us looked delicious and ensured that we have to return in the future! Their BBQ beef burger(R65) caught my eye as well as their beef steak(200g) that is served with baby potatoes, hollandaise sauce and green beans(R130). Their salads range between R60-R67 and they are definitely generous with their portions.

Our delicious platter filled with a great variety of cheese, chacuterie, olives, figs and more!

We did however enjoy a sweet treat of chocolate and caramel filled pancakes served with ice-cream(R34). I loved the filling but the pancake itself was undercooked and underwhelming. They do have milk tart on the menu that is served with butternut and mascarpone ice-cream(R34) that I will try next time! Vegetable ice-cream can only be healthy :)

Chocolate and salted caramel pancake. Here the portion is already halved.

 

I loved how they served their coffee. It's the small details that count.

Service was a 10/10. They were friendly and efficient. Bookings area a must if you plan to visit over the weekend. The place was packed and the atmosphere was wonderful. If it's a great day do sit outside!

Crown also hosts a Farmers Market on their large lawn. The next one is the 11th of October. You can RSVP here. You will be treated to fresh produce, home made goods as well as an entertainment section for the little ones. 

Where you will find the wine tasting...

We really enjoyed Meerendal's Unwooded Chardonnay(R69) so after lunch we went to the wine tasting and deli area to purchase a few bottles. An unwooded wine is usually when the wine is not matured in an wood barrel but rather in a stainless steel vat. It's an ideal wine for people who don't like the strong wood taste that accompany some wines and it's also ideal for wine beginners as the wine has a gentle yet flavoursome taste. I think we really enjoyed it because it was an easy and refreshing wine to drink which paired perfectly with all the strong cheeses without competing with their flavours.

At the wine tasting area you can sit  outside on a lovely deck overlooking the estate and also enjoy a platter with your wine tasting. If I remember correctly its about R25 for five wines. Their wines per bottle range between R39-R250. Meerendal is one of the first places in South-Africa that planted the Pinotage cultivar way back in 1955. Their Pinotage (R140) therefore is a 'must-try'.

The deck

 

Wine shop

 

This is definitely a spot where I want to be on a Friday afternoon after a long week or enjoy a wine filled lunch with friends!

Crown Restaurant and Wine bar

• Visit their website for more information
• Contact them at 021 515 5853 or info@crownrestaurant.co.za
• Like them on Facebook
• Located on the Vissershok road, Durbanville
• Breakfast and lunch: Monday-Sunday
• Dinner: Tuesday-Saturday

Meerendal Wine Estate

• Visit their website for more information
• Wine tasting: Monday-Sunday 10:00-17:00
• Like them on Facebook

The Velvet Cake Company

 

My go to place to unwind and get a "pick me up" after a long day is Treat Patisserie. Now for our convenience we don't have to make time for a sit down anymore to enjoy their sweet treats. We can conveniently 'take away'. This is also where you can order and collect baked goods for special occasions. Stop by for a quick coffee(R18) and a cupcake(R15) or spoil yourself or a loved one with a delicious baked cake(pre-order is essential). Their large cakes retail at around R225 and they sure are more affordable than other bakeries in Cape Town where a ordinary chocolate cake will chase R500 out of your wallet and taste average.

Come for a quick coffee...

 

... or some sweet treats.

Muffins, quiches, red velvet cupcakes, vanilla cupcakes...

When I visit Treat I usually share a cake tasting platter(R70) with friends and you can even "take away" this at The Velvet Cake Company.

I have always been a Red Velvet lover but recently I loved their "Miss May" cake which is a sweet and sour passion fruit cake. I am also looking forward to trying their Crepe Cake in the near future.

A day without cake, is a day wasted...

The staff are very helpful and friendly

A space is available if you can't wait to try you sweet treats at home :)

 

For pictures of all the sweet treats and quiches hop over to their website. You can also directly order from the website and they suggest you do it at least two days in advance.

Here's their recent price list

Visit them at 21 Pasita street, Rosenpark, Durbanville
Open

• Monday-Friday 09:00-16:30
• Saturday 09:00-13:00

Contact them at

• 021 914 0482 or 084 676 3288
• order@thevelvetcakeco.com

Like them on Facebook and check out all the delicious images!

Ou Meul Bakkery : New gem in Willowbridge

Blogging and the gym have not been on top of my to do list these last few weeks, so both got revived recently. I went to the gym and bumped into a friend. Her first words were : "Have you been to the new bakery in Willowbridge? You will love it! I became a local within a week!"


I am usually in the loop when new places appear, especially in the Northern Suburbs, as the choices are somewhat limited. I was immediately intrigued. (Give me anything but a large franchise).

I am busy with exams and it's usually when procrastination is a favourite past time, so I decided to be  productive and have brunch with my mother :)

The first branch of Ou Meul Bakkery opened in Riviersonderend. We always stop there and buy loads of delicious pies. Our fridge is currently stocked up with them. I love the bobotie flavour.

In April they opened another branch located next to the Col Cacchio in Willowbridge. I love what they did with the space. They mixed beautiful wood tables with metal chairs. Not a complete industrial feel, but borderline to it. A great aspect of the bakery is that they have a few long tables that will accommodate big groups who are looking for a business meeting spot or a cake and tea birthday party. My favourite aspect of the bakery however is the glass window in front of the kitchen. Here you can observe how they knead and bake al the delicious pastries and breads.

Look out spot towards Welgemoed

Long tables to accommodate many

My fave spot

The coffee is great and if you visit them from 07:00-09:30 a cup of joe is only R10. For breakfast I had a omelette stuffed with goats cheese, mushrooms and tomatoes and a side of toast. They were gracious with the fillings and it tasted delicious.

Yummy omelette

I am planning a return visit ASAP as I have spotted these yummy treats on their Facebook page:

 Mmm, now I will have to go to the gym more....

 The staff at the bakery were very welcoming with every client that entered the bakery. How refreshing that a new spot has opened in the Northern Suburb. I predict only success for them and they are 5 minutes away from me. New blogging spot sorted!

Visit them Monday-Saturday 07:00 - 18:00 & Sunday 08:00 - 17:00
Like them on Facebook
Visit their website (currently under construction)

 * The last four photos are from the Ou Meul Bakkery Facebook page and I take no credit for them.

Isabella's

I am finally done with exams! Yay! I have a week holiday and then I am going to the Eastern Cape to do my elective in General surgery.

Now during my exams a friend introduced me to Isabella's and it soon became our post-exam stop-shop to unwind afterwards.

Isabella's opened in Durbanville in May. Its part of a franchise, that's very popular in Gauteng and there already are 9 shops with a new one opening soon in Pretoria.

They have a characteristic colour palette of white, pink and black. It's a very retro looking shop and a big emphasis is put on the small details. I especially loved that every time I visited my tea was served in a different pot such as  this beautifull Le Creuset pot below.

The staff and manager Maureen were also extremely friendly and very attentive every time I visited. Nothing seemed to be a hassle for them. Another awesome feature of the shop is the free Wi-Fi. I have a new iPhone and after being on a blackberry for so long I now know what "data" is! haha

 

They have a very extensive menu with numerous breakfast, sandwich, quiche, wraps, burgers ,boerie rolls and salad options. During lunch time there's also a harvest table where you can choose and weigh a plate of food.

I am especially looking forward to try their  double decadent french toast , which is their signature dish, consisting of bread drenched in whipped orange mascarpone served with bacon, maple syrup and berries.(R58)

During my first visit I enjoyed the biltong, fig, rocket, parmesan cheese and herbed mayo sandwich on home baked white bread(R46). Now beware their portion sizes are big. You truly get your money's worth when you dine with them so ladies I would recommend you go for the half portion sandwiches when you visit. I was not a fan of the home baked bread as it was sliced to thick for me but there was nothing wrong with how it tasted :)

My second visit I had the crumbed chicken breast, bacon , tomato, avocado, feta, rocket and herbed mayo on whole grain bread(R46) and once again they did not disappoint.

 

My friend enjoyed the smoked salmon, tomato, capers, avocado, rocket and herbed mayo on rye bread and was also very satisfied.

Now my favourite at Isabella's is their Turkish delight cupcakes but beware they are super sweet. I had to take away a cupcake after each visit and loved the individual cupcake packaging. Other cakes to try when you come for some cake and tea are their ferrero-rocher, lemon meringue, cookies and crème cheesecake, carrot cake, purple velvet, back velvet , nutella chocolate cake and many more.

Our frequent cupcake take-away stash...

Just some of the cakes on display

Turkish delight(R20), chocolate(R26) and red velvet(R26) cupcakes.

Look how cute the cupcake packaging is!

 

Oh and look at this awesome special the first Friday of every month...

 

 

Isabella's can also assist you if you are looking for a venue to host a high tea. Prices range from R75 - R120 per person depending on if you choose to include tea, gin&tonic or a glass of champagne for your guests.

 

They also have an extensive wine, bubbly and cocktail list and my next visit I want to plan strategically so that I can at least enjoy a cocktail.



Visit them Monday-Friday 07:00-17:00, Saturday 08:00-17:00 or Sunday 09:00-15:00
Located at Heritage Square, Vrede street, Durbanville
Contact them at 021 976 6037 or durbaville@isabellas.co.za
Follow them @CakeandFoodShop or like them on Facebook
For more information check out their website

Remember to not forget about Treat that is also in the Durbanville area :)


P.s I also saw a Slug and lettuce is opening or being revamped next to Isabella's!

Bon Amis at Bloemendal

For dessert I am always on the quest to find the best chocolate fondant. The current one must always top the previous find. For breakfast I am always on the hunt for the yummiest french toast.

I just finished an early test and breakfast was my main concern. Joined by my friend aka best hospital clinical partner we decided to take a drive to find a breakfast spot in the Durbanville Hills.

 

We stopped at Bon Amis. It's a well known café and  deli in the area. Bon Amis in French translates to good friends and this is definitely  a spot to come and enjoy with your loved ones.

 Now to be honest I have stopped here before. It was a Sunday afternoon and the boyfriend and I were on a late afternoon dessert quest. As we opened the door an elderly man was on his guitar providing some entertainment and unfortunately this did not excite me, so we drove on.

 

Luckily I can now say that even if the guitar guy is outside  the café again, I will not drive away as our breakfast was delicious and I found a great contender in my French toast quest.

The presentations of the dishes were great as they don’t use you standard, white 'run-of-mill' plates. It provides a more sophisticated feel to your meal.

 

Two large pieces of french toast (R55) with crisp bacon, cinnamon sugar and syrup were thoroughly enjoyed by us. For extra cheese they charged as R15 which I thought was a bit steep. Restaurants always do that with extra cheese?? Other breakfast option are the Bloemendal eggs benedict(R75), four egg omelette with wild mushrooms, blue cheese, onion confit and basil(R60) or corn and thyme fritter with fresh avocado, ostrich sausage and tomato chili jam(R60). Muffins and croissants are between R25-35.

 
The restaurant has a great patio which can be enjoyed during warmer days. I still want to visit again to enjoy some wine and platters when the weather improves. I can see some great social gatherings here in the future. Their lunch and dinner menu's feature salads(R75-R85), pasta(R65), burgers(R85-R105), seafood, steak and more.

Inside the restaurant is decorated in neutral colours with beautiful wooden tables decorated with striped runners, material napkins and mini cactuses.

The café has a great clean cut look to it.

We visited early so the café was not bustling yet.

 

 

Service was okay. Our waitress had a bit of an attitude and got irritated with us because we did not move stuff quickly enough when she brought our plates over. The food was good enough that this did not really contribute to our experience. I am convinced that this particular waitress is just a sour grape in the bunch.

 

On Saturdays and Sundays they serve breakfast buffets only. The flatmate has been to that and said that it was very nice. For R110 you receive the hot buffet, R95 the continental buffet and for R165 you receive both.

Located at Bloememdal wine estate on the M13, Tygerberg Valley road, Durbanville

Visit them

•  Tuesday - Thursday 09:00 - 17:00
• Friday - Saturday 09:00 - 21:00
• Sunday 09:00 - 17:00

Like them on Facebook

Visit their website

Contact them at 0219762682

 
p.s don't forget to enter my competition here that closes this Friday :) I had some of the cocktails again this weekend and they were delicious :)