The Cronut hits Jozi

Although I wasn't a taster, yes side eyes, I will still announce that on Friday 16 August 2013 the cronut or Crois-Nut as they call it hits Belle's Patisserie.

I blogged about my Dominique Ansel Cronut craving here and then for a few weeks harassed Linda of Belle's Patisserie about it on twitter and so a few months later it finally hits Jozi shores.

Although this fresh from Belle's pic does look a bit more doughnut than cronut, I will give them a go on Friday. Oh yes they open at 07:30am

Belle's Patisserie

(011) 440 4474

Blubird Shopping Centre, Shop no. 16, Corner Atholl Oaklands Rd & Fort St, Birnam

Introducing the new Jozi Foodie Fix teamie Nishal

Jozi Foodie Fix has a new foodie joining the fold, Nishal Rattan a man of simple tastes easily satisfied with the best!

To his more orthodox contemporaries he is seen as as a semi-madman but then genius was always misunderstood. He loves to travel and to explore cultures and cuisines. He will probably say yes to anything exciting, exotic or beautiful. A fan of the urban jungle he would not say no to a weekend away in the bush but would be just as at home on a tropical beach with palm trees, waving to a waiter for his next G&T.

He is a man of the world though far from flawless Nishal is not without virtue, among them you will discover a rigorous intelligence, playful charm and a rather dangerous sensuality. The gift of tact, sensitivity and razor wit are given to very few and he is among the blessed. He is an accountant, historian, chef, critic, cunning linguist, novelist, and ceramic potter.

But to see him is to love him and love him most do. A warm welcome to Nishal, who will be guest blogging over the next couple of months.

Today's Craving - I want a Cronut!

I follow Dominique Ansel on Instagram and twitter, he also happens to be the owner of my favourite bakery Dominique Ansel Bakery in SoHo New York. It will remain on my NY must eats list (see NY Must Eats list here) and of course I love his made to order madeleines, see my post on heaven in Dominique Ansel here. About a month ago Dominique started Instagramming the Cronut which peaked my interest. I thought I'd share a few pictures of Dominique's Cronuts, to share in the craving.

The Cronut must be the perfect breakfast pastry decadent and sinful treat paired with a cuppa or so I imagine. What is a Cronut? It's half Croissant and half Donut. Layers of flaky croissant pastry deep fried ala doughnut and filled with a "custard" cream topped with a glaze. It reminds me of my favourite doughnut, the boston creme only better. I'll call it the Boston Creme's sexy second cousin.

Rose Vanilla Cronut

Undressed Cronut

Lemon Maple Cronut cross section

@Tastyones (Woolworths' Taste Magazine twitter handle) tweeted that Jason Bakery in Cape Town has made a couple of Cronuts this morning. Can a Jozi bakery get on it though?! or I may need to get Cronuts flown in from Jason Bakery, can you spell O.B.S.E.S.S.E.D

This pastry even has a movement cronut.org Home of the Cronutophiles, I kid you not. All I'm saying is give me a cronut so I know it's real!

Calling all food lovers SecretEATS is coming to Jozi book now!

SecretEATS is an underground dining experience and it's hitting the big city next Saturday 8 June 2013. The concept behind SecretEATS is simple - they bring together adventurous food lovers and talented chefs for exclusive, underground dinner parties in secret locations around South Africa.

I've got my tickets, because I love to experience something out of the ordinary and of course I'm intrigued by all the mystery. Now let me tempt you to get your tickets.
"We’re (SecretEATS) not only going to serve you the most unique, scrumptious and food-coma inducing menu, we like to throw in a few extras too. Three distinct and matchless gourmet courses and one of a kind wine pairings eagerly await you in a completely unique, incredibly unexpected and decidedly exclusive venue."

How can you get in on this you ask? All you need to do is request an invitation here and you will receive an email that allows you to purchase tickets, simple!

Have you heard of Zomato?

Zomato is the newest entrant in the Jozi, well South African, online restaurant guide sphere. Zomato is an online restaurant guide with a presence in India, the UK, Sri Lanka, Qatar and now South Africa. It offers menus, ratings, reviews, maps and contact details.

It launched last week and I'm acquainting myself with it as I write. I have set up a Jozi Foodie Fix profile which you can go ahead and follow here.

It's Johannesburg database has approximately 2000 restaurants, it covers take away spots along with restaurants from cheap and cheerful to high end fine dining.

The feature I like in particular is that it is super interactive, I can follow specific Foodies & Super Foodies. Basically you can create your own go to guide within Zomato by following specific Foodies and Super foodies and make restaurant choices based on their reviews.

Zomato also has a top "foodies" tab which is a leader board made up of Zomato users that have the most followers and have contributed the most reviews. We are all ranked as foodies and work towards the ultimate, which is a Connoissuer, described as "The Ultimate snob. Knows his/her food. Widely respected in the Zomato community." Onward with the pursuit of ultimate snobbery lol!

Just when you thought this was it, theres an App! The App detects your city and your current location and offers suggestions in your proximity. You can of course explore restaurants by location and cuisine or search for something specific you're craving.

Add Zomato to your online restaurant go to guides. I have because I like to have as much information as I can at my disposal.

For updates on blog posts go ahead like the FB page and follow on twitter JoziFoodieFix.

New in Jozi: Foundry Parktown North

This weekend I managed to visit the newly opened Foundry: Kitchen Roastworks Craft Bar in Parktown North. My wonderful friend Amy Rawhani of littlemissconceptions gave me the heads up. Thank you AMY!!!!
Foundry just opened this past week and I have to say the feel is very ummmm continental. The concept has moved away from the South African restauranteur classic minimal style decor and gone full on tavern with classic dishes meets street food in a semi-fine dining kind of way.

Here's a slanty peep at their dinner menu which changes slightly everyday, based on my Friday and Saturday night visits.

I will save my review of Foundry till there has been time to settle in, but here are a few items that I've had from their menu.

Pulled pork

White fish tempura fish cakes

Vanilla creme brulee

Be sure to make a reservation to avoid disappointment! Don't say I didn't tell you

Foundry
Kitchen Roastworks Craft Beer
Parktown Quarter, 3rd Avenue, Parktown North
+27(0)11 447 5828