Beijing Opera pops up in Jozi

I was over the moon when I saw this posted up on the Beijing Opera fb page. I'm pretty sure Yang got tired of me asking when The Beijing Opera is coming to Jozi. The dim sum Pop Up Beijing Opera will be on our Parkhurst streets in two weeks.

Trust me this is not to be missed! 

If you're in Linden: Cheese Gourmet

I'd like to say if you're in Linden and hankering after a piece of cheese, but really if you're in Johannesburg and looking for a large selection of local (South African) cheese with a few imports thrown in then Cheese Gourmet is the place.

Cheese Gourmet is owned and run by Brian and Jo Dick, those who visit the Irene market must know Brian, he's been there for 22 years. The store is stocked with local and imports, but they do strive to support local and smaller farms, such as Klein River cheese. Along with a selection imported cheeses including Tallegio and Stilton.

Cheese is not the only thing you'll find Cheese Groumet also offers a selection of charcuterie, pork pies and frozen homemade meals. Along with cheese condiments like konfyt, honey and of course teas & coffees.

I'm a cheese lover and had to stop myself from breaking the bank. I am going back tomorrow though for hotcross buns and to pick up some of the Eat Out award winning fare. The dairy (cheese) winner Pepe Charlot crotin and the dairy (other) winner Gourmet Greek greek yoghurt.

Cheese Gourmet
71 7th St Linden
011-888-538
Best for: Need I say it, local and imported cheese. They stock Buffalo Ridge Mozzarella and Eat out produce award winners Pepe Chalot and Gourmet Greek
Going back for: Goat's milk ice cream and to have a cuppa at the Cheese Cafe

Getting to know - Jamie of Love Food Cafe

As you know I love Braamfontein, one of my favourite lunch spots there (at a great price point) is Love Food Cafe. I've featured it on the Jozi hitlist & in the if you're in Braamfontein series which I've just started. I just couldn't help myself I had to get to know more about Jamie of Love Food Cafe and share her with you. She's super friendly and welcoming that translates directly into the feeling you get as soon as you enter the cafe.

Courtesy: http://lovefoodkitchen.com

Tells us about the journey to opening Love Food catering was born in 2010 
My journey began when I was in high school, I fell in love with food and flavours and decided to go to cooking school. The catering business came about in 2010, I had just returned from London and was unsure what to do with my career and that was how ‘love food’ was born.

What is your vision for Love Food? 

My vision is to get people to love my food, to enjoy my café and obviously I want to grow the concept.

When was Love Food Cafe opened? and why the move from catering to including deli and cafe? 

‘love food’ opened 27 August 2012. I wanted my own space, my own identity, I was doing the catering business from home, it felt like a hobby and not like my business. By adding deli and café I covered all the bases in that I also wanted to sell my muesli, rusks, sauces and my own selected blend of coffee.  

What has been your biggest success? and what has been your greatest learning or challenge? 

Opening my cafe is my biggest success thus far. My greatest learning curve and challenge was living and working in London, working in Recruitment - 18 hours a day as a recruiter and staff manager.

What is the Love Food approach to food: sourcing produce, cooking and eating? 
‘love food’  approach is: FRESH, raw, seasonal and tasty! I want people to feel as if they are coming to my home and having a home cooked, fresh and comforting meal.

Other than Love Food of course, what is favourite Jozi eatery?  
I love owner run eatery’s. Places where I can feel the  passion of the owner in the preparation of the food. Such as Nice, Possoms, Voodoo Lily, Bellinis, Moemas, Salvation Café, Service Station…..

What is your favourite eatery in South Africa? 
Ile de Pain in Knysna

What is on your foodie must eat before I die wishlist/ bucket list? 
Nothing

If you could pick one meal to eat for the rest of your life what would it be? 
Peanut butter on toast 

Describe yourself in a dish. 
A Hot Lamb Curry, fiery but tender ;) hahaha

Afternoon snack - Emmentaler & onion marmalade grilled cheese

This post is especially for my American friends, who love themselves a grilled cheese. I had a craving for a grilled cheese yesterday but decided a simple gouda or cheddar grilled cheese just wasn't enough, I wanted to add a little fancy and honestly was craving a sweet savoury combination. Emmentaler and onion marmalade it was.

What's the difference between a toasted sandwich and a grilled cheese you ask? Essentially, the cooking method.
The grilled cheese is made in a pan with butter. Slices of white bread spread with a thin layer of onion marmalade and filled with a few slices of emmentaler and organic Gouda. Place the sandwich in a preheated buttered pan toasting each side for 3 to 5 minutes till sides are golden. Then finish it off in a warm oven, just to get the perfect melt without burning the bread.

This is best for lunch or an afternoon snack, savoury with a touch of caramelised onion marmalade sweetness. Yum!

Takeaway Chronicles: Chicken Licken hotwings

These are my favourite takeaway chicken wings *waaaaangs*

Chicken Licken came up with a winning formula when they made these spicy little winglets. Spicy, salty, crispy winglets that are tender and perfectly cooked on the inside. The winglets are coated in a light SPICY batter & deep fried to perfection

Friends of mine also swear by them as a hangover cure, hotwings with soul fire hot sauce (you pay extra for a sachet of the sauce) and a stoney. It may look like it but I didn't have a hangover I just love the hotwings and stoney combination.

If unlike myself you feel shameful going into a Chicken Licken fear not, they have fly thrus (drive thru). Thank me later!

Chicken Licken
The Mall of Rosebank (Warning they tend to run out of hotwings often so call ahead)
011 447 8146

Rivonia Road (has a fly thru)
7th Ave, just off Rivonia Rd
011 234 9607

Best for: Hotwings

Afternoon snack - Chickpea salad

Of all the legumes chickpeas are my favourite. I must admit they are a chore to make with the soaking, I had in fact left them to soak for three days in the fridge, having totally forgot about them on day 1.

Once cooked in water with bayleaf, mustard powder and a red onion, I dressed them in a white wine vinegar dressing (add olive oil, honey, seasoning & mustard) then add whatever is in the fridge to make a salad. In my fridge that meant whole kernels, cucumber, slivers of red onions, slices of peppadew and feta.

If you're in Braamfontein: Doubleshot

Looking for a caffeine fix, a barista, a quick coffee or loose leaf tea in Braamfontein then Doubleshot Tea and Coffee from Malawi is a good bet. Especially if you're a fan of, yes you guessed it, Malawian beans.

Order and pay at the counter and then find a seat along the window to watch the, mostly student, hustle & bustle go by. We had a latte and a doubleshot double espresso. A strong brew perfect for first thing in the morning and the mid afternoon lull. 

Doubleshot also offers bags of beans for sale along with tea and accessories. By accessories I mean teapots, single plunge brewers, espresso cups and such.

Doubleshot
Corner Juta and Melle streets, Braamfontein
Best For: Your preferred coffee and a spot of people watching

Takeaway Chronicles: KFC dunked zinger wings

After Alida Ryder (Of Simply Delicious) tweeted that the KFC dunked wings are seriously good like Korean bbq good, I had to try them. She was all the way right, the sweet Asian bbq dunk sauce slathered over the spicy zinger wings is a winning combo. Although to retain balance they should slather a tad less sauce - just my single foodie opinion but it's also store specific i guess.

The wings go well with a Cuba Libre, that's a rum and coke with a squeeze of lime. I'm a fan of Havana Club, with a squeeze of fresh lime and a lime wedge on the side. Great pairing on a hot day!

If you're in Braamfontein: Love Food Cafe

I mentioned Love Food Cafe once before on the Jozi Hit List. Well, if you're in Braamfontein I highly recommend you head over to Love Food Cafe for lunch. It's buffet style Ottolenghi inspired cuisine.

R48 gets you a choice of three salads (a spoonful of each) and a protein. It's all fresh, sustainable and tasty. I had the roast butternut and beetroot salad with feta, fresh raw broccoli salad and a mango spinach salad with a tangy dressing, along with a piece of tender spiced chicken.

I said this on twitter and I'll say it again, if you're at Wits and looking for a lunch date spot this is for you. It's a reasonably priced date and the cafe itself is absolutely lovely. has a rustic Parisian feel to it.

Love Food Cafe
4 Amershoff street, Braamfontein
083 602 6511
Best for: Lunch (three salad and protein) I actually haven't been for breakie yet.
Monday - Friday 06:30am - 06:00pm

If you're in Linden: The Whippet

This is the first of my If You're in the Neighbourhood series. This is the beginning of a series of posts that will cover the length and breadth of a specific neighbourhood, foodie find by foodie find.

I thought it an absolute must to start with The Whippet. As it embodies the essence of "supporting local", The Whippet sources from the local butcher and bakers.  It's also shining a spotlight on the peach history of its neighbourhood Linden and reviving the neighbourhood coffee shop culture.  Did you know that Linden was once a great peach exporter? I sure didn't.

How may times can I say neighbourhood?! ALOT!

I have spent two afternoons at The Whippet, at first glance I was taken by the clean lines whites and dark greys against wood tables and tops. Along with the quirky touches.

The staff are super knowledgeable about the history of the neighbourhood, the sources of the ingredients and their sustainability, along with the dishes themselves. Also they are diligent about getting introductions and names of patrons, made me feel like regular on my first time. This is warm service!

The coffee is Malawian and awesome! I recommend a flat white, which is my fave (future bf take note)

To eat we ordered the Whippet burger and the chicken salad. The Whippet burger has a mozarrella cheese centre, great surprise and super tasty. Alas the pic could not do it justice.
Although tasty the chicken salad should be renamed, baby spinach salad with chicken croutons. Please sir may I have some more chicken. The green olives are spectacular, I must remember to ask where they source them from.

I left with a takeaway lemon curd mini cake, a jar of peaches celebrating Linden's peach export heritage and lemon cordial.

The Whippet
Corner of 7th Street and 4th Avenue, Linden, Randburg
011 782 7310
Best for: Cup of coffee on the go, a dessert pick me up milk tart & the Whippet burger
Going back for: The Whippet signature breakie, to try the poached & tempura battered egg
Not sold on: The chicken salad, it's mostly greens with chicken breast croutons