All posts in Restaurants

I’ve been trying to work on balancing my life a little more, separation between work and play is so important and I’ve allowed the two to cross quite badly and feel that it’s taking a toll on me. So, yesterday, Chris came over, we braai’d and watched the rugga and then headed out to Home Bar and Restaurant in Harfield Village.

Because I’ve bought a house in Harfield Village, I figured I’d start revisiting a number of places in Harfield Village as all of them are in walking distance from the new house, so familiarizing myself with the surroundings will work in my favor.

I always have a good time at Home Bar and Restaurant, it’s been a good number of months since I’d been there, so it was great to go back. Champange on tap and frozen Jager Bombs were the order of the night. A frozen Jager Bomb is absolutely awesome! It’s one of their recipes, so you won’t see it anywhere else for the time being, but essentially they put Jager and RedBull into a snowflo machine, and serve it in shots – it’s quite something else, freezing cold, icy and powerful! :)

If you haven’t been to Home Bar and Restaurant, you really should go – they have an awesome menu for dinners and the restaurant caters for smoking and non-smoking, plush couches, a relaxed, yet busy vibe and the people in general are always friendly.

To showcase their commitment to delivering faster and hotter than ever, Mr Delivery today unveiled their new manifesto, pledging better service delivery, to the public at the Jan van Riebeeck High School voting station in Gardens, Cape Town where they handed out pizza to voters’ queuing outside

Armed with posters, placards, an election manifesto and pizzas from one of their contracted restaurants, Directors David Chait and Alon Rom along with a team of campaigners pledged to deliver, as promised, faster and hotter than ever.

Playing the part of the consummate politician, Chait said, “We at Mr Delivery promise better service delivery for all and the municipal elections are a great opportunity for Mr Delivery to unveil its manifesto to improve its services to the public in a light hearted manner.”

The Mr Delivery Party showcased at the event is an interactive social media competition where people stand a chance to win a party for themselves and 9 friends at a cost of R10 000 sponsored by Mr Delivery. To enter the competition, go to http://www.facebook.com/MrDeliverySA.

Under the guidance of entrepreneurial duo Chait and Rom, key positive changes have taken place to improve the core service of delivering hot food to its loyal customers. These changes bring with them many improvements, both in business strategy and service delivery, setting the pace for a faster, more evolved and more efficient Mr Delivery.

A key part of the campaign included the very public ‘firing’ of the long time chef in the company’s logo to herald the change in ownership and the focus on customer service delivery. Mr Delivery is now using new Acutemp disc technology to ensure hotter deliveries.

“We are going to really engage with our customers and add more value and services. Customers can look forward to some new exciting initiatives and rewards in 2011 as well as a new look for the brand,” says Rom.

Mr Delivery is looking to expand its service offering beyond food delivery and offer the ultimate experience in bringing the last mile to your door.

Chait, previous owner of Vida e Caffe and Rikkis Taxis, explains that today’s fun event at the polling station was to ensure these changes are effectively communicated to customers and the public.

“There are exciting times ahead for Mr Delivery as we usher in a new era of change to meet the needs of our customers. We are introducing innovation and fresh new ideas to deliver the best possible service to the public”, said Chait.

The election campaign is part of the brand’s ongoing marketing exercise to make people aware of Mr Delivery’s commitment to great service delivery and to maintain their position as the largest home delivery service in South Africa.

From their humble beginnings in Sea Point, Cape Town in 1992, Mr Delivery pioneered and revolutionised the restaurant food delivery service and currently makes between 80 000 and 100 000 deliveries monthly in 48 locations across South Africa. Mr Delivery has grown to deliver food from over 1 600 individual restaurants to more than 1.2 million loyal customers.

You might remember the photographs I shared when I received Chef’s CMMA complaint and plea:

• http://www.twitpic.com/44y17m
• http://www.twitpic.com/44y0en
• http://www.twitpic.com/44xzw9

Awesome campaign all in all, thoroughly enjoyed being part of it!

Here are the new logos:

I don’t normally eat from McDonalds, because I think their food is quite disgusting, but this evening I didn’t have options so I went past and go myself a burger. If it wasn’t for the 3 week old lettuce I had to remove, I would never have seen the SNAIL:

This was from the McDonalds in Cape Town next to Kenilworth Center, I’d advice staying away, this isn’t the first time I’ve received disgusting food from there.

This is how quickly the word spreads, so this is payback for wasting my time and money this evening McDonalds:

Guess I’m not the only one annoyed with McDonalds..

This past weekend I was on my way back from Llandudno when I saw that Salt actually has a Vodka Bar. Now, if you don’t know Salt, it’s a lovely upper class restaurant at the Ambassador Hotel in Bantry Bay. Now, on the other side of the road, away from the sea, is Salt’s Deli and Vodka Bar.

The deli is awesome, full of delicious treats and then upstairs is the Vodka Bar, which offers all sorts of cocktails, trendy decor and a fantastic view. I popped in and had a Long Island Ice Tea, which was made to perfection and Fe had a Mojito, which was delicious too.

I snapped a few pics:

Sorry, the quality isn’t too great, but you should be able to get the point.

It would make for the perfect function if you had to book it out – which they do!

Download it, print it, read it, enjoy good food at decent prices!

1. 1800 in the Cape Royale Luxury Hotel, Main Road, Green Point(321 430 0506): Amuse-Bouche + 200 gram sirloin, rump, rib-eye steak or sirloin, sauce of your choice + Side order for R99 (Request parking when booking).
2. 96 Winery Road, Winery Road Zandberg Farm (021) 842 2020: Any 3 Courses from a la Carte menu, incl. a glass of red or white wine or maybe a glass of bubbles Mondays to Saturday Lunch and Dinner For the month of May
3. Active Sushi 63 Strand St 021 422 0462 – Eat as much sushi as you like R99 (Every day 5pm – 10:30pm)
4. Allee Bleue, outside Franschhoek 021 874 1886: choice of 250g Beef fillet, Beef Sirloin, Beef Rib Eye, Karoo Lamb Chops with one of 6 flavored butters for R 99, including a glass of Allee Bleue Starlette Rouge (Until end September)
5. Arabella Western Cape Hotel & Spa, Hermanus 028 284 0000: Accommodation, full breakfast, 10% discount on spa treatments and 20% on signature treatments, access to Spa facilities, sauna, steam room, heated indoor hydropool, heated outdoor lap pool and gymnasium R700 pps
6. Arnold’s, Gardens 021 424 4344 – Delicious stew + couscous, bottle of Altydgedacht Red for R99 (Dinner only)
7. Azure Twelve Apostles Hotel, Victoria Rd 021 437 9029: Dinner and a Movie Special 5 course dinner from Azure Select menu and then watch a movie in the hotel’s private cinema.
8. Backsberg Restaurant @ Backsberg Wine Estate 021 875 5952: Sunday set menu, R170 per person, 3 courses consisting of a starter, lamb on the Spit and a buffet of salads and a dessert.
9. Balducci’s Restaurant Shop 6162, Victoria Wharf, V&A Waterfront, 021 421 6002: Platinum Sushi Plate R99 (6 pieces Nigiri, 4 pieces California rolls, 4 Salmon roses, 6 Rainbow rolls and 6 pieces of Sashimi Mon to Sun noon to 5pm) (Ends 15 May).
10. Beluga Prestwich Street, Greenpoint 021 418 2948 – Half price sushi before 7pm. 1kg Tiger prawns R109.00, Beluga Blue Plate special 24 pieces sushi R109.00
11. Bertha’s Simons Town 021 786 2138: 2 Course meal R109, 3 Course Meal R129 + Glass of sherry on arrival

You can download the rest of the list by clicking here.

[ I was contacted by Clare, who points out that she is the source of the list - link here ~ Thanks Clare ]

[Thanks Ricky]

You might have noticed that I’ve been creating a bit of hype around Madame Zingara, well here’s why..

On Tuesday 1 June Madame Zingara will re-open Victoria’s magnificent doors on the beautiful greens of Century City. With old and new performance artistes, this grande dame of burlesque style promises to mesmerize all who enter through her stained glass doors.

Madame Zingara will share her love and magic not only with the patrons who visit the Theatre of Dreams, but also with local communities.

Madame Zingara has always believed that with success comes responsibility and, as before, Ikamva Labantu is firmly back on board as community outreach and brand partner. “From funds raised through the Love Magic Tour we hope to faciliate the construction of a social, medical, and community centre in Khayelitsha. To this end we have created ‘eZingalethu’ a designer shanty town on the greens of Century City, to faciliate awareness for Ikamva Labantu,” says Griffin.

Ikamva Labantu, meaning ‘the Future of our Nation’ is a non-profit organisation that helps local communities become self-sufficient and sustainable through health interventions, education and skill development, food security and the building of community infrastructure.

Ishrene Davids, CEO of Ikamva Labantu, says they are delighted about Madame Zingara’s return to South Africa. “We have worked with Richard and his team for many years and have built up a great relationship and strong friendship. We have missed Madame Zingara and we’re thrilled that the team is back, ready to continue their new work.”

As the driving force behind this year’s fundraising effort, eZingalethu will have everything from cozy recess areas, gum boots for hire, pool bar, tattoo shop, hair salon to Stella’s Place, a vibrant shanty diner where visitors can devour the amazing tastes of South African township life.

“From the sounds of the penny whistyle to the jive of Lucky’s bar, there is something for everyone to enjoy. We look to bring in a bit of township buzz to our late night revellers, with break away bars, a restaurant and superb entertainment,” says Griffin. “You don’t have to watch a show in the Theatre of Dreams to enjoy the quirky hospitality of eZingalethu. We’re inviting everybody to pop in for a bit of love and magic.”

The Cape Town Love Magic tour is scheduled to run for twelve weeks only until the end of August. For more info visit www.madamezingara.com or book your tickets now by calling 021 001 3366 or email boxoffice@madamezingara.com

Last Friday

, The Boyf and I headed out in search of The Bombay Bicycle Club. When we reached the top of Kloof Street, we found it under a fairy light filled tree (across from Baccini’s). After a short while of trying to find a parking space and taking a little stroll, we arrived at the entrance, (which has a bicycle hanging over it). After speaking to the friendly hostess, we were taken to our table near the entrance. Though our table was not ideally located, it was in a great position to “take in the vibe” of the place (and what a vibe it was). The decor is fantastically eclectic and bohemian. There are chairs hanging from the walls, an interesting mix of framed pictures dotted here and there, a tiger on a platform suspended from the ceiling (no, not a real one), a giant Buddha head and a whole lot of other nik naks thrown around the place. There are so many things to look at; it was hard not to be a very distracted dinner companion. I also found the staff fascinating. Most of them were painted, pierced and a very uniquely dressed – which, in my opinion, just added to the awesomeness of the place (and kind of made me feel a little boring for not wearing something more wild). Our waitress appeared at exactly the right moment to take our drinks order. We settled on the house red wine, (a bottle of Groote Post “old mans blend” ), which was very easy drinking and tasty. For my starter I had a wonderful mushroom covered bruschetta thing (it was yum). For our main course we both decided to go for their current half price Bombay rib special (great portions). I’m not usually a fan of eating large chunks of meat with my hands in public, but these ribs were so good that I very quickly ceased caring if I looked like a starving carnivore. The Boyf also loved the ribs (and he is a real rib connoisseur). A quick trip to the restroom turned out to be quite interesting, as the passage leading there was extremely narrow and took me past the busy kitchen. Once I got to the ladies it was almost completely dark inside, even though the light was on (strange indeed). As the wine bottle emptied and the night ticked away, the music got a lot louder and the vibe changed from restaurant to bar . While I could have done without shouting over the music to chat to The Boyf, I have to say the music selection was very enjoyable and madly eclectic. When our very nice waitress brought over the dessert menu, I did not need any encouragement to try out the highly recommended Bombay cigars. After one bite, I had found my new favourite dessert. The cigars had a crunchy waver outside with a chocolate inside (I’m guessing they use bar-one in it) and it comes with ice-cream. If you get a chance, try this dessert (thank me later). Some final thoughts: All in all it was a fabulous evening. Most of the food was mind blazingly delicious. The Bombay cigars dessert may change your life. There is a more private upstairs section for people who don’t want to be around so much hustle and bustle. The staff may have looked a bit peculiar, but they were professional and helpful. Who would enjoy this place? Most fun-loving Cape Town dwellers and anyone who liked the old Madame Zingara (as the Bombay Bicycle Club is run by the same people). To book a table call: 021 423 6805 or visit http://www.bombaybicycleclub.co.za Chris M: This review was sponsored by Bombay Bicycle Club, contact me to get your restaurant reviewed!