Gourmet Boerie

My boyfriend recently stated working in Cape Town. First of all I'm  very happy for him and his opportunity to climb the corporate ladder BUT this now just gives me more opportunities to feast and let loose in the culinary world of Cape Town when I go and visit him (SCORE)

Our first official post-work date was at Gourmet Boerie. What more would you like than a boerie and a beer after a long day of work.

The space is full of white benches where all diners sit together. Some of them you may know or meet the night there. I really enjoyed an older couple next to us who had the most interesting conversation with a tourist. They told her about all the spots and must visit places in Cape Town.

The staff of Gourmet Boerie are extremely friendly and accomadating. The vibe was fantastic. The vibe really contributed to 50% of our experience. It was just chatter and happiness all around.

At Gourmet Boerie you choose your toppings, boerie and roll as well as thincut or sweet potato fries.

The boerie's to choose from are traditional (50% beef & 50% pork), lamb, chicken, beef and ostrich. The rolls on offer are wholegrain, white or rye.

Then the best part is to choose how you are going to take your boerie to the next level. They have the ‘old school basic boerie’  with caramalised onions for R35 and a ‘chakalaka boerie’ smothered in traditional chakalaka sauce with cos lettuce for R40.

I feasted on the ‘pure sophistication boerie’(R55). The toppings consisted of goats cheese, caramalised onions, red cherry tomato, basil pesto and rocket. I chose the wholegrain roll and the traditional sausage. My boyfriend had ‘the mexicano boerie’ (R50). The toppings consisted of tomato salsa, sour cream, jalapeno chilli, coriander and cos lettuce.

If you don’t want the shoestring fries or sweet potato chips you can order tempura battered onion rings(R15), wedges (R18), colseslaw(R15) or garden salad (R20).

For afterwards indulgence try the mini dessert platter that has a selection of homemade malva pudding, milktart, apple crumble and ice cream (R35)

They have craft beers (R25-R35),wine by the glass(R25-R30) and bottle (R90) as well as soda's and milkshakes(R20).

For a fun, no fuss, jolly meal be sure to pop in at The Gourmet Borie. Great time guaranteed!

Address : On the corner of kloofstreet across the McDonalds.

Contact them at 021 424 4208

Visit them Monday to Saturday  12:00 – 22:30

I unfortunately forgot my camera and my cellphone so I could not snap my own pictures as I always do. I borrowed some of the pictures of their Facebook-page which what shot by Charlie Sperring photography. He did a way better job than I would have done anyway. Be sure to check out the rest of his work :)

Some specials to remember

Some specials to keep in mind on those budget breaking months...
 

HQ

2 for 1 steaks served with unlimited chips for R169 and some specials on selected cocktails

Seatingtimes:

Seating 1: 6pm to 7:15pm

Seating 2: 7:30pm to 9pm

Seating 3: 9:15pm until late 

Location: 100 Shortmarket street, Heritage Sqaure

Contact them at  021 424 6373

Website HQ

 

 

Jackal and Hide
 

2 for 1 Main meal for R140 on Mondays

2 for 1 cocktail special from 16:00 - 19:00

Location: 108 Kloofstreet

Contact them at 021 424 1020

Like them on facebook Jackal and Hide

 

Hudsons

16:30 – 18:30 Half price beer, cocktails and appetizers Monday to Friday

Branches

•  Corner Somerset & Portswood Road, Greenpoint 021 433 1496
• 69 A Kloofstreet 021 426 5974
• Shop 1A, 25 Protea Road  021 674 5152

Website Hudson's

 

Reddies

R20 for 8 California rolls Mondays and Tuesdays

Location: Kenridge Shopping Centre, IPIC Door De Kraal Ave Durbanville

Contact them at 021 914 0985

Open times: 12:00 - 20:30

 

 

Carne-SA

 

Carne was announced the best steakhouse in South-Africa by Eat Out. I went with my family as we were celebrating the moving into my new flat and my father’s upcoming birthday. This truly was a meat-paradise.

The Chef at Carne is Italian Giorgio Nava. Italian influences are visible in most of his dishes.

The space is very clean-cut with a construction-type feel mixed with some modern décor elements.

 

On our arrival we were treated to complimentary miniature meatballs. My father decided to eat mine as well and they gladly treated us with another one.

The service at Carne is excellent. The waiters are well informed and very social but not too such extent that they irritate you.

At Carne before you order the waiter will bring out a large platter of all the raw meats and the different cuts that are on offer. They will explain how each meat is prepared and why you will prefer each cut of meat.

Meatplatter

 

My father went for the 7 week aged prime-rib (R365). I opted for the sirloin on the bone (R190) and my mother who adores pork chose the pork-chops. Each dish comes with one side. Sides to choose from are fried potatoes, mash potato, spinach, broccoli or house side salad.

Pork chop

Sirloin on the bone

 

Aged prime-rib

 

All our meats were very tender, succulent and juicy. They only use some salt, pepper and olive oil to cook the meat in. The flavours are simple but that allows you to appreciate the quality of meat you receive.

For the brave there is a Florentine steak that weighs 1,2kg. When I visit Carne again I will order the three fillet medallions served with salsa verde, mushroom and baarnaise sauce(R185).

More affordable dishes on the menu are the pan fried chicken breast filled with spinach served with slow cooked tomato sauce (R110) or free range dorper lamb shoulder stuffed with spinach, sultanas and pine nuts served on a bed of wilted spinach (R120).

Starters range from R45-R95. Feast on asparagus with a free range chicken egg (R70), summer melon and parma ham (R95) or carpaccio and poached tongue salad with salsa verde (R80).

We ended off our evening with their famous chocolate fondant. From my previous posts you would have realised that this is usually my favourite dessert. Carne’s was rich and dark and the centre was oozy and runny just as I like it. A great combination was my father’s Jack Daniels on the rocks and some of the chocolate fondant.  Other sweet treats to indulge on are baked cream, sorbet, ice cream or mixed berry salad with mascarpone sorbet.

 

Wine list features local and imported Italian wine. We enjoyed a viognier during our dinner but unfortunately I cant recall the particular cellar. It really was a great wine that complimented our food.

We really enjoyed the meal and the quality of the food was excellent but I can honestly say that I have had steaks at other places that I really enjoyed and that was more affordable.

I would recommend Carne’s as a special occasion restaurant and for meat lovers. Budget at least R300 per person.

Be sure to book in advance. The place is always fully-booked.

Contact them at 021 424 3460 or info@carne-sa.com

Website Carne

Open for dinner Monday to Sunday

Visit them at 70 Keerom, City Bowl

 

The Greenhouse at Babylonstoren

I have wanted to visit Babylonstoren for such a long time but something always popped up. This month at last I had the opportunity to go, so myself and my new awesome flatmate went there to utilise a perfect sunny Saturday.

At the entrance you pay R10 per person. This goes to community upliftment for the people working on the farm.

Babylonstoren is a feast to your senses. Large gardens full of vegetables and fruit that are perfectly nurtured by the hardworking workers of Babylonstoren. Everything smells so fresh. You truly feel rejuvenated after a stroll in the garden.

Beautiful garden

 

Lounge under the trees

 

Stop and smell the flowers

 

Some of the live produce

 

At the greenhouse you can spend the whole day lounging under the large trees or enjoy some fresh juice while cooling off your feet in the nearby stream.

The greenhouse

 

Ample space for little one's to run around

 

Inside the greenhouse

 

Happy :)

 

The menu offers freshly baked breads with a choice of cheese and protein for R75. You also receive some relishes and your own individual salad served in small mason type jars. The salads are very interesting. Some of the elements I did not know at all. It’s definitely not your average Greek salad.

The Menu

Breads to choose from:

• Whole wheat
• Rye
• Farm Style white
• Ciabatta

 
Cheese to choose from:

• Dalewood Huguenot
• Gorgonzola
• Leiden
• Brie

Charcuterie:

• Ham of the day
•  Soft cured biltong
• Smoked chicken
• Smoked trout

My combination was the farm style white with smoked chicken and leiden. My flatmate enjoyed the ciabatta with gorgonzola and soft cured biltong. I must say her combination was the best.

Soft cured biltong and gorgonzola ciabatta

Creative salad

Beautiful cutlery

 

For tea time you can enjoy chocolate or rosewater cupcakes (R25), carrot cake (R45), the tart of the day (R35) or fresh buttermilk scones (R30). Cool off on the hot summer days with ice-cream or
sorbet popsicle (R20).

Something really cool are their juices. You choose a colour:  red, yellow or green. I chose a red juice and it consisted of beetroot, apple and plum. The freshness blew my taste buds away. Babylonstoren wine, coffee and tea are also available as refreshments. Wine is served by the glass or per bottle. By bottle the prices range from R80-240 and per glass from R22-65.

The red juice

 

Service is swift and friendly. We were greeted by very friendly and enthusiastic staff. The simple menu contributes to the fact that service will mostly be satisfactory.

There is a shop at the entrance where they sell great gifts such as the Babel cookbook, ceramics, breads, cheese and preserves. My heart is set on the plastic crafted cutlery that you also use when you visit The Greenhouse.

Freshly baked goods to buy

 

Delish preserves to buy

 

I want these :)

Cheeeeeese

Olive oil ect to buy

 

My next visit will hopefully be to the award-winning Babel. If you want to visit there be sure to book in advance. The list sometimes stretches to a wait of two months.

The award-winning Babel

When you visit Babylonstoren be sure you put out at least half a day so you can stroll through the whole garden and take everything in. The trend is to stroll with a sunhat! Will not forget mine next time.

 

 

The awesome flatmate enjoying the beautiful surroundings

 

We ended of our day with some free wine tasting at Glen Carlou. It’s a wine farm next to Backsberg Wine farm. The have a large terrace with great views of the Paarl mountains.

Like them on facebook

Website

Located on the Simonduim road, Klapmuts

Contact them at 021 863 3852 or charl@babylonstoren.com

Open for brunch and lunch Wednesday to Sunday

 

 

 

The Velvet Cake Co. at Treat Patisserie

I found myself in sweet treat heaven when I visited The Velvet Cake Co this week. It is situated in the Hertex fabric shop in Durbanville, so to find this gem you should hope that you discover it through word of mouth.

Myself and a friend indulged in the cake tasting platter for two. It cost R60 and you receive 4 half-slices of cake. They choose two and you choose the other two. The Velvet Cake Co treated us to the Coco Chanel and lemon cake. Coco Chanel is a moist rich dark chocolate cake. Even non-chocolate lovers won't be able to say no to this. The lemon cake has the right sweet and sour combination and its as moist as all the cake from The Velvet Cake Co.

The two cakes we chose were the popular red velvet cake frosted with cream cheese and covered with meringue and a strawberry/raspberry cake garnished with a chocolate mousse icing.

There are loads more to choose from such as spicy carrot cake, lemon meringue and chocolate tart. Light lunches such as pita's and salads are also on offer. Below you will see delicious pictures of some of their creations.

Yummy chocolate cupcakes

 

You will struggle to make a decision!

 

Chocolate overload!

 

Perfect for valentines day!

Across the cake shop there is also a bakery where you can buy cupcakes, slices of cakes and whole cakes.

Like them on facebook: The Velvet Cake Company
Visit them at 21 Pasita Street, Durbanville, Cape Town
Open times : Monday - Friday 08:00 - 17:00 And Saturdays 09:00 - 13:00
Contact them at 021 914 2400 or jandri@thevelevtcakeco.com

*I borrowed some picture for their Facebook page just to show how fabulous they are and therefore don't take any credit for the above images