Until We Eat Again - Our Top Picks

Until We Eat Again

Friends, fans ad foodies. It’s with heavy hearts and stomachs that we bid thee farewell. Your favourite Blogamists will (for now) not be there when you open Page 2 of the Times every Friday for good suggestions on the best places to eat, drink and be merry.
But don’t despair, DimitrION will soon be known as the Termin-EATers – we’ll be back! Our world-famous, global reviews will still be posted on http://www.yourtastebuds.com/ with a twist and whilst you won’t find us here, we’ll be pursuing bigger, better things (anyone from SABC/E-TV reading this?)…

At this time, we’d like to thank everyone that made your taste buds tingle – friends, families, restaurateurs, the guys at the Times and of course you – our readers and fans (as you can see we’ve already written our Oscar acceptance speech!)

So apart from the newly revamped http://www.yourtastebuds.com/ where will you find DimitrION? Obviously at one of our favourite dining spots in town. Here are some sure bets – our favourites to date…
The Grill House, Scusi, the Fishmonger (Illovo), Tasha’s and Cucina Italiana in Jo’burg and Pigalle, Tank or watching the sun go down at Caprice in Cape Town. Life is good!

Until we eat again

Your Taste Buds,

DimitrION
http://www.yourtastebuds.com/

The Attic - Parkhurst, JHB

The cheesecake is amazing...

This week we tried out a new restaurant in Joburg that’s created a lot of hype - The Attic in Parkhurst. It’s almost full daily and has a great buzz so DimitrION decided to investigate the most important aspect, the food.

We pre-booked a week before to secure a table and arrived there with our friends, Derrick and Gabi.

Dimitri called the owner and interrogated him about what a virgin guest to his restaurant should savour. He suggested the lobster ravioli to start with and the tuna or pork belly for mains. The owner needed to confirm with the chef about one of the ingredients on the menu which was a little concerning - if he didn’t know, how could the waiters know? The 3 piece ravioli was delicious but the salad portion was tiny and could not be shared. The mains arrived and looked awesome but once we got into our third bite it was average. The tuna had a fishy taste and the pork belly a little bland.

We ended off with a mediocre espresso and the highlight of our meal - an awesome baked cheesecake. We would go back there for the cheesecake and drink. If you’re looking for good food and service go next door to Cilantros or opposite to Georges.

Until we eat again,

Your Taste Buds,

DimitrION

Salvation Cafe - 44 Stanley, Milpark, Joburg

Milling around in Millpark

We decided to head off to 44 Stanley in Milpark for a lazy afternoon. We strolled through the unique stores which range from Clothing to Coffee. After 30minutes of walking we were ready for lunch and decided to try Salvation Café, a new little gem in the Dimitrion file. The place does not look like much when you look inside but the deck makes it so go there when the weather is good.

What makes the food extra special is that they use (wherever possible) organic products. For drinks, Dimitri had the Pimms cocktail with cucumber and strawberries and Sasha had a freshly squeezed carrot, ginger and apple juice, they were both yummy.

Dimitri ordered their famous homemade burger with avo mash and potato wedges, wow this is amazing! Sasha had the prosciutto salad with melon and ricotta cheese….take a look at the photos at: www.YourTasteBuds.com

We ended off with an espresso and a baked cheesecake; this was one of the better cheesecakes in SA and is worth the extra kilojoules ladies.

Great comfort food but without the added hormones or antibiotics. This week we would like to hear about your best spot that serves organic meals. Email us at: best@yourtastebuds.com

Until we eat again,

DimitrION

Chain Stores - Whats in the Name

Chain Reaction

What’s in a name? We analysed that question in a previous article where the name of a restaurant made an impression on the type of experience you could/would/should have there. Expectations though are set even further in stone when restaurants branch out & share their name, brand and identity. In Vancouver, the names Milestones, Joeys, Cactus Club and Earls have all become synonymous with good quality smart-casual dining, after work drinks, modern, trendy décor and good looking people being served by even better looking, very friendly waitresses. You’ve gotta love the hiring policy in these establishments! In essence it’s like News Café replicated in North America.

So with a tasty and extensive food menu and an even longer drinks menu, these chains have cemented themselves in the urban landscape and will always bring in a crowd. But there are two sides to the coin. On the one hand we love the grilled seafood salad at Milestones and the burgers and yam fries are really good at the Cactus Club, and you know that whichever branch you go to, the quality of the food, beverages & eye candy will be just as good and consistent.
On the other hand – it’s a chain. The unique character disappears to a large degree, individuality is out the window and personalised service seems to be dictated by a manual. That “special” dining experience seems to make way for eating out in efficient, trustworthy and satisfying surroundings, with not much room for surprises.

We feel that there’s a time and place for everything, so whereas we prefer dining in family run restaurants with character, warmth and uniqueness, the option of sharing a plate of nachos and drinking a couple of cold ones with the boys at the “brand name in dining” down the road, is always a good one.

What is your favourite chain of restaurants and what separates it from the rest? Tell us at best@yourtastebuds.com

Until we eat again.

Your Taste Buds,

DimitrION

Ciao Baby - Irene Village Mall, Pta

Family Values

This week we found ourselves in Dimitri’s hometown, P-Town. We ventured to this awesome outdoor shopping centre in Irene called Irene Village Mall. Dimitri and Ion could get lost for hours shopping for anything from shaving products to linen shirts from the top brands. This unique mall also has the first Vide e Café north of the Jukskei River.

Dimitri and family went for to Italian restaurant called Ciao Baby. This modernised tratatoria has amazing pizza. The pizzas have a thin, crispy base- like the real Italian pizza should. We went for our favourite pizza the Quarto Staggioni, which has a different topping in each quarter of the pizza, and the best part is it feels like you’re eating four different pizzas in one. They also serve our favourite water, San Palegrino, yes you can taste the difference with this aqua. The others had homemade Lasagne and Regina Pizza. The Lasagne was tasty but the portion size is too much and it’s rich.

To end our amazing family outing we went for some English Toffee frozen yogurt, at Memory Lane.

This week we would like to know where your best family outing place is. Email us at: best@yourtastebuds.com

Until we eat again,

DimitrION

Local is Lekker

Our taste buds have traveled the world recently in search of the ultimate in good food and wine. We wanted to present some of our most memorable gastronomic experiences from lands afar...so we have added new links on our website: www.YourTasteBuds.com

We recently came back from our European holiday in France and Cyprus and decided to add a new international section to our blog. The reason for creating these pages for you is that when you’re traveling you don’t need to ask your Concierge or Taxi Driver where to eat…they normally send you to touristy and more expensive places. Eating like a local is always lekker.

A memorable little gem in Cyprus is Ta Piatakia (The Little Plates), which is owned by an ex-South African and serves mezes with a twist. We had the traditional hummus, but mixed with carrots, deep fried celery leaves that sound terrible but tastes so good. Many meze later we enjoyed an orange and dark chocolate brownie.

Coming back to SA, a place in Joburg that makes our taste buds tingle every time we eat there is Tashas in Atholl. This is the best fusion food and Greek coffees outside the motherland.

Until we eat again,

DimitrION

Mythos - Fourways

Greek Style

With awesome weather in Joburg we decided to get some great Mediterranean food. Our super gifted Yoga instructor, Nadia suggested we do Mythos at the Design Quarter in Fourways.

We were joined by good friends Clint, Karl and Dana. We received the menus and started to order Mezedes (Greek Starters). We started with some dips, Tzatziki and Melitzanosalata (Roasted aubergine pâté with finely chopped garlic – not enough garlic). The only bummer with dips is that you need to order your own Pita bread at a cost.

Keeping in traditional Greek style eating, Karl and Dimitri ordered some Ouzo. This is a great aperitif with ice and a little water. We stayed with starters and ordered some, fried Haloumi cheese, Spanakopita (spinach pies – a little oily but real tasty), Tiropitas (cheese pies) not a match to Mamas. Dimitri ordered a beef yiro wrapped in pita bread. This was good but the beef lacked some oomph. The others ordered the yummy meze platter for 2 to share. Take a look at our photos on the website. This felt like home away from home.

We ended off with a well prepared medium (semi – sweet) Greek coffee.

Please email us: best@yourtastebuds.com with your favourite Greek restaurant.

Until we eat again,

DimitrION

Koi - Sandton

The trendy and sometimes a little snobbish 24 Central centre on Fredman Drive in Sandton is the location of our little gem, Koi. The Pretoria boys that all work in the Sandton area but never get to see each other decided to have a late quarterly “financial workshop” to miss the depressing Friday traffic back to P-Town.

The boys that joined us were Mark, George, Jimmy and Aris and we started off with the waiter bringing us some crunchy broad green beans in their pods as a pre-snack. We eventually looked at the menu when Aris arrived “Greek time” – 1 hour late. Dimitri and Jimmy ordered the tuna fillet, seared and served on a bed of grilled vegetables topped with a light wasabi mayonnaise. Mark and George ordered some well prepared Sushi and Aris the succulent calamari with rice. The clear winner and what we would go back for is the well prepared tuna. Take a look our photo of it on our website: http://www.yourtastebuds.com/

We ended off with a really amazing espresso with some Grappa on the side.

This week we’re looking for a new spot to have a boy’s afternoon get together. Email us to: Best@yourtastebuds.com

Until we eat again,

DimitrION

Nice - Parkhurst, JHB

The weather in Gauteng has been superb and having an awesome lunch in the warm Jozi sun is magic; but when the sun starts to go down you need something a little cozier. We found the best spot for a good coffee and slice of yummy cake-Nice, in Parkhurst. This little gem is a great, authentic and comfortable coffee shop.

We, accompanied by Maria and Sasha, sat down and immediately felt at home. Dimitri took a walk to the fridge housing their cakes for further investigation. He was offered to taste their chocolate and backed cheese cake. His taste buds exploded with excitement and ordered a slice of each.

We ordered a well crafted cappuccino and Sasha ordered an Earl Gray tea. The tea was presented in an old copper pot and with a traditional tea cup.

Another aspect to Nice is their bookshop that’s next to the coffee shop. Sasha mentioned that this is a great place to set up a book club breakfast. Four small things to note; they close at 3pm, the toilets are outside, they don’t take bookings and the staff can be a little snobbish.

Where is your best coffee shop? Email us: best@yourtastebuds.com

Until we eat again,

DimitrION

Salsa - Illovo, JHB

The best T-Bone in Town







Coffee-Chilli Fillet



























The ladies, Janine and Maro, of the old Batuke restaurant in Parkhurst reopened in Illovo under a new look and feel with a better name called Salsa. We love the artwork on the walls and the little red lights add great character.

We went with our friends Derek and the delightfully pregnant Gabi to this great gem. Janine came to our table and recommended that Dimitri try their fillet with a coffee – chilli sauce. Dimitri ordered that with a big smile. Sasha, Dimitri’s wife, and Gabi ordered the flawlessly seared tuna with steamed veggies while Derek ordered the infamous T-Bone with perfectly crisp fries on the side. While waiting for our mains we started off with the tomato tart with spinach, this was amazing but it’s recommended you share as the portion is big and you need space for the mains.

The mains arrived, each plate to perfection like a little piece of art presented to us. We all sat back and said “Life is Good”

Take a look at our photos: http://www.yourtastebuds.com/

We ended off with an espresso; no space for desert L

Email us your favourite spot for a good T-Bone or Fillet. Email us at: best@yourtastebuds.com

Until we eat again,

DimitrION

Fish & Wine - Fourways

The combo

We found ourselves near the Design Quarter in Fourways, Johannesburg, as Dimitri wanted to test drive a 250IS Lexus- combining a luxury drive with good food is important. We found a hidden gem called The Fish & Wine Co next to the plethora of restaurants in the Design Quarter. We were drawn to it initially as they serve the best sparkling water, S. Pelligrino, which shows that they have good taste and style. Dimitri got the attention of the owner, who is on duty and attentive, and asked his traditional question “What are you feeding us today?” The owner suggested and ordered the full line fish (head and tail) and the seared tuna.

Our orders arrived and they looked amazing- take a look at our photos on www.YourTasteBuds.com. The line fish was perfectly cooked and crispy with lots of lemon on the side and the tuna was fresh and seared to perfection. Another thing Dimitri noticed is that they had proper fish knives, which is becoming a rare find. Finally, we ended of with a well brewed espresso.

This week we would like to know where your favourite line fish spot is. Email us at: Best@YourTasteBuds.com

Until we eat again,

DimitrION

Tasty Tapas

This week we went to an old favourite in Parktown North, Joburg called Fino. This all white establishment is an amazing place to venture to if you’re looking for a classy bar for a drink and some tapas (a Spanish starter). The main sitting area is comfortable and relaxed with great ambiance. We went there with our great friends, Tom, Michelle, Veruschka, Johan and Andrea. The wine list is a little pricy but we ordered one of our favourites, the Springfield Wholeberry. The best!!! It was a pity that they only had 2 bottles. Dimitri called the owner, Zane; who ordered some of his favourite tapas for the table.

The delicious looking tapas starting arriving: fried haloumi, tomato-based mussels, succulent calamari, rich chorizo, skewered prawns and home-made meatballs. They were all good but the calamari and chorizo were clear winners. Take a look at our photos: www.YourTasteBuds.com

The boys then order well-brewed espressos with a rich crema (the “head” of the espresso – generally the thicker the better). Make room for Spanish donuts with a decadent dark chocolate sauce – yummy.

This week we would like to know where your favourite spot for tapas is. Email us at: best@yourtastebud.com

Until we eat again,

DimitrION