World Cup eating

In the spirit of the World Cup I think it's my duty to taste the cuisine served at the stadiums at the games I go to. Whether it's a boerie, braaied chicken outside ellis park or chops at Soccer City.

Watch this space! I wonder if they have bunny chows at Moses Mabhida stadium...hmmm

So what do the Fifa VIPs eat at the game?
Well they have almost identical menus at all the stadiums across the country and a staple on the menu is Bobotie in any form they can serve it, plain bobotie or variations think almond laced bobotie or bobotie spring rolls. Needless to say I don't eat any of it, seems too recycled for me although I know they wouldn't fly the Soccer City left overs from Johannesburg to Moses Mabhida in Durban.

But really what it is showing is that the caterers are trying to increase their profits wherever they can after all bobotie really is a mince dish - no prime cuts there!

Other staples are:

• variations of roast vegetables
• morrocan rice with raisin aka yellow rice with raisins (Bobotie, yellow rice i sense a trend)
• stuffed morrocan lamb
• a chicken dish
• a roast

The dessert always features a chocolate fountain and various other little desserts which are forgettable. Then a cheese platter that features a Gruyere, Blue, Camembert and a Cream cheese

So I guess it beats a boerewors roll or hotdog but will it beat a braaied chop and a piece of chicken from the mamas outside Soccer City?

The early bird Tasha's Chai Latte warning it's hot

I happened to be up strangely early this sunday morning and decided to see who was up with me other than the Good Morning Mzansi presenters. Found Tasha's Melrose was, so in I stroll at 07:30. I ask if I can get a coffee this morning and I'm told warmly of course! I almost feel embarrassed that I asked. Everyone is warm and friendly this morning with soft chatter underlying the jazzy music.

I order the Spiced Chai which comes to the table piping hot. I quite enjoy watching them start the day which involves a thorough cleaning. There are buckets of soapy water and the tables chairs get a stiff wipe down while the floor gets a good moping. From what I see there isn't a Kitchen nightmare in sight. They also clean the coffee machine with what looks like scalding water,I'm tempted to have a peep into the kitchen but if this is anything to go by we should be good.

Just before I'm off I'll have a petite cappuccino, which is made strong!

Spiced Chai R22
Cappuccino petite R13







Thank you for the morning
Tashas.co.za

Tashas Melrose Arch
Shop 14, The Piazza, Melrose Arch
011 684 1781
Best for:  My favourite all day eatery! Best for all day eating.

Vovo Telo 44 Stanley can the PE kids make it in Jozi?

It's 08:30 on Saturday morning and I'm at Vovo Telo bakery to see if anything had changed since our last encounter. You'll be pleased to hear they have new wait staff who are friendlier and more attentive with personalities that are very 44 Stanley. All the staff are clad in Vovo telo black tshirts or hoodies which gives it a more professional and less PE brother sister store trying to make it in big bad Jozi.

The vibe is fantastic much to the credit of the banter between the owner/managers and the staff. It has a wonderful family feel and us mere mortals are greeted as warmly as the regulars who come in shortly after me. Their menu is put up on a black board and the pastries and the bread are on display as you walk in.

A great start to my day!

I'm sitting next to a heater with a wonderful cappuccino in hand and an almond croissant. I do like my cappuccino mild so it was perfect but for those who prefer a strong cappuccino be sure to tell them to give you a double espresso.

The croissant is a bit blackened at the bottom but still sweet and enjoyable. It's not Parisian perfect but it'll do as a sweet morning pick me up. A great start to the morning!  

I still say their bread is by far their best product!Watch it rise!

Let's go out and give Vovo Telo a warm jozi welcome, because if you're eating bread, eat the best bread you can find and right now that's Vovo Telo bread!

I leave here with the lingering smell of baking bread.

Cappuccino+almond croissant+large ciabatta to go = R45

http://www.vovotelo.co.za/

Vovo Telo
44 Stanley, Milpark
011 482 4139
Best for: Breakfast and brunch