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| Le Cape Town (View of Lion's Head from Table Mountain) |
I really did not know much about anything regarding food prior to moving to Cape Town. I just knew about my momma's food, average at best restaurants (I did not eat whole fish as seafood was a disappointing disgrace) and a lot of dodge fast food places. My palate was used to everything being fried in butter, deep fried, heavily spiced, a lot of garlic & parsley, way too salty and served in large quantities - not to mention I looked like a little Heffalump (cute but helluva chubbo's as in the elephant in the room that could not be ignored).
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| Love cocktails and sushi at Beluga |
There are so many places in C Town that specialise in making just one thing really good like cheese or bread or coffee or wine (there's too many to mention) and they do, do it really well with such a passion that this inspires you. So, after exploring many restaurants with my Sweetheart, reading my first issue of Taste Magazine (by Woolworths) and watching Anthony Bourdain's No Reservations - I discovered a whole new world that grabbed my culinary curiousness and allowed me to be creative in another avenue of my life not only fashion...I learnt about risotto, pastries, how cheeses are made, what makes a good steak awesome, what fish really should taste like (and sourced sustainably). I had come to appreciate well prepared food (thoughtfully prepared through use of correct cooking methods), fresh ingredients, seasonal produce, dishes from different cultures and became conscious about what I eat where and that these are from sustainable sources.
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| Ice Cream at St George's Mall Market |
I then started my own experimentations and began to write about my culinary adventures on my blog called Bouffilicious at Food24: http://blogs.food24.com/supernbe/.
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| The view from my morning hikes on Lion's Head |
Now, looking back it was a great experience and we were very, very fortunate to have spent 5 years in C Town. With all that said, I have learnt how to make things at home, always seeking to make it as authentic and best as I can with the ingredients at hand (as if you were to have it at a restaurant). This is a necessity, as we have very limited options of dining out in Sasolburg and try to avoid being disappointed. It is sometimes just a waste of money and often it is just better to stay home, make it yourself. I even started my own herb garden on my windowsill in the kitchen. I've even found a butcher ( that's well big on steak and nothing much else but they won 7 cleaver awards - whatever that means). Another town close to us is Meyerton and there's a company called Nature's Choice that specialise in alternative/health foods. So I can buy straight from their factory shop at cheaper prices. Which means Bouf has everything that she needs here to be baking and cooking up a storm.
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| My Kitchen herbs |
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| A whole windowsill full of herbs |
Johannesburg is also about an hour away, and we go on little rendezvous regularly to discover new places/ideas. But I do miss the Town ...
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| My first ever bolognaise I ate at The Cousin's |
Here is list of Bouf's favourite places in Cape Town that are missed :(
Honest Chocolate (for best Hot Chocolate at R15, what a baargain! Love their choc spread also)
EspressoLab (Best coffee EVER served by Jeremy, he has been our Barista for 5 years...)
Southern Cross (Best priced and tasty fish&chips with a fresh seafood shop)
Hudsons-The burger joint (Best burgers, love the one with jalapeño poppers on it!)
Hiking up Lion's Head - having sundowners, snacks while watching the sun set over the sea
Vida at Camps Bay (Involving a ride on on our scooter to the beach for a croissant and caffe mocha)
Gogo's butchery (I miss fresh duck! And a friendly butcher)
Cassis (Best damn patisserie ever - Je mange du pain, donc je suis)
Jaqui Daya's (They closed down but had they served the best omelette and chocolate ganache cake)
Ice cream at Thursday St George Mall market (With real vanilla seeds!)
Real Italian pasta at The Cousins Trattoria
The Aquarium (On a rainy winter's day. The Kelp tank is my favourite, I can stand there for hours and just stare)
Beluga (For best half price sushi and cocktails)
Raith German butchery (Best bract worst and landjaeger)
Wine concepts (Wine shop with a huge variety)
Buzby Grill (Best T-bone and malbec wine, it is always packed)
Dynasty and Mr Chan's (For the best Chinese food - Pecking duck, lemon chicken and fried banana)
Woolworths Cafe at V&A Waterfront (They served the best cheese platters over a harbour view)
Calcacchio's (Though a franchise they make the best wood fired pizza's as well as Burusso's)
Knead in Pylmera (Love their breads and giant choc cookies)
A drive in the sun to the Winelands stopping at Meerlust or Van Ryn's
A visit to my aunt&uncle in Gordon's Bay and having way too much whiskey with my uncle
A quick cap or mocha dark at BMH
And friends (who make make magazine covers with your mugg on it :)
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| I am this month's issue of Glamour, according to my friend :) |
Here is list of Bouf's new hangouts in the Burg :)
Nature's Choice Head Office in Meyerton (Get from almond flour to carob chunks there, shop is open on weekdays)
Woolworths Food Riverside Boulevard Vanderbijlpark (A variety of fresh produce and products)
Butcher Boys Butchery (Big on meat and have a smoke house)
Sushi @ Gary's in Vanderbijlpark (Best fresh sushi in the Vaal, no lie)
The Forest Grill (Best value sirloin with potato rosti's at R75, baargain!)
Feast in Parys (Really nice restaurant to take friends to with lots of variety. Love their frozen honey cheesecake)
Deli One in Sandton City (Giant olives, great sarmies and desserts ... nuff said!)
Salvation Cafe in Joburg (Great Burgers and juices)
Bean There in Joburg (Our coffee supplier now)
Until next time ... happy cooking, exploring and baking - where ever you may find yourself :)
Bouf
xx
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