Rua- The Hot new restaurant in town!

I have to admit when I first came here I was quick to judge this amazing restaurant but now after an amazing lunch it has become my new favourite spot in Cape Town!

I sat down for lunch with the owner Zain and got a great insight on the creation of Rua and the concept they have created.

Zain had always been in the restaurant industry and runs his own private chef company which he runs in his own capacity. He has helped with Wellness café for many years with their menu and built their restaurants. 

From there he went on to Knead and helped build their brand and menu. Then also with Vida e Café and helped build their brand. It was there that he met shareholder and owner of Vida and they created Rua. 

The concept of Rua which means side street in Portuguese and we see this by the style and feel of the restaurant.  Since the food truck and street food industry has become so popular they have blended the concept into Rua. They have meshed street food with restaurant food into one great menu. 

They have put into consideration the new health craze and added that into their menu and offcourse created stylish good that is perfect for all us fellow foodies out there. Rua is open Monday's to Sunday's for breakfast, lunch and supper. They have a decent and extensive wine list and let's not forget they have some awesome craft beer on their menu. Now that is my kind of restaurant, a go to spot for any and every one!

They offer an amazing R50 lunch special from 12-2pm of their favourite items including nachos, open sandwiches and flatbreads. They run a happy hour special where they off yet complimentary taps with your wine or cocktails. On Friday nights they have a live DJ, to Create a great start of the weekend vibe. 

They menu is unique and all their ingredients are made from scratch; everything is homemade. I was lucky enough to try out some of their most popular tapas and boy was it mouth watering delicious.

First up I got a selection of their chicken spring rolls, chicken popcorn and the mushroom risotto balls. They were all so delicious and my favourite was the mushroom risotto balls...perfection! 

Next up was the sticky ribs, chilli poppers and the beef fillet with truffle oil. Now this selection was abit more tricky to chose a favourite because I could not decide whether the ribs or the fillet was more amazing. The ribs were cooked so perfect that it just slid off of the bone and wow they sticky sauce was the best combo ever. Now the fillet was cooked that perfect medium rare that made is so buttery and just so darn delicious. Even thinking of it now makes me hungry for more. 

Thank you to the owner Zain for an amazing lunch! I hope that all of your make your way to Rua once you have read this, you will not regret it. 

Blasters Family Restaurant Zomato Meetup

I was invited to Blasters for a Zomato Meetup for the launch of their summer menu and what a great night it was.

For those of you that have never heard or been to Blasters then I suggest you make a turn there and bring your whole family along. 

It the kind of restaurant that takes care of your kids while you sit and enjoy a good meal. It has the largest indoor play area in Cape Town and it is very well supervised so there is no need to worry about your children. 

Upon arrival at the event we were treat to welcome drinks. For the girls a lovely cocktail and for the boys Devils Peak beer. We did some socializing before being seated and had a tour of the restaurant and play area. We got to meet and dine with the owners and what great people they are and you can easily see how passionate they are about what they have built.

First up were the starters and we got a platter of their Jalepeno poppers, amazing bites and sticky grilled chicken wings. These were served with homemade chakalaka sauce ( we also each got a bottle to take home) and 1000 island sauce. It was also great tasting and even better we got to chose from a wine pairing of either red or white wine; a Boschendal La Bouquet and Maratie Melcks. 

Then came the main meal and also a platter style selection of the new items. It consisted of a peppered sirloin with garlic butter, jalepeno and Brie stuffed burger, bacon and cheese stuffed burger, chicken parmegano, Blasters summer salad and lastly their proudly SA braai pizza. Wow was it delicious and difficult to chose a favourite but if I had to choose it would be the peppered sirloin. These were paired with a Stellenrust Sauvignon Blanc and a Franschoek Cellars "Cellars" Cabernet Sauvignon Blanc.

Last up were the desserts consisting of their Lindt Chocolate brownie, frozen cheesecake, summer berry crumble and apple tart. My favourite would be the berry crumble and the frozen cheesecake, it was just so good I can't choose one. 

We were also treated to some entertainment by their local magician who is there every Sunday afternoons and it's free for to all customers. 

Thank you to Zomato for this opportunity and to the Blasters family for a great and amazing dining experience!

My top 3 Burger Joints in Cape Town

I absolutely love a good juicy burger. I mean who doesn't!!!! 

I have been to quite a few restaurants around Cape Town and had my fair share of burgers and also there are many places that serve a good burger; there are three restaurants that stick out as the best burger joints.

1. Saints Burger Joint

Top of the list is this spectacular restaurant. Situated at Eden on the Bay. It's right on the beach front boasting amazing views of Cape Town.

Let's not forget they make the best burgers around. They have a great selection of burgers available and also the option to make your own burger with toppings of your choice. 

If you are feeling brave you can take on their man VS food challenge known as the Mother Ship. It's consists of a 1kg beef burger, two sauces and two sides and a 1litre mug of beer. If you can finish it in less than 30minutes then it's on the house however if you fail the challenge you need to pay the price of R250. 

So are you up for the challenge?

2. Gibsons Gourment Burgers and Ribs

Coming in at 2nd place would mostly definitely have to be Gibsons. Situated in the Waterfront, they are sometimes over looked because it is a rather small restaurant. But trust me when I say this; their burgers are pretty darn good!

An awesome selection of burgers and it can be accompanied by their milkshakes.

3. Hudsons

So I had to put Hudsons on my list because they are a very popular burger joint and the burgers are delicious.

They have establishments in Green Point, Gardens, Claremont and Stellenbosch. 

Good good burgers and they have a daily happy hour for some amazing cocktails. 

If you love burgers then make sure these places are on your bucket list and I hope you all enjoy them as much as I did. 

My Top 3 coffee hang outs in Cape Town

1. Bootlegger Coffee Company

My personal favourite and number one go to coffee spot would be this gorgeous restaurant in Sea Point. There is nothing better than enjoying an amazing cappuccino alongside a delicious meal. The food is fresh and tasty and perfect for breakfast, lunch and dinner. They have a great vibe and is always busy and whats even more amazing there is free wifi. Now who doesn't love that!
So if you are looking for a spot sit and do some work while sipping on coffee then make your way down to Bootlegger tomorrow morning.

2. Brick Lane Eatery

My next go to spot would be Brick Lane Eatery. There are situated in Park Lane, Century City and wow what a beautiful restuarant. It is peaceful and its the perfect way to start the day...cofffee and eggs Benedict for breakfast! sounds delicious and trust me it is.
Now this place makes me smile because its has the best of both worlds: coffee and food.

3. Truth Coffee

Situated in Buitenkant street in the buzzing CBD of Cape Town.
It is a great vibey restaurant that is always busy and why is that...because they have great coffee served with great food.
They roast their coffee on site and for those that wish to see how the magic of coffee roasting works then you are most welcome to make a booking with them for a demonstration.

High Tea for the Bettina Kerber Foundation

Today I went to the Mount Nelson hotel for their famous afternoon high tea with some special ladies in my life. It has become a tradition since my sister passed away to go for high tea on her birthday and this was the 2nd official high tea. I invited along my sisters closest and dearest friends to celebrate with me.

What was even more special about this high tea it was the introduction the Bettina Kerber Foundation...a foundation started by my mother and I to helps kids that get diagnosed with the same spinaltumor  my sisters had and to raise funds for research towards clinical trials as it is such a rare tumor. Funds will also go towards gets that cannot afford chemo. This is foundation is my pride and joy and I am so excited to get it started.

Now on to the amazing food served at the high tea. They have a beautiful collection of over thirty herbal and traditional teas to choose from. 

First you have the savories and it's a lovely selection or tarts and sandwiches. To name a few there are salmon and cream cheese sandwiches, cucumbers samdwiches, biltong sandwich, chicken pie, spinach and feta quiche and chilli bites.

Next they served the traditional scones with strawberry jam and fresh cream. But for me the hight light be sweet desserts and wow there was a great selection.

From carrot cake, to chaffon cake, peppermint slices, macarons, lemon meringue, fudge, hazelnut tarts and fresh fruits. 

All this will cost you R265 per person and it is well wort it.

Bootlegger Coffee Company- Best Coffee!

Bootlegger is the go to spot for coffee in the Sea Point area. They are open from 6:30am for those early risers, business people  and fitness fanatics that are in need of their caffeine fix. 

Their coffee beans come from Guatamala, Costa Rica. They have their own unique way of roasting their beans. Their barristers make all the coffees with love and what's great is that all coffees are served in glasses and no cups. 

We offcourse came here for breakfast and it was so awesome seeing how full the place was. We both ordered cappuccinos (arguably the best Cappucino we had in a very long time). My boyfriend also ordered the Cortado as he loves extra strong coffee and he was in heaven while drinking it. 

Now on to the menu. They have an amazing breakfast menu and all products all locally produced. I am on an eggs Benedict mission around Cape Town and offcourse I choose that to eat. It did not disappoint at all. Fresh salmon trout with perfect poached eggs and a flavourable hollandaise sauce....truly delicious eggs Benedict. 

They have a DIY breakfast option for those that wish to make their own delicious breakfast plate. There are fresh bake croissants, muffins and banana bread on the menu. Then there are even healthier options such as fresh fruit salad and homemade granola.

 This year will be there 2nd birthday and I look forward to going back there in December and blogging all about it. 

Such a great restaurant with an even greater vibe.

Brick lane eatery- my top hidden gem choice

Now this truly is a hidden gem that has instantly become my top choice at the moment that I was lucky to discover. They are an exciting new restaurant that is tucked away in the heart of Century City. They over look the water stone waterways and it has the most stunning location to sit outside and enjoy a good cup of coffee or a delicious meal. Also great for residents and businesses in the area. 

They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner with prices ranging from R40 to R80 (great affordable prices so you have no excuse not to go there). I came here to try out their breakfast menu and have the eggs Benedict with smoked salmon (R65). It is served traditional style with an English muffin, poached eggs and hollandaise sauce. It was superb and mouthwatering delicious...a must try! 

For lunches and dinner they off a great range of sandwiches, salads, flatbreads and burgers. I reckon it will have an awesome night when you come here for a chilled dinner friends and order burgers and craft beer. 

I will most definitely be back to try out more items on the menu and come here with a group of friends for dinner. 

Relaunch of Moksh Restaurant-Authentic Indian Cuisine

I got invited by Zomato to the Relaunch of Moksh Indian Restaurant in Durbanville. 

The dinner was buffet style with a choose of two curries along with some curried potatoes and naan bread.

The butter chicken and absolutely delicious and had just the right amount of sweetness to it. I don't normally eat lamb curry but tonight's curry was delicious and the lamb was so tender. 

We had some entertainment for the night which consisted of a beautiful belly dancers showing of her moves.

Thanks Zomato for inviting me to yet another amazing and fun Zomato Meet up. 

Breakfast at Saucissse Deli

I was lucky enough to be invited to breakfast with the crew from InstaEatsCapeTown to Saucissse Deli which is situated in the Old Biscuit Mill in WoodStock. 

What a delicious breakfast it was. We got to sit down with the owner Amanda and get some insight as to how she runs this amazing restaurant/deli. It started off for the first 4 years as essentially being a deli where customers could some inside and buy a range of fresh breads, meats and cheeses. They had a daily menu of sandwiches from there it developed it to becoming a restaurant with breakfast being the main focus. she put together a menu of her greatest hits of meals over the years. It is even more great is that the menu accommodate for the vegans and vegetarians and also has some banting friendly options.

For my breakfast I chose the Parmeson French Toast and wow was it delicious. It is a cheese croissant egg dunked and pan fried, served with smokey ham, sundried tomato pesto, fresh red onion and rocket.

Tea Under the Trees

Today I stumbled upon the most stunning hidden gem in the heart of the wine lands of Paarl. A beautiful restaurant where you are literally sitting under the massive trees in their magical garden. They offer a range of light meals. From salads to wraps and sandwiches to delicious desserts and cake. They have a wonderful selection of teas: black current, strawberry and mango tea, green teas, ginger and honey tea and camomile tea. The prices are well and affordable. It's is always a great spot to bring the kids along. I will definitely be back here and most definitely recommend it to anyone. 

My Top Sushi Spots in Cape Town

First Up and my Favourite of them all would be Sushi Box
Sushi Box has four  loactions in Cape Town. There is a Sushi Box in Constantia, Gardens, Woodstock and Newlands.The sushi is affordable and they have some great selctions.I would recommend the Fusion Box and Omega 3 Box...especially if you are a Salmon lover.
The Sushi Box in Constantia is a little different and more pricier but its completely worth it. When ordering your sushi you have to have a wine pairing with it and its amazing!

Next on my list is Nuri Sushi Factory
There are situated in the CBD of Cape Town
There are a unique spot offering some great sushi combinations and have put a south african twist on them and also very affordable prices.

Third on my list would be Empire Asian Restaurant
there are located in Sea Point Main Road, what is so great about them is that they have an all you can eat sushi menu for just R119 and its totally worth it because you will walk out with a full belly and be satisfied.

Launch of Jewel Of India

I was invited to a Zomato Meetup for the launch of Jewel of India. It is a beautiful well established restaurant based in the Cape Royal Hotel in Green Point. We were welcomed by friendly staff and the service was on point. We got to choose from assortment of curries that was placed on the table. There was butter chicken curry (my fave) then prawn curry and then a lamb curry. Some of the side dishes were herbed rice, curried potatoes and naan bread. I got to meet some lovely fellow foodies that share the same passion for food and dining out. Overall a lovely evening and always and absolute pleasure to by invited by Zomato. 

Learning the art of Coffee Making at Truth Coffee

On Tuesday I was lucky enough to be invited (by Zomato) to a meet up at Truth Coffee in Buitenkant Street in Cape Town. What aninformative morning, we learnt about the creation behind truth from the Creat himself David. The secret behind a great coffee is the long lingering after taste. We learnt the difference between over extracting which is basically when your coffee ends up tasting bitter and harsh and then an under extracted coffee is when the coffee has a sour taste. That was only the basics we got a full run down from how coffee roasting works and the cupping of coffee to how the make a good cup of coffee. The Barista is the most important key to making an excellent coffee. What is a great about truth is that you can book a class anytime if you wish to learn the art of coffee making. And I suggest that you all take the opportunity and book a class you will not regret it.

Zomato Meetup at Sweetwell Restuarant

I was invited to another amazing Zomato Meetup. This time is was a Stellenbosch's Sweetwell butchery and Restuarant...now this a GO TO place if your are a pork lover.
We were treated to a wonderful five course set menu consisted of one starter, three mains and then a dessert.
The starter was a petit flatbread with herbed creme fraiche and creamy thyme infused mushrooms topped with crispy green bacon and a free range egg dressed with roasted tomatoes, fresh rocket and honey mustard sauce. Now this is actually on there breakfast and wow what delicious and flourable dish. It was perfect down to the texture and smells and tasted great.

Next were our three main meals now we got the platter version to taste. First up was a Sweetwell pork burger served on a grilled waffle with honey glazed bacon and mozarella strings dressed with crushed new potatoes. Now This was my favourite all of the main simple bacon it was a burger served in a unique way the savory of the pork mixed in well with the sweetness of the waffle. Also what was different with the Potatoes was that Chef Hennie fried them in pork fat rather than normal olive oil and it gave the potatoes that extra crispness which i loved.

Next up was the slow roasted pickled Eisbein served with Pesto veggies drizzled with red wine, orange, treacle and soy reduction. No Since am a German myself it is safe to say the Chef Hennie exceed all my exceptions by creating the most perfect flavoured eisbein, it was must try when you make a turn there for lunch or dinner.

Lastly on the mains was a three hour pork belly crispy topped with herbed hollandaise and boy oh boy was is crsipy and heavenly.

For dessert we had there famous four layered cinamon and rose carrot cake with turkish cream cheese frosting. This is a must try dessert, it was beautiful on the eye and trully delicious to eat. I would definitely be back in the future to eat many more pieces of that cake.

With each meal we got the try and paired wine selection from Zevenwacht and added the extra touch for a delicious menu.

The restaurant is a beautiful and quaint and the decor and gorgeouse. Another thing thing about this place is that they a great selection of Banting desserts for all those that are gluten intolerant or health conscious.
Thank you to Zomato for inviting my to this meet up it was definitely one i will remember for a long time and to all your foodie lovers out please go eat at Sweetwell you wont regret it.