The Twankey Bar at The Taj Hotel

Cape Town has a lot of great drink spots and you can add The Twankey Bar to that list. Located in The Taj Hotel it has an elegant feel. It's the perfect spot to stop by for a quick drink before heading out to dinner or a show.

I enjoyed a  rose and hibiscus mojito(R50). Other mojitos you can try are grapefruit, chilli, cucumber and kiwi. They look huge but they do add a lot of ice. Complimentary popcorn is served while you enjoy your drinks.  CBC and Jack black are available as drafts for the boys!

 

Rose and hibiscus mojito

 

Pink grapefruit mojito

 

If you want something of substance you can choose between tapas, curry, salad, chacuterie platters and more.

They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner but I would have to head back to them before I can recommend anything.

Service was friendly and efficient.

They have specials for every day of the week. The Monday special looked enticing to me. For R90 you receive chicken tikka with naan or rice and 3 craft beers or wine.

Cheers and enjoy!

Tweet them @twankeybar
Located in Wale street
Visit them Monday-Saturday 07:00-23:00 or Saturday 14:00-24:00
For more information visit their website
Free wifi

Jordan

I had a WOW lunch at Jordan this Sunday.

The Jordan wine estate is home to a wine tasting area, a bakery and the fine-dining restaurant we dined at. I was not aware of the bakery but I peeked inside and this is definitely a place to come for a relaxing brunch or lunch. Diners feasted of home-made soup and delicious looking pies.



The Bakery

 

Outside wine tasting area

 


Outside bakery area

A great feature of Jordan is that if the weather is nice you can sit outside at all three areas and enjoy the beautiful view over the dam.

There was only one negative aspect of Jordan. We arrived before our fellow diners and wanted to do a quick wine-tasting to decide what wine we would enjoy with our lunch. They offer a wine tasting for R35 where you can taste six wines. The fee is wavered if you purchase wine. We received no recognition by the wine tasting personal and after standing at the counter for five minutes we decided to leave. Only then the one girl blinked her eye. Luckily the experience at the restaurant made up for this.

Outside the fine dining restaurant.

We were greeted warmly by the front of house. We were lucky enough to be seated at the window and could really enjoy the beautiful view while we were having lunch. The restaurant has an open kitchen so you can see all chef Jardine's magic as it's happening. It was also very cosy with the fireplace in the middle of the restaurant.



Simple yet elegant table setting

As we were uncertain about their wine we decided to enjoy the Sauvignon Blanc (R145).  It usually is  an easy drinking wine otherwise you just add a load of ice :) (or that is my motto) Some of the dishes we enjoyed were very rich and this wine balanced everything out. I would order it again.


We were first treated with an assortment of breads. You could choose between basil pesto, aioli or a tomato and aubergine relish as spreads. My favourite was the mini vetkoeke with the aubergine relish.


A great start to the meal

 They had a diverse menu and we struggled to make a choice. I was impressed with the amount of different proteins that were on offer. In the end we had the following:

Starters

• Steamed mussel papillote with coconut milk, lemongrass, ginger, lime, chilli and garlic

  

   
  
• Braised gemsbok terrine with pickled caps, confit celeriac, celeriac chantilly and hazelnut
  
• Fricassee of roasted brussels sprouts, potato gnocchi, gorgonzola crumble and fresh burgundy truffle
  

I really enjoyed the brussels sprout dish. When I scanned through the menu the gorgonzola immediately caught my eye. I love strong cheeses. I know a lot of people are not fans of brussels sprouts. I really think it depends on the way you cook them. These were really nice and very refreshing paired with the rich cheese, truffles and gnocchi. I even asked someone, who did not like brussels sprouts, to taste one and she said that they were nice. I think a chef can receive three gold stars if he presents brussels sprouts in a delicious way.  

I also tasted the gemsbok terrine. I was not a fan as I would have preferred it served warmer but that is not standard for a terrine. Those who had it loved it.

Mains

• Aged Chalmar sirloin with a soft herb crust, creamed lentils, bacon, onion puree and a glazed ox's cheek
  
• Confit and roasted Joostenberg Vlakte duck served with porcini veloute, honey parsnip and braised kale
  
• Salted East Coast Hake served with a grenobloise crust, early season broad beans and a white wine and herb veloute

Fun fact: Veloute, for those who don't know, translate from French to velvety. Veloute together with  tomato, hollandaise, béchamel and espagnole are all collectively know as the five French mother sauces by Georges Escoffier, a 19th century French chef who was very involved in the development of modern French Cuisine.

The majority of us had the sirloin. It was perfectly cooked medium rare. It was the first time I've had ox cheek and I must say I enjoyed it. It's a very rich meat that should be enjoyed in small quantities. The bacon and lentils that the meat rested on was one of my favourite parts of the dish. I can eat that as a main meal on it's own!

I also tried the duck. If I visit them again that would be my next main order. The duck was extremely succulent! It's also a very meaty dish and if you are very hungry this would be my top suggestion.

Then it was dessert time!

• Honey and poppy seed soufflé
  
• Custard tart, soft nougat, white chocolate mousse and kumquat caviar
  
• Baked granny smith apple with crème anglaise, brandy snap and vanilla ice cream
  

 

The honey and poppy seed soufflé was amazing. It was light, airy and you could taste the poppy seeds. Just look at the height of that dessert. It's actually a very large portion too. The whole table could share in the deliciousness. This dessert will now be my association with Jordan. The waiter comes and 'cuts' your soufflé after which she pours in cream and vanilla ice cream and still this dessert kept its' form.  All I can say is WOW to chef Jardine and his team. You blew our taste buds away. Fine dining with substance and extraordinary taste!

A cool aspect of Jordan restaurant is their cheese room. Unfortunately I don't have a photo to show you but you will spot it as soon as you enter the restaurant. If you choose the cheese platter dessert you can go and select your own cheese! I am sure that they will allow you to taste before you make your picks!

When you dine at Jordan you choose from a set menu. A two course is R275 and a three course is R320. They have a lunch special Wednesday-Friday where a three course is R275.


Service was great. I would suggest you book in advance. I saw numerous diners that could not be accommodated due to the jam packed restaurant. You don't want to miss out on that soufflé :)

 

Thank you to these two ladies that I could share in their delicious birthdays! BIG happy birthday :)





Located on the Stellenbosch Kloof Road that stems out of the M12.
Visit them for lunch or dinner. Take note they are closed for lunch Mondays and Tuesday during winter.
Contact them at 021 881 3612 or restaurant@jordanwines.com
Tweet them @Jordan_Wines
Like them on Facebook
Visit their website for more information



Truth

You feel like a celebrity when you enter Truth Coffee. All the staff greet you and are super friendly. Add to that the impressive colossal coffee machine in the middle of the coffeehouse, Truth does distinguish themselves from others.

Now they have been voted as 'the best' in Cape Town as well as 'the best' in the world by a traveling journalist. To be honest their coffee is great but not my favourite. That is my personal opinion but I am sure many will disagree with me.

Truth

Their coffee is served 'with no sugar required', in fact they are actually offended is you ask for sugar. The coffee aromas smell as good as it taste. Many of you will love it. They have a coffee happy hour between 07:00-08:00 where all coffee is R15. After that a cup of joe will start at R20.


They also serve breakfast and light lunches. You can even stop by for a takeaway coffee and croissant.
Improv nights, vintage markets and live music makes regular appearances at Truth. Check out their Facebook page for more information.

Truth is one of Cape Town's institutions. You have to visit them at least once. Are they your favourite or do you rate others as better?? 

Visit them at 36 Buitenkant street, Cape Town
Open

• Monday-Thursday 07:00-18:00
• Friday 07:00-late
• Saturday 08:00-18:00
• Sunday 08:00-14:00

Contact them at 021 200 0440 or info@truthcoffee.com
For more information visit their website. You can also buy their coffee and other appliances straight from their website.
Like them on Facebook
Tweet them @TRUTHcoffee

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!

Arugula Bistro

I discovered one of the best specials recently at Arugula Bistro in Welgemoed. Located in a shoppingmall I expected Arugula to not have atmosphere and be predictable. I was definitely proven wrong. I met a friend there for dinner and we were very impressed. The view was great too!

Inside the restaurant

Open plan kitchen

Now to get to the special. For R240 you receive 2 camembert or cheddar burgers served with thick cut chips and a spicy salsa. You can also choose between a bottle of Diemersdal Sauvignon Blanc or a red blend . End off your meal with a scoop of ice-cream each. We enjoyed the salted caramel and peppermint crisp flavors but there are many interesting others to choose from.

Picture borrowed from Arugula's Facebook page! Yum!!

If you can't visit them on a Monday then go and enjoy their selection of pastas, porkbelly, beef fillet or sirloin,seafood and interesting salads. They also host food and wine parings. Check out their Facebook for more information.

Service was extremely friendly and efficient!

What a nice surprise in the Notheren suburbs. Just proves that you don't always have to venture out into the city to enjoy great food. I can't wait to go back!

Visit them for

• Breakfast: Monday-Sunday 08:00-11:30
• Lunch: Monday - Sunday 12:00-15:30
• Dinner: Monday - Saturday 18:30-22:00

Contact them at 021 913 6906 or info@arugulabistro.co.za
Located at shop 18, welgemoedforum, cnr Jip de Jager and Kommisariss street, Welgemoed, Belville
Check out their website and Facebook

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!