On Saturday my friend Gary Peterson and I did a road trip to the Winelands, delivering the prize of a 1 litre tube of Rio Largo Extra Virgin Olive Oil to each of the five chefs who made the 2022 Top 10 Women Chefs.
Our first stop was at Le Lude in Franschhoek, and we were lucky that Chef and owner Nicolene Barrow was in her Orangerie restaurant, as she almost always is. Continue reading →
Wednesday 23 September, Day 3 of Level 1, Day 181 of Lockdown đ·
Corona Gratitude đ
#Grateful for a hot summer day, at 26C, loving the sun, even braving getting into the pool at Maison Montagne this afternoon; for a special sunrise at 6h00 this morning; lovely breakfast served out on the terrace; for a busy day, checking out all the changes on the main road of Franschhoek, especially the restaurants; for a meeting with Chefs Darren Badenhorst and Ryan Shell to hear about their new restaurant projects in Franschhoek, very exciting news; for being spared buying a dress when I was very willing and keen, but not finding the perfect one đ±; for a fantastic lunch at Orangerie at Le Lude, the most professional dining venue which I have experienced in Franschhoek, fully booked today with the gorgeous weather, most customers sitting outside; for being able to congratulate Orangerie Chef Nicolene Barrow on her engagement, and to present her with a bottle of ADHARA extra virgin olive oil, given the calibre of her restaurant and cooking; for the Masquerade owner Martie helping me with little gift bags for the purchase of đ soaps from her shop; for bumping into Vanie Padayachee and Eleanor Kerwan, hearing their news; for a lovely snack cheese and wine dinner with Llewellyn on the terrace, tasting two lovely Dieu Donne wines, a Henriette Viognier and a RosĂ©, the former having a lovely Heritage story in honour of Dieu DonnĂ© owner Robert Maingardâs late mother; for winning 350 Miles in two Discovery Gameboard plays; and for being happy and healthy. đđ Continue reading →
The new The Yard in the Silo District of the V&A Waterfront opened last week, as a multi-cultural cuisine restaurant, but also offering a bar, a homeware shop, and a Deli. It is the most unique restaurant I have experienced, in its diverse food offering. Continue reading →
This morning I attended the launch and tasting of the new Le Lude Cap Classique, made by winemaker Paul Gerber, from Franschhoek, having received the invitation from Ann Ferreira to attend the launch of Le Lude Reserve Brut and Reserve Rosé.
The venue for the launch was interesting, being a small inner-city winery owned by Tim Martin, down a side street in Salt Continue reading →