The Warehouse, Strijdom Park

What an alright place! I went there with some friends for a nice chilled dinner. Well it was pretty relaxing. The wine list was average with not too much to chose from. The menu is quite big.. with a lot to choose from. It is always nice if there is something for everyone.

The portions are HUGE (a little too big) but good value for money if you think about it. It is reasonably priced and it is cool for guys who are into the quantity more that quality thing! I asked for a medium burger and I got a well done burger. I kinda got the feeling that well done was all that they knew how to do.

My friends all smoke and I was impressed with the smoking area. The ventilation in the area is excellent and not once did the smoke bug me. It is a double volume restaurant so top marks for that! What made it nice and cosy is the fireplace just behind our table.....perfect for a cold windy evening!

I would definitely recommend this place to families and friends that are in the mood for a casual get together. I do not rate the food very high but the fact that you will find something for everyone is an added bonus for these type of occasions.

The Warehouse is situated on the corner of CR Swart drive and Freda drive.
Your meal will cost you around R150 per person including wine. Add about R35 if you plan on having 2 courses.

Contact details:
Tel: 011 792 9462

The ever so addictive Chocolate Chip Cookie

SO...I have a bit of a chocolate issue. I love it. I will be posting other recipes on here...soon.

This recipe is really good, crispy on the outside and chewy inside.

Ingredients:

150g butter

1/4 cup soft brown sugar (that is the dark brown sugar)

1/3 cup Castor sugar

1 egg yolk

1teaspoon vanilla essence (I use 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract, it is just so much better)

1.5 cup self raising flour

1 cup chocolate chips

Method:

1. Beat the egg, butter and sugars together until pale and thick. Add the essence and beat well



2. Add the flour and two thirds of the chocolate dots. Mix with your hands until you have a soft dough



3. Roll tablespoons full of the dough into balls. Press remaining chocolate chips on top of the balls.



4. Place on a lined baking tray allowing enough room for spreading.



5. Bake for 15 minutes @180 degrees C or until golden brown and slightly crisp on top.

Don't worry if the cookies are still a bit soft when you remove it from the oven, it will dry as it cools.

This batch makes 24 - 30 cookies. Enjoy!

They are great for those low days.

The Red Lantern, Boskruin

This is the best Chinese restaurant in the city! The food is awesome and always the same. If a restaurant can produce the same quality every time it's brilliant. You can't really get that these days. We've been going to this place for over 5 years now. The menu is huge and you will find something for everyone!

The Won Ton soup is one of my favourites. This is a clear broth with pork and prawn dumplings as well as some greens. The flavour or this is perfect! Then there is the Crispy Fried Beef. The beef is shredded and coated in well spiced cornflour. You can taste ginger and a slight hint of chili. Really good with some steamed rice. This is only one of the dishes we have....every time! Through the years we've tried nearly everything on the menu and they are all fantastic.

In true Chinese style, the decor was not really a issue for them. Very basic with a few paintings and some Chinese writing on the wall (the waiters can't even read it??)

Everything is relatively cheap. Soups start from R15 and mains are around R30-R50. The duck is a bit more expensive.

The language differences can sometimes get in the way of good service, but the waiters are always friendly and they always try their best.

You will find The Red Lantern at the following address:

no2 Boskruin village

Pres Fouche drive

Boskruin

Randburg

Tel: 011 792 5889

Go give it a try... you won't be dissapointed.

Chappies!

Do you remember those juicy chewing gum squares called Chappies. I was never really allowed to have them...... but I sooo did! They used to have a very intense grape flavour... so good. I am aware of the fact that it is not really food or a restaurant or a new gadget, but it is something that you chew (and used to swallow because I was told not to swallow them!) Yes, we were told not to swallow chewing gum because your insides will get blocked...... ya right!

I found a Chappie wrapper today! I remembered the 'Did you know' facts printed on the inside. These notes are actually quite interesting:

1) Did you know.. that when baby Kangaroos are born they are only about an inch long? That is

the same size as a queen bee. (I would love it if someone could confirm this??)

2) Did you know... in a 75 year lifetime the average person will have 200 colds each lasting five

six days or about 3 years in total.

3) Did you know... Everyday the heart pumps around 43000 litres of blood, enough to fill over

150 baths.

4) Did you know ... Your tongue print is just as unique as your fingerprints.

Interesting facts that I did not know! You must be thinking 'small things amuse small minds!'

Chappies are still very much around and I must admit I can't stand the sound of them being chewed!

Just thought I would hit you all with a blast from the past!

Paputzi's, Linden

I love this place. I spend so much time here. I started going to Paputzi's 10 years ago when it opened. I even worked there for two years on Saturdays to earn extra cash back in my school days.

You can have anything from breakfast to salads, sandwiches, filled savoury pancakes, quiche, soup, desserts/cakes as well as great specials that change weekly. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming. The place has a big back garden full of trees and birds. In winter a cosy fire waits for you.

Paputzi's is open for breakfast and lunch, Monday to Saturday. It is rather pricey but all worth it! It is perfect for a hearty lunch with a glass of wine, finished with a good cup of coffee.

You can find Paputzi's on 4th avenue Linden between 6th and 7th street.

Nice.

Nice is a little Bistro style restaurant on the corner of 4th and 14th street in Parkhurst. The menu ranges from breakfast to light salads , soups, panini's, homemade pies and yummy desserts.

The owner, Ian Ziervigel, is an absolute coffee genius and has even branded his own coffee beans. The Queen of the kitchen is Toni Scorgie. She whips up the delicious pies that are filled with fillet steak or hearty chicken and mushroom and don't forget all the fab cakes.

The rump and balsamic onion salad is divine and so is the Creamy Tomato soup. You can also have the salad toppings on Panini's.

This place is child friendly with funky kiddie breakfasts like the bunny rabbit breakfast. This is a slice of toast with a hole in the middle. The hole is filled with a fried egg. But beware kids that run around will be get a shot of espresso and a puppy!

The only thing that I don't like about Nice is that the waiters get a but too much. They tend to look after their tables a bit too much.

Prices range from R20 - R55 for a main course excl. drinks. Nice is open for lunch from Tuesday to Sunday as well as dinner on Thursdays and Fridays.

They are in the process of opening a new little bookshop next door where you can read while you have your coffee. They are also looking at hosting book club evenings on the first and last Thursday of every month.

Blog Make Over!

Welcome to my new blog! I have decided to delete the old one because I stopped using it. Mainly because all I ever did on there was complain and moan about stuff that is not important. So here is something new and refreshing. I go to restaurants A LOT so I am going to write a little review about all the restaurants that I visit. On the other days I will post a recipe or something else to do with food or even cool new products that are on the market.

You see... Food is my passion. I love cooking for friends and trying new things all the time. The minute I do it for money... I hate it. I don't mind doing funky cakes on the side, because that is fun and creative. I love making wedding cakes (not the plastic icing ones!), funky girly cakes and also kiddies cakes.

John Torode always told me: 'Relax! It is only food.'

You might not agree with everything that a write and if so comments are always welcome! I would also love to hear about places that you enjoy.. I am always looking for a new place to visit.

"We are all cups, constantly and quietly being filled. The trick is, knowing how to tip ourselves over and let the beautiful stuff out."
-Ray Bradbury