The second story I have steered clear of is anything World Cup related. These stories often tied in with restaurant specials and I refused to get sucked in. Until recently. The fever has got me and it's got me bad. The socks are on the Fire Truck mirrors (yes, I just told you the name of my car), the flag is hanging out my office window, I've bought a ridiculously-expensive Bafana jersey, I own a Puma Unity jersey and when I finish this post I'm off to get myself an Ivory Coast top. I am totally over-excited for The World Cup. So...I thought instead of listing specials that different places are offering I would provide a list of my own. A list of Jamie Who favourites for visitors lucky enough to be part of this historic event. These will no doubt spark debate (which I would love by the way) but please guys, let's keep it civilised. Below is a list of my favourites. Things I enjoy. I'm not saying they are the best. I'm saying they are MY best. Please understand the difference. By all means, comment and leave your suggestions. Here we go:
1. Best steak: HQ and Carne. (Go for the hanger cut here. Rare.)
2. Best place to have an artisanal beer: Brewers & Union. (I'm a fan of the Berne.)
3. Best place to have a glass (or more) of wine: Caveau. (Their Heritage Square branch.)
4. Best pizza: Carlyle's on Derry Street. (It must be made very clear that this is only because visitors won't have the opportunity to enjoy a pizza from Massimo. We should all agree by now that he is king of the pizza)
5. Best beer on tap: Jack Black
6. Best place to enjoy Jack Black on tap: Harvey's Bar at Winchester Mansions and Twankey Bar at the Taj Hotel.
7. Best bakery: Ile de Pain in Knysna and Jardine Bakery in Bree Street
8. Best restaurant on a wine farm (if you're looking for fine-dining): Overture on Hidden Valley
9. Best restaurant on a wine farm (if you're looking for something rustic): Bread and Wine on Moreson
10. Best place to have a cocktail (if you want a view): Salt at the Ambassador hotel.
11. Best place to have a cocktail (if you just want a bloody good cocktail): Martini bar at the Cellars Hohenoort and Asoka.
12. Best food market (for a vibe): The Neigbourgoods market in Woodstock
13. Best food market (for the produce): The Wild Oats Farmers' market in Sedgefield or The Slow Food Market in Stellenbosch.
14. Best burger: Loading Bay (when they have burger nights). Otherwise Caprice.
15. Best breakfast spot: Bistro Sixteen82
16. Best sandwich: The Kitchen in Woodstock
17. Best overall lunchtime restaurant: Superette in Woodstock
18. Best healthy food: Osumo (chicken fajita wrap is what you want here. Trust me)
19. Best coffee: (...............) I can't drink coffee so it's up to you to judge by the comments.
20. Best food memorabilia shop: The Chef's Warehouse
21. Best curry: Firefly in Knysna
22. Best value-for-money restaurant: La Boheme
And now, the big dogs. Let's get a slow clap going....
23. Best restaurant in Cape Town: Bizerca Bistro
24. Best restaurant in South Africa: Zachary's in Knysna
A special mention must go out to Cheyne's in Bree Street. He does private functions in the evenings and the feast he cooked for The Queen's surprise dinner still rates as one of the best I have had.
There you have it. My favourites. A guide to places I would recommend to anyone visiting Cape Town and/or the Garden Route. If you think of any categories I may have forgotten let me know. We'll chat. Also, I didn't include links to the places I've mentioned. If you want contact details for any of them please drop me a mail at jamiewhoblog@gmail.com
Cheers,
Jamie Who
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16 comments:
Hmm For me best Pizza in CT is Postichino.
I also disagree about Osumo, I find their food sweet.
Italian Kitchen in Tokai makes a very mean pizza
That said, I need to check out some of the places on this list.
i agree with all, except the cocktail (for very good cocktail), where I'd go to Boo Radley's or a secret spot that the foreigners mustn't ever find out about. But I'll give you a clue: it's down an alley off Long St.
Nice piece of work Jamie Who......well done and a good read. I agree with all the bits I know about. I love it when someone else does ALL the legwork.
This is great, thanks! You might also want to add one to the list for the Southern Peninsula, like Cafe Roux in Noordhoek, one of the best brunch spots I've come across. http://afoodieliveshere.wordpress.com/2010/05/14/cafe-roux-noordhoek/
Happy Friday!
(Sorry if it's not etiquette to post the link? You can leave it out if you like!)
Best coffee: Origin Coffee Roasting. Their variety is immense, all the beans are freshly roasted and the baristas there know their stuff.
and i would add: best food blogger: JamieWho!
Best coffee: Origin on Hudson St.
Well, some interesting comments coming through here. Thanks for the coffee suggestions - I have heard really good things about Deluxe Coffeeworks too by the way so maybe check that out.
I've got to respond to Daz though. Yip, I have been having plenty of beers at &Union. Ummm...because it's my favourite place to have a beer. The whole freebie thing was very clearly explained in another post. I endorce the We Love Real Beer campaign, but pay for every beer I have at &Union. I promise my opinion has not been swayed or "bought" - HA!
Massimo - you are a man of incredible taste
Best kid-friendly restaurant: The Food Barn in Noordhoek
Best fish&chips with a kickass view: Live Bait in Kalk Bay
Please would someone suggest best curry restaurant with atmosphere (rather than big soulless wedding-conference-venue type places) in Cape Town?!!!
I wouldnt go so far as to say that they necessarily have the best pizza in CT but I reckon for its size Divas must come close. Their pizzas are quit simple but always amazingly crispy and tasty and served by the most loveliest of hosts- and for around 50 bucks who can go wrong!
Then definately reckon hudsons deserves a mention for their burgers but with caprices special they definately get my vote!
Pretty good selections there, but for best burger, Home Bar in Harfield Village make a damn tasty one!
Cocktail wise, Foodie summed it up - the little spot down that alley is a gem!
You dont drink coffee?
Wonderful resource, thank you!! If my dream of moving to CT will ever come true, I will keep this handy.
Grazie!
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