Sumptuous Sevruga (Review)

I don't remember what it's like to have a warm meal anymore or to just focus on what's happening on my plate. To not have to trade my piece of chicken with my son (because your chicken looks better mom) just to keep the peace. Or to have my mouth checked by my baba because apparently it looks better in my mouth than on her plate.

Needless to say we keep 'dining out' strictly to eating places with play areas (All praise Spur) or even better, drive-thrus. Occasionally I get to play a grown up and go on dinner dates with a friend of mine who shows me a world  beyond play areas and with real napkins. 

So one fateful Friday night we made a date try Sevruga's, but as luck would have it we get saddled with the kids and husbands (no offence guys, we love you ;)) 

With 2 crazy kids in tow I truly expected to be 'gated'

The crown in the logo is very appropriate because from the moment we walked into the door, till we left, we were all treated like royalty. The service was legendary and the food heavenly. (They didn't even bat an eyelid at my slightly unruly kids) The waiters danced around us like ballerinas and almost instantly disappearing, but always reappearing when we needed them. 

I preferred the chicken and didn't enjoy the duck dim sum. I will definitely try the beef, coriander, ginger next time. (The kids thoroughly devoured and enjoyed the dim sum.)

Complimentary Dim Sum. (Can you say yum yum?)

I had always been curious about the sous vide method and expected a dry, tough product. I found it to be tender and juicy, with the all the flavours penetrating the steak to it's core. I would recommend a sauce on the side though.

Medium Rib-eye, cooked sous vide, with garlic herb butter and free style fries

This dish tasted like home: The mash was smooth and creamy; the vegetables added a slightly charred dimension without being too overpowering; and finally the lamb, supple and succulent.

Slow-braised lamb shoulder, deboned and rolled, lamb reduction, buttered mashed and vegetables.

My biggest regret is not trying their famous Chocolate fondant with soft, oozing centre................

Sevruga, I will be back!

You've been Blogged (Root 44 Market)

I have fond memories of the old Grand Parade market when I was a child (yes, in the Jurassic age). The unique wares, bustling, vibey atmosphere and the fresh, delicious food (I think I've mentally blocked out the flies). Then came the era of the mall and we embraced it because of it's clinical, clean look (and clean toilets). The markets themselves were replaced by flea markets selling generic, cheap, imported products (20 stalls selling the latest bomber jacket. Don't hate I used to work at a stall like that)

The past 7 years or so has seen the rise of the local markets. Most notably the Old Biscuit Mill which has completely metamorphosised the area into the artsy hub of Cape Town (still can't get use to seeing white people in Woodstock. What? I grew in up in pre-1994 Cape Flats. Seeing a whitey was like seeing a white rhino in the street).

www.root44.co.za

Ya I know that this market has been around for a while but I always thought it was so far (It is, but worth the beautiful drive). I planned on staying an hour or 2. I ended up staying about 6 hours (my poor long suffering husband).

Here are my top picks from the market

All this food for only R140 and it tasted really good (I'm such an indian)

Baba Tunisia - chicken wrap, beef schwarma and vegetarian chickpea roti with falafel (strictly halaal)

Cheesecake brownies with Oreos (Never mind Root 44, I was on cloud 9)

Truly Scrumptious - Home of the best freaking brownies 

Red Velvet Brownies, seriously. This is genius.

Truly Scrumptious - Home of the best freaking brownies (no pork or alcohol in products)

My 21 month old daughter led us to this stall about 4 times (Love the look)

Candy Shop

2 for R75 (I think I'll take my savings and buy more brownies)

This is so innovative

www.senorchef.co.za

These place mats are so rustic and green(+++++). Made with recycled wood. 

www.senorchef.co.za

Unique, one of a kind, quirky plates. (She only makes 1 of each and makes to order)

www.celebrationplates.wozaonline.co.za

Pack in the kids, the dog and hubby (maybe some padkos too) and head down to to Root 44.

PS: Don't forget to take the train -car ride (Just make sure you have a kid with you so you don't look too weird).

Cronuts Wars (quickie review)

The elusive cronut swam it's way and landed somewhere in South Africa. Now logic would dictate that it would land in CT (can it be?)

Bakery situated in Claremont

I arrive breathless at Coimbra (only bakery goods are halaal) only to be informed that there are only 2 flavours left, cinnamon sugar a strawberries & cream.

Cronut or a disguised doughnut?

The strawberries and cream filling was perfect (tart and rich). The cronut was an absolute disappointment. It was dense and more 90% doughnut tasting. So I would say okay (I'm being kind) tasting doughnut, but definitely not a cronut. 

Which begs the question, when is Belle's Patisserie (home of the SA cronut) coming to Cape Town?

The Design on Decorex 2014

I loved (past tense) attending Decorex (many moons ago), but it started becoming the same show every year (okay it was like two years in a row), so I stopped going. 

I am proudly South African. I believe in this country and the potential it has. I love that we are World Design Capital 2014 (WDC2014) and was intrigued that Decorex had tapped into this in their latest exhibition. I'm always on the lookout for fresh ideas to brighten the table. It doesn't always have to come from the pot or oven, but it can also come from what the meal is being served on. 

With this in mind I decided to give Decorex another try and off I went early this morning to be first in line. Except 100 other people had the same idea (Murphy's Law), but the wait to get in was definitely worth it.

I take my hat off to Decorex for showcasing such amazing South African Talent (Some of them from afar afield as KZN and EC). It's initiatives like this that will have a direct impact on job creation (This election has me going off on a tangent)

Here are my favourite picks from treasure trove at the Expo:

Bottle Decanter by Aidan Bennets - www.stable.org.za

100% Design South Africa

Tray by Julie Jue -  www.shineshine.co.za 

100% Design South Africa

Zulu inspired bowls

KZN-CDRP ART & CRAFT - mninizotrading@yahoo.co.za

Quirky Salt and Pepper Shakers

www.ceramicfactory.co.za

Creative Clay 

Zizipho Poswa - www.imisoceramics.co.za

Adding fun to mealtimes

www.Koziol.de (only imported item on my list)

Serving Dish (No it's not meant for elephant)

Meshacks Ceramics - 073 596 1341

 Bowl with Chopstick Holder (So cool that it makes me wanna cook up an oriental storm)

www.capecraftanddesign.org.za

Vintage Scale 

www.capecraftanddesign.org.za

Platter with Bowl

Eastern Cape Handmade Collection - www.ecdc.co.za

Alice in Wonderland Inspired cake stand

Laurett Russo - www.laurett.co.za

Inspiring Cutting Boards (how very Alanis Morisette)

handsdesigncollective@gmail.com

Most of theme items are only available in the WC at the expo. Go check it out and support being proudly South African (Cue National Anthem).

What's Cooking at the Women's Lifestyle Expo

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Beet the Burger (Woodie's Review)

"One burger. No tomato, onion, lettuce, garnish or cheese, please." 
"That's just the burger patty and bun?"
"Yes."
"You sure?" 
"Okay..........."
This is my standard burger order (Yes, seriously. I keep it clean).

So word on the street is that the best burger place in the world has opened at the V&A food market. Now I had been through that market, the wares look really good and it has a good reputation. I decide to give it a try. 

 Hey! Where's (the) Buzz? 

Woodies - 1st floor, V&A Market on the Wharf
(strictly halaal)

Now a massive compliment to any eatery, is if the people around you support you. I arrive at Woodie's in the wake of lunch rush (I hate waiting) and I place my order (straight off the menu, GASP. Living on the edge!). As I wait I observe that most of the other orders are for fellow food market stalls (Neighbourly support is always a good sign) 

Your burger is prepared in front of you. Even the patty is made in front of you (At Warp speed. No pressure Scotty)

The Bondi (Too big to fit in my mouth)
- white bun, beef patty, beetroot (Genius. Old fav), mozzarella, cheddar, lettuce, onions and tomato 

This burger was full bodied, chewy, cheesy, messy and really nearly the best damn burger I have ever had (My mouth is watering just thinking about it). Put it on a bigger, toasted bun and it will be the best damn burger I have ever had (Hint, hint.)

Jughead would definitely approve.

Cutting Edge (Product review)

A knife was always just a knife to me. You sharpen when blunt and buy a replacement when you need a new one. I always thought the sharper the knife the more dangerous it was (cue Psycho music). I could never understand why I struggled with knife skills or had a sore hand after alot of chopping ( Always thought my chubby hands were just unfit, like the rest of my chubby body).

On my journey to becoming a chef (that's Master chef bitches. I really want the hat) I've learnt about the importance of the right knife for the job. So I made a stop at the knife masters workshop to see if I could be helped (my poor chubby hands).

Cirtex supplies most restaurants, catering businesses and cooking schools. I was pleasantly surprised when the big guy himself gave me one on one assistance. Andre took me through a variety of knives, even opening new stock so I could get a feel for the knife (he just short of offered me a cutting board and some onions!).

The knife I eventually settled on was light and such a perfect fit that it felt like an extension of my hand. Using it has been an absolute pleasure and the scalloping helped me glide effortlessly through onions and cheese, without resistance (I'm probably gonna send the rest of my knives into retirement). He even offers a free knife sharperning service for knives purchased from him.

I also got my new best friend a stunning coat (okay, I know it's a magnetic knife cover).

I was like a kid in a candy store and wanted to buy every other type of knife they had, but I really fell in love with this set (hint, hint for future birthday present hubby)

Andre and his trusty elves can be found at the Good Food and wine show or you can Google him.

(Gotta go now, miss my knife.)