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Five Flies Mystery Dinner Launch

Published on May 16, 2012 by in Reviews
2 votes, 4.50 avg. rating (87% score)

“I did not kill that man,” I announced dramatically, with a flip of my hair and a flick of the wrist, “It was obviously one of you!”

I live for drama. And attention. And fun. And dress up. Oh and of course, food. So combine them all and you practically have my heroin. As I have mentioned before, it was the much-anticipated Five Flies Murder Mystery launch party last week and it was absolutely amazing.

You have an evil face

About 40 or so bloggers, chefs, writers and SA celebs (+ partners) were invited to the launch, the theme of which, was Horrific Hieroglyphics.  We were each sent an in-depth character bio and a synopsis of events prior to the murder and were told to dress up like Cleopatra (ka-chiiiiing, totally my style!) or the Pharaohs.

Finding parking outside the venue was a pain in the headpiece but it was a blast walking along Long Street in my Egyptian wedding dress. Once inside I was amazed at both the size of the restaurant as well as how beautifully it has been styled. We were led upstairs (the downstairs was open for public use) and it, as well as the people mingling, looked gorgeous.

Almost everyone dressed up, which completely added to the magic of the night. Glass of wine in hand, we judg… I mean, admired one another and soon were led to our tables.

Five Flies Murder Mysteries

Other than my friend at the table with me, I didn’t know any of the others, which was actually quite fun. You can really get into character and behave the fool when people around you don’t know who you are. Each table is made up of 8 people so you can book a table of 8 friends, but bookings of 2 and up are welcome. Each person is given their character name tag and a booklet of info, which has sealed sections that can only be opened during a certain course. Read more…

 
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Beef Tataki Recipe

Published on May 15, 2012 by in Recipes
2 votes, 4.50 avg. rating (87% score)

Beef Tataki – Japanese marinated grilled flame seared beef fillet, Asian marinade, with watercress and daikon

From the hotel’s rooftop garden – watercress

By Upper Eastside Hotel executive chef, Simon Kemp

upper eastside hotel

Serves 4 starter sized portions

Watercress salad

  • 200g organic watercress, washed
  • 1 small daikon (Japanese Radish), finely shredded or grated
  • 2 Tablespoons rice wine vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds

Beef

  • 500g trimmed beef fillet
  • 80ml soy sauce
  • 20ml rice wine vinegar
  • 20ml mirin
  • 40ml castor sugar
  • 1/2 tsp sesame oil
  • 20ml canola oil
  • Sea salt and cracked black pepper

Method

  1. Trim the fillet into two rolls, season with the salt and pepper and grill in a hot griddle pan. Grill until your preference – rare or medium rare.
  2. Remove and allow to cool. Place in a plastic bag with the marinade and allow to marinade for four hours or overnight.
  3. Arrange the watercress and shredded daikon, drizzle with a little rice wine vinegar and toasted sesame seeds.
  4. Remove the beef from the marinade and thinly slice. Arrange over the watercress and daikon and drizzle with a little extra marinade.

tataki

picture taken at the Upper Eastside Hotel – Organic Garden Launch

 
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Delicious Deliveries Review

Published on May 14, 2012 by in Reviews
4 votes, 4.75 avg. rating (92% score)

“Men think women dream about meeting the perfect man; but actually, we dream about eating whatever we want and not getting fat.”

So true. Oh how I dream of lazing about, Bloody Mary in hand, while food is brought to me as I please. Such a wonderful world it would be. However I already have a job, so the lazing part isn’t going to happen. Hmm… maybe the food delivery? Well, I watch TV. I’ve seen how the lunch lady comes around with her egg-mayo sarmies, tuna salads and sad-looking pies. Yuck.

Come here and feed me.

I had resigned myself to a life of moving to get food, until I heard about (after some light Facebook stalking) a company called Delicious Deliveries.

Delicious Deliveries

Run by Matt Bielovich, who studied at Ballymaloe Cookery School in Ireland, Delicious Deliveries makes and delivers a range of amazing lunches (and even dinners) directly to your door. At the moment he focuses on salads, sandwiches and soups, using only the best local and seasonal ingredients. “I personally prepare the meals with love, care and a genuine passion for making good food”, he says. “I have just started a joint venture with Frankie Fenner Meat Merchants, where I use their ethically sourced meat and products!”

Matt will also cater for your dinner parties, functions, cocktail parties, book club dinners or any event you may be having, and will tailor the menu to suit your needs, tastes and budget.

Delicious Deliveries

Delicious Deliveries lunches can also be found at the Frankie Fenners shop at the bottom of Kloof St or delivered dirently to your door. From what I have seen, the lunches are a maximum of R35, the portions are great and the flavours are amazing. Each week Matt sends out a message detailing the daily meal options and you message him the day before to let him know which you want. Remember to have the right amount of cash on you to make things easier. Regular customers can pay upfront at a discounted rate for “bulk orders” to be delivered over two weeks.

Follow them on Facebook and on Twitter  and get eating. I wonder if he could bring me a Bloody Mary….

Here is the rest of this week’s menu:

Menu: 14-18 May

Wednesday

Turkish Chickpea and Roast Butternut with Spicy Yoghurt

R25 Chicken Salad with Sweet Potato, Almonds and Orzo Pasta R30

Thursday

Verdura Mista with Roast Chicken Breast R30

Couscous with Grilled Mediterranean Vegetables R25

Pea and Coriander Soup with Sourdough Bread R20

Friday

Chicken Salad with Sweet Potato, Almonds and Orzo Pasta R30

Lentil and Danish Feta Salad with Lemon Mint Vinaigrette R25 Read more…

 
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TV Soccer Venues and Restaurants in Cape Town

Published on May 13, 2012 by in Other
1 vote, 4.00 avg. rating (81% score)

The question ‘Where to watch soccer games in Cape Town?’ should be on all the minds of sports enthusiasts this winter. Not only will the Champions League final be broadcast this weekend, but after a two week break the drama will continue at the Euro 2012 in Poland & Ukraine, where Europe’s top national teams compete to be crowned the Champions of Europe. Spain will be trying to defend their title while Holland, Germany, France & Portugal are being tipped as hot contenders for the trophy as well.

During the past few years, we have always gone to Paulaner at the V&A Waterfront to watch these big games. They put up big screens and the atmosphere was always electric. The majority of the people were cheering for Germany but opposing fans were always welcome. Sadly, this isn’t possible anymore as Paulaner Brauhaus closed down a few months ago and we will have to look for a new venue to watch football games in Cape Town. Enter: the German Club. I haven’t actually been there yet but they’ve been screening football games the entire year following Bayern Munich’s road to the final. They are also serving proper German Weissbier while the food is supposed to be good value for money.

Where to watch soccer games in Cape Town?

If you are looking for a more neutral ground to view the Euro 2012 or the Champions League final, we have added a few restaurants and venues below that will be up for the challenge of creating an awesome atmosphere by screening these two big occasions of world football.

  • Oblivion Wine Bar in Claremont
  • Long Street Café
  • Slug & Lettuce
  • Rafiki
  • Tommy’s Sports Bar
  • Forries in Newlands
  • Fireman’s Arms
  • Dros Restaurants
  • Mitchell’s at the V&A Waterfront

Champions League Final Cape Town

image by wn.com

 
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FoodBlogCT News Week 20

Published on May 13, 2012 by in FoodBlogCT News
0 votes, 0.00 avg. rating (0% score)

Friday, the 18th of May

#FoodFact: The largest item found on any menu is roasted camel which is still served at some Bedouin weddings

Massive chocolate sculpture breaks Guinness World Record

California chocolatiers have broken a Guinness World Record for building the world’s largest chocolate sculpture. The sculpture, crafted by employees of Qzina Specialty Foods in Irvine, California, models an ancient Mayan temple and weighs 18,239 pounds, surpassing the previous record set in Italy in 2010 by more than 7,500 pounds. [read more]

UK families ‘food waste’ amount calculated

The survey of 2,116 adults, carried out by frozen food giant Birds Eye, found that the average household spends £68 a week on food but that 91 per cent of households with children admit to throwing some of that away. [read more]

Leaving food uneaten may cost you at some restaurants

With so many choices, the buffet table can be an overwhelming place. But those who overfill their plates may have to pay with more than just their pride at some restaurants. [read more]

Equation for the perfect Sandwich

A physicist has teamed up with a bakery to create the first ever formula for making the ultimate sandwich – with no sogginess. [read more]

Thursday, the 17th of May

#FoodFact: Onion is Latin for large pearl

YouTube launches Food Channel

The venture is part of the Google Inc.-owned video site’s plan to launch roughly 100 channels of niche-oriented programming. Earlier this month, YouTube pledged to spend some $200 million to help market those channels across Google and its advertising network. [read more]

Tax on unhealthy Food must raise Prices by 20% to have effect

“Fat taxes” would have to increase the price of unhealthy food and drinks by as much as 20% in order to cut consumption by enough to reduce obesity and other diet-related diseases, experts have said. [read more]

Healthy food no more costly than junk food

Contrary to popular belief, many healthy foods are no more expensive than junk food, according to a large new government analysis. [read more]

Man Claims To Find Deep-Fried Bug in Fast Food

Reddit user LinkBoyJT posted an image Wednesday that might make your skin crawl. After ordering a McDonald’s hash brown and eating most of it, he says he was startled to find what he claims was a deep-fried insect stuck to the bottom half. [read more]

Read more…

 
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CinCin

Published on May 11, 2012 by in Canal Walk, Milnerton, Restaurants
0 votes, 0.00 avg. rating (0% score)

This business hotel offers a fine dining restaurant called CinCin, with a changing seasonal menu arranged around a number of themes: the vegetable garden, the sea, the farm, the veld and fynbos.

CinCin Century City

All dishes in this elegant dining establishment reflect local flavours. The unique three meter genuine Swarovski crystal chandelier is the focal point of the restaurant.

Operating Hours: 
06:30 -10:30 Daily for Breakfast
12:00 – 15:00 Daily for Lunch
18:00 – 22:00 Daily for Dinner

Current Specials at CinCin

Happy Hour every Friday from 17h00 – 19h00: 2-for1 drinks

[Facebook]   [Twitter]   [Menu]   [Specials] Read more…

 
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Last Minute Mother’s Day Ideas

Published on May 10, 2012 by in Other
1 vote, 4.00 avg. rating (81% score)

By now, I assume most of the Mother’s Day Dinners & Lunches in Cape Town are already fully booked and some might be lost on ideas how to celebrate Mother’s Day on Sunday. There are a few alternatives to dining-out!

Eat-In sent us some lovely recipe (Chicken Pie, Roast Leg of Lamb, Ouma Corrie’s Malva Pudding) yesterday that you’ll be able to make at home. You can simply invite your mom over to dinner or lunch and show-off your cooking skills.  Please note: The rule that the chef never washes the dishes does not apply this Sunday.

Also, I found this great article on how to surprise your wife this Mother’s Day: 5 Tips for Mother’s Day Breakfast she’ll remember forever.

If cooking isn’t one of your strengths, don’t worry – there is still enough time to find the perfect present. I have put together these last-minute gift ideas for Mother’s Day that should help you out a little.

YuppieChef

YuppieChef is an e-commerce store providing premium kitchen tools for every occasion. Some items can even be delivered within 24 hours of purchase at no cost. There are free deliveries on all orders.

Woolworths LogoThe Woolworth online store has a wide variety of gift baskets, hampers, beauty and home-ware products on offer. These can probably also be purchased directly at the store depending on whether stock is still available. But if you are short on time, delivery will cost between R50 – R90.

I reviewed the Fraiche Food Cook Book last week and mentioned that the book would make an ideal Mother’s Day Gift. If you are looking for something different, Exclusive Books have dedicated an entire section for Mother’s Day ideas: 50 Great Reads for Mom.

Assuming that your mom likes chocolate, you can never go wrong with Lindt – it’s simply the best. Head over to the Cape Quarter Chocolate Studio to treat her to any of their irresistible gift hampers.

 
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The Upper Eastside Hotel Organic Garden

Published on May 8, 2012 by in Reviews
3 votes, 4.67 avg. rating (90% score)

IF ANYONE HAS FOUND MY BALLS, PLEASE LEAVE THEM AT RECEPTION. THANKS.

I wrote a funny intro but deleted it. It’s because I didn’t back myself. It was current, funny, it linked perfectly to what I was saying in this review, but couldn’t bring myself to say it. Why? Because I was scared it wasn’t funny and I would fail.

Being scared of failure wasn’t an option for Upper Eastside – a hotel that so many said wouldn’t last more than a year. It’s not often that a 4-star hotel is opened in what’s considered a more dangerous suburb of a city. But that is exactly what they did and this 183-roomed luxury hotel, spa and conference centre is going strong.

Since its launch, an initiative to stay as “green” as possible was employed by the hotel. To decrease their carbon footprint further, they created their own organic herb and vegetable garden on the hotel’s roof, currently holding 40 varieties of plant – a first for an urban South African hotel.

 In just two months the garden already supplies 80% of the fresh herbs needed to cater for up to 250 covers at the restaurant and 1 000 meals at the conference centre every day.

Last week I had the pleasure of attending the launch of Chef Simon Kemp’s winter menu for the Liberty’s restaurant and it went a ‘lil somethin’ like this:

Read more…

 
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Five Flies Murder Mysteries

Published on May 8, 2012 by in Other
5 votes, 4.80 avg. rating (93% score)

“Slutty Egyptian?” I asked, broodingly.

“No, wrong crowd.” Responded my hot date, ie. Best Friend.

“Oooh… This is nice!”

“No, you look like a pregnant, Egyptian ghost.”

“What about this one?”

“Ya, I like it.”

“Is this Egyptian?” I ask the store manager, desperately.

She shakes her head, “No, Victorian”.

“I’m going naked.”

Guilty until proven innocent.

The much-anticipated Five Flies Murder Mystery launch party is happening tomorrow night. As we’ve posted before, the restaurant will be running a series of Murder Mystery nights over the next few months, each with a different theme.

For the launch, we have each been sent a character whose life, history, secrets and personality traits we must learn. We’ve also been given certain pieces of information to leak, some to keep quiet and the stance that we are each 100% innocent of the alleged crime.

Here’s a list, in no particular order, of who’s attending, if I‘ve left you off, just comment and we’ll add you. The guest list is quite a cracker and I must say that there are a lot of people I’m really looking forward to meeting and even more who I can’t wait to see again.

Read more…

 
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Hot Fireman Makes Margaritas Sauza Tequila Commercial

Published on May 7, 2012 by in Viral Food & Drink Ads
1 vote, 4.00 avg. rating (81% score)

Sauza’s tongue-in-cheek tequila commercial is pretty much over-the-top in terms of its attempt to appeal to women. The commercial inevitably plays on stereotypes: Women like men in uniform! Women like kittens! Women have tech issues they can’t solve themselves! Women talk endlessly about jeggings and whether they are pants! It’s been exaggerated too often. But from the buzz the video has created, this ad is working well. It’s working really well.

sauza-fireman

Sometimes when the marketing geniuses in advertising try to tap into the female psyche, they get it all wrong. But sometimes it’s so spot on that it’s like they’ve been reading your diary … It sucks to be so predictable, I loathe being a foregone conclusion, but GAH I love this.

by Jezebel

Read more…

 
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The Weirdest Food Museums

Published on May 6, 2012 by in Fun Stuff, Listmania
1 vote, 4.00 avg. rating (81% score)

Going to a museums is not only a pass-time for members of high society anymore. This is certainly the case when talking about Pizza Brain – the new pizza museum that will open its doors in Philadelphia. It is the life’s work of Brian Dwyer who calls himself a professional collector of pizza memorabilia.

This however will not be the only strange food museum out there in the world. It will join the likes of the memorable ‘Museum of Burned Food’ as well as the ‘International Vinegar Museum’. Here is a look at the most over-the-top museums that are dedicated to food.

Read more…

 
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FoodBlogCT News Week 19 2012

Published on May 6, 2012 by in FoodBlogCT News
0 votes, 0.00 avg. rating (0% score)

Friday, the 11th of May

#FoodFact: Potatoes have more nutrients, vitamins and minerals than traditional superfoods!

Study: Participants Offered $3500 To Eat Fast Food For 3 Months

This almost sounds like a joke — a study from Washington University in St. Louis is recruiting participants to eat only fast food for three months. They’ll be paid $3,500 for their troubles, and enrolled in a weight loss program when the study finishes. [read more]

How ’30 Rock’ Pitched Kraft on Product Placement

In at least one case, however, the staff of “30 Rock” made a pitch to a sponsor rather than the other way around. [read more]

New Food Books For Spring 2012

The year 2012 has been a good one for culinary-minded readers. We previously rounded up some great new spring cookbooks. Now, we took a look at some great new food books. [read more]

Scientist want to recreate Beer from 1840 Shipwreck

Finnish researchers say they may be able to recreate beer from the 1840s after finding living bacteria in beer from a shipwreck near Aland islands. [read more]

Read more…

 
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Cooking pressure? What cooking pressure?

Published on May 2, 2012 by in Recipes
3 votes, 4.33 avg. rating (85% score)

The other night I was on the couch -as per usual- and my flatmate put a chicken on the kitchen counter. I wondered what she was doing but carried on watching TV anywhere. She sidled over to me and nonchalantly said, “Look Kayl, we have chicken”.

I glanced over at the chicken and noticed that she had also left the pantry cupboard open. I tried to ignore it, but couldn’t. It began slowly. I looked into the cupboard and noticed some garlic. Some olives. Just outside on our balcony I saw that our basil was looking particularly green and lovely. Before I knew it I was moving towards the kitchen, taking things out of the cupboards, preheating the oven and inviting people over for dinner. My flatmate’s plan had clearly been successful.

I don’t bake. Firstly, I haven’t got much of a sweet tooth, although if someone put a bowl of Malva pudding and vanilla ice cream in front of me, it’s fair game. Secondly, I hate following rules and baking requires strict instructions. That’s why opening the cupboard, rifling through what’s in there and creating something from nothing, is totally my thang.

That’s exactly what I did with the chicken. Cooking isn’t difficult, you just have to think about it and use your imagination. Put ingredients together to see what works and most importantly, what works for you.

I have chicken. I have canned tomato. Ew. I have tomato paste, hmmm, that saves it. I have an onion and garlic. Makes it even better. This seems like a casserole. What goes with tomato and garlic? Olives. Basil. Sounds Mediterranian. Mmmm… chilli. I look at the rice. Nah, rice is boring. I have chips. I freaking love chips. OOOOH! Brussel sprouts. Sold. Let’s make this happen.

And that is how I cook. Who cares that we were having casserole with chips? I am cooking what I feel like, when I feel like it. Granted, if I was having a big dinner party it wouldn’t be my first choice, but for two friends, why not?. You can do whatever you want in the kitchen, it’s a place to have fun.

Chicken Casserole Ingredients

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FoodBlogCT News Week 18 2012

Published on April 29, 2012 by in FoodBlogCT News
0 votes, 0.00 avg. rating (0% score)

Friday, the 4th of May

FoodFact: The peach is a member of the rose family and will have a sweet fragrance when ripe.

Report: Threat Of Hunger Skyrockets Among Seniors

One in seven seniors in America — some 8.3 million people — faced the threat of hunger in 2010, a 78 percent spike since 2001, according to a study released today by Meals On Wheels, the nonprofit that delivers meals to the homebound. [read more]

California student left in cell for 5 days without food or water

The California student who was forgotten about by agents and left alone in a holding cell for five days without food or water filed a $20 million claim Wednesday against federal drug officials. [read more]

Obama invites African leaders to G8 food security talks

U.S. President Barack Obama has invited four African leaders to join the G8 leaders’ summit at Camp David later this month for a session on food security, the White House said on Thursday. [read more]

Food prices will come down – just watch the Big Mac index

Capital Economics points out that while the price of agricultural products is high compared to the start of these recessionary times in the summer of 2007, prices haven’t changed a great deal over the last year and will come down in the coming year. [read more]

Thursday, the 3rd of May

#FoodFact: Over 200 million pounds of blueberries are grown every year in North America.

US Chefs fight to keep Foie Gras on the Menu

Some of California’s top chefs are attempting to overturn a ban on the production and sale of foie gras, two months before it is due to come into effect. [read more]

Branson-Shaped Ice Cubes on Virgin Atlantic Flights

It was about time in-flight food and beverage service got shaken up. Guests of Virgin Atlantic’s Upper Class section will soon be able to ice their drinks with cubes molded in the likenes of Richard Branson. [read more]

Food poisoning cases related to Church Dinner climb

The Province’s Department of Health has confirmed the illness, which resulted in diarrhea, vomiting and abdominal pain, as food poisoning directly related to food served at a roast beef supper held Saturday at Princetown United Church. [read more]

Calif. teen charged in theft of chef’s Lamborghini

A California teenager has been charged with the brazen theft of a Food Network star’s Lamborghini convertible from a car dealership, but his problems do not end there. [read more]

Read more…

 
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Fraiche Food Cook Book

Published on April 29, 2012 by in Cook Bocks, Recipes, Reviews
5 votes, 4.00 avg. rating (80% score)

A couple of weeks ago, I was invited to the ever popular Fraiche Ayres restaurants in Rosebank, Cape Town, for the launch of Fraiche Food – a cook book written by Pam & Kyle Miller. The restaurant is part of the Starke Ayres Garden Centre and I hadn’t been before, so I was very excited.

At the event, the restaurant was described to us as an insider tip for people living in the southern suburbs: A restaurant you don’t tell your friends about so you can enjoy it all to yourself. After tasting some of their food, I realised that this was certainly the case.

During the course of the evening, we were treated to five delicious dishes whose recipes can be found in the Fraiche Food cook book:

  • Asian Prawn and Avocado Salad
  • Rare Roast Beef
  • Spicy Thai Sweet Potato Soup with Coconut Milk
  • Home-made Thai Fish Cakes
  • Pam’s Malva Pudding
 
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