For those who follow KevFabFood should know that I love a very special Bistro in Bryanston called LBV...the chef and owner of this well established gem, Jacques Van Der Merwe, has recently opened up a 16 seater (4x 2 seater tables and 2x 4 seater tables) modern and stylish addition, called "The LINK" - open on Thursday - Saturday evenings only, this restaurant offers a set, fine dining menu with a wine pairing option...The Link opened its doors on 9 August 2018 and I was blessed to try it out last night...here is my feedback and review - enjoy!The minute you walk in, you are greeted by smiling, friendly staff who are there to ensure your evening is an amazing experience - The LINK is separate from the main restaurant and offers a unique look and feel with attention to detail in every way, from the napkins, window detailing and overall finishes - when you sit at your simple, yet stylish table you already know you are in for something special!The menu is seasonal and at the moment they are offering an 11-course Spring menu (with or without wine pairing) - it is a fun and unique menu with lots of interesting flavours, textures and very visually creative and fun for all the sensors! |
On arrival we received a glass of sparkling wine that tasted of peach - Madiba did not drink a lot - Brett Ladds told us that Madiba tasted this sparkling liquid and it became his drink of choice at all dinners and banquets - in fact this South African wine from a small winery was ordered and made sure it was at all South African embassies when Nelson traveled...it was good enough for Madiba - it was amazing for us! |
Course 1 : Sole Roulade placed on creme Morogo (Spinach) and a sauce Bearnaise Smudge - this was made by Ched Ladd when the queen came to visit Madiba...this fresh, delicious and delicate flavoured starter was divine and was truly a celebration of local flavours with a hint of British flair...this Foodie Queen was well satisfied! |
Course 2 : A Family Favourite (the staple of the community and the nation) - Savoury medallion of miellie meal coated with a tomato relish crush and smoked marinated chicken...a fairly modern take on a simple, yet delicious plate of food that embodies the flavours of our land. This course was also served with a wine pairing of "Hartenberg Chardonnay" another wine had at a banquet madiba attended. |
Course 4 : the main portal to norish your soul - king crown of Madiba's favourite Karoo Lamp chops served with African root vegetables and potato sauteed...the lamb was juicy, soft and very tender - the lamb truly melted in the mouth and was by far the best lamb I have had in a very long time - paired with an organic red wine from the Cape Peninsula. |
The food was eaten, the stories were told and we all left feeling very uplifted and full - thank you to Chef Brett Ladds and the Tiso Blackstar Group team for such a fun and enriching afternoon - for those keen to learn more about Chef Ladds and to hear some of his stories, make sure to buy his book "The Madiba Appreciation Club, A Chef's Story" - KevFabFood will treasure my signed copy and cannot wait to start reading the book!
An exciting, fun and unique burger bar is soon to open in Pretoria next week (13 April 2018) - KevFabFood was excited to be invited to the pre-opening launch and all I can say is that the team have done an amazing job and you are all in for a treat!
The team that have brought you the very successful Beefcakes in Illovo (JHB) and Cape Town have now expanded their wings and opened up their flagship restaurant in Pretoria - the restaurant has an energy all of its own - with the hand-crafted 5 meter sculpture tree at the bar taking pride of place, the first impression is...WOW!
Beefcakes is known for their burgers, gay-friendly waiters and is very popular for bachelorette parties and of course their drag shows - W & W Projects were the amazing team who brought the interior dream into reality - from Disco-Toilets...to the most amazing bar area...stage and seating areas, the whole restaurant feels like you have stepped into the world of Priscilla, Queen Of The Desert!
The food is delicious - on show nights, they offer build a burger in your choice of Beef, Chicken or Vegetarian - I had the beef and it was delicious...moist, flavoursome and cooked to perfection!
The drag show is done by The Vamps (amazing drag queen duo) - they are truly a delight to see from their lip-sync through varying decades of music from Celine Dion, Whitney Houston to Katy Perry and Lady Gaga.
If you are looking for a fab, fun and different night out - I highly recommend you try Beefcakes (Pretoria or even the JHB and Cape Town branches) - for the amazing, impeccable service from your Beefcake (Waiter), delicious food and laugh out loud entertainment - and of course the opportunity for a body shot or two!
Beefcakes Pretoria is the flagship restaurant - the Illovo (Johannesburg) branch is soon to get a face lift as well - so watch out for the new look coming soon!
To book or for more information the contact details for Beefcakes are as follows :
Tel. No. : 012-941-9966
Address : 23 Dely Road, Hazelwood, Pretoria
All the KevFabFood fans and friends who know me, know that Thursday night is always Date Night with my amazing husband - it has become a ritual and routine that we have been doing ever since our first date almost 9 years ago (20th October will be our 9th year anniversary since our first date at Mugg & Bean in Sandton City)...if you have not guessed it, we met on a Thursday and hence Date Night is always on a Thursday!
Date Night, as far as I am concerned is truly an important event in any relationship...it fills the day of L.O.V.E! and connection - US TIME...away from the everyday stresses and rushing around - a time just to be together, relax and enjoy each other's company...I believe that every day should be a celebration and although I understand that not every couple can have a weekly Date Night - give yourself the gift of a specific day (even if once a month) to be just the 2 of you...away from the kids, family and friends!
Ryan and I usually go out for supper for Date Night - again continuing the connection of our first date...dinner! But your special day can be anything - a home-cooked meal with something special and unique to your relationship (think your favourite wine, unexpected flowers, candles at dinner table) even a drink or two at your local bar - remember it is your time to connect, chat and make sure you keep the L.O.V.E! alive.
So, although this was a bit unusual for my KevFabFood blog, as not focused on a specific foodie topic, it is an important one to remind you to make the time for you and your partner...whatever you do. I hope I have inspired your next Date Night!
If you would like to know some of my favourite restaurants or want suggestions for Date Night, remember to follow me on the Zomato App or drop me a mail and I will get back to you!
Until next time...Eat, Drink and L.O.V.E! Date Night
If you look up the word "Artisan" in the dictionary it will define it as...
artisan
a worker in a skilled trade, especially one that involves making things by hand.
synonyms:craftsman, craftswoman, craftsperson, skilled worker, mechanic, technician, operative, maker, smith, wright, journeyman; More (of food or drink) made in a traditional or non-mechanized way using high-quality ingredients.
KevFabFood was invited to a secret gem in Greenside last night for the launch of their new cocktail menu...The Artisan - they have managed to re-define cocktails into what I will now define them as "Fine Dining Cocktails" - cocktails magically and creatively crafted into something that fascinates all your senses!
The passion and attentiveness of the entire staff add to the most amazing experience in this quant cocktail and tapas haven in Greenside - their new cocktail menu is 2 pages with an extra page of jug-type cocktails and shooters...3 magical pages in total to explore from the original and crowd favourites to the true magic of their Speciality Cocktails and Artisan Originals
KevFabfood tried and tested some and saw some amazing creations...full of herbal smokes, artistic and playful "plating" and magical, unique flavours - who would have thought to make a cocktail with bacon & marmalade...they did - called A Gentleman's Breakfast!
Below are some of the amazing cocktails...L.O.V.E! filled glasses of pure passion and joy!
Make sure you try this amazing establishment soon...not only for these amazing cocktail creations, but for the delicious tapas food and to make memories to last forever with your closest friends!
Address : 12 Gleneagles Road, Greenside, Johannesburg
Telephone : 011 027 3707
Heritage Day in South Africa is all about celebrating all our unique and melting pot of cultures that make up our amazing country - every year it falls on the 24th of September...as it fell on a Sunday this year, we all celebrate more with Monday as a public holiday and hence a long weekend.
KevFabFood went to celebrate Heritage Day with amazing friends...dubbed the "Fab6" - we ended up having the most special and fun foodie afternoon - we all made our own, individual Potjies!
For those not familiar with Potjie...it is a stew made in a variety of sized iron pots - usually cooked on coals / wood...when we arrived at our friend's home they set up the table with small pots on wooden bases - each person was to make their own lunch...a variety of meats, vegetables, sauces and liquids were on offer and it was cooked to our liking...even steamed dumplings on top - it was so much fun and such a unique and awesome experience!
Below are pictures of the process...a fun and fab idea for your next South African house party!
For all those that want to try this for yourselves...there is a market in Hartbeespoort Dam that sells these sets
Amazing food, friends and fun makes for the perfect long weekend!
If you look up the word "Urban" it will define the word as - belonging to, or relating to, a town or city...KevFabFood went to a very special place today that was in the city of Johannesburg, Fox Street - this place is URBANOLOGI
Urbanologi has been open for about a year and a half and is in the center of Johannesburg...the inner city (CBD, close to the trendy New Town) - this remarkable restaurant has been constantly getting high reviews, in fact averaging 4.9 (out of 5) on the foodie app Zomato and 4.8 on Facebook - so it was inevitable that I was going to try this out and boy was I pleased I did!
Urbanologi is within the Mad Giant Brewery - the theme of the restaurant is Asian / Urban Garde Cuisine and the menu is all Tapas based allowing for any plates to be ordered and tried. The restaurant has a buzz and energy that is purely unique and something that I have never experienced before - it is a buzz of passion, love and excellence!
From the minute you arrive you know you are in for something unique and special - the restaurant is full of amazing wall art. Inside seating is in an industrial setting, with the focal point being the craft beer brewing areas at the back of the restaurant. Each and every person that works at Urbanologi, from the managers, waiters, runners and everyone in-between have all the same amazing passion and love for the restaurant and pride in what they do - again a very special and amazing plus for this restaurant!
The food is fresh, delicious and filled with L.O.V.E! - we had no less than 9 dishes between the 2 of us and each one was incredible...again the dishes are tapas-sized so easy to enjoy a variety without feeling too full, but still satisfying your body, mind and soul...paired with a wide variety of in-house craft beer, wines and drinks that all pair perfectly with any dish - a picture paints a thousand words, so here are personal memories of my experience...
The only thing left to say is book your table and go as soon as you can - this is a gem in the city of Johannesburg and deserves every little bit of hype and accolades it receives - for more information and to book visit their website - www.urbanologi.co.za
Tel. No. : 011 492 1399
Email : [email protected]
Address : Mad Giant, 1 Fox Street, Ferreirasdorp, Johannesburg CBD
life is too short to eat bad food - this is a heaven for all foodies that needs to be tried before you die!
Bon Appetit
Happy belated Spring to all my fans in the Southern Hemisphere...it seems like in Johannesburg, we have skipped past Spring and headed straight into Summer - this is the perfect season to bring out the Braai and enjoy a cold beer, or a pink cocktail or two with friends around the fire and make some delicious L.O.V.E! filled food.
Those who really know me, would know I would not Braai (BBQ) - however my humble chicken wings would be perfect for this method of cooking...I roast mine in a hot oven (200'c) for about an hour (cooked on tin foil and turned every 10-15min) - whichever method of cooking you decide to use, I hope you give my following fresh an delicious marinade a try and I hope you love the humble wing as much as I do.
I have various KevFabFood tried and tested marinades, but this one is my favourite and perfect for the new season - work on at least 4 wings per person...the following measurements is enough for a pack of 8 wings...if you use more wings double up as you go along - I usually leave the wings to marinade for about 30min before cooking the wings.
Citrus Lemon & Herb Wings
*Place wings in a plastic mixing bowl and add the following *
a) 2-3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
b) 1-2 teaspoons of "roast chicken spice" from Woolworths
c) The juice of 1 Lemon (add some rind if you wish too)
d) The juice of 1 Clemen Gold (I have also used Grapefruit which is just as fab)
e) 1-2 teaspoons of dried mixed herbs
Mix and leave to sit in the juices...that is it - simple, fresh and yummy!
I served my wings with oven chips and buttered sweet corn on the cob...hope I have inspired you - have a magical weekend and keep cooking with the best ingredient of all...L.O.V.E!
Everyone needs a simple, nutritious and delicious meal up their sleeves for when hunger strikes - for when those day of running around and productivity leaves yourself with tired, achy body and mind and cannot face to get takeaways or enjoy a meal out - KevFabFood is here with two easy recipe for just those kind of days!
It's no secret that Pasta is the most versatile and quickest, fast food you can make at home - although you can make elaborate and complex dishes with this store cupboard staple - sometimes the simplest ways can be the most satisfying and surprisingly delicious - both of the recipes were made by KevFabFood on a weekend - tried and tested to be the most yummiest of food, but with the least amount of effort
KevFabFood Pasta Idea 1
This is by far the simplest way to enjoy a bowl of pasta - both to feed the soul and to fill an empty tummy...
Boil any pasta you enjoy in a pot with lots of water, a dash of olive oil - instead of salt use some Celery Salt.
Once your pasta is cooked to perfect "al-dente" drain the pasta and immediately add a bit of olive oil, some dried herbs and a bit more Celery Salt to season...toss and enjoy!
KevFabFood Pasta Idea 2
This last idea for this blog comes from the love of the sea and the humble tin on tuna.
Again - any pasta can be used and cooked to your liking - the secret is in the sauce...In a separate pot add the following
1) Tin of Tuna
2) Box of Crushed Italian Tomatoes (from Woolworths)
3) Olive oil
4) Generous amount of mixed dried herbs
5) 1-2 teaspoons of Worcestershire Sauce
Once all ingredients are in the pot - stir and heat over a medium eat until all is hot and bubbling...throw over the cooked pasta and enjoy straight way.
I hope that this blog has inspired you to try new things with your pasta and to keep it simple - remember, the main ingredient to any good home cooking is always...L.O.V.E!
KevFabFood was approached earlier this week to try a new innovative, proudly South African foodie product that has recently been launched into the market by an incredible entrepreneur-couple. I was both humbled and excited for the opportunity - this blog / product review is all about this amazing product.
**Disclaimer - KevFabFood would like to state that although the 3 samples were provided free of charge, no payment or any other benefit was provided - this is a guilt-free, non paid for review and in no way been influenced by external factors or people **
Most of us try eat a balanced, healthy diet and as a result we buy kitchen gadgets, such as blenders and Nutribullets - we then go out and buy fresh vegetables, fruit and start on the juice and smoothie adventure. After a while we stop using our smoothie makers as much as we did at the beginning, due to the cost of the fresh ingredients and also noticing how much we waste and throw away...in comes the amazing new product offering in South Africa - BLENDID
Blendid - a truly revolutionary product for all South Africans - crafted in conjunction with dietitians to make sure each of the 20 flavour combinations available offer a nutritionally balanced treat / meal replacement smoothie. Each product is sold as an individual serving, however KevFabFood on every occasion managed to get 2 full glasses of goodness from each pack - making this product not only delicious, but super good value indeed...so, what is Blendid?
Blendid offers 20 flavour-packed, super-convenient, 100% fresh and organic flash frozen smoothie products that require a blender or Nutribullet, the recommended 300ml of liquid (specified on the pack) and 30sec and you have a smoothie that tastes amazing and best of all no waste or chopping required.
As previously mentioned KevFabFood had 3 varieties of the product to try - they were the (1) Fresh Flavour (2) Honey Pot and (3) Klap Gym Each one amazed me - they come frozen and you need to keep them "fresh" in the freezer (hence no waste - 100% guaranteed) - KevFabFood took the product out the freezer about 2 hours before using them, which took away some of the icy coldness from the product - everything is in the 1 packet, including the fresh fruit and/or vegetable, whole nuts (where applicable) and seeds - even the product (eg. Honey Pot) that has yogurt included comes in the bag - the yogurt is also frozen - looked like small ice cubes...very clever indeed! All ingredients are of a high quality and with an average of R39.90 per bag (less than R20 per serving) offers not only great convenience, but magical value too.
The product is available through the website www.blendid.co.za and is delivered to your door with delivery days being on a Tuesday and Thursday (this may differ slightly depending which part of the country you live in - the Tuesday and Thursday delivery dates are based on Gauteng)
The product ranges from R34.90 to R44.90 per single serving (depending which variety you choose) - they do also sell combo packs which offers 10 packs for R399 (for the "staff pick" pack) or R299 for 8 packs of the Gym Bundle
So, in KevFabFood conclusion- this is a fab new product that I will use and buy personally again. Highly delicious, nutritious and convenient...try it today you will not be disappointed!
www.blendid.co.za
BLENDID - Full of the secret ingredient for good food...L.O.V.E!
Author
Kevin is a married man, living in sunny South Africa who loves to cook and eat with loved ones - here he shares his inspirations and cooking adventures with you.
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