Le Beaujolais nouveau est arrivé au l'Afrique du Sud!

It's Restaurant Week SA again!

And this year we tried a restaurant that has been on our list for quite a long while, Le Petit Sel. We have been wanting to try it ever since we dined in its Big Sister restaurant Sel et Poivre almost three years ago!

Sel et Poivre is in the Quatermain Hotel and Le Petit Bistro is in the adjoining hotel, the Falstaff. Both are presided over by Master Chef Coco Reinharz. Sel et Poivre is the more formal of the two while Le Petit Sel is a casual bistro. In fact, it is actually the perfect bistro for us as it is literally right around the corner from Valley Lodge and well outside the EcoMobility World Festival nonsense in the Sandton CBD.

Vince started with their signature Crunchy Tomato and Mozzarella Croustillant served with Balsamic Vinegar & Olive Oil

I had the Franschhoek Brie wrapped in Phyllo served on a Salad of Herb Roasted Pears & Cape Malay Pickled Shallots

Vince chose Thick Cut Flame-Grilled Pork Chops with a Dijon Mustard Sauce served with Potato Croquettes for his main

I chose the lemony Grilled Tilapia on Spinach served with Sauteed Asparagus with an Herb Butter Sauce

For dessert, Crepe Suzette!

And since we were eating in a bistro and we are on the cusp of Beaujolais Nouveau season in France, we drank South Africa's only locally produced beaujolais, De Toren's newly released Le Jeunesse Delicat.  

Cafe Un Deux Trois in New York

Le Beaujolais nouveau est arrivé au l'Afrique du Sud!

Pink PowWOW

Among Native North Americans, a "powwow" is a gathering ceremony used to conjure, among other things, the cure of disease and success in war, and it is marked by feasting and dancing. What better theme for the Cuppa for CANSA tea party I hosted at Valley Lodge attended by (mostly) American expats to benefit CANSA care centers in South Africa?

B's Pin Cushion custom-made my PowWOW shweshwe banner ...

Especially when the expats in question feasting and dancing belong to a social and charitable group named WOW (Women of Worth). That makes this powwow a PowWOW!

... and my Cuppa 4 CANSA shweshwe banner too

It was truly a cross-cultural event. The menu was "English Tea" and the decorations were influenced by Native American and African cultures.

I transformed Valley Lodge into a Shabby Chic Iroquois-inspired longhouse for the day featuring feathers, porcupine quills, blankets, baskets and beads - traditional decorative elements found in both Native American and African cultures. Colorful shweshwe banners and bright pastel shweshwe, kikoy and shuka table runners added to the festive atmosphere and gave the event a distinctively African sense of place.

A uniquely Native American element used in decorating was the dream catcher. Typically hung above a bed while sleeping, the dream catcher has been a part of Native American culture for generations. According to custom, the good dreams know how to pass through the dream catcher and slide down the ribbons and feathers to reach the dreamer sleeping below. The bad dreams get caught in the dream catcher and disappear with the morning light.










Dream catchers decorating the wigwam entrance and above the pledge table were meant to encourage guests to dream for a day without cancer and support the dreams of the Eastrand CANSA Care Centre.

Guests were asked to dress in pink and were given a pink ribbon and feather pin to wear to show their support for breast cancer research.

True to a traditional English tea served for elevenses, the menu consisted of a variety of crustless tea sandwiches, warm quiches, macarons, croisnuts, scones and cakes. This being South Africa though, the scones were served both Devonshire style with house-made clotted cream and strawberry jam as well as South African style with apricot jam and cheddar cheese. 

Lady apple rose (photo by Marguerite Slavik)

Lady apple roses, a fruit salad, cheeses and cornichons rounded out the menu.

Victoria sponge cake (photo by Marguerite Slavik)

Along with hot teas and coffee, the guests were served cold Sudan hibiscus tea, pink lemonade and a signature "Pink PowWOW Punch" containing fresh fruit juice and rosé wine from Franschhoek. One of the tea combinations served contained Rooibos and Sutherlandia, also known as Cancer Bush as it was used as a traditional treatment for cancer. The tea is known to ease digestion, remove anxiety and promote a feeling of well being. In addition, Sutherlandia has powerful anti-inflammatory and anti-viral properties which boost the immune system.

Of course, a proper English tea always provides an opportunity for ladies to wear festive headware and I crafted this feathered headdress-inspired fascinator to wear for my Pink PowWOW tea party.

Cuppa for CANSA mugs and candy Kisses

There was no charge to attend the Pink PowWOW. Instead, guests were invited to donate to the Eastrand CANSA Care Centre. Over R3500 was raised on the day with more donations still coming in!

the pledge table

A chiffon pink "Le Creuset Tea for One" prize package was given as a gift to the donor who made the largest pledge of the day.

chiffon pink display @ the Sandton City Le Creuset

I am entering my Pink PowWOW in the Le Creuset Cuppa for CANSA home party competition. I must give a shout-out to my girls at the Le Creuset shop in Sandton City for talking me into hosting my Cuppa in the first place. Wish us luck!

photo by Marguerite Slavik

PS Here are the banking details if you would like to contribute to the Eastrand CANSA Care Centre:
Bank - ABSA
Account No. -. 288147523
Branch code - Universal
Please use Reference code: KastenCuppa
Thank you!

South African Wines Part Ten: Holiday Weekend in Cape Town

picnic at Boschendal

A four-day holiday weekend in Cape Town for Heritage Day gave us another opportunity for some serious wine tasting and touring in the Cape Winelands - mostly Stellenbosch with a few strategic stops in Franschhoek, Somerset West and Constantia.

And since we were in a holiday mood, we decided to plan ahead for some other upcoming holidays. Friendsgiving is right around the corner and we will need to bring back some wine for our family Christmas dinner in Colorado.

Jordan

In Stellenbosch:

Jordan: Cobblers & Chameleons

Kathy and Gary Jordan descend from the Jordan Shoe family, a fixture in South Africa since 1877. And their aptly named Cobblers Hill is a homage to their footwear heritage. It is also the ultimate expression of the Jordan terroir!

Jordan also produces a range of wines whose profits support a PhD bursary for researchers studying the Cape dwarf chameleon, a native species commonly found on the wine estate. We tasted a 2012 Chameleon Merlot that contains no added sulphur. For anyone with a sulphur allergy who likes red wine ( and chameleons!), this is probably a godsend.

We bought two of the Bordeaux blend Cobblers Hill 2012, two of the 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon, a product of the oldest vines on the property and two of The Real McCoy Riesling 2015, the only 100% Reisling grape wine produced in South Africa.

De Morgenzon

De Morgenzon: Maestros & Wildebeests

Right next door to Jordan is De Morgenzon. Entering the hunting lodge-turned-tasting room was more like walking into a concert hall. The sound of music echoed off the vineyard-covered slopes to the valley below. We bought two each of the beautifully orchestrated DMZ Maestro 2013, a bold blend of five varietals and the 2013 DMZ Syrah

"The Chinese Girl"@ Delaire Graff

Delaire Graff: Diamonds & Tretchikoff

Delaire Graff has some serious pedigree and I do not know why it took three years for us to get here. Founded 30+ years ago by SA's dynamic wine duo John and Erica Platter, it was bought by SA's diamond king Laurence Graff about ten years ago. A Relais & Chateaux property, it is the jewel of the Cape Winelands! We bought two of their creamy and butter-y 2014 Chardonnay, two of their cinnamon-y 2015 Coastal Cuvee Sauvignon Blanc and two of their pepper-y 2014 Shiraz.

They also have quite an art collection. We were greeted at the door by Tretchikoff's "The Chinese Girl!"

We love Relais & Chateaux

yes, that Graff

vineyards and birds-of-paradise

Pinotage @ Hidden Valley

Hidden Valley: Valley Views & Pinotage

By this time we had picked up a wide variety of wines to drink for the upcoming holidays and we started to concentrate on filling in the gaps. We needed some Pinotage! So we dropped into Hidden Valley to taste and buy three bottles of their highly regarded 2013 Pinotage.

Port at Muratie

Muratie: Pedigree & Port

And some Port would be nice for both Thanksgiving and Christmas. For that, we visited Muratie. The Melck family have been making wine at Muratie since 1699! And the Muratie Cape Vintage Port is produced from a single vineyard planted in 1965. Not a bad pedigree either!

Their Ports seamlessly integrate alcohol, fruit and acidity into a delicious bundle of flavor. We purchased two bottles of their Ben Prins Cape Vintage 2011 which will go oh so well with some Christmas Stilton. (I am stopping in London on the way back to the USA for Christmas. Make a note: pick up some Stilton!)

And in Franschhoek:

Bean bags, baskets and blankets on the lawn @ Boschendal

Boschendal: Picnic & Friends

We passed on the fine restaurants at Jordan and Delaire Graff to join some friends for a picnic at Boschendal. Their Olive Press restaurant provided sumptuous baskets filled with cheese, charcuterie, salads, pates and tapenades. Delicious bread, some Boschendal Rose and Chardonnay, and some lively conversation. A perfect picnic!

fresh strawberries from Zetler's Berry Farm

For dessert, vanilla pots de creme made with fresh strawberries. It's strawberry picking time in the Cape Winelands!

La Motte

La Motte: Pierneef 

Honestly, we mainly went to La Motte to visit their museum ...





 









...  filled with original works of art by acclaimed South African artist Jacob Hendrik Pierneef. But we tasted too of course! FYI: La Motte even has a Pierneef Collection of premium wines named in honor of the artist. Tasting Pierneef in a room filled with his art? Priceless!

In Somerset West:

conservation at Waterkloof

Waterkloof: Biodiversity & Organic Wine Farming

Waterkloof is committed to conservation ... and wine! And at Waterkloof, they can go hand in hand.

Situated in the Cape Floral Region, Waterkloof has set aside 50% of their farm for conservation of the unique fynbos habitat. And the other 50% is set aside for biodynamic wine farming. Some of the strategies they implement include drip irrigation and biological pest control, mulching, clearing invasive and re-establishing native vegetation, maintaining flocks of chickens for for pest control and compost (and fresh eggs for their kitchen!), herds of cows for compost tea, flocks of Dorper sheep for weed control and Nitrogen replenishment, and developing an earthworm farms to replenish the soil on the farm and occasionally in the vineyards.

And there wine reflects their sense of place and commitment to the earth that nurtures it. We particularly like the infinitely drinkable Waterkloof Circle of Life Red - a blend of Merlot, Shiraz, and a tiny dollop of three other red varietals - and the Circle of Life White, a blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc and Semillon..












And finally, in Constantia:

 Groot Constantia: Celebrations!

Christmas dinner is going to be huge! Along with real family (my sons, my sister and her family, hopefully my brother and his family), we will probably be spending Christmas Eve with our adopted family - Charley and  Mary Lou and Ric. This calls for some serious celebratory wines. For that, we went to Groot Constantia to pick up a couple of bottles of their top 100 award-winning vintage 2012 Grand Constance and a few bottles of their birthday commemorative 2014 Reserve Red.

God bless us, everyone!

rosemary (hedges) and Darlene

Easter lunch in Shangri-La

entering the dream

We ate Easter lunch at Mosaic, the restaurant at the Orient Boutique Hotel outside Pretoria.

No, that statement does not quite do it justice. We had one of the best dining experiences of our lives over five hours in one of the most beautiful dining rooms inside one of the most gorgeous hotels we have ever seen. On Easter Sunday in South Africa.

art nouveau detail

The design of the Orient Boutique Hotel itself and Mosaic's dining room is other-worldly. Being there is like floating through an Art Nouveau dream in a Henry James novel set in Shangri-La or Xanadu. Many people opt to dine at Mosaic as part of a whole weekend at the hotel. And it would be wise after an evening spent indulging the Grande Degustation menu accompanied by the perfectly selected South African Enthusiast or International Connoisseur wine-pairings. The hotel is 45 minutes from Joburg and it would not be a good idea to drive home at night in the dark after an evening enthusing or connoisseuring.

But our reservation was at 1:00 on a Sunday afternoon. When we left to drive home, at least it was still light out. But that still didn't make me ready to leave the dream and return to reality. But unfortunately Vince had to hop on a plane later that evening for a trip to Dubai and Cairo. Dinner over. Dream over. Poof. Wake up! But first ...

Like Scheherazade, I was conjuring up the culinary genie in a bottle ...

Poof! me and Chantel

Once you get past the opulent setting, it is time to concentrate on the raison d'être. The food. The genie in the Mosaic lamp responsible for the fine dining is Chantel Dartnall. Chantel is the Eat Out Chef of the Year. Everything I have read about Chantel and her accomplishments is true. Everything. And everything about the menu was perfection. From the ingredients to the combinations to the preparation to the presentation. I couldn't take pictures of all the plates - we were there for five hours and they served plate after plate after plate! Vince has lost all patience with me on that score. But some of them were just too pretty to believe.

Like this sunflower made of carrot jelly and orange blossom cream. A thing of beauty for all the senses! 1000 words are just not enough.

Or this amazing construction.The Millionaire's Nest Egg. Inspired by weaver bird's nests,the nest was created with delicate courgette tagliatelle, upon which three miniature quail eggs, each with a different flavored liquid center, are placed. How did she do that? And sliced truffles on top!

Or the Mousse de Mer. The plate looked like a piece of art nouveau majolica! Hard to believe it was edible. Langoustines and risotto on a beach of ground dehydrated tomato skins! With a shot of rooibos tea and tomato on the side. Crazy delish!

Vince and I parted ways on the main course. I had the Bouillabaisse. Kakavia soup, fruits de mer and rouille. Vince had the Birds of a Feather. Quail, guinea fowl, capon and wholegrain mustard. (We could have used a third person with us to order the other main choice. Agneau aux Herbes de Provence. Free Range Lamb, Black Olive, Herbes de Provence.)






As expected, our wine pairings parted ways as well on the main course. We did take a copy of all the wine selections to bring with us on our next wine purchasing foray.

Mosaic even bottles its own vintage semillon / sauvignon blanc blend called First Kiss which they serve with the Rainbow Trout, Lime and Vanilla Velouté. Sommelier Germaine Lahodey gave us the secret phone number for the winemaker!

The cheese course came with a cheese plate already loaded up with some selections accompanied by a groaning side cart. This Karoo Crumble was especially noteworthy!

I had to drag the camera out for two more dessert dishes. I just had to! Have you ever seen anything as beautiful as the presentation for this Dark Valrhona Chocolate composition with house-made cherries? Well we hadn't either! Food calligraphy.

'Cept maybe this chocolate package of strawberries, rhubarb and yoghurt sorbet. There's my Easter orchid.












We will be back to dream the dream again someday. And we will stay over next time.