As I am sure you know by now, the Vineyard Hotel is one of my favourite hotels in Cape Town. It is located in the tree-lined suburb of Newlands and has the most beautifully tranquil gardens! It is also home to Myoga Restaurant, which is on my list of top Cape Town restaurants! You may also recall me raving about the amazing Myoga 7 Course Tasting Menu last year. I was really excited to hear that they have also introduced a 5 Course Lunch Menu! [Read more…]
Myoga 7 Course Tasting Menu
The Vineyard Hotel is one of my favourite hotels in the Southern Suburbs. Located in the leafy suburb of Newlands, the hotel is popular with the both locals, as well as international visitors. One of the major draw cards of the hotel, is the wonderful culinary offering and more especially the Myoga 7 Course Tasting Menu!
Myoga 7 Course Tasting Menu
One of my favourite dining experiences to date, has to be the tasting menu at Myoga. The restaurant recently underwent a revamp and we were delighted to be invited back to enjoy the 7-course tasting. The sophisticated space is now lighter and brighter, making it an ideal lunchtime venue as well as a special place for dinner.
Myoga offers a tasting degustation menu, which is different from the tasting menus found in other restaurants because it offers so many choices.
Degustation ~ a culinary term meaning a careful, appreciative tasting of various foods and focusing on the gustatory system, the senses, high culinary art and good company. Dégustation is more likely to involve sampling small portions of all of a chef’s signature dishes in one sitting.
The Myoga 7 course tasting menu, created by award winning chef Mike Bassett, offers no less than five (sometimes six!) options for each course.
In addition to the 7 course menu, you will find a unique dish of the chef’s creation – a palate “tickler”. To delight your palate even further, there is a clever and delicious surprise at the beginning and the end of the meal. I will spoil the surprise for you – you will simply have to experience it for yourself!
The innovation and creativity, which Mike Bassett is renowned for is evident in every one of the dishes served! One of the dishes, which stood out for both Grant and I was a savoury Oatmeal porridge. What an amazing taste journey, from such an unassuming dish!
The menu will truly delight all your sense and take you on a culinary adventure! The Black Salted Squid, with black aioli, anchovy lime condensed milk, white almond gazpacho sphere, Iberico ham and celery scented potato, was pure sophistication on a plate.
One of my favourite dishes was the All White Scallop! Served with macadamia buttered root vegetable puree, refried white beans, horseradish cream and a orange gastrique – it was one of the most amazing scallop dishes I have ever eaten!
Every dish is beautifully presented – an artwork on a plate. The “Granny Smith” desert above is no exception! Sour cream apple cake, served with caramel créme pâtissière, roasted apple ice cream, apple gel and almond crumble was a sublime ending to an extraordinary meal!
As well as experiencing amazing new taste sensations, we enjoyed a great selection of excellently paired wines. Some of which neither of us had tasted before.
I can go on and on about the Myoga 7 Course Tasting Menu but it is something you should definitely experience for yourself! Just when you thought the was nothing new under the sun, you taste something which truly surprises you!
Details and Location:
The Myoga 7 Course Tasting Menu including wine pairing is R620 per person or R355 without wine. To book please contact Restaurant Reservations Tel: +27 21 657 4545, Fax: +27 21 657 4543, via email: [email protected] or visit the Myoga Website .
Opening Hours: Dinner: 19:00pm – 22:30pm Monday to Saturday, Lunch: 11:30am – 15:00pm Tuesday to Saturday
Location: The Vineyard Hotel, Colinton Rd, Newlands, Cape Town, 7700, South Africa
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
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.
Photo Credit: 1,2, 5 Claire Gunn Photography and 3 & 4 ©FAR Photography
Disclosure Ranking:4
Pasta Café Green Point { Taste Review }
Pasta Café
After a recent trip to Italy, I have become reluctant to order pasta dishes when I eat out. I think this is largely due to the fact that I know they will not measure up to my Italian experience! True Italian food is simply prepared, using only the freshest local ingredients.
When the invitation to try out the Pasta Café Green Point, popped into my inbox, I was intrigued to see if they lived up to their promise…
Pasta Café offers an authentic Italian experience that is on-the-go. Our pasta is prepared fresh, daily and we take an average of 6 minutes per meal preparation from flour to the palate. Using only the freshest ingredients, each dish is prepared with that secret ingredient only a true Nonna can add – Love.
With the promise of pasta just like Nonna’s, we set off to Green Point to experience it for ourselves.
The Restaurant ~
The Pasta Café Green Point is located on the popular strip in Green Point, on Somerset Road. Nestled in the shop front of the Cape Royale Luxury Hotel, it is within walking distance of the Cape Town stadium and other CBD attractions. Pasta Café is cozy and quaint – definitely more of a café than a restaurant.
The lack of good authentic, home-made pasta was the motivation for the concept behind Pasta Café. The owner, Tyron Pillay, who hails from Johannesburg, felt there was a definite gap in the market for a store that made fresh pasta daily using only the best ingredients.
Everyone has nostalgic memories of their favourite meals from their childhood. This is exactly what Pasta Café wanted to bring into their menu. Good authentic rustic Italian fare with a restaurant quality meal that is on-the-go. From this concept, “Just like my Nonna’s was born”.
The Chef ~
Head Chef Martin Van Der Walt, grew up with a strong French influence, from his grandmother. He learnt from a young age how to enjoy great meals, made from scratch using locally sourced seasonal fruit and vegetables. Having such a great foundation from his paternal grandmother helped to shape him into the chef he is today.
Once he left school he was fortunate enough to work at Italiano in Johannesburg, under the mentorship of Hugo and Maria from Bologne. Martin was given a wonderful foundation in the basics of making authentic Italian fare, just like their Nonnas made it. His love for cooking was awoken once again and he decided to make it his career.
When Martin was approached to work for Pasta Café he jumped at the opportunity, excited to be involved in this unique concept. Finally Martin was able to use his wealth of experience and knowledge, to put together a great menu incorporating the essential elements, which make Pasta Café such a wonderful Italian experience.
The Experience ~
While perusing the menu we snacked on beautifully fresh bread, dipped in olive oil and balsamic vinegar – so simple yet so yummy!
Martin, the head chef, suggested trying six different dishes off the menu and sharing. Giving us all the opportunity to try a variety of dishes.
My hubby Grant loves Carbonara, so this was his first choice. Carbonara is a combination of fresh cream, egg, pecorino cheese, parsley and bacon. This was a huge hit!
The dish on the menu which caught my eye, was the Lamb Thyme Agnolotti – pasta filled with garlic, lamb, thyme and ricotta. It was absolutely stunning and definitely my favourite.
Next up is a firm family favourite! Pasta Alfredo – a combination of oak smoked bacon, mushrooms, cream and pecorino cheese. I loved the smokiness of the bacon!
We decided to try one seafood option and went for the Salmone. This Pasta Salmone, was a bit different to the ones I have had before, which tend to be quite creamy. The Pasta Café Salmone combines smoked salmon, white wine, fresh chillies, red peppers, leeks, lemon zest and parsley. I would say this is the perfect dish if you are watching your weight and don’t want anything too heavy.
My daughter loves Pesto, so naturally we had to try that. I on the other hand, am not a lover of pesto but the Pasta Café’s version is lovely. Fresh basil pesto, parsley and fresh cream – very simple but very tasty!
Lastly, on Martin’s recommendation, we tried the Roast Butternut Agnolotti. A stunning combination of roast butternut, pistachio buts and burnt butter. This was probably my second favourite out of all of the dishes {it is difficult to choose they were all that good!}. I think the addition of pistachio nuts, is what makes this dish special.
The Pasta Café offers the option of a single or double portions, as well as a great new family size meal! You can opt to sit down or take-away, with an choice of 6 different pasta types, all freshly made. They also offer one gluten free option, which changes daily.
Another great offering is being able to order bigger dishes for a dinner party at home or a special birthday. The bonus is you do not need to cook but can still impress your friends and family! Simply order ahead of time and collect on the day of the party.
Check out the Pasta Café Menu for more info on all the dishes they have on offer. Call Pasta Café on 076 089 9174, to place an order or book a table or email them.
Location: Shop 1 Cape Royale Luxury Hotel, Green Point, Western Cape
Disclosure Ranking:4