Please Note, We’ve Moved

We have moved our Good Taste ramblings to our website www.goodtaste.co.za.

For more on wine tastings, decor, design ideas, restaurants and places to note, and more go to http://www.goodtaste.co.za/Good-Taste-Buds/

For your Meat-Free Monday recipes go to http://www.goodtaste.co.za/Meat-free-Monday/

If you have any comments or feedback please email online@goodtaste.co.za.

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The Fabulous Fli Beads

Not too long ago my sister, who lives in New York, was going through a bit of a tough time. Missing her and feeling very far away I wanted to send her something to lift her spirits, and unfortunately flowers weren’t going to cut it.

I came across Fli beads on Facebook and sent Keeylen (one of the owners) an email asking her if she could custom make a few bracelets for me and I would somehow get them to my sister.

However, as luck would have it, Keeylen happened to be in The Big Apple at that time and in a few days she had made up the bracelets and posted them directly to my sister’s home address. (Yes, apparently carrier pigeons are also still reliable in the States.)

The designers at Fli not only make beautiful bespoke jewellery, but they offer the kind of personal online service that makes you want to hug your computer.

Here’s a bit more about the jewellery line:

Fli believes every great dream begins with a dreamer. Their unique handcrafted jewellery, made in South Africa, spreads ideas of Freedom, Love  & Imagination to the world & encourages others to dream without limits & achieve their aspirations.

The designers of Fli are motivated by the network of universal energy that links all aspects together. Danielle Morrison & Keelyn Crowley create jewellery that acts as reminders to others that jewellery is an art and every individual can express it in their own way.

A portion of the proceeds are donated to a South African-based non-profit organization, which cares for impoverished, abused, & AIDS infants.

Follow them on facebook.com/flisouthafrica or www.flibeads.com and have a look at their latest collections.

Feel free to contact the designer duo for special requests or further information on flibeads@gmail.com.

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Make the Most of Old Maps

The Good Taste office is abuzz with eco-friendly ideas as we work on our upcoming green issue. So, in the spirit of recycling we want to share this great DYI décor idea we found on www.everythingfab.com.

If you have some old map books lying around, cut their pages into heart-shapes, glue the hearts onto some plain coloured paper and frame them in either distressed or classic-looking frames.

Another nice idea for newlyweds is to use three frames, and in each one put the maps where you met, married and honeymooned.

Happy DYI-ing!

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Checking into Royalty

Last weekend started unlike most. We checked into the Cape Royale Hotel to try out their new Club Prive option. And let’s just say, after two nights of relaxation, delicious steaks, good wine and seeing our city from a tourist’s viewpoint, we weren’t disappointed.

We checked into our room, well actually suite. It was fantastic, definitely big enough to feel at home in. It had all the mod cons in the kitchen, a second bedroom for the extended family, a lounge, dining room and more. The room faced the mountain, and reminded us of how great this city really is.

After checking out our room, our first stop was the hotel’s restaurant, 1800. 1800 is famous for their steaks done on a grill imported from New York—it grills the steaks at 1800° Fahrenheit. We enjoyed our dining experience from start to finish. Even though it started with a bit of a mix up—we were welcomed with complimentary bubbly, as we were mistaken for a couple celebrating a 50^th birthday—it only made the evening more enjoyable. (Luckily the waiter mistook my partner, and not me, for being 50!)

The service was friendly and informative—our waiter Dino really made the evening memorable. Not only does 1800 do speciality steaks, but it also offers different flavoured salts (our favourite was smoked paprika) as well as 12 unique, tasty sauces to accompany your choice of steak.

We really enjoyed the Chateaubriand—it was tasty and tender and went really well with the Perigord truffle sauce—a complex, rich mix of port, wine and truffle oil. And, of course, to satisfy my sweet tooth we ended the evening with the chocolate fondant. It takes a little longer to prepare than the other desserts on offer, but it was definitely worth the wait. Made with dark chocolate it wasn’t too sweet and paired well with dessert wine.

When we got back to our room, we were welcomed with the complete five-star turn down service—Lindt balls on our pillows, slippers next to our bed, order form for breakfast in our room, the whole lot. Snuggling down in the soft, white cotton bedding made me feel like a queen. It’s a pity the bed wasn’t a queen or king size. It was disappointing to hop into a bed that was smaller than the one we have at home.

After a relaxing breakfast in our room, in our fluffy cotton robes, we were ready for a day out in the city. We’re southern suburb folk and just don’t spend enough time in the city. So we packed a small backpack for the day and headed out. We took the shuttle to the waterfront, went for a walk along the promenade and back to the hotel. And ended the day on the roof top deck with a cocktail, while we watched the sunset over the sea.

Thanks to the Cape Royal Hotel and Club Prive for putting us up.

The Cape Royale Club Privé is a unique and exclusive Property Vacation Ownership opportunity to the discerning traveller who enjoys personalised and flexible vacations within an exclusive portfolio of the world’s finest luxury private residences, hotel and resorts. To find out more go to www.clubprive.co.za or contact 021 430 0796.

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Asparagus Sauce For Tagliatelle

I found this tasty veggie recipe on The Drift Farm’s website. It’s easy to make and deliciously indulgent.

The Drift Farm is a family-run establishment, situated in the heart of the Overberg, that delivers organic veggie boxes straight to your door. The farm also has a great selection of other organic produce, including  natural, unprocessed honey and organic, preservative-free cider.

To try this recipe, click here.

For more information about The Drift Farm visit: http://appelsdrift.squarespace.com

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Sweetcorn Fritters

My mom has the appetite of a bird. She pecks and picks at her food and after a few mouthfuls she’s stuffed for hours. I definitely didn’t inherit this teeny appetite because I tend to pile my plate like I haven’t eaten in days. I was determined to see my mom tuck in like me, so I racked my brains and remembered that she does tend to devour fritters. So I whipped up this savoury spin on a fritter recipe from delicious.co.uk. My mom loved them, and I hope you do too. They’re great on their own or with a side salad or warm roasted veggies.

To try this recipe, click here.

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Baked Aubergine with Coriander Yoghurt Dressing

Here’s a healthy-yet-hearty veggie recipe that’s low in saturated fat and full of fibre. Great on its own or served with a mixed salad, it’s best enjoyed in the sun with a chilled glass of Sauvignon Blanc.

To try this recipe, click here.

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The Legends of Linen

Last week I was invited to a beautiful Clifton pad (private beach included) for the launch of Loads of Living’s new summer range. As soon as I walked into the apartment, I felt as though I had died and gone to linen heaven.

With one of the finest reputations for bedding in SA, Loads of Living has gradually broadened its range to become the go-to place for luxury linen in bedroom, lounge, bathroom and beyond.

It all comes down to their luxurious fabric, which exudes glamour, comfort, and the best in contemporary styling, all the while remaining affordable.  Their range includes 300 and 500 thread-count Egyptian cotton, soft and sensual Silk/Cotton and 200 and 300 thread-count percale.

If you’re looking to decorate a room or just add a few signature pieces to your home, you don’t need a private beach – Loads of Living has all the latest international trends for all tastes. Go on and get decorating!

Click here to get a sneak peek at Loads of Living’s latest range.

– Kari

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Roasted Vegetable & Feta Pizza

During the winter months my flatmate and I schedule a wine and pizza evening at least once a week. Now, as summer sneaks up on our slightly larger derrières, we need to remove Butlers from our speed dials. But in order for us to get beach-ready without going completely cold turkey, I hunted down this low-fat veggie pizza option that promises to give a tasty guilt-free moment on the lips, while staying clear of the hips.

If you would like to try this recipe, click here.

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Who Els? The Vodacom Business Origins Golf Tour Goes Easy

Last week I was invited to The Big Easy restaurant to hear about the joint venture between Ernie Els and Vodacom. A relaxing drive out of the city set the tone for the rest of an enjoyably laidback afternoon, which was a welcome break from deskbound deadline-chasing.

We rolled up Stellenbosch’s sleepy Dorp Street to the legendary golfer’s signature restaurant and wine bar. Chef Simone Rossouw has designed the Big Easy menu to make you feel at home and relaxed, and this was definitely accomplished during our visit. With hearty dishes and a profusion of the fantastic wines on offer, it’s easy to see why it has become an instant favourite with locals and visitors alike.

The walls are decked with photos and mementos of the life and times of the celebrated Mr Els, so when you take a stroll through the restaurant’s many rooms, you can’t help but feel as though you are in the presence of greatness. And because Ernie is synonymous with excellence and achievement, Vodacom has chosen him to be their brand ambassador at this year’s Origins Tour.

The Vodacom Business Origins Tour is an exclusive series of six pro-am golf tournaments that has been running since April. Amateur golfers, by invitation only, play two days of golf with professionals under tournament conditions. The Birdies for Kiddies charity initiative, meanwhile, donates R500 for every birdie made throughout the tournament, and last year over R3 million was raised. 

The tour teed off in the autumn, and two more rounds are taking place in KwaZulu-Natal from 18 – 20 August and in the Western Cape from 15 – 17 September. The Final runs from 13 – 15 October at Oubaai in George, which is a course designed by Mr Els himself. For more information about tournament and the charities involved visit www.originsgoeseasy.co.za

– Kari

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