Arts on Main and The Attic

by Tara-Zee

So, this one time, my Sunday morning started with a 10 km race (remember, Tilly and I are still training for that little half marathon in April). My running partner for the day (let’s call him Mr Snookychooks) was great – he stuck with me when I was struggling, encouraged me when I managed to breathe instead of wheeze, and didn’t even mock my playlist, well not too much. And he was happy to share some yoghurt, muesli and mango juice with me and Mr T-Z after the race. (Unfortunately there was no coffee or greasy fry-up, as our electricity was down.)

Then Mr T-Z and I decided to head out and the day turned into a perfect date. We started at the Market on Main at Arts on Main (check it out: http://marketonmain.co.za/). My passion for The Drum Decade was reignited as we looked at old Drum covers; memories of the World Cup came floating back as went through some commemorative posters; and the pottery made me wish I had a bigger home and a bookshelf to fill with beautiful bowls. Aaah – and then the food. Such elegant cupcakes, chocolate brownies made by Miss Poppysocks (you can buy your own mixes to take home and impress your friends with your great baking … or, better yet, give them as presents so your friends can bake for you!), fresh veggies, a variety of cheeses and great breads (including my favourite – the summer rye … samurai). We tasted, took in our surrounds and then popped through to Parkhurst for lunch.

Now, you see, Mr T-Z and I love eating out (obviously). But, one of our resolutions for the year was to eat more home-cooked meals. And our success rate has been really good (and when I say “our”, I mean Mr T-Z’s – he has become a pro at planning and preparing dinner and lunches – but that’s for another story). So it was fun for us to go through to one of our favourite restaurants, The Attic. We were seated at a table out of the way enough to give you some privacy, but also good for people spotting. We shared a bottle of the Kleine Zalze Chenin Blanc (perfect for a sunny summer’s afternoon) and started with the chilli-salt squid and the duck dim sum – yum! Mr T-Z went for the Sunday roast (lamb, crispy potatoes and summer veggies), which was rich and tasty. I went for the mussels, which filled my craving for a taste of the sea. And although I have a weak spot for pudding, I was perfectly full, and we chose instead to do more window shopping.

A lazy afternoon on the couch was followed by a platter of delicious things from the morning’s market and the chance to relive a lovely day in the city. 

The morning (at Cnr Café) after the night before (at Tallulah and Tiger’s)

by Tara-Zee

So, this one time, we woke up from a great Christmas party at Tallulah and Tiger’s – I for one got out of bed still wearing my Christmas apron (the one that matches my Christmas oven gloves and serviettes – what, not everyone has a set?) over my clothes! And we (the eight of us who’d spent the night) were in need of a good breakfast.

Once we were all showered and dressed (Tallulah ensured that Jan put on some proper shorts over his teeny tinies), we headed to Cnr Café Bistro & Deli. The previous time we had been there (just me, Tilly and Tallulah for some Fat Bastard and light snacks), Tallulah had convinced us to walk, but on this morning, the rain bucketed down and we were happy to drive.

There is nothing like the smell of freshly baked bread and hot coffee, which – along with friendly staff and a cozy table – was what greeted us as we escaped the storm outside. Our waitress was attentive and soon had fresh fruit juices (Tilly loved their strawberry juice and my orange juice hit the spot), coffees, water – and even an alcoholic beverage for the one of the eight of us (the one with the most bloodshot eyes, I might add) who felt it was best to get over the night before by continuing where we’d left off.

Half of us went for the breakfast roll option – served either on panini, ciabatta or health bread (all of them made on the premises) with bacon, egg (fried or poached), rocket, lettuce and tomato – I am salivating just thinking about it! (Tilly and Mr T-Z will tell you that this is a common thing for me when I think about food.) Other choices included the fry-up (with potato fritters, which we tried to convince Tiger are the same as hash browns) and French toast. And as our tummies filled, so the conversation increased and we came to life.

We all headed off to face the day, which meant a bit of work, a little Christmas shopping, some cricket on TV and loads of stories about the night before.

I’m looking forward to many more meals shared with friends in the New Year. For now though, I am counting down the hours to a week of relaxing in the Eastern Cape (and probably at least one glass of FB at Michaela’s). Until we meet and eat again, I hope that you have a wonderful Christmas (filled with good food and drinks) and a great start to 2011.

A Day of Eating

by Tara-Zee

So, this one time, Tilly and I had to work on a Saturday. (Well, not just that one time, really, but that’s the nature of the job.) Inevitably, it turned into a day of shared meals. We met at the gym to try to squeeze in a workout before facing the day ahead, only to have the lights go off as we turned into our parkings alongside each other. Some might abandon the gym immediately in such circumstances, but hey, we needed to shower! And once we’d done so, the lights returned – and with them, the inspiration to stop in at Kauai: two skinny cappuccinos, a muffin and muesli and yoghurt – to share. Aah – that muffin with the little cappuccino-flavoured chocolate chips and the nice crunchy outer – yum; and when halved and eaten between mouthfuls of muesli and yoghurt, what could be healthier?

Work lunch was finger foods, including mini sandwiches on the deck. Way over catered, but a good array of veggie options (mmm, cheese and gherkin), chicken mayo, beef with way too much mustard, and some different combinations like cream cheese and pineapple (on white bread – clearly sticking to a colour palette).

Then we were done. And there was nothing to do, but head to a drinking establishment. But first, we needed something fabulous and new to wear. We felt glam; we were welcomed by the concierge at the Melrose Arch Hotel like we belonged there, and the receptionist showed us to the first floor and their famous drinks deck – yip, that’s the one with the tables in the pool. I should have worn a skirt (Tilly’s dress was perfect), but I rolled up my slacks, we ditched our sandals on the side of the pool, and we took our place with our feet dangling in the water.

Waitron 1: “Can I get you ladies a drink?”

Tilly: “The menu would be great, thanks.”

Menu in hand, we decided it was definitely a cocktail moment.

Me: “We’ll have one cosmo and one strawberry daiquiri please?”

Waitron 2: “Are you guests here?”

Seriously – we’ve been here for 10 minutes, have been welcomed by 5 people, and you are the first to ask?!

Tilly (picture the look on her face): “No.”

Waitron 2 (timid smile): “Sorry, we only serve hotel guests. But can I interest you in a dessert?”

(Tilly’s facial expression turns to WTF. I’m a bit slower – I think, “Ooh, pudding!” – and then realise we’ve pretty much just been kicked out of the Melrose Arch Hotel Bar.) We left – having dried our feet on the hotel towel.

Never stumped, we headed to Moyo for a bottle of Haute Cabriere Chardonnay/Pinot noir. “And can we get the potato and pea samoosas, the cheese samoosas and the snoek pate – to share?” Who’d have thought they could make potato and pea taste so good together? 

The texture is just right, although the cheese samoosas were definitely a winner. (FYI the snoek pate was a little too runny and tasted better on the complimentary bread than the toast served alongside it.) A few hours (and way too many secrets) later, we were ready for dinner, elsewhere.

Making a grand entrance to Grand Central (well, I didn’t bump into anyone or trip over anything, which at that point was grand enough), we headed to a corner table.

Me: “Mmm – I feel like pudding.” (That woman at the Melrose Arch Hotel really got into my head.)

Tilly: “Pizza it is then – you know you need some proper food.” (She really knows best.)

Me: “You order the food and I’ll pick the wine.” (Pizza sans vino is just not the same.)

Tilly’s choice was perfect: cheese, salami and avo – and what was even better was that they plated it (stylishly) for two. My choice in the rosé wasn’t as great, but overall, it was a lovely end to a full Saturday. And their takeaway packaging, is just lovely – which is just as well, as I was ready for bed!

Apples and bananas

by Tilly

They say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. I still don’t know who ‘they’ are, but ‘they’ might have something there. Everyone has their favourite breakfast spot, whether it be the little table in your garden (my Gran) or the sunny spot next to the fridge (my cat). It’s unfortunate that my favourite breakfast spot is also the favourite spot of all the up-and-comers and ladies who brunch, but there you go. Whoever ‘you’ are.

Tashas has become somewhat of a Joburg icon. If you breakfast at Tashas, you are clearly in the know about the hippest places. Either that or you’re a fraud like me and you really just enjoy their breakfasts. First place for ‘most excellent breakfast on the Tashas menu’ is shared between the Banana Breakfast and the Granny Smith.

Shall we compare apples and bananas? The Banana Breakfast is a healthy banana split. Two bananas carefully arranged on a plate and smothered with whipped yoghurt, halva, pistachio nuts and syrup. It’s heavenly. The bananas are always fresh. The yoghurt is always deliciously light. The pistachios are carefully included so that the meal isn’t too crunchy. The halva is divine and is new to me this year (I thought it was meringue at first). The syrup is strategically poured over the plate for beautiful presentation. Mmmmm.

The Granny Smith, on the other hand, is a green apple and oats creation. Seriously, it’s impressive. So what they do is they soak oats, pumpkin seeds, dried fruit and shredded coconut in apple juice. Then they make a neat little tower with it and top it with finely chopped green apple and yoghurt. I always add a generous portion of honey and y-u-m!

So how do I choose between the two? I don’t have to, thankfully. I only go to Tashas if Tara-Zee is with me. If she isn’t, I then politely recommend another breakfast venue where I know I only really love one item on the menu. I’m selfish like that. I compare it to asking a mother to choose between her two favourite children. Which might actually be easier because isn’t there always a favourite? I, however, love both breakfasts equally and being forced to choose between them would be damaging to my soul.

So what Tara-Zee and I do is order one of each, eat half and then switch. It’s the perfect arrangement, really! And, from past experience, we’ve realised that it’s futile to even look at the menu. There are two breakfast rules in our world:

Rule #1: If you have breakfast with someone the morning after you’ve had dinner with them, you’re dating.

Rule #2: If you love it, why order something else?

‘Trying something new’ at Tashas involves ordering a Skinny Cappucino rather than a Skinny Latte, or choosing a yet-untried flavour of freshly-squeezed juice. Never ever trying a new breakfast. Never ever.

PS. Don’t tell Tara-Zee but I did once order poached eggs at Tashas.

PPS. They were okay.