Wagyu Beef Burgers

Wagyu is maybe not a new thing in South Africa, I remember a bit of hype when Gordon Ramsay had it on the menu at One and Only Hotel for about R450 per 100g but it is basically a type of cattle from Japan which genetically has more fat marbling than our Beef. It is also known as "Kobe Style" and the farmers often feed the cows beer or sake and massage them, the beer being used to make them hungry  and the massage to keep their muscles from tightening, regarded as a national treasure in Japan where only the emperor would eat it. Wagyu beef has been labelled as the most juicy, tender and tastiest in the world. So when Carol came in to bring us samples of their Wagyu Burger Patties we all went crazy and bought a kilo each.

So Woodview has made a cross between our Angus beef and Wagyu which they supply to certain restaurants and hotels, the offcuts are made into these delicious burger patties which are available at a few burger joints in Cape Town, Royale is one of them and I have also seen them available at Frankie Fenner Meat Merchants. 

They are best cooked from room temperature so the fat can render down while cooking and they suggest a soft roll with little accompaniments so you can taste the meat. It is quite alarming how much fat comes off while cooking but it is omega 3 and 6 so just enjoy the flavour all the fat is imparting on the burger. It really is tastier and juicier than any other burger I have ever tasted and I would definitely buy th

You can reach Carol Grassman on 021- 5574740 or 0716433631

Pictures and article Copyright by Tamsyn Wells

V&A Market on the Warf

This great market opened in December in the Waterfront and is situated where the old Musica Mega Store used to be near the Aquarium.

I had the pleasure of eating what has been labelled the best burger in town which you can find at the Bite Me stand on the second floor of the market and boy when you see it you really do want to Bite into it!

I was drawn to this stand after drinking a few Weiss Beers at the bar, firstly for it's eye catching appeal and secondly the aroma of the Burgers, Panini's and Prego's grilling while sipping on my beer. I went out in search of the grill and found the stall responsible for my growling stomach and i'm so glad I did.

For between R50 - R60 you bite into this juicy, tangy garlicky burger in a ciabatta roll topped with lettuce, tomato, tzatziki and an addictive basting sauce. There are a few different options including, cheese, feta spreads, caramelized onions, fried eggs and bacon. For a manly hunger go for the Morning Glory which pretty much has all the above mentioned on it.

My other new favorite thing is the Bubble Tea, a new franchise to hit Cape Town which is a choice of different combinations of powdered tea's with floating caviar type balls , served in a special sealed cup which allows for a flavour bursting sip of cold tea.

 I chose Hazelnut Oolong with Blueberry Bubbles and also went home with a huge tub of chilli marinated olives from the olives and tapenade stall.

Visit the bar for great Local beer's both on tap and by the bottle and grab the chance to hang out with all the vendor's creating a friendly family vibe.

Some of the other stalls are an Oyster bar, coffee bar, interesting funnel cakes which i'm going to buy next time I have a sweet tooth, the creamery Ice Cream, gourmet sandwiches, Indian curries, a deli, a biscuit bar where you can pimp your own biscuit, fresh fish, sushi and a vegetarian Asian stand, all of which I could remember. Pretty much anything your heart desires.

I would choose to eat here over any other place in the waterfront, all home -made with care and attention to detail as well as very affordable as a take home dinner/lunch instead of cooking.

Tweet Bite Me Burgers @bitemeburgers or get them on facebook Here .
Have your own bar for your Party : Keg King, Martin Tucker 0834106010
Buy Fresh fish from Ryan Nienaber from Green Fish 0721104709.

Market is open from Wednesday to Sunday from 09:30 to 19:30

Picture's and article Copyright By Tamsyn Wells

Clarke's

I have been wanting to visit Clarke's  since they opened but never seemed to get the opportunity even though I always put the idea forward to go, we ended up putting it off. Finally this Saturday was the day, by chance bumping into friends I found myself entering this diner style bar on the trendy Bree street.

I have drooled over the Diner, drive in's and dives show plenty of times wishing I could try some of the hamburgers and subs they make with such extravagance, Clarke's is based on the meals you could find in an American diner but much cleaner, fresher, more upmarket and modern.

The interior is simple, mostly black and white with fresh green leafy pot plants adding colour, always buzzing with with the Cape Town trendies, even Danny K was sitting at the table next to us with his wife.

The menu is broken up into different times , breakfast 8am, sandwiches 11am, brunch 11am and in the evening is only burgers, chips and other sides, plenty of variety in the day and I have already decided what to try next. The service is a bit slow and sloppy which happens when anybody serves any table at any time causing confusion as to what's already been asked.

I ordered the burger without cheese, with chips and aioli about R67.00 which going back to the waitress, when I asked if it was the one without cheese the waitress proceeded to open my burger with her hand to check if it was the right one, this is pretty unacceptable but on a great note the burger is absolutely delicious, the patty is from Bill Riley but it's the roll that puts this ahead of the rest, its almost flaky like a pastry, similar to a brioche, buttery and rich, add the tangy pickles and you will find yourself craving another bite. The chips were a bit too oily and tasteless but the pickled beans side is a great vegetable to replace the chips.

I will definitely go back, great vibe, fun company and an addictive burger and pickles.
find Clarke's on 133 Bree Street, 021 4247648.

Article and picture's copyright by Tamsyn Wells