Feasting at Reuben's Restaurant and Bar in Franschhoek

I recently visited one of Franschhoek’s newly launched gems that boasts clean lines, chic interior, and food that offers a familiar yet elevated flavour journey that only Reuben Riffel can take you on – meet Reuben’s restaurant and bar, Franschhoek. 

Situated in the heart of the town, this gorgeous space is roughly 40 minutes drive from Cape Town CBD and well worth the trip. Passing gorgeous wine estates and cherry blossoms (at least this time of year) along the way, an added bonus.

The space is ethereal with bright natural light filling the restaurant from the simple bold black center barred windows. The entrance is grand yet understated with a gorgeous marble floor that bounces the light and creates a feeling of space and simplicity. Perfectly chosen artwork gives the space a finishing touch. 
I fell in love with the interiors instantly. 
The restaurant accommodates for long summer lunches outside on the patio or you can make your way inside on a colder day.  There are impeccable design choices at every turn and I must say, even the restrooms impressed me with their unique black basin and gorgeous floral wallpaper. 

The food was described by Reuben as simply “Food I like to eat” with fresh local produce taking front row and center. Each course was a taste explosion and every mouthful was perfect. I couldn’t help but fall in love with every plate, not only for the food but also for the artistry that encompassed every presentation. Simplicity is key and Reuben has taken classical flavours and reimagined them. I enjoyed a glass of crisp Chenin and ended the afternoon off with decadent chocolate fondant and the perfect coffee. 

If you are undecided about the local wines on offer, try the tea and brandy cocktail to start. It will put you in the perfect frame of mind when it comes time to order your pairing partner in crime.

Reuben’s latest offering in Franschhoek, I believe, is not only a result of the natural evolution of his footprint in the valley but an inspired, considered rebirth. 

-Melissa

Homage 1862

Life is one of those crazy beautiful things. One day you think things are going to be a certain way and the next, everything has been turned upside down. 

A close friend of mine bought herself a lovely home here in Cape Town and was settled in with her partner playing house. 

Next thing you know; he gets an exciting job offer in Boston and within three months time, she will be off to go place house in the states. Wild to say the least. 

So when the opportunity came up to go for a sneaky week day lunch at the Homage 1862

 I couldn't resist. Time together is priceless and life is short. 

(that, plus I will find any excuse to go for lunch!)

Homage is located on Loop street in Cape Town CBD. It is a gorgeous building that has history flowing out of every corner. The beautiful old Victorian structure dates back to 1862. 

The decor is framed by natures greens complimented by the earthy tones of the exposed rough brick and raw wood. My favourite part, of course, is a number of lush plants scattered around to play off the teal velvet cushions. The interior designer did the space justice. There are well-placed textures giving it a rustic feel with subtle pops of colour. 

Homage has a lovely upstairs area that can accommodate cocktail-hour loving visitors on the balcony whilst they listen to the cool music selection for the night in the lounge. 

The main feature in the downstairs dining room is a large wood fire encased in glass. The wood fire flavours carry through into the dishes which mirror the earthiness of the interior. The fire is of course also very welcome on colder days here in Cape Town. 

This spot is wonderful for vegetarians and vegans who are looking for vegetables that are glorified in all the right ways and salads that aren't stuck in the 80's. 

I highly recommend the earth plate as I am a sucker for a charred sweet potato that has been left to caramelize within itself. Served with smoky eggplant and charred sweet corn you will be left wanting more! 

If you are in the mood for something meatier, then I can wholeheartedly vouch for the salmon.  Buttery, sweet and utterly delicious accompanied with charred broccoli for that extra crunch, it's definitely one that I will be returning for.

I finished off with a chocolate fondant and I can only say it delivered with all the gooeyness and chocolate feels. Your spend would be roughly R150 per head minus drinks. 

The service was laid back and friendly and the staff's

knowledge of dishes was good and their recommendations were spot on! 

I know that I'll miss my friend while she goes off to seek adventures with her partner, but there will be places like Homage here to fill any melancholy that is likely to arise when the distance feels too great.

To book here are the details:

+27 21 422 0900

-Melissa 

The Mojo Market - Sea Point

There is a new foodie hotspot in town and it's called The Mojo Market. A dazzling little space filled with food and design vendors serving up all things delicious. (Yes – even the leather handbags) 

With a large variety of cuisine, this is the new place for inducing food comas! 
You can find traditional South African cuisine such as bunny chows, bobotie and potjie along with international treats such as Mexican, Cuban and Hawaiian (my personal favourite - Hokey Poke - A fresh bowl food concept that I am in love with.)

If you are anything like me and find cheese something of a spiritual experience; be sure to visit raclette store. 
For those that don’t know; raclette is a Swiss cheese that is melted and served with baby potatoes along with pickles and pickled onions. 
This could very well be their greatest claim to fame (along with wartime neutrality and the Large Hadron Collider in Cern)

If you have visited Switzerland, Germany or Austria the smell will fill you with European nostalgia in a nano second! 

Whether you are looking for sushi, burgers, nourish bowls, tacos or pizza you will find it at the market. There is even an artisanal tea stand selling exquisite teas. 

It also houses stands of local designer wear that showcase some pretty amazing homegrown talent. 
You’ll find handcrafted leather bags, beautifully handmade clothing, jewellery, accessories - All with a truly local flare.

In hindsight, I must say it would have been a great discovery before my journey out to the desert for AfrikaBurn. The craftsmanship of some of the items I stumbled on at Mojo would have found a perfect juxtaposition in Tankwa. I love supporting local and with such great designs, it’s really a bit of a no-brainer. 

If you find yourself there in the evening why not visit the fresh oyster and champagne bar? A glass of crisp bubbles paired with sunset views of the Sea Point promenade is a pretty great end to the day. I thoroughly enjoyed watching the sunset with a perfect glass of bubbly and raclette.
The seating area has more of a cafeteria/food-hall feel to it, great for relaxed, laid back missions but perhaps not the right fit for a couple looking for a bit more ambience and privacy.

My sweet tooth kicked in like the demon it is while I was perusing the goods and I had to hunt for something to satisfy the craving immediately. 

I tried Baskin Robbins (because of the sugar content) and of course the novelty of trying the only American brand in the market. Its inclusion does seem a bit off amongst the craftier food stalls but judging from the queues – it’s clear that my perception is lost on the regular market goer and family units where the kids are screaming for the brightest fare on offer. Their neon pink signage certainly does the trick.

After my cotton candy ice cream, I popped in to try the brownies at the local sweet store - which was a wise choice in my opinion. (The wise choice here being a second dessert...obviously) 

I love the fact that there is also a small local butcher, bakery and vegetable store. All organic and fresh. 
It's a great spot to pop into if you are needing to fill up the pantry with odds and ends. The selection is small and considered, so don’t expect sprawling aisles. You have a local woollies or checkers for that.

The market is attached to the Mojo Hotel. Offering private rooms and dorms. This space has a quirky interior that falls in line with the design element of the whole experience. I must say that if I was passing by Cape Town I would stay at the hotel just to experience the market and the food. In fact, they have created a little oasis that means one might never leave! 

The market is walking distance from my house which means the temptation to hardly cook and pretty much move in is strong. 

-Melissa 

Mondiall summer menu

The Victoria and Alfred waterfront is one of those places that I love to hate. There are moments where it can be wildly busy and filled with chaos yet it is also a great spot to grab a bite to eat and get all your shopping done in one place. A few of the spots, however, can be a let down in terms of the quality of food. Maybe it is because I am spoilt for choice with all our amazing restaurants in Cape Town. 

One place I love to love is Mondiall. It is one of those spots at the waterfront that always delivers high-quality food that is beautiful to look at and bursting in flavour.  I recently got to experience their summer menu and it is packed with all things delicious. They have just celebrated their third birthday and talented head chef Stephen Mandes (winner of the "ultimate braai master" tv show) has created a menu that will satisfy a curious palette and has an international culinary influence. 

New on the Summer Menu are dishes ranging from Seafood Ceviche with fresh sweetcorn salsa and crisp taco; and Prawn & Leek Roulade with lentil salad, sugar snap peas and lime aioli; to Spice Crusted Seared Tuna with romesco sauce, crushed new potatoes and gremolata; and Organic Lamb Duo of loin and braised lamb neck served with shaved vegetables and minted jus; ending off on a sweet note with Nutella Cheesecake with honeycomb and berries. 

An expert in ‘cooking over coals’, Mandes uses ‘Green Eggs’ in the Mondiall kitchen to create enticing smoked flavours. His menu incorporates influences from all over the world, as he takes the diner on an adventure to explore the best each cooking style has to offer, from Europe to Asia and crossing over to America.

Mondiall offers various elements on the menu, but also various menus for different occasions to meet the needs of each guest. Breakfast is served (10:00 - 11:30) Monday to Friday and features classics such as the lauded Eggs Benedict. Lunch is served (12:00 - 16:00) accompanied by the Bar Menu (11:00 - 22:00), which features the full spectrum of the newly-launched summer menu daily. This is followed by Happy Hour (where all cocktails and selected craft beers are offered at a 50% discount), as well as the Afternoon menu which highlights the Mondiall Signature Dishes namely – Mondiall’s Signature Fish Tacos and Mondiall’s Famous 100% Wagyu Cheese Burger. Dinner takes place in the evening (18:30 - 22:00) and Brunch is available over weekends (10:00 – 16:00 Sat & Sun), featuring the ultimate Fluffy American Style Pancakes. 

Offering a wide range of choice, the wine list features a variety of cultivars and vintages, consisting predominantly of South Africa’s top wine labels that are exclusively selected to ensure that the cuisine is complemented by the best quality wines.

Your average spend per head is around R350 and bookings are essential, here are the details:

reservations@mondiall.co.za
www.mondiall.co.za
Tel: +27 21 418 3003

-Melissa 

*This blog post is sponsored by Mondiall, all opinions are my own. 

Hog House Brewing Company

This year has started off with quite a bang. We started with moving house and it simply hasn't stopped. Did you know that this year is the universal year of one in numerology? This means it is a year for growth, progress, and change. So I know it is going to be a good one! 

On the note of the change. I don't often venture out of the city for dinner. I seem to have become the typical Capetonian that finds any 20-minute drive very far away. Which for the better part is ridiculous. Most places are less than 15km from my house and not quite the Cape to Cairo journey I imagine it to be. 

One of these places is Hog House Brewing Company in Pinelands Ndabeni, a smokehouse with an elevated experience. It is an awesome spot that I recently ventured out to. I always have their pasteis de nata's at the Granger Bay city farm market. If you follow me on Instagram stories or snap chat you will see that every Saturday morning before I do my organic vegetable shop at the market, my first stop is coffee and pasteis. It is a religion and I cannot go without one if I am at the market. Regardless of the sugar curbing vibe, I might be on. They are simply spectacular. 

Now on my adventure 'out' of the city (I'll have you know it takes all of 15 minutes to drive there) I discovered the restaurant behind the perfect pasteis and to be honest, the food isn't far behind on the perfection. They offer phenomenal dishes that simply are mouth watering. The Hog House does slow smoked meat using rooikrans wood, that is cooked in its natural flavour without sauce. All meat is free range and locally sourced and homage is paid to the smokey texas style of cooking. They have a full brewery that on a busy day can bottle up to 2000 bottles of fresh, crisp beer brewed with different flavours such as caramel. Now, who doesn't want a cold one? 

The menu is extensive and offers meat lovers a full variety of delectable ribs, pulled pork, burnt bacon bits, braai brootjies, chili poppers and more. The flavours are spot on and the meat is tender and juicy. What about the vegetarians? It is not often you go to an establishment where the sides shine as bright as the mains. Hog House offers sides that will allow any vegetarian to feast and be happy. From cheesy baked aubergine to roasted cauliflower topped with cheese and crisp capers there will be a meal for everyone! The cherry on the cake was definitely the ice cream cone for dessert along with the pasteis (yes I did both)! 

Booking is essential and spends per head would probably average R250. Executive Chef PJ Vadas has truly created a great establishment that I would rush back to although the cooking is low and slow!  

If you want to book (and you should) here are the details: 

bbq@hhbc.co.za
bookings 021 810 4545
office 021 531 0721

-Melissa