Chandani Namaste in Upper Woodstock

There has been a real boom recently in the upper woodstock area with last year's reopening of Don Pedro by the Zingara group, the new and revamped Woodstock Lounge and Now with the opening of chandini's new place : Namaste.
If like me, you're a fan of fine Indian food, the real kind from north India, do not miss out on this jewel of a place.
Sitting on top of Roodebloem road, unlike its sister restaurant Chandani serving vegetarian food, Namaste offers a warm service, and an unusual evening Thali (vegetarian or meat option), changing every evening for a little R95 per person.



Namaste has a great Buffet for lunch for R65 and even serves daily Indian breakfast - still to be tried out :)

I personally cannot get enough of this delicious daily changing delight!

Ricks cafe Americain lunch specials

Who doesn't love to eat well and pay a little?

If your work colleagues are all looking at you in a funny way because your stomach makes some very concerning noises, head down to Ricks Cafe Americain for a well deserved, well cooked and well delicious lunch.
You can't go wrong with their R49 lunch specials changing everyday with a choice of 3-4 dishes to choose from.
I had the privilege to enjoy the home made pork goulash with German pretzels. These are like tiny fresh pasta with various little worm like shapes... but they feels homey even if you never had any before!!
My partner in crime enjoyed a beautiful yellow tail skewers with a spicy chickpeas & tomato salsa. Needless to say that our meals were both so tasty and cheap that we could afford to spend a bit more on our drinks tab!!
...and what better way to start the week end?
Ricks is open daily (but Sundays) and is situated at 2 park road in gardens.




Ricks is a great warm hang out spot for after work drinks. We love it for its friendly atmosphere, its warmth and chilled ambiance! It can easily become the place where everyone knows name :)
In summer, you can enjoy the large terrace upstairs with beautiful views of Table Mountain (with heating for the chilly evenings) and in winter, the fire places are smoking hot. For more info: www.rickscafe.co.za

Societi Bistro Orange Street - a treat on the street

While many seems to think that the clever thing to do on a public holiday is to close (and don't get me wrong, everyone deserves a break), some more clever and service aiming are "thankfully" open!
So if and when you get tired of waiting at your gran's old cat smelling flat and if you get sick of your 5 year old niece telling you that you are old, ugly and boring or listening to your cousin asking you when you are getting married, just grab your other by the hand and take him/her to this bistro nested on Orange street for some real Holiday chilling time.

Yes I love Societi Bistro not only on any given day of the week, but particularly on those days, when everyone else goes off to their families for some bitching and moaning around a family Sunday roast. So Easter week end, also my Bday week end, I treated myself to some heart warming comfy food!

One of my favorite but too rarely enough on the menu is the Salad Lyonaise - with crispy bacon bits, fresh green leafs and a poached egg to finish it off - just the ish!!! Unfortunately, only available on some summer days.

On that particular day, I treated my buds to a chicken liver parfait, served with fresh warm toast followed by the slow-cooked lamb shank. This casserole dish is just the comforting need for all. Nothing you couldn’t have left bubbling in your oven while you lazed around your house on a public holiday.  There is nothing more rewarding than the gentle opulence of a braising joint, stock, celery and onion filling the house. 
Here at Societi it tastes and looks as if a tea spoon of a magical ingredient has been added to..maybe some tomato paste?

I ended the meal with one of my old time favorite, the creme brulée! Oh so popular all over the world and many think they have nailed the perfect one, but let me tell you that many are mistaken! Yet I rarely got disappointed by the perfectly smooth texture of Society's bistro brulée and the perfectly balanced taste yet not too overpowering vanilla just finishes my late lunch beautifully!

I promise to come back for their most mushy, yet tasty Mushroom risotto! Definitely a must have for the Veg and not so veg ones - Rice might be somewhat a tad overcooked, so for those liking the Risotto crunchy on the edge, it might be a slight disappointment, but the strong flavours will make you forget the lack of crunchiness!

The French and Italian inspired specials menu changes frequently.  Staples from the main menu change with the season with many vegetarian options.  Starters include ox tongue with potato bake, parsley and caper cream (R38); and beetroot with horseradish mayo and feta (R32).  Mains: a South African take on a salsiccia (sausage) pasta with boerewors, tomato and cream (R48 large, R74 small); aubergine fettuccine with baked ricotta, fennel seed, chilli and cherry tomato (R56, R82); a vegan lentil curry with aubergine and roti (R47); and venison bourguignon with bacon, mushroom, pearl onion, red wine and mash (R118).

They offer a great Autumn warmer menu, so do yourself a favor, even if summer is behind us and their garden might be empty, their fireplace and their friendly staff will take you to a warming delight!
 
Check out their menu for this coming season
http://societi.co.za/bistromenu/

Societi Bistro
+27 (0)21 4242 100
info@societi.co.za
50 Orange St
Gardens
Cape Town