Obz Cafe

The only time I venture to the Observatory area is to visit my favourite Mexican restaurant Pancho's. Every time I do however go there, I notice the Obz Café. It look so cosy from the outside with the red and white checked table cloths and dark wood interior.

I then discovered that they have a pizza and pasta special on Thursday evenings and I no longer had an excuse not to visit them.

The night we visited, the place was packed with more tourists than locals. I love seeing this and I know why they visit. Great service, delicious food and a very cosy atmosphere. They only get rave reviews on Tripadvisor.

The host and our waiter were brilliant. Very attentive, welcoming and contributed to the relaxed atmosphere of the night.

There is a beautifully dark wooden bar at the entrance of the Café that contributes to some elegance in this relaxed café.

The pizzas we tried were

• Spicy meatballs and pecorino ( Usually R74 but due to 1/2 price it was R37)
• Mediterranean - Sundried tomatoes calmata olives, peppadews and feta (Usually R75 but we paid R36)

Only R37 for this pizza! Bargain!

The pizzas are served on cool wooden planks and are rectangular in shape. They reminded me of the pizzas at The Grand Beach cafe but they are just way more affordable and just as delicious. The Mediterranean was the clear winner between the two pizza. If you are a fan of thin based pizzas Obz Café will be enjoyed by you. I prefer a thicker base!

We enjoyed the Craighall's Cabernet sauvignon merlot which paired great with the pizza's. 

If you are not in the mood for pizza or pasta you can enjoy steak(R109), schnitzel(R80), lamb chop(R110) or prawn curry(R80).

Other specials
2 for 1 Burgers on Monday evenings ( Normal burger prices R55-R68).

Special or not I will return to Obz Café. They have established themselves as a great contender  for best restaurant in the Observatory area :)

Located at 115 Lower main road, Observatory, Cape Town
Visit them 7 days of the week 09:30 - 22:30
Contact them at 021 448 5555
For more information check out their website
Follow then on twitter @Obzcafe
Like them on Facebook

Queen of tarts - Baking made easy

I spend hours learning about what can go wrong in the body so I decided to lighten the mood and learn something "fun" for a change. I don't only like tasting food but love creating it as well and if its something sweet the experience is complete for me. A cupcake has never ruined my day :)

Tina -  owner writer and baking extraordinaire from Queen of tarts has numerous baking and cooking demonstration at her bakery. Myself and two friends went for the Baking #3 on Saturday morning. The classes are not larger than 8-10 people so the environment is very comfortable and relaxing for you to interact with Tina and ask any questions or tips you want. 

The session was from 9 - 12:30. We were greeted with some lovely tea and coffee. You receive a booklet with all the recipes in it as well as a shopping list for each item. Tina then bakes and creates all the lovely goodies and the best part.... YOU GET TO TASTE everything. 

She explains to you why you use certain products and gives you tips on how to succesfully recreate what she made. The big driving force behind picking Baking #3 was to learn how to make maceroons! They are apparently very tempramental treats so I hope my first attempt soon will go great.

This really is a awesome morning that can be shared between friends, mothers and daughters and even the guys should come and try it.

The cost are R450 per session and it really is worthwhile. She even gave us 'doggybags' to go and impress our loved ones.

Follow this link to get information about classes in the future - http://www.queenoftarts.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=frontpage&Itemid=41

If youre not into the baking thing then just go and visit the bakery. The staff that work there are lovely and you will discover some lovely unique treats.

If youre baking and cooking skills are intact then invest in some of Tina's books. She makes cooking and baking simple. Her recipe layout and explanations really shows that. Prices range from R150 - R165 and they are available at Woolworths, Exclusive books and from her website.

There are three baking courses you can choose from.

The recipes that were demonstrated to us and that we tasted.

Icing the petit fours.

Petit fours - These lovely treats takes at least 2 days to make!

One of our "classmates" helping Tina.

Scrumptious country loaf! NO kneading involved!

Drizziling the cake with chocolate!

Chocolate and almond cake.

mmmmmmmmmm............

Florentines!

Chocolate and raspberry petit fours.

Piping the macaroons.

Vanilla, strawberry & vanilla and ginger macaroons.

Joandi after our successfull morning!

Outside the bakery... tummies full of cake and head full of knowledge! Let the baking begin!

Address:  213 Lower main road, Observatory
Email: tina@queenoftarts.co.za
Contact number: 021 448 2420
Website: www.queenoftarts.co.za
Facebookpage: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Queen-of-Tarts/165824503459307
Opening times : Monday to Friday 08:00 - 16:00 & Saturday 08:00 - 14:30

Panchos - In the mood for mexican...

Panchos

Adress: 127 Lower Main Road, Observatory, Cape Town

Located in the observatory area, which is not as well known as the city bowel, is this awesome restaurant. Think of big plates of cheeeeesy nachos and jugs of delicious frozen margaritas!

First impression: Don't be put off by the area it is situated in. There are dark alleys and strange characters lurking on the street but we have never been in a uncomfortable situation there. As soon as you step into Panchos the festive atmosphere will take you to another level!

Food: Their portions sizes are so big that you wont even have space for the mains. My favourite thing to order is the starter platter for 2 going at a rate of  R90. It consists of  chicken wings, cheese quesadilla, chilli, beef & chicken poppers, potato croquettes, feta wraps, sour cream, sweet chilli sauce, guacamole and nacho chips.  Add another small plate of nachos for R50 and you are set between 2 people.
http://www.eatout.co.za/Uploads/Images/Restaurant/Images/PANCHOS%20FOOD%20MENU%202011-03Aug11-010202.pdf

Drinks: You cant leave ponchos without having at least one margarita(R25)  and a shot of ponchos coffee tequila (R20)! The margaritas come in a range of flavors. They allow you to mix and match between flavors so you can throw together a mango and strawberry combination. If you are going as a big group order the 1L jugs. (R95)
http://www.eatout.co.za/Uploads/Images/Restaurant/Images/Panchos_FINAL_Wine_List_13July20112-03Aug11-010138.pdf

Service: If a restaurant can handle a group op 10+ women .... they get my vote for awesome service!

Dress: Casual ( but leave the jeans and 'tekkies' at home)

Positive points: This really is a budget friendly place if you want to entertain a big group . Make it festive and dress mexican style!

Remember: If your are going as a big group BOOK IN ADVANCE (021 447 4854 ) ! There are 2 time slots , 18:30 & 20:30.