The Bee's Knees

Anyone who knows anything about me knows I love a dinner party. The food, the people and of course the wine are major key points to throwing a successful dinner party (that and staying sober whilst cooking) 

I recently started playing around with a few cocktail recipes. I think that they are a lot of fun and bring a little something extra to the table. They are quick and simple and you can serve them as a welcome drink! They really are a great way to start the evening. Not to mention that they will get all your guests tipsy and that way everyone will think your food is amazing no matter what! 

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Ingredients:

• 2 shots of Gin
• 30ml lavender honey syrup
• 30ml lemon juice

Lavender Honey Syrup:

• 125ml honey
• 60ml boiling water
• 1 teaspoon dried lavender

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Instructions:

To make the lavender honey syrup, combine hot water with honey and stir until evenly mixed. Add lavender, stirring to combine.
Let cool, approximately 30 minutes, then pour through a fine mesh strainer to remove lavender.

For the cocktail, combine all ingredients in a shaker full of ice.
Shake vigorously for 10 full seconds. Double strain into a cocktail glass and garnish with a lavender sprig.

-Melissa

Nomad winelands Stellenbosch

Do you guys know the Star Fish Story? Well here is the long and short of it. 

A wise man was walking along the beach and came across a young man throwing star fish back into the ocean. He asked the young man why he was doing so. The young man replied, 'the tide is going out an the sun is up. If I don't do it they will die.' The old man responded that he couldn't possibly make a difference as there is miles and miles of coast line covered with star fish. The young man picked up a star fish and threw it back in the ocean. As it hit the water he replied, "It made a difference to that one!" 

I guess that is what it is all about. I recently adopted this attitude and became flexitarian. I try to eat vegetarian as much as possible and save meat for special occasions. This attitude, combined with my thirst for trying new places, lead me to Nomad in Stellenbosch. Owned by Keri Bainborough, a passionate vegan, this little spot boasts a menu with that would satisfy the hungriest of farmers with a meaty option, but also - for a change - inspire and delight a vegan who hungers for a delicious food experience! The interior is modern but warm with a beautiful pizza oven as the main feature. We decided to sit out on the balcony over looking the dam. 

The order of the day for me was to have a three course vegan meal. I can safely say that every course was simply delicious and inspired. I had the sweet potato gnocchi served with crispy greens, sweet potato crisps and tomato broth – R75 to start and my mom had the Red quinoa falafel with pepper purée, confit cherry tomato, rocket and toasted pine nuts – R75. I cannot say no to a sweet potato! For mains I had the vegan burger with grilled aubergine, Moroccan olive pesto and vegan mozzarella – R95. My mom had the vegan curry which boasted full on coconut flavour and was really good! For my sweet tooth I had the vegan cheesecake served with blueberry compote and homemade ice cream - R60. The menu reminded me that with a little creativity and thought I could create amazing meals at home that didn't contain any animal by product! It really can be a bit of a trip if you think about it. Most people have the response of "all they eat is bunny food" but Nomad is proving that this is not the case. I even had vegan cheesecake and ice cream. 

So next time you find yourself in the area pop in and try something vegan. Make a difference to that one star fish. 

Here are the details if you want to make a booking: 
Call: 0218652456
Email: info@nomadrestaurant.co.za

-Melissa

The Conservatory Cellars Hohenort

I once read a saying, “You don’t have to have a silver spoon in your mouth to enjoy good food”

The last few weeks I have made a commitment to myself. It’s a commitment to start eating at the wonderful places Cape Town has to offer. I am on a food journey and that also means I cannot become a creature of habit, which for me is very easy to do.  I like value for the money I spend, so I tend to eat at the same spots all the time. I also realise that this is a silly habit. Why? Simply because all the odd coffees and random meals quickly add up to being able to eat at some of the best places Cape Town has to offer!

So this is my new adventure, to get out there and try something new.

My first stop was The Conservatory at Cellars Hohenort.

This restaurant is really something special. As you walk into the dining room there is a tree that is over 100 years old in the center of the room in cased by glass walls. You can look in on this majestic giant and the energy it offers the room is peaceful and calming. I really enjoyed sipping on my wine while watching the squirrels dart around on the tree. It feels like Cellars Hohenort has really respected nature and in fact, embraced it. The service is sharp and the dining experience 5 class.

I often get asked about the price of the experience and I must say they are brilliant for the amazing food that gets served up by the phenomenal Peter Tempelhoff and his team! I moved my way through the whole menu and there was not a moment of disappointment! The cheese soufflé (R95) is a must along with the confit duck (R195), which was all washed down with a crisp Chenin Blanc (my favourite.) The desserts were well thought out and the flavours spot on and it all was so well translated in the presentation. I had the banoffie marquis R70 which was not only beautiful to look at but also to eat!

After lunch I took a long slow walk through the gardens. It felt like I was walking with giants and I could not help but wonder the stories they could tell. To see the gardens is a treat and a perfect way to end an experience of world class dining!

So next time you want to spend money on an average take out, think of this; maybe if you save that money just twice you could end up experiencing something not only a different, but also something great!

If you would likt to book (which I recommend) here are the details: Tel: +27 (0) 21 794 2137

-Melissa

A sunset date with Krone

Krone recently sent me a beautiful picnic basket filled with mouth-watering hand made treats and two bottles of their still Chardonnay/Pinot Noir.

This blend is my absolute favourite wine so the arrival of said basket delivered great excitement for me.

I thoroughly appreciated the crisp, fresh bouquet and I foresee that this wine will accompany me to many occasions in the future.

“An unexpected twist” - I had to appreciate the playful double entendre that Krone had (I’m assuming, intentionally) provided; the theme of the basket and the innovative helix cork, which lets be honest, really gives this bottle of wine the spirit of spontaneity.

This is a wine that is ready to be enjoyed wherever, whenever.  

I had to decide on a setting that would compliment the idea of innovation.

Something a little different…

I must admit that my first thought was stuck on the notion of romance, however since my partner does not drink, I was forced to really expand on my initial idea. I had an epiphany;

Why do we maintain that the notion of romance is exclusively reserved for a lover or significant other?

Google tells me that, aside from being a noun, “Romance is a quality or feeling of mystery, excitement, and remoteness from everyday life.”

I can definitely say without a shadow of doubt that my very close friends offer me exactly that.

Spoiling my friends in this way can be a bit self-indulgent but the beauty of it? I get to share in the fun unashamedly without the need of a corkscrew or clean-shaven legs.

That’s the kind of spontaneity I can really get behind.

-Melissa

*This blog post was sponsored by Krone. All opinions are my own.

Lourensford Harvest Market

This past weekend I opted for something a little different for Easter weekend. Instead of the usual feast at home and a full on food coma afterwards, I decided to load my family up and take a drive to the much talked about Lourensford Harvest Market.

The market is on every Sunday and this time round was an Easter theme.  They even had an Easter egg hunt for the little ones. With over 70 stalls filled with food, clothing and arts, there is something on the go for everyone! Of course my main focus was food and tasting as many morsels as possible. I always feel at markets committing to one single big meal isn’t the way to go. Either that or my food FOMO really shines! Get there early as the food starts to sell out later on and you will want to get the cream of the crop and of course grab a bottle of wine!

The atmosphere is relaxing and with cold beers and live music I found myself sitting at the table in a mellow mood that I would recommend to anyone.  Puppies are welcome and of course there are enough children to keep them busy!

Lourensford is one of the biggest producing estates in South Africa and has so much to offer! They have coffee roasting, galleries, the market and Mill House restaurant. A must try if you are in the area, bookings essential.  The food is outstanding and I have been lucky enough to eat there on a previous occasion.

So if you are wondering what to do and want to venture out of the noisy city, I recommend taking a drive to this beautiful estate and exploring it with camera or loved one in hand!

-Melissa