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dining out

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We are loving the beauty that being out of the city brings – don’t get us wrong we love our home in Sandton, but the fact that we live in one of the most beautiful parts of the continent does not escape us, and so we travel! La Petite Ferme – Franschhoek Pass, Western Cape Situated on the slopes of the Franschhoek Pass and the Middagkrans Mountain Range lies one of the finest spots the infamous town of Franschhoek has to offer, famous for having the best view in the valley. This picturesque spot offers exceptional hospitality and traditional yet luxurious country-style accommodation, with a range of Vineyard Suites or the Manor House to pick from for your stay. With the spectacular views of the rolling hills, out-of-this-world comfort and serene tranquility, you really will feel like you’ve been transported to a picture-perfect paradise that you may have to be…

Our country is so beautiful, and we honestly believe that as long as we live, we would never run out of places to go and wonderous things to see. We spent time in KZN recently and share about two amazing new retreats that we discovered. Surrounded by mountains, and peace and quiet – these are both literally an oasis of calm and relaxation. Wild Horses – Drakensburg If you’re looking for a true hideaway and escape from life, then look no further than this charming spot in the notorious Drakensburg which overlooks the breath-taking Sterkfontein Dam and Platberg Mountains on the Sterkfontein Nature Reserve. The comfortable yet stylish lodge is all about the finer details, and with freshly baked biscuits accompanying your tea and a nightcap waiting for you on your bedside table, you’ll quickly get used to the spoils that accompany this restful and restoring getaway. With only four…

We love good food, and we also love trying all the latest and newest restaurants in Sandton, so that we can share them with our avid foodie readers. Acclaimed international chef, David Higgs has just opened his latest offering, Saint ‘Pazzo Italiano’ in partnership with entrepreneur Gary Kyriacou of Marble fame, in the brand spanking new The Marc precinct in Sandton and a visit to Saint is nothing short of an experience from start to finish. While Marble has gained kudos for celebrating quintessentially South African fair, Saint sees the powerhouse duo introduce the concept of “Pazzo Italiano”, meaning “Mad Italian” – an offering which encompasses pizza and pasta as well as a range of dishes cooked on woks and an open fire.” It’s not an Italian restaurant but there is a definite Italian feel,” says David. No attention to details was spared in the décor and layout, and we…

If you enjoy tasting great wines in beautiful surroundings, then you are in the right city for one of the best events on the wine calendar. The Sommeliers Selection wine tasting festival is heading back to Johannesburg for the third year and promises to be bigger and better than ever and with a range of wines to suit every palate and pocket. The Sommeliers Selection is the only South African wine competition judged solely by a panel of South Africa’s top sommeliers, in categories fashioned around the perfect varietals for a restaurant wine menu. This year, more than 300 wines from 120 of the country’s top wine estates were entered into the contest which was held in Cape Town in June. Winning wines to be sampled at the Gauteng tastings come from over 50 farms and include the likes of Almenkerk, Babylonstoren, De Grendel, Eikendal, Glen Carlou, Jan Harmsgat, L’Avenir,…

The gardens at The Maslow Hotel are a real treat, the green lawns and the balcony overlooking the sparkling pool are popular on the weekends, and it is clear to see why. They are about to become a bit busier thanks to the latest offering from the hotel – a unique Pairing High Tea – which offers a modern twist on a centuries-old tradition. The pairing will take you on a culinary journey of 5 courses no less, as decadent treats are artfully paired with handpicked specialty teas in a delightful journey. Every Saturday, located next to the pool and overlooking the middle city oasis garden, and in the comfort of enveloping arm chairs, guests can enjoy a sumptuous selection gorgeous treats paired with some of the most perfect teas available in this country. “We are inspired by the burgeoning diversity locally produced, specialty teas and how their flavours and aromas…

Ash Heeger is one of the coolest chefs on the Cape Town block. Fearlessly female and sporting more tatts than some blokes we know, this pint-sized chef is making waves and literally going from strength to strength. Her restaurant ASH is currently (at the time of the interview) in the throes of being remodelled and renamed and the news should be hitting the streets soon about the new name and theme. We caught up with Ash to find out a bit more about her, her passions and food and of course…what’s the deal with all the tattoos… Ash, tell us how you wound up in this industry, is it something you have always wanted to do, or was it a happy coincidence? Honestly, I’ve never even considered following another career path. I was, as I recall the only one of my friends/ peers that knew what I wanted to do…

Our favourite spots to get some really good food, exquisite drinks and enjoy the cream of the epicurean crop in Jozi… Est Est Alea Est Est Alea is a new tasting restaurant in Parktown North Johannesburg created by the acclaimed Chef Dario De Angeli, of Cube Tasting Kitchen fame. Est Est Alea was born out of the idea of constant evolution in a fine dining experience. Dario is a perfectionist by nature and someone who wants to push boundaries when it comes to dining. After owning and running Cube Tasting Kitchen successfully for the past 8 years, it was time for a transformation. Their lunch menu is a 2-course, 3-course or 4-course tasting menu while dinner is offered from 7pm onwards and is a choice between their exploratory menu (9 courses) or their 6-course menu. Some of the tantalizing dishes on their exploratory menu include smoked cucumber heart with yoghurt,…

We might be in the middle of winter but that doesn’t mean we have to lock ourselves up and stay indoors, because some restaurants offer blazing fireplaces to keep you warm and toasty all season long, which is why we’ve rounded up a list of the top restaurants with fireplaces in Joburg: Remo’s Maximilliano (Waterfall Corner) Remo’s Maximilliano is tucked away at Waterfall Corner Mall and gives diners a slice of modern Italy with their high ceilings and wooden interiors. On colder days, their soaring fireplace warms the place up very quickly. Tuck in to one of their signature pizzas or pastas or opt for a heartier meal like their veal limone, parmigiana di melanzane, or lamb shank cooked in red wine. Don’t forget to grab warm bread from the on-site bakery before you go. A: 55 Waterfall Corner, Maxwell Dr & Woodmead Dr, Sunninghill, W: www.remos.co.za Casalinga Casalinga is regarded…

One of our favourite Italian restaurants has to be Jamie’s Italian located in Melrose Arch, we love the double volume dining area, and the mix of wooden tables and tiled walkways, and the fact that the kitchen is fully open, allowing the public a chance to catch a glimpse in to the buzz of the kitchen – which it certainly does do when it is busy! Jamies has been serving up yummy Italian nosh for a few years now, and have just issued a few changes to their highly popular menu. The thing that is so exciting about this menu change is that this is the first Jamie’s to deviate from the well known international standardised menu – and incorporate not only more local foods, but also uses sustainable ingredients sourced locally – thereby not only ensuring that the menu remains consistent, but also in some cases reducing the cost…

Hold on to your gastronomic hats Joburg – the home of the Cape’s most sophisticated food explorations (in the form of traditional Cape farm cuisine) are heading our way, by way of a rather neat collab too – may we add! Hemelhuijs and So Yum have collaborated to present Hemelhuijs x So Yum, a new offering anchored by Hemelhuijs’ famous breakfast menu served at So Yum’s Hyde Park premises. The culinary partnership was brought about by stalwart So Yum’s recent move to a new, larger and more central position upstairs at Hyde Park Corner – one of our fave shopping destinations in the heart of Sandton. Jacques and Ernst Fischer, owner of So Yum and various other Asian restaurants had long joked about collaborating, and So Yum’s move presented them with the opportunity. The breakfast menu at So Yum is small and focusses on more traditional Japanese foods, but the…