Papa's Real Food

Amazing setting and fantastic atmosphere. Papa's is surrounded by small village of shops that produce some interesting things themselves, but that's a different article all together.

First thing, an Americano. It was one of the most enjoyable coffees I've had in ages. You could taste  quality beans and there was no taint from a uncleaned espresso machine. The full cream milk added to the already creamy coffee blend.

Unfortunately, from here the experience went downhill. Fast. The breakfast menu, although different, seemed very amateur so I elected to order from the lunch menu. It wasn't much better, but I decided to go for the "back by popular demand" nachos and chicken strips. The service was shocking at best. We sat for ages after our food arrived before we were presented with cutlery. As far as the nachos go - my honest opinion would be to remove them from the menu by popular demand.

I ordered another coffee to spruce up the occasion but for some reason the second coffee, although just as good, only arrived after asking for the cheque for the third time.

Great if you are meeting someone for coffee, not if you are actually hungry.

News Flash!

Subway has opened a franchise in Greenstone Shopping Centre in Edenvale. Delicious foot long (or 6 inch) sandwiches are made to order right in front of you. You decide what type of roll you want, how big you want it and what you want to fill it with.
I enjoyed my 6 inch roast beef sandwich, lightly toasted with mozzarella cheese, tomato, green pepper, gherkins and their southwest sauce so much, that I will have to eat it a few more times before contemplating another option.
Another bonus - I don't have to feel nearly as guilty as I would have if I had opted for a burger and fries, and Subway is equally (if not more) satisfying and delicious!

Irene Dairy Farm

We went to Irene Dairy Farm for Sunday brunch. What a beautiful venue and unique experience - all in the middle of the close Irene community.

They have two options for breakfast: buffet under a massive oak in the garden (bookings essential on Sunday) or an a la carte restaurant on the deck (no need to book but you can expect to wait 15 minutes for a table).

We rocked up unannounced, as usual, and sat on the deck and enjoyed the view of the farm houses, dairy cows and buffet eaters. I ordered a unique way of having a hot chocolate. It's called a Dippa and I recommend it to anyone who enjoys eating, drinking and just having fun with chocolate. It's a generous helping of chocolate on a spoon which you dip, lick and dip again into fresh frothy hot milk.

The menu is perfect with not too many choices and all the options reflect the feel of the farm. The food is not fantastically done or put together but well worth the price it's offered at.

There is also a farm stall to stroll through as you leave so that you can take some goodies home to fill your cupboards.

Good fun family outing.

Wrap takes the cake

Met a friend for 'coffee' at Isabella's at the Waterkloof Corner shopping centre in Pretoria. I could not believe a cafe that was hidden around the back of a small shopping centre was abuzz in the middle of the day - I must be onto something. Coffee quickly turned into lunch with dessert when I looked at the menu.
My choice: a warm roast lamb wrap. I'm not the biggest fan of wraps, they usually end up being dry and bland or over sauced and messy. This particular wrap, however, made me see the light. Tender, tasty lamb with large chunks of caramelised onion, mixed lettuce to add a bit of substance and crunch and just enough tzatziki to moisten the food but not overpower the taste. Amazing from the first bite to the last!

Of course, after such a taste sensation, I had to see what else Isabella's had to offer. Enter the Lavender and Poppy Seed Cake. A lovely moist cake with poppy seeds and lavender-scented butter icing. I was worried that it would taste like I was eating a plant, but it was very subtle, and made me feel like I was eating a delicious slice of cake in a lavender field in France (I wish!).

The cake selection left my mouth hanging open and wishing I was one of those lucky animals that have four stomachs so that I could try more than one. Isabella's - I'll be back.

A definite must-try for light lunches and coffee dates.