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...

Our first (and only) night in Athens. Enjoying a meal at a street-side cafe...

Enjoying Bacon & Eggs for breakfast along the waterside...

Dinner with friends in Linaria Bay, Skyros...

An ass-rider...

Sunset over Linaria Bay...

Jake enjoying the water in Steni Vale, on the island of Alonissos...

View over Skopelos from ruins at top of the village. Most of Mamma Mia was filmed on this island - it's just so beautiful...

Wondering the streets of Skopelos...

View over Skopelos Harbour. Our yacht was 3rd from the end and that's my mom and Jake in front of the church...

Sunrise over Skopelos...

Koukenaries Beach, Skiathos (a short part of Mamma Mia was filmed on this island). This was one of our favourite beaches...