eating out

Many excursions are driven by a whim or obscure purpose.  Our 1st visit to Beaver Creek Coffee Estate took place because Cliff had somehow detectived that they served Mozart Cake made by Chateau Gateaux.  We had hankered after this since it was served in a deli in Swellendam.  On that occasion We drove 197km to Port Edward from Umdloti just …

I remember The Waffle House when it was still The Teahouse of the Blue Lagoon.  In my school days it was already an institution.  My son Fjord can only eat home-made waffles made with Orgran ‘No Egg’ as his is allergic to eggs.  It is not fair to go a-wafflin’ when he cannot partake.   We were prepared to block our …

Cliff and I have travelled South Africa extensively, there are few towns which we have not passed through or visited.  Throughout our travels I cannot think of a restaurant with a view to rival Leopard Rock Coffee Shop’s, make no mistake there are some stunners but this one is super special.  The panorama of Oribi Gorge is breathtaking.  If you …

A friend who has visited and enjoyed the Walkerville Market sent me a link to joburg.co.za’s post about it.  On Saturday we set forth to the market.  Unfortunately because most stall holders were at the annual Walkerville Agricultural Show down the road we could not form a real impression of the market but we will return.  We popped into the …

Imagine how it would feel to line up a row of identical cherries on a slot machine, I got that feeling when we discovered Blue Haze Country Lodge.  Yesterday on our trip home from Durban to Joburg we made a most awesome discovery.  On the trip we always travel through part of the Natal Midlands, we buy honey for R28 …

9 times out of 10 when I love a restaurant it is because it has an outdoor eating area.  On a beautiful day it seems sacrilegious to be cooped up indoors.   Malls and restaurants which overlook a parking lot do nothing for me.   My children are always with me which makes a good play area very appealing.  Last week while …

Over the years Cliff has often mentioned that he would love to visit The Prawn Shak in Amatikulu (about 100km from Durban) where you can enjoy what sounds like an idyllic meal on the beach.  This remains very much on our wish list.  On Saturday he discovered that there is a branch in Bayhead. After a morning on Umdloti beach …

Recently en route to our weekend stay at Misty Mountain in the Sabie area we stopped at Hops Hollow Brewery for lunch, and of course a beer tasting.  Situated on Long Tom Pass it is the highest brewery in South Africa.  The pub menu was very limited, pretty much just toasted sarmies but once you get to beer tasting the …

I have lived in Jo’burg for 13 years now, and have never really gelled with the place, my impression will always be of cold, hard, sharp edges, a half-starved model who shuns embrace.  I am a Natal girl at heart and always will be, sweet Natal ever soft and warm.  Still a day like today softens my perceptions and leaves …

  There is one place in Boksburg where the adjectives charming and tasteful fit like Cinderella’s slipper.  That place is Arum Symphony in Plantation.  The surrounding area is a contrasting blend of rejuvination and decay standing in juxtoposition.  Arum Symphony is a converted old house.  A house born in a time when buildings reflected quality and pride in workmanship.  There …