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Eating Out, Restaurant Reviews, Slider, Taste

Dash Restaurant and Bar {Review}

Grant and I recently found overselves at Dash Restaurant and Bar for a romantic lunch! With life being so busy, it is not something we get to do very often but it was complete bliss.

Dash Restaurant and Bar

You will find Dash Restaurant and Bar in the popular V&A Waterfront, in Cape Town. This hidden gem is tucked away in the unique Queen Victoria Hotel. The five-star boutique hotel, is an intimate space with gorgeous interiors and creative flare!

Dash restaurant at the Queen Victoria Hotel, is named after the Queen’s favourite pet. The space however is not what I would describe as cute and fluffy but rather the epitome of sophisticated fine dining. The 36-seater restaurant offers diners an elegant yet relaxed experience, with a touch of drama in the presentation of the well-crafted menu.

We started off our lunch with a wonderfully boozy cocktail! Their signature pomegranate cocktail was wickedly delicious. If we did not have to hit the shops after lunch, I would definitely have had two!

For starters Grant decided on the Soup of the Day, which happened to be his favourite, a spiced Butternut Soup! The cheesy toasties were perfect for dunking.

My starter was a rather colourful Caprese Salad, with a selection of tomatoes and rustic ciabatta croutons. It looked like summer on a plate!

I really loved the creative presentation of each dish and Grants main was definitely the dish of the day! The Salmon with Sticky Soy Glazed Fish Cakes and Apple and Mustard Seed Chutney was as beautiful to look at, as it was to eat!

My Sirloin Steak, served with textures of mushrooms, sweet and sour cabbage and sweet potato fries was as scrumptious! I particularly loved the earthy mushrooms, which complimented the steak really well.

Naturally we could not leave with trying a desert! The Vanilla Créme Brûlee was everything a desert should be, decadent, yet balanced and not too sweet! The shortbread biscuits and tart black cherries were a real treat.

We both really enjoyed our meal at Dash Restaurant and Bar and were quite sad that it had to come to an end! I know we will definitely be back, maybe for dinner this time or even for a few of their amazing cocktails.

Contact Details and Location:

Contact Tel: +27 21 418 1466, Fax: +27 21 418 1475 or email [email protected]

Physical Address: Portswood Ridge, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town, 8001, South Africa

Eating Out, Food, Restaurant Reviews, Slider, Taste

Tokara Deli Delicious Lunch in the Stellenbosch Valley

We have had a few glimpses of balmy spring weather over the past few weeks, which has been wonderful! There is no better way to enjoy this weather, than alfresco dining, in a beautiful setting! A few weeks back we spent a glorious Saturday, in just such a setting, at The Tokara Deli. [Read more…]

Eating Out, Food, Restaurant Reviews, Taste

Bistro Allee Bleue Franschhoek

I recently wrote a post which featured some of the great eateries Franschhoek has to offer. One of the restaurants I mentioned in the feature was Bistro Allee Bleue.

The Allee Bleue Estate is located a few minutes outside of the town of Franschhoek, just off the R45. Allee Bleue (blue avenue or drive) owes its name to the statuesque, blue eucalyptus trees that magnificently line the entrance to the estate. The estate has an unmistakably French feel, being part of the Franschhoek Valley (or ‘French corner’). Picture perfect rows of vines, fields of lavender and meadows, stretch towards the Drakenstein Mountains in the distance.

Bistro Allee Bleue

As you enter the estate you will find Bistro Allee Bleue directly on your right. The Bistro offers breakfasts, light lunches, afternoon tea and cakes, as well as a full à la carte menu.

Chef Beau Du Toit recently introduced a new menu at Bistro Allee Bleue, which Grant and I had the opportunity of tasting. The new menu focuses on using in-season, local produce and a variety of fresh herbs, grown in the estate’s herb tunnels.

The bistro has an elfresco dining area, including a kiddies play area, perfect for warmer weather. Inside, crisp white tablecloths, blue chairs and blue-wash on the walls, emulate the estates “bleue” theme.

We started lunch with a glass of the Allee Bleue Brut Rosé, which was perfect, as it was a rather balmy winters day!

Before ordering our starters, we were offered a complimentary herb salad with farm baked bread. I think that this is a really nice touch, especially if you are not planning on ordering starters.

For starters I decided on the Smoked Salmon Trout with coriander, mint, sweetcorn, pickled chilli, garlic and a lemon aioli. My starter was absolutely delicious! I loved the sweetness of the corn, which was off set by the heat from the pickled chilli and the zingy citrus from the aioli – it all complimented the smoked trout really well!

For mains I had to try the Venison and ‘skaap stertjie’ Burger, which I had heard so much about! The burger is served with sautéed wild mushrooms and thyme, sweet potato chips and a homemade sweet chilli mayo. The earthiness of wild mushrooms worked really well with the burger and I loved the sweet potato chips! I decided to pair my dish with the Allée Bleue Shiraz, which complimented the dish perfectly.

Grant opted for the Pulled Pork Shoulder Pie, which came highly recommended by our waitress. The pie is served with mash, gremolata, caramelised root vegetables, pickled cabbage and gravy. We both agreed that this was the winner out off the two main dishes we tried – it was utterly divine!

I am not entirely sure how but we managed to squeeze in a desert – but we did! We both thought that the Malva Pudding with custard and cream was the perfect way to end our meal!

We really enjoyed our lunch at Allee Bleue Bistro. Great food and wine, topped off by friendly service, made for a wonderful experience!

Location: Intersection R 45 and R310, Groot Drakenstein 7680, South Africa Contact: For bookings please email or call on 021 874 1021. Allée Bleue Bistro is open from Tuesday – Sundays & Public Holidays 08h00-17h00.

Disclosure Ranking:4

Eating Out, Food, Restaurant Reviews, Taste

Fabulous FranscHHoek Eating Out

Franschhoek is one of those places, that will steal your heart if you let it. If it does, you will be smitten forever! Exquisite natural beauty, world-class food and wine, as well as luxurious accommodation make it a perfect destination. [Read more…]

Eating Out, Food, Restaurant Reviews, Taste

Majeka House Afternoon Tea

I have always preferred coffee as my hot beverage of choice, until very recently, when I discovered the wonder that is loose leaf tea!

Afternoon Tea – another recent revelation for me, has definitely become an art form! It is an occasion to be lingered over and enjoyed with like-minded individuals, who appreciate the pure artistry involved.

Taking tea in the afternoon, dates back to the early 19^th century, when the seventh Duchess of Bedford, invited London socialites to stylish soirées. Invited guests would enjoy a selection of teas and dainty sweet and savoury eats, as a mid-afternoon pick-me-up.

I was recently invited to Majeka House, to experience their first offering of Afternoon Tea. This was my first visit to Majeka House, which in and of itself was rather exciting!

Majeka House

Majeka House is situated in historical town of Stellenbosch, in the Cape. It is the ideal spot, to use as a base to explore this beautiful area! Majeka House offers guests luxurious accommodation, wonderful service, a sophisticated bar and restaurant, as well as a professionally run spa – what more can one ask for?

Majeka House Afternoon Tea

Majeka House is continuing the civilized tradition of old, with the introduction of their very own decadent afternoon teas. Majeka House Afternoon Tea is served everyday between 2.30pm and 5pm but booking is essential. No matter the occasion, tea at Majeka House will be an exclusive, personal affair, with five-star service to match!

The Experience

In honour of the first ever Majeka House Afternoon Tea, tea expert Mingwei was invited to perform an authentic Taiwanese tea ceremony for us.

This was my first authentic tea ceremony and I loved every minute of it! We learnt so much about the history of tea making and drinking, as well as the amazing health properties of tea.

Inspired by the colours and flavours of Green Tea, Rooibos, Black Ceylon and Vanilla Ceylon teas, resident chef Tanja Kruger has created themed Afternoon Teas. On offer is a Green Tea, Red Berry, Chocolate and Vanilla themed Afternoon Tea.

Served individually on a tiered cake stand, guests can select one of the themed menus, which will be paired with the appropriate tea.

You can look forward to a selection, which may include: a Savoury Scone and Madeleine, an Éclair, Fruit Tartlet, Miniature Roulade, Macaroon (a house speciality), Meringue and Marshmallow.

All the teas we sampled were amazing but my favourites were the Cranberry Tea and the Blood Orange Tea. As far as the decadents eats go – my savoury favourite was the Salmon Mousse on Rye and sweet was the Frangipane and Apple Tart. Writing about it is making my mouth water!

The Majeka House Afternoon Tea is R200 per person, which includes a selection of loose leaf teas, and a coffee or a glass of sparkling wine.

For those looking for something even more special, Afternoon Tea can be combined with a relaxing spa treatment at the fabulous Majeka House Spa. The price of R700 per person, includes a 30 minute Back, Neck and Shoulder Massage, a 30 minute Express Facial, the use of the Hotel’s beautiful indoor swimming pool, Jacuzzi, Sauna and Steam Room (before and after treatments), and the Majeka House Afternoon Tea experience.

Contact Details & Location:

Afternoon Tea is available daliy but booking is essential: Call 021 880 1549; or email Majeka House. Majeka House, Spa and Makaron restaurant is situated at 26-32 Houtkapper Street, Paradyskloof, Stellenbosch. For more information, you can visit the Majeka House Website.

Disclosure Ranking:4

Eating Out, Food, Restaurant Reviews, Taste

Graciales at Peddlars & Co

Graciales

Peddlars & Co in Constantia, has definitely become one of the trendiest spots in the Valley. Chef Brad Ball has to date, stamped his name on four distinctly different eating and drinking experiences – all at one festive destination.

The latest addition to the Peddlars & Co fold is Graciales, a trendy new spot in the heart of the Constantia Valley.

At Graciales the emphasis is on sociability, the sharing of delicious food and interesting drinks, all in a vibrant setting.

The decor at Graciales is trendy and modern, with pops of flamboyant colour! I especially love the Pendant Consol lighting!

Graciales is the perfect spot to unwind after a hectic week! What better way to spend a Friday night, than by having a few cocktails at the bar and sharing plates of delicious food, with good friends.

Highlights on the menu, for me, would naturally have to be Chef Brad’s famous Beef Tataki, as well as the Sticky Pork Belly! Other equally delicious items on the menu include: Tzatziki & Pita Breads, Sticky Vietnamese Ribs, Antipasti Board and Lamb Flat Bread.

Four desert there is a selection of yummy Petit Fours, Chocolate Truffle, Turkish Delight or my favourite bite-size Lemon Tarts. For more details check out the Graciales Menu.

Contact Details: Call Graciales at Peddlars & Co to make a booking on 021 794 7747 or alternatively email them. Location 13 Spaanschemat River Road, Constantia, 7800, Cape Town. Directions: From Cape Town, turn into Ladies Mile from the M3 freeway and turn left. Just before the first set of traffic lights, turn left onto Spaanschemat River Road, you will find Peddlars on your right.

Disclosure Ranking:4