Diamant Estate Launch Party

I was so pleased to be invited to the launch of this newly developed Wedding and function venue found in the Paarl Winelands. In Collaboration with Absolute Collection a Wedding and Corporate event planning company, the launch took place this past Thursday at Diamant Estate.

By the name you would think this venue is glitz, glam and diamonds where it actually feels very relaxed and homely, like you are away from the city and automatically kick into holiday mode.
The dress was smart casual but with a colour scheme of Royal blue, beige, white and cream which followed through in the decor and branding of the event.

We gathered at a welcome area for home- made lemonade in mini jam jars where the canapes and bites started flowing, root vegetable chips, springrolls filled with cheese and parma ham and mini rolls topped with beef.

We then made our way to an open field decked out in white furniture, hay bales, ottomans and food bars consisting of a BBQ station for kebabs, cocktail bar, cheese and preserve bar, antipasti, sweets and popcorn station, flowing sparkling wine produced by the Diamant estate, Bos ice tea and branded water. Bottomless Coffee a two man band were playing a mix of folk jazz and blues.

Next we moved into the venue where an amazing blue, white and cream candy bar draws all the ladies attention made by Wade and Arda from Cakes by Wade  and more hot snacks are passed around made by the catering company called Two Chefs. 

Big bonfires warm the area, a photobooth, piano player, coffee bar as well as acrobatic dancers and fire dancers entertain us late into the night when the dancefloor opened and still more bright blue ice cream cones were served as well as water to cure our hangovers.

We all had an amazing time and I really recommend this venue along with all the sponsors who helped to make our evening so special.

Abri Kruger was the photographer for the evening, I have seen some of his pictures, he really captured the evening showing just what an amazing event this was. He is Currently running a special on a Glamour make over shoot where he will transform you into a glamour model for a day.

Diamant Estate 0761116905
Absolute Collection 0834401583
Cakes by Wade 0829324522
Bottomless Coffee 0845175783
Abri Kruger Photography 0718736611
Two Chefs 0828333697

Pictures and article copyright by Tamsyn Wells

Loading Bay

This evening we were deciding  between a Clarke's Burger or a Loading Bay Burger, not having tried the Loading Bay yet we decided since its burger night to give it a try. They both use the same beef patty from Bill Riley but the end result is very different.

I love the design and decor of this Cafe' it's bright, warm, relaxed, sunny, casual but cool. I have been once for lunch and was very happy with my chicken wrap but this evening is Burger night, every Thursday they have an evening dedicated to Burgers, wine and Beer.

I chose the Devil's Peak Golden Ale which was absolutely delicious. I tried it once before at the beer festival at the Biscuit Mill and I am so glad I know where to find it now as it's easily one of my favorite Artisan Brew's. Very easy drinking and goes great with the burger.

So on Thursday evening's there is only a choice of Beef or vegetarian with truffle fries or salad. It is a really perfect looking burger which gets better and better the more you eat, filled with pickled jalapeno, tomato, lettuce, a mayo or sour cream dressing and a really light glossy hamburger roll, the first burger I have eaten which almost feels fresh and healthy instead of rich and heavy.

I had a great time, good food, beer and coffee, I will definitely go back to try a few other items I spotted on the menu. Total Bill for 2 with drinks and tip was R300. They also sell clothing and denim, closed on Sunday's and open until 4 or 5pm.

Find Them on:
30 Hudson Street
De Waterkant
Cape Town
Tel: 021425 6321

Pictures and Article copyright by Tamsyn Wells

L'Ormarins Queens Plate 2013

I was fortunate to be given tickets to the L'Ormarins Queens Plate this year as 15 On Orange Hotel was one of the preferred Hotels to host the guests so I snapped up a ticket when they were offered at work. I got a VIP Stud pass which goes for R900 and also available to buy were Style Lounge for R250.

Sponsored by L'Ormarins, this glamorous horse race event where everybody is dressed to the nines in blue and white was started 152 years ago. An elite event with a grand prize of R1 million for the Jockey who wins.

There is plenty to keep you occupied until DJ Fresh starts playing after six in the tent where the party begins. Bet on your favorite horses, best hat and best dressed competition as well as a market style food court.

 In the VIP Stud tent you could drink wine and beer as well as a light food buffet of mini rolls, chicken curry, salads, bread sticks, dips, cheese, fruit and cupcakes.

Don't miss the after party to celebrate every body's winnings and end off the night with your dancing shoes on.

Pictures and article copyright by Tamsyn Wells

Mzoli's

I have been hesitant to visit Mzoli's for a while now hearing mixed reviews, it's safe, it's not safe, it's amazing... I have still always been inquisitive to try it. The opportunity arose to join my staff on a outing and I jumped at the chance to experience the township in Cape Town.

Mzoli's or better known as Mzoli's Meat or Mzoli's Butcher is a butchery in Guguletu where you choose your meat and the Mzoli staff braai (BBQ) it for you and serve it up with a choice of sides.

There was a variety of lamb, chicken or pork mostly chops and sausage but there may be more on offer on other occasions.

Once you have chosen your meat by weight it is taken to the braai (BBQ) area where they baste and flame it to perfection somehow keeping track of who ordered what.

So while you await your feast you go next door to the very big lapa style area and start the party. You may take your own alcohol inside or buy it there as well as any other foods you like, we took crisps, alcohol, ice, coldrinks and beers, everything is acceptable.. I think.

The food took about an hour so while you wait there are Dj's playing great vibey music, dancing and chatting to the locals.

The food was really tasty, lamb chops and sausage with my favorite Mielie pap, Samp and Chakalaka, so good I could go back just for bowls full of Pap and sauce.














We all had a great time, I highly recommend everybody visit Mzoli's, we caught taxi's there and back and all wished we had taken doggie bags the next day for breakfast. We spent about R50 per person and there was over enough for everybody to eat until you burst and then dance it all off later.

They say the best day to go is on Sunday's from 11am.
Find them at: NY115, shop 3, Guguletu, Cape Town
Tel: 021 6381355

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

Christmas at 15 on Orange Hotel 2012

Another year has passed me by as quick as a wink. I spent Christmas yet again at the hotel where we made our famous buffet for our guests.

The cold buffet with endless fish, seafood, charcuterie, salads, soups and cheese.

The dessert table filled with chocolate lollipops, mince pies, opera slice, tarts and trifles.

Festive duck liver parfait with cherries and puff pastry.

Salmon sashimi with all the trimmings.

Crab Cobb salad with Ranch Dressing

Huge oysters with Mignonette dressing, tabasco and lemon wedges

Myself and the team that made it happen : )

Merry Christmas 2012

Pictures and article copyright by Tamsyn Wells

Eat Out Winners 2012

The Awards took place yesterday the 25th of November at the Westin in Cape Town, being a chef myself, we all aim to work at a nominated or winning restaurant or of course be on the list ourselves. The restaurants are judged on very strict criteria judging all aspects, food, taste, presentation, service and ambience. The judges for the awards were Abigail Donnely and Bruce Palling a Wall Street food columnist as well as taking the online audience votes into account.

The Winners:
Margot Janse of the Tasting room took the Chef of the Year Award.
Luke Dale Roberts, Test Kitchen won best restaurant.
Service Excellence, Rust en Vrede
Alicia Wilkinson od Silwood Kitchen won the Lifetime achievement award.
Best Asian Restaurant, Saigon.
Best Italian Restaurant, Cafe Del Sol
Best Steakhouse, Carne SA
Best country Style, Fresh at Paul Cluver
Best Bistro, 9th Avenue Bistro
Boschendal Award, Green House at Babylonstoren
Taste Eat Out Bursary, Damien Stemmet

Top 10 Restaurants:
1. Test Kitchen
2. The Tasting Room
3. Jordan Restaurant
4. Overture
5. Rust en Vrede
6. DW Eleven-13
7. La Colombe
8. The Greenhouse
9. Terroir
10. Hartford house

If anybody would like to take me to any of these restaurants on this list, I will be a very happy girl, Book soon as they are all going to be very busy this season.

Go out and buy your new Eat Out magazine for 2013 and never wonder where to go eat again, I use it all year round.

Thank to New Media for the Photo's, Eat Out and The Food Network for partnering up and sponsoring these awards.

Article Copyright by Tamsyn Wells

Eat Out DSTV Food Network Restaurant Awards

Eat out is launching in collaboration with the Eat Out Awards a full day conference with international guest speakers aimed at foodies, chefs, food crits, restauranteurs and bloggers. It will be held on Saturday the 24th of November 2012 at the Westin in Cape Town. The cost is R1000 for the day where Abigail Donnelly the Eat out Judge, Massimo Bottura of Osteria Fransescana the world's 5th best restaurant on the S.Pellegrino list, an Italian with three Michelin stars to his name. British food designer, Andrew Stellitano who uses all manner of food to create his food designs will teach you new techniques and fashion trends in food.

Local Speakers which include Luke Dale Roberts of Test Kitchen, Margot Janse of Le Quartier Francais, Reuben Riffel of Reubens, Giorgio Nava of Carne and Steven Maresch who will inspire you throughout the day taking home a new passion for cooking.

After listening to these amazing chefs, the following day on the 25th of November 2012 you may attend the Eat Out Restaurant Awards and possibly see some of these Local speakers win awards for their restaurants where they have hosted all of us at some time or another for our special events, birthday's or romantic dinner dates, join them to cheer on your favorite food spot. Tickets for this event are R1250 for the evening where you will be the first to hear who our top 10 will be for the year.

To buy tickets for the conference or the awards please contact:
 Julie Potgieter on
events@newmediapub.co.za
021 417 1257
or visit www.eatout.co.za

Article copyright by Tamsyn Wells