|
|
|
| |
From my Next 48 Hours column (16-Jan-08)
THERE is a cliffside house in Pringle Bay that is almost lapped by the sea and appears to just miss the dolphins that routinely dive past it. It is on the market for R15.5 million. What is interesting is the dichotomy between property prices in Pringle Bay. Other areas, Clifton is a case in point; tend to have uniform pricing. Try finding anything in Clifton for under a million. Pringle Bay has both. There are many houses available under the million mark but also an increasing number of homes only available to those of very high net worth.
Eating in Pringle Bay has followed suit. Bar Beyond and Gators Pizza provide more affordable fare but with the rabid popularity of Hook, Line and Sinker and comparatively newly opened @365, serious foodies are also satisfied. If you’d rather cook yourself, Lemon and Lime Deli provides a selection of ingredients that will meet the most obtuse and exacting tastes.
Seven of us dined at @365 (028-273-8931). I was impressed with my portion of mushrooms en croute (R30) (wild mushrooms in a rich creamy sauce) to start while others enjoyed their grilled asparagus (R25) served with a cheesy sauce topped with crumbled feta. A Greek salad was ordered for the table and I very much liked that it was served in its individual parts, rather than mixed.
On a previous occasion, I had the Italian-style veal (R80) which was delicious but on this one I ordered a special of the day: liver and onions, beautifully prepared with bacon and served with mashed potatoes.
Since getting my KitchenAid Artisan Mixer and Nigella Lawson’s How to be a domestic Goddess, I’ve baked a cake a day. Instead of ordering desserts, I invited guests back to enjoy the spoils. The Chocolate Cheese Cake recipe won the day. The only complexity was baking the cake in a pan of water which was tricky to get in and out of the oven without spilling. It was also a mission to line the cake tin to prevent leakage but other than that it was the hero. I also made the Coke Cake (very nice) and a Victoria Sponge with cream and berries sandwiched (very impressive looking but fiddly and not that great tasting.) Her Madeira cake recipe (with the lemon/poppy variation), was also very easy but a little boring to eat. The previous week I’d made Jenny Morris’ gorgeous carrot cake from her Rude Food, Nude Food, Good Food book, and I used the left over cream-cheese icing on top of the lemon poppy with the small addition of some Limoncello liquor. Divine.
Hammers & Spanners, aptly named for its position behind the Mica store at Willowbridge Mall in Durbanville, is a great place for breakfast. Cleverly themed, with excerpts of boere-raad in the menu and nostalgic cake and tea tins (the interior borders on kitsch) while items like potjie-shaped salt and pepper shakers are too amusing to be so. I had the Bo-op die Berg breakfast (R40) which is eggs Florentine with a twist, this time on a pumpkin fritter rather than scone. Expect bacon, spinach, tomato and poached egg. We shared a fruit platter (R30) which was very attractively arranged and drizzled with a delicious mixed-fruit syrup. The French Toast with cheese and syrup was as expected (R25) but the filled croissant with scrambled eggs, salmon and capers was surprisingly luxurious for R30. Sit outside on the deck for verdant views. (021-914-9714) • Permalink • Comments [0]
|
|
|
|
|
|