If you're in Cape Town: The Woodlands Eatery (Guest post)

The fickle Cape Town restaurant scene means that many restaurants – no matter how popular – will be around for two or three years before they close their doors. This is usually only with the help of annual winter specials, because once the weather starts getting colder, most Capetonians go into hibernation and can only be lured out to eat by 50% off specials at fantastic restaurants.

Not all restaurants have to abide by these rules, of course, but there is one restaurant that has never had a special, never had a winter deal, and never even had a half-full night. All evidence points to the fact that it is Cape Town’s favourite restaurant.
What is this magical place? The Woodlands Eatery.

If you haven’t been before, you may be one of the only residents in Cape Town to be missing out. Well, that’s not entirely true – this Vredehoek spot is mostly popular with the hipster City Bowl set, although you won’t feel out of place if your hair is symmetrically cut. Run by husband and wife team Larry Steenkamp and Sara Cronwright, Woodlands is perennially popular for a number of reasons.

As far as I can tell, here they are:
1. The food is wonderful. Generous portions, made from fresh, local ingredients and reliably superb, people come back again and again for the lamb pizza and Larry’s burger – which has just had a fantastic facelift. They also do seasonal cocktails, and the plum and black cherry mojito is worth writing home about. Every time.
2. The service is superb. Fast, friendly and efficient, you never feel rushed but always feel tended to. I’ve been for everything from table-for-two to table-for-ten and the service is reliably excellent – a rare treat.
3. The décor is fabulous. Quirky, homely but not messy, you can see that the owners spend a lot of time and attention ensuring the restaurant looks its best.

This means there is always a vibe. Always. Tuesday dinner in the middle of the month? No problem! Woodlands will be full. If you haven’t visited The Woodlands Eatery yet, you are clearly missing out on something that the whole of Cape Town knows about.

What are you waiting for?

Guest Post by Russell Jarvis of Travelstart.co.za

The Woodlands Eatery
2 Deerpark Drive West
Vredehoek
0218015799
Best for: Fresh, local fare and the plum & black cherry mojito

Thanks Russell!

If you're in Braamfontein: Father Coffee

There's a new kid on the Juta str block, Father Coffee. Yes you guessed it, it's a coffee shop. I popped in on Monday and sipped on a flat white, the blend of the day was South American & African beans. I couldn't resist the blood orange juice, which is deep in colour and flavour along with a slice of good ol' apple pie.

Father Coffee is easy going, light and airy with light wood and white tones. The boys, oh yeah the boys behind the counter are super friendly and whip up a good cuppa. 

Oh yeah that's me

Do I dig it? So far so good, but I will give them some time to settle in before passing full judgement.

Father Coffee

73 Juta Str, Braamfontein (right next door to the Neighbourgoods Market alley way)

0825134258

Best for: Blood Orange juice and a cuppa coffee of course

If you're in Linden: Ceramic Factory

I have recently moved into my apartment, so I am always on the look out for interior design additions.  The Ceramic Factory caught my eye after breakfast at The Whippet (see The Whippet review here), and once I stepped it I was sold on the ceramics.

The Ceramic Factory is a crisp, white space that is illuminated with ceramic light shades that illuminates the wide range of other ceramics on sale. The palette of ceramics on show at the moment includes the traditional, crisp white, deep and subdued greys as well as lemon yellow.

I went in looking for nothing in particular and ended up buying two items. A dark grey kitchen tool holder for your spoons, whisks and such. The second item I haven't quite decided what I will be using it to either pot an orchid or to hold pasta. I will post an update as soon as I have decided what I will use it for.

The Ceramic Factory is such a gem, if you can't make it out to Linden they will have a stall at the House & Leisure Night Market next Thursday 16 May 2013.

Ceramic Factory
Shop 59, 4th Avenue, Linden
011 057 4314
Best for: Ceramics, pop in if you're looking for quirky gifts or for a ceramic tagine (the vessel).

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If you're in Braamfontein - Daleah's

The new kid on the Braamfontein De Beer street block is Daleah's. 

It's situated opposite Post, my Braamfontein breakie favourite, see full Post review here. Daleah's is a casual chic eatery with a combination of wood tables,  a face brick wall, black and white accents and vintages touches. The service is friendly and very attentive with Daleah on hand spreading her enthusiasm.

The daily menu is up on a chalkboard along coffees, speciality teas and pastries on pastries. Yesterday's daily menu seemed Tashas inspired with the two mini beef burgers and a texas salad on the menu.
I ordered the beef burger, the mini burgers were made medium. My second patty however was quite rare, I'm a fan of steak tartare so I didn't mind. It was day 2 after all, so I let it slide. The mini burgers were topped with a deliciously creamy mushroom and caramelised onion sauce. It's a get your hands dirty and tuck in kind of burger. Along with that I ordered a strong flat white and two chocolate chip cookies to go totalling R62.

Mini burger lunch for one

Mini beef burgers

Once again the eateries in Braamfontein stay winning with their price point. I will give them some time to get on with it and get comfortable before I do a full review.

Daleah's
6 De Beer Street, Braamfontein
0713930542
Daleahseatery@gmail.com

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If you're in Cyrildene: Gangnam Korean BBQ

My friend Amy (of Littlemissconceptions) invited me to dinner at Gangnam Korean BBQ in Derrick Avenue, Cyrildene. As you expect from Derrick Avenue, don't judge a book by its cover or by it's lumo green sign in Gangnam BBQ's case.

The restaurant is filled with sets of wooden tables and chairs. Each of the tables have a special centre feature, all the better to barbeque with. Amy was designated barbeque lady for the night.
Once seated and orders made, the waitresses brings out hot coals and sets it inside the table centre and then we're ready to barbeque. Next the waitress sets an assortment of pickles on the table along with lettuce leaves. The assortment of pickles includes pickled cucumber, potato pickle and a small serving of kimchi (pickled vegetables).

We ordered three meat items; the marinated beef short ribs, marinated pork rashers and chicken wings. The meat is marinated in a salty, umami, slightly spicy marinade.  The marinated pork is served with two dips; a spicy chilli sauce and a salty poppy seed dip. If you eat pork I recommend it highly. The idea is that once the meat is cooked you take a lettuce leaf and fill it with pickles, meat and the dipping sauces. The lettuce is a wonderful neutral cold element that balances the warm, spicy & salty meat. As our side we ordered beef noodles, these are no ordinary noodles but translucent sweet potato noodles. There are splendid and unexpected.

I enjoyed the evening, it's great for interacting and the restaurant is perfect for a quiet one on one dinner or for a group dinner. My next trip will be with a group, so that I can try a larger variety of dishes. 

Step out of the ordinary and instead of your usual spot try something new this week. I would suggest making a booking if you plan to go over the weekend.

Gangnam Korean BBQ

28 Derrick Avenue, Cyrildene

0791721239

Best for: A group dinner. The fish balls are a MUST try.

Going back for: The outside bbq night, where skewers of chicken wings & skewers of fish balls are barbequed or braaied on site. 

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

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

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