The Delicious Divas: November 2008

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

To Greece and Back again...

ttleWell, dinner last night was DIVINE. Not sure if everyone else enjoyed it as much as I did (perhaps it was the wine - good choice Anch!), but I'll definitely be back for more.

Set out pretty similar to a typical Greek cafe, the restaurant was casual and simply decorated, in blue and white - true to Greek form. We even sat on plastic blue chairs. The food was divine and a real treat for my Greek-hungry body (ermmm...) I'm still full. And let me not get started on those desserts. By the time they arrived on the table, I'd completely forgotten that I had a camera on my lap - I was too busy tucking in anyway. I'd actually re-visit the place just to have another helping of that absolutely heavenly halva ice cream!!

On the down side, as far as I was concerned, the service wasn't fabulous and Nicky was baptised with a glass of red wine down her back by our waiter. He also didn't rush to refill our glasses. And he wasn't hot. We did, however, have a good break between courses, which also meant that the evening was laid back and not rushed in any way. Also, for Greek food, I didn't think that they'd been overly generous in the garlic department and they substituted pita breads with wraps for our main meal (those of us that had schwarmas), which was disappointing. Still, the meal was delicious...

How many martini's are we supposed to judge our restaurants on? Guessing 5. So, I'd give them a 4. I really enjoyed my evening and it was just what I felt like. I'll defintely be back for more!!

And without further ado, here are some snaps...

We had an honourary guest too - Nicola (Ronnie's sister), who's here on holiday from Scotland...
The wine of choice...

The dessert menu (remember to save space for this next time you visit)...

Halloumi Saganaki - Fried halloumi cheese with a squeeze of lemon and cracked pepper

Spanakopita - Baby leaf spinach and feta phyllo triangles, topped with roasted pumpkin seeds

Battered and fried brinjal & courgettes - this was my starter and i had it with tzatziki. DEVINE...

Ahhh... my main dish. Schwarma Royale - WOW...

Lamb...

Fish skewers...

Chicken kebabs...

Greek style chips. Also divine. Thank goodness we all got a portion, so I didn't have to share mine...

Thanks for a fantastic night out!! Looking forward to our next one!

XXX

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Interview: Chantelle

Your full name: Chantelle Deidré Osborne

What do you do for a living? IT recruitment. Have had my own business with a partner, since March 99, working from home since late 2004. Has it's moments, but I shouldn't complain, money really not that bad for amount of work you do an I get to see my kids - got the best of both worlds I suppose. But generally same shit different day.

Claim to fame: Obviously making beautiful kids, would be the first thing - who can deny that????
Some would say , my potato bake - I mean it's good, but I'm bored of it. Have to invent something new and hip - watch this space...

Restaurants you have chosen so far: Maestros on the beach and Mama Romas.

Favourite Restaurant and why: Pigalles. Devine variety of food, excellent ambiance - just all round an enjoyable evening to be had....

What is your Favourite food: Difficult one, but if I could only choose one thing, it would have to be Seafood, specifically prawns. I could literally eat these until I threw up. But way at the top of the list is Chocolate - I have no problem eating 3 chocolates a day and have often done this in the past - I don't care that it's bad for you/makes you fat blah blah blah...I can't hear you

Is there anything you don't eat: Brussel Sprouts and Peppers and liver. Other than that, I'm not a fussy eater.

Celebrity chef: Don't really have one but if I had to choose , probably Ainsley would be one - like his style of cooking, he's quite sweet actually - and his food seems to always appeal to my taste buds.

Ideal way of sepnding a night out: Definately starting off with cocktails, then something like a Dinner Dance is right up my ally. And if still not in the mood to go home, then lattes/cuppacinos at a little cafe. Good company of course. Preferably a couples evening.

Things I can't live without: Obviously my 2 kids, Keegan and Morgan!! My husband, Jody (cos man oh man, I really can't do this 2 kid thing alone) - my ghd straighters (anyone who has one will understand) and lastly, but certainly not least - MY SHOES!!!!

Can I cook and my signature dish: Yes I can cook, I think quite well and I know quite a few people think so. I make a top class Peanut Satay Dish and my goulash is to die for , if I say so myself (actually had that last night - yum-yum-yum)

Favourite cocktail: Pina Colada. Also really Like strawberry daquiris.

Naming a cocktail after me and the ingredients? Gosh really got me thinking here...okay ingredients 1st: Vodka, loads of crushed ice, cranberry juice, pineapple juice, Malibu and a dash of lime, Would have to go with something like Passionate Princess.

Saturday, November 8, 2008

INTERVIEW: Suzaan

• Your Full Name: Suzaan Downey

• What do you do for a living? Mother and Acountant

• Your claim to fame? Swapping my left foot for my right foot more often than not, i.e. speaking before thinking

• Restaurants you have chosen so far: Chocolate and Ginja

• What is/are your favourite restaurant and why? Madame Zingara, we had such a fabulous time there & Hillcrest it is just so beautiful and the restaurant at Boschendal

• What is your favourite food? All food, I love good food and one day when I am rich I will employ a chef, but if I had to choose it would be seafood in most forms

• Is there anything you don’t eat? Tripe, veal, duck or chicken livers, rabbit

• Who is your favourite celebrity chef? I honestly don’t watch any of those programmes and don’t care much for them, but Nigela is cool she loves food and she doesn’t subscribe to the too thin to be healthy life style

• What is your ideal way of spending a night out? With my husband somewhere romantic eating good food and drinking lovely wine.

• Name the things you can’t live without: Rowan, mascara and lip gloss

• Can you cook? If so, what is your signature dish? Only because I have to and I make a nice Bobotie

• What ingredients do you always cook with? Onions & olive oil

• What is your favorite Cocktail? Mojito

• If they were too name a cocktail after you, what would be in it and what would it be called? I like them sweet so definitely syrup and grenadine, with a shot of white rum and tequila with some lime and mint and lots of cherries for colour and sweetness, well the name would be - Liquid personality

• If you could invite any celebrity or famous person (dead or alive) to dinner club night, who would it be and why? Ryk Neethling because he is a god and I think he is just sooo sexy

Thursday, November 6, 2008

It's my turn...

And I've chosen to go GREEK.

That's the name of this restaurant too, by the way. I've been dying for real Greek food for the longest time ever and when I realised that it was my turn to pick a spot this month, I just had to find a good Greek restaurant. My all time favourite is Maria's in Dunkley Square, but they're closed for renovations at the moment - how disappointing!! It's quaint and bustling and the food is probably as close to the real thing as you get around this part of the world. Plus they serve real Greek wine, Retsina (it's revolting, but just so part of Greece). Anyway, I called them to find out when they're expecting to re-open and it seems like it's going to be a while still. Something to do with plan approval and heritage sites. The owner, Dino, recommended GREEK, so I'm going to take his word that it's good and give it a go.

Here's a map so you don't get lost. I know the place is out of the way for some of us, but its not like you're driving all that way every day...

Just to end off (on the restaurant side of things), I also found a few reviews on GREEK, to whet your appetite:

"It was just a brief encounter with "Greek" in Durban Rd, Little Mowbray, but certainly worth memorising and blogging about. The interior is in typical Greek fashion: blue and white. Nothing fancy, but that's not what you'd come there for. The service is friendly and attentive. The food was outstanding. The Dolmades, compared to the oily stuff you can buy at Pick 'n Pay, were firm and very tasty - yummy stuff! The Spanakopita (spinach phyllo) was out of this world. Better still, despite the simplicity of the outlet, the presentation of the food was excellent. The prices were ok; considering what you get, they're not cheap but also not expensive. Greek gets a 9.5 out of 10 for me. I'll certainly be back, and if you've never been there, pay it a visit and let me know of your experience." (http://www.helmar.org/index.php?id=330)

"Have to say I have been eating at Greek since they opened but since the new chef started I have been blown away. Greek is without doubt serving the best Greek food in Cape Town, so much so, that I asked to meet the chef, who is, can you believe this, a Capetonian. He must have been Zorba in his previous life because the food is deliciously fresh and tasty. I will be back for more and more and more." (http://www.food24.com/Restaurant/0,,1661,00.html)

Please also feel free to check GREEK out on the dining-out website (http://www.dining-out.co.za/member_details-MemberID-2457.html). You can review their menu there too. My mouth is already watering.

To end of this lengthy post, here's my completed Diva Questionaire:

INTERVIEW: Susie

Full name: Susan Jane Moelans (nee Penfold)

What do you do for a living: I work half days (lucky, hey?) at a Marine Electronics company. I do all their books, including salaries, vat, invoicing, imports/exports, local & overseas payments – basically everything that nobody else wants to do. We’re the sole importers/distributors of two specific products (Simrad & NorthStar) in Southern Africa. For the other half of my day, I’m mother to Jake, who’s four years old and full of beans. I probably work harder in the second half of my day then I do in the first…

Your claim to fame: I don’t really have one… I’m just me. Maybe that I can touch my nose with my tongue?

Restaurants you’ve chosen so far: As a founding member of this dinner club, I had the pleasure of choosing the very first restaurant we went to – Haiku (http://bukhara.com/haiku/). Since I’m up again, it means we’ve come full circle, ladies, and that our dinner club must be a year old already!! Whoo-hoo – what a good reason to celebrate!!!!

What is/are your favourite restaurant and why? I absolutely love Haiku. I’ve only ever been there twice (it’s a bit pricey), but the atmosphere is great and, since I’ve only ever been with good girl friends, the mood is always fabulous. I also love the restaurant at Buitenverwachting (http://www.buitenverwachting.co.za/) since it’s the farm where my late husband, Jacques was a wine maker. We had many GREAT evenings in the restaurant and it was always a real treat to be taken there for dinner. Usually for some special occasion. Lots of good memories... As mentioned earlier, I also love Maria's. It's just so perfectly Greek! But, I’m not all that picky in the restaurant department. I just like to know that the place is clean and that the food is fresh. I love trying out new places.

What is your favourite food? I’m not all that fussy in the food department. Does chocolate count?? Dessert? OK, then, I love pizza and hot chips. I’m a junkie! I also really love calamari and fish of any kind. And I love a braai, so basically anything cooked over the coals is a winner. I love home-made bread.

Is there anything you don’t eat? Again, I don't think I'm all that fussy, though I don’t like food that’s too warm on the palate. And I don’t eat shell fish, but do really enjoy the freshly caught crayfish that my father-in-law serves over the festive season. Oh and I’m not too wild about Brussels sprouts. And I don’t like fat on meat.

Who is your favourite celebrity chef? I never watch the cooking channel (we don’t have satellite TV), so I actually don’t know any of them, besides ol’ Jamie Oliver. He’s been around for so long, I’m not sure that he even counts? Oh and that Ainsley guy, but just because he’s funny. Oh, I also swear by our local chef, Ina Paarman (http://www.paarman.co.za/) – she’s always an inspiration when I’m having guests for dinner, although that’s not very often at the moment.

What is your ideal way of spending a night out? Um… Never kiss and tell? Just joking. Like all girls, I love to be wined and dined, but at this stage of life, I honestly prefer getting out with a group of girls, enjoying good food & wine (a must!) and letting my hair down. I love the vibe when there are no men around and I love that nobody’s got to pretend to be a “good girl”.

Name the things you can’t live without? I can’t live without my child, my friends, my animals, the sun, the beach, my car, my radio, chocolate, the gorgeous mountain we live below – and how lucky & blessed am I to have all these things??

Can you cook? If so, what is your signature dish? I can cook, but it’s not my favourite hobby. And I haven’t done too much of it for a while. At the moment, my signature dish would have to be Mac & Cheese (it’s Jake’s favourite!). I love making desserts though. I make a killer baked cheese cake and I adore my coffee tart, but neither are very good for the waistline.

What is your favourite cocktail? A mojito!! And frozen margaritas, Long Island Ice Teas and Kir Royale. Just to name a few... Not fussy, remember??

If they were to name a cocktail after you, what would be in it and what would it be called: Goodness, I’ve never worked in a bar and mixing drinks is always risqué business for me. I know what I’d call it though – Sooooz, I just have no idea what to put in it. Um… here goes… 2 shots white grape juice, a shot of gin (cos I like it), a shot of Blue Curaçao and top it all up with champagne. Dry champage. Garnish with strawberries/kiwis/pineapple. I think it’d look quite cool, just not sure how it’d taste with the gin. I should probably try it out, that doesn’t sound half bad and I have all the ingredients at home right now… will let you know how it turns out!!

So, hoping that you can all join me at GREEK on Tuesday, 11 November at 7:30pm. Please confirm, so that I can make a booking.

Lots of love,

Susie

PS. Never one to waste a photo opportunity, here are some photos from our holiday to Greece in Aug/Sept 2007. It's in my veins and I can't wait to re-visit the islands of my dreams...

The Erechtheum, at the Acropolis, looking out over Athens...