The hole in the wall

Sunrise Chip 'n Ranch

Sunrise Chip ‘n Ranch, formally known as Jonnies Roti, is probably already well known for those students living in Res and around the Ronderbosch area, but for me, a kid from the ‘burbs, this place is a true find.

I have to admit, I myself didn’t discover Sunrise; it was actually introduced to me by a friend of mine from Durban, who couldn’t stop raving about their triple-cheese, mutton-gravy roti he would get from the Durban branch. So at 7pm on a lazy Sunday, after a few calls to 1023, we found out that there is a Cape Town Branch. Yay!

Sunrise Chip ‘n Ranch, or the “hole in the wall”, as it is now affectionately known as, is not your run of the mill Gatsby of Vis en tjips take-aways, oh no no no. Their speciality is rotis. Chicken curry rotis (my personal favourite), vegetable rotis, the famous triple-cheese-mutton-gravy roti and even prawn rotis. Okay so besides being super yummy, I have to warn you they are HUGE (once weighed in at 1kg), so you better either come really hungry or, do what I do, and share.

So, next time you are having one of those “I-am-so-hungry-I-could-eat-a-horse” moments or are just too lazy to cook, go past Sunrise Chip ‘n Ranch. It’s on the main road in the Ronderbosch, Mobray, Observatory area. If you cant find it, just keep looking. It’s so worth it.

Enjoy! Let me know if you go and if so what your favourites are.

Pure Shores...

Windmill Beach

Secluded, white sands and swimmable waters (for Cape Town that is), Windmill is the perfect beach to relax, swim and get in some well earned ‘me’ time. Just left of the famous Boulders Beach, Windmill offers the same beauty minus the tourists the penguin poop.

The downside; however, is the wind. Yes…we all know the wind in Cape Town pretty much ruins everything, so you have to be very careful when you chose to go to Windmill ‘cause on the sheltered scale…it ranks pretty low. So to avoid your Woolies mini snacks getting coated in sand, maybe double check weatherman Pete’s forecast.

Windmill has become my favourite beach in Cape Town because it really feels like you’ve escaped the city. So before the winter chills set in properly, take someone special and go spend a day at Windmill Beach. It will change you.

Delicate and Delightful

The lady who makes the quaint jewelry at the Stellenbosch Fresh Foods Market

Okay, so on the weekend I went to the Stellenbosch Market and discovered such a gem; however, I unfortunately didn’t get her name or business card, which is why she is being referred to as “the lady who makes the quaint jewelry”. Do not despair though because once you go to the Stellenbosch market (which is quite a gem in itself), you’ll know exactly who I’m talking about.

She sells all different types of jewelry but my favourite are her necklaces. Plain silver chains with the cutest little pendants are her specialty. The hardest part for me is choosing which one to because firstly, they all so pretty and secondly, they all cost about R70 (not bad if you ask me, the daughter of seasoned bargain hunter)

This post is definitely for the girls, and trust me ladies…you will do your mind in for her stuff. So, next Saturday go check out her stuff at the Stellenbosch Market. Oh, and maybe sneak in a Belgian waffle and a Darling beer while you’re there.

P. S. If anyone knows who I’m talking about and has some sort of contact details, please leave them in the comment box below. Thanks.

Do yourself a favour...

Moggs Country Cookhouse

This restaurant, situated in the picturesque Hemel and Aarde Valley just outside Hermanus, in my opinion, is one of the best restaurants I’ve ever been to. Trekking out to Hermanus may seem a bit excessive for a meal, but its not just a meal its an experience. You sit outside in the tranquil setting with the mountains surrounding you and the garden with a pond lying in front of your table. That should sell the place in itself. But there’s more…

A family run restaurant, they are passionate about flavours and finding creative ways to combine them. Beetroot fritter with salmon and avocado, lamb shanks with rosmary infused mash potato and home made ice-cream… my word, its beyond delicious. C’mon, they use words like crostini and coulis, you know this means they are serious.

What’s pretty unique to Moggs is that their menu changes weekly. In other words it means after you’ve been there once you want to go back every week just to see what’s on offer.

The best way to experience Moggs; however, is to make it a whole day affair. Start out by taking a lazy meander through the Hemel and Aarde wine route and taste some of the best Pinot Noir the country has to offer. Then, after buying a bottle or two (or four) head over to Moggs for a decadent lunch and a good time. To top it off, the service is great and the grass verge makes a good spot to have a post-lunch kip.

Really...Go check it out. You wont be disappointed

To make a booking call

(028) 312-4321 (076) 314-0671

Open for lunch Wednesday to Sunday

http://www.moggscookhouse.com

For those days...

The Compass Bakery

Compass Bakery, although its an oldie its definitely a goodie that has to be shared. Sunday drives have been designed around it, so you know the love runs deep for this place. They’re situated out there past the Ou Kaaps, on the way to Kommetjie, but trust me; it’s worth the shlep.

Compass supplies Woolies with all their baked treats so basically they have all the same stuff minus the label and the mark-up. But its what inside that counts, you know like the chocolate and the sugar and the happiness...right? It really is a great pit stop if you’re out that side and the pepper steak pies are literally life changing after a long day at the beach or in the water.

And for kicks here’s an insider tip: Ask for the chocolate brownie off cuts. So what that it doesn’t come in a neat 6 brownie package . You get a bag filled with brownie conglomerates for like under R10. Can it get any better?

Be careful though this place is addictive, especially for I-will-drive-twenty-minutes-if-I-can-get-it-cheaper kind of people (yes mom, I’m talking about you) because, this place encourages buying in bulk and the goods are freezable. So, just incase, maybe phone Virgin and make sure you’re gym contract is still valid.

Next please

Im bored in Cape Town. There I said. I feel like I have been going out to the same places, eating at the same restaurants, shopping at same shops... I guess its maybe cause I'm a creature of habit (as most of us are), but now I want to do what I've been harping on about for years; get out and explore my city. I want to see it all, the nooks, the crannies, the places that we know exist but have been too slapgat to try. Hope you enjoy what I find and please feel free to post anything that you think deserves the title "Cape Town's best kept secret"