Hog House Brewing Company

This year has started off with quite a bang. We started with moving house and it simply hasn't stopped. Did you know that this year is the universal year of one in numerology? This means it is a year for growth, progress, and change. So I know it is going to be a good one! 

On the note of the change. I don't often venture out of the city for dinner. I seem to have become the typical Capetonian that finds any 20-minute drive very far away. Which for the better part is ridiculous. Most places are less than 15km from my house and not quite the Cape to Cairo journey I imagine it to be. 

One of these places is Hog House Brewing Company in Pinelands Ndabeni, a smokehouse with an elevated experience. It is an awesome spot that I recently ventured out to. I always have their pasteis de nata's at the Granger Bay city farm market. If you follow me on Instagram stories or snap chat you will see that every Saturday morning before I do my organic vegetable shop at the market, my first stop is coffee and pasteis. It is a religion and I cannot go without one if I am at the market. Regardless of the sugar curbing vibe, I might be on. They are simply spectacular. 

Now on my adventure 'out' of the city (I'll have you know it takes all of 15 minutes to drive there) I discovered the restaurant behind the perfect pasteis and to be honest, the food isn't far behind on the perfection. They offer phenomenal dishes that simply are mouth watering. The Hog House does slow smoked meat using rooikrans wood, that is cooked in its natural flavour without sauce. All meat is free range and locally sourced and homage is paid to the smokey texas style of cooking. They have a full brewery that on a busy day can bottle up to 2000 bottles of fresh, crisp beer brewed with different flavours such as caramel. Now, who doesn't want a cold one? 

The menu is extensive and offers meat lovers a full variety of delectable ribs, pulled pork, burnt bacon bits, braai brootjies, chili poppers and more. The flavours are spot on and the meat is tender and juicy. What about the vegetarians? It is not often you go to an establishment where the sides shine as bright as the mains. Hog House offers sides that will allow any vegetarian to feast and be happy. From cheesy baked aubergine to roasted cauliflower topped with cheese and crisp capers there will be a meal for everyone! The cherry on the cake was definitely the ice cream cone for dessert along with the pasteis (yes I did both)! 

Booking is essential and spends per head would probably average R250. Executive Chef PJ Vadas has truly created a great establishment that I would rush back to although the cooking is low and slow!  

If you want to book (and you should) here are the details: 

bbq@hhbc.co.za
bookings 021 810 4545
office 021 531 0721

-Melissa 

Lion Heart - Have your cake and eat it

I first came across Lion Heart through Nikki Albertyn. She is a local baker and creative with an Instagram that caught my eye. I knew from the get go that I had to share what she was up to. Her business partner Karmen, is her lifelong friend and the two have created a little magic with their baking skills and creativity. After much stalking, I decided to contact the Gurl's and shoot the exciting bakery and magnificent cakes! 

Situated in Woodstock this team of two work on making cakes that are minimal in design yet make a statement with their bold colours and unique textures. I was taken aback when I saw the limited space that they work out of. To create these little pieces of art with such limited space is commendable! Trust me, I know because I am in a tiny kitchen and although it's great that everything is at arm's length, it can get tiring! 

Spending the morning with the team I watched how they work together with ease and let each other create with trust. Feeding off the fun vibe and with tunes playing in the background. Of course, this all would mean nothing without the matching Gurl Power T's. 

They created a new beautiful cake and mentioned that they will put it on the site and name it "Everest." It's the blue cake above and it took all of me to not run my finger through the buttercream! 

I believe you can never have too many good bakeries listed in your little black book and I will definitely be adding this team to mine. Their cakes are for all occasions. So whether you are celebrating a birthday or going to get married they are definitely worth a call! The flavours of the sponge vary from poppy seed to mud cake and the fillings from smokey salted caramel, lemon curd to rosemary buttercream! If you would like to see more click here to visit their site! It's pretty rad and will leave you drooling - just a warning! All cakes are made to order and you need to give them a heads up! 

I know for sure if I ever need to make a cake and I don't have the time, the Sweet Lion Heart Gurl's will be the first bakers I call for back up! 

-Melissa 

La Petite Ferme

La Petite Ferme is a wine farm situated on the hills of Franschhoek, upon the Oliphants Pass and Middagkrans Mountains with splendid views over looking the valley. This establishment is something special.
Its story even more so - like a phoenix rising from the ashes, Le Petit Ferme is a modern day institution and Franschhoek would hardly seem complete without this bastion of present day permanence. 

The modern farm was bought in 1974 and in 1984 a 40-seat restaurant was built. The farm previously ran as a plum farm and when the plum farm closed down the owners John and Carol Dendy-Young re-hired all the original staff to help run the restaurant.

After experiencing a tragic fire in 1996, the restaurant was brought back to life with the help of the staff and community… Instead of donning the usual aprons, they put on gumboots and rebuilt this beautiful establishment from the ground up.

The restaurant is bright and beautifully decorated. Adorned with the original fireplace in the main seating section, the new interior honours both the old and the new, salvaging what survived the fire and embracing it with fresh décor. Outside the lawns roll down into the Franschhoek valley and the views are simply spectacular. Walking around the estate, while sipping on perfect glass of crisp Sauvignon Blanc, I watched an elderly couple; sitting quietly on a bench taking in their surroundings. A place that encourages the appreciation of peace and calm really is a place worth visiting.

The property has luxury accommodation and will make even the wariest of travelers feel welcome and well rested. With large bedrooms with spectacular views I could picture myself in the stand-alone bath with bubbles in hand over looking the valley.

We were treated to a special, old versus new tasting to launch the new menu at the restaurant. The food brims with flavour and is the perfect option for a long summers lunch. My must try was the trout which was served with a citrus hollandaise sauce. Who knew that hollandaise needed citrus? A revelation! Hardly one to be forgotten - A very real concern for me now is how to ask chefs at other restaurants to up their hollandaise game without getting thrown out.

Paired with the La Petite Ferme Sauvignon Blanc, I was in heaven!

The maestro in the kitchen, Neethling du Toit has struck the perfect balance between the much-loved old menus, retaining certain inalienable elements to pay homage to the past, but with an ever-mindful eye to the future.

To know where you are going you can never forget where you have come from.  

If you find yourself in the area or travelling up the Franschhoek pass then this estate is a spot that you simply have to try.
It might feel a little strangely familiar, like a home away from home, but that’s ok.
You could stay on for a few days and lose yourself in La Petite Ferme. 

The Pool Room at Oak Valley

Have you watched the show Chef’s table on Netflix? If you have you will remember Dan Barber from Blue Hill. I recently watched the episode about Blue Hill farm and he made a statement that stuck with me. He believes that eating needs to become an ethical act. 

This resonated with me. As you may well know I am big on buying organic. In fact, it is everything. I eat mostly vegetarian and try to worry less about meat free Mondays but more about where my meat is coming from. Dan Barber also believes that if the meat is free range and reared ethically,  it will result in a better flavour. 
All produce, both meat and vegetable alike should be treated with the respect that they so richly deserve; for the simple reason that they sustain human life.
That’s a pretty big deal.  

After a recent trip to Elgin, I experienced The Pool Room at Oak Valley with Chef Gordon Manuel. It was affirming to meet someone in our very own back yard that believes in and practices these principles in the kitchen. 
The meat sourced for the restaurant is mostly reared on the farm (or at one of the neighboring farms) and all vegetables are organic and locally sourced where possible. 
All animals are free range and ethically treated during their tenure at pasture. 
The farm focuses on the Spanish and Portuguese tradition of acorn fed pork (a pig’s culinary dream) and wagyu beef and the estate also offers their own signature Oak Valley wines. 
In case you were wondering, Oak Valley gains its name from the over 4000 giant English oaks that are scattered all over the 30 hectare property. 
Naturally this provides ample acorns for the piggery, which are harvested and stored under water in large bunkers to provide feed.
This time of year (spring) the trees glow bright green in the dappled sunlight that has made its way through the canopy. The sound of the wind through the leaves rushes upon the senses offering a tangible connection to nature.
It is truly a sight to behold. 

The actual restaurant, The Pool Room is set amidst these beautiful trees and tables are arranged around a bright blue swimming pool. 
Sitting poolside you could lose your sense of time and sip away at a never ending glass of wine on a long summers day while the children play.
A family establishment that is pet friendly (Yes – Piglet joined me on the excursion and lay sunning himself while I feasted) that offers fantastic service from well trained and knowledgeable staff.
It is an ideal summers destination also offering picnics on the lawn under the trees.

Each dish was unique and had an element of country charm. Slightly rustic in their own right but elevated under the hand of professional chef. The salmon was perfect and the rich oiliness of the fish cut perfectly with the Oak Valley Chenin Blanc. 
My favourite dish and an absolute must try was the pork. It was melt in your mouth; served with creamy mash and wild mushrooms and rounded off with a jus that takes two days to prepare. 
Liquid gold if you ask me. My brother did make advances at my plate with a piece of table bread in an attempt to grab the last remnants of my dish.
Too bad I beat him to it. 
I then made my way through dessert and it didn’t disappoint. A pear and frangipane tart with the perfect crisp and soft combination!

A perfect afternoon some might say? I tend to agree.
Establishments like The Pool Room are getting it right in more ways than one.

-Melissa 

*This blog post was sponsored by The Pool Room, All opinions are my own. 

Terra Madre Elgin

Tucked away in Elgin, just after Peregrine off the N2 is a little known spot called Terra Madre. 
Run by the tenacious Nicole Precoudis and her parents Chris & Koula, this slice of heaven really is all about the farm to table experience and the quality of produce speaks for itself.  

I first heard about Terra Madre through a friend. She guessed that it would be right up my alley, and she was right. 
As you arrive, you are overwhelmed with the tremendous spectacle a beautifully run farm can be.
Greeted by rows of olive trees, apple orchards and veggie gardens; I was excited to find out more about this 18,5 hectare property.

The concept of the eatery is good honest food, grown organically and prepared with oodles of love. 
Nicole shared her journey with me; from the fast-paced lifestyle of owning and running 2 restaurants in Johannesburg to the epiphany that saw her acknowledge that she needed (and wanted) to slow down and make changes in her life. 
Nicole made the move to (a then) very rural Elgin over 10 years ago, purchased the farm and has been developing it ever since.
Opening Terra Madre was a natural, organic manifestation of her innate creativity which is more than apparent in the food that she serves.
The space is open and bright with limited seating so booking is essential and highly recommended. 

Nicole set out to create a space that is warm and welcoming.
Her Greek heritage certainly shines through in the sublime simplicity of the venue and the inclusive attitude of our hosts, who were insistent that we make ourselves at home. 
My entire family ended up coming along on this excursion and I’m happy that they did! 
In a superb display of unplanned storyline congruency, we filled the venue with our own inadvertent spirit of “familia” in true Mediterranean style. 
Now what can I say about the food?...  The platters just kept coming! Perfectly tender roasted fennel bulbs, earthy beetroot salads and tender sweet roasted butternut topped with walnuts and cranberries almost caused a riot with the vegetarians in my “hunting” party.
Of course, it goes without saying that the meat dishes were cooked to perfection and were hastily devoured by the more devout members of the carnivorous variety.
I quickly realized that although it was simple food prepared perfectly, paying homage to the ingredients, it was nothing short of a ‘feast fit for a king’.

The food was simply spectacular and the passion that drives Terra Madre behind the scenes; from the pasture to the plate translates into something explosive on the palate.  

Sitting and feasting with family is one of life’s simple pleasures. To be able to share an amazing place like Terra Madre with them was truly wonderful and I can honestly say that it was the perfect location for a family get together. 
We ended our day with a stroll on the property and sipped on ciders at the farm’s quarry at sunset.
The stillness of Elgin is infectious.
Who knows, maybe one day I will become a country bumpkin and move away from the city only to serve mouth watering food that guests will travel far and wide to appreciate. 

Until then, one thing is certain… I know where to make my escape when the mind calls for slow living.

A huge thank you to my brother Hendré for this beautiful video that did justice to this wonderful location! Hit play to see more! 

-Melissa

*This blog post was sponsored by Terra Madre, all opinions are my own.