9th Avenue Bistro - Durban

This weekend we were treated by our friend Jason to the A1 Grand Prix in hot and humid Durban. That brings us to this weeks gem in Morningside, Durban called 9th Avenue Bistro. The cozy restaurant is in an unwelcoming, open-air shopping centre, but as you walk towards the warm orange glow of the restaurant you feel more at home.

As usual Dimitri leaves the menu to the side and called David the manager for some suggestions. We eventually went with the calamari and the seared tuna with wasabi for starters. Both plentiful starters were amazing but the tuna was the winner. For mains, the fillet on a bed of roasted potatoes and veg, while Sasha (Dimitri’s wife) went for their signature dish, the duck. We were both totally thrilled with the mains, which were perfectly prepared with love by the owner/chef, Carly.

To end off we had a well prepared espresso and their thinly crusted crème brulée, a must for any brulée fan.

The restaurant’s trained and friendly staff is what makes this one of our top restaurant of the year. This week we would like to find out where you experienced your best service. Please email us to: best@yourtastebuds.com.

Until we again,

DimitrION

Gelato Mania --- Cape Town

A scoop of heaven

This week we introduce you to Dimitri’s favourite frozen treat, Gelato. Dimitri discovered the decadence of the desert when he visited Ion in Torino in 2006. Compared to ice cream, Gelato is creamier, with a silky texture and a more intense flavour.

In our search for the best, we eventually found one that we believe to be a little scoop of heaven. It is Gelato Mania in Cape Town. It’s the best Gelato in South Africa. Dimitri always goes for their Yoghurt Berry and their Chocolate. Ion on the other hand likes the tangy flavour of Lemon combined with Dark Chocolate. The presentation of their Gelato is what draws you to wanting to try all the flavours. Dimitri could eat breakfast, lunch and dinner there. Gelato Mania is currently only Cape Town based with five branches in the Mother City. We recommend their amazingly beautifully decorative Greenpoint store.
To the owners, “When are you opening up in Joburg?”

Where is your favourite Gelato dwelling? Email us: best@yourtastebuds.com

We would also like to thank you for all the comments and the wonderful little gems you recommended to us. We will be looking into all them shortly.

Until we eat again,

DimitrION

Casalinga - Muldersdrift

The Great Outdoors

This week takes us out of the hustle and bustle of the city. We took a drive out towards Muldersdrift in Gauteng where we went back to our favourite little gem, Casalinga. This is owned by the Gary Players daughter and the open well looked after gardens are perfect for a few swings of a golf club.

We started off with an amazing starter, fresh fig (picked from their vegetable garden) and Parma ham wrapped around it. It was amazing; it’s always good to start your meal with a good starter. For mains, Dimitri had the Tagliatelle Pescatore (seafood pasta); Sasha (Dimitri’s wife) had the prawns. Both dishes were well presented and really yummy, take a look at the pictures on our site at: www.YourTasteBuds.com

To end off our meal we went with their in-house roasted espresso that we found satisfactory but overpriced. They charged R14 for a non-Italian espresso and it was the same price as their cappuccinos. We wanted to have their cheese platter but it was swamped with flies hovering over the cheeses so we went with a chocolate torte which was remarkable.

Where is your best out of town gem? Email us at: best@yourtastebuds.com

Until we eat again,

DimitrION

Cafe NEO - Greenpoint

This week we popped into Cape Town and we found a little gem while we were there. Andrew, Dimitri’s cousin, took us to this fine establishment in Mouille Point opposite the red and white lighthouse called CafeNeo (Translated from Greek, Coffee Shop). This is modern style Greek deli with awesome breakfasts and sandwiches, not to mention the great view of the sea. They have this cool long social table where many computer geeks with their Apple Mac come and work. Take a look at our photos of the place and the food on our website: www.yourtastebuds.com

We ordered the Hot Greek Breakfast and Dimitri had the Chicken Sandwich with the Turkish Bread (probably originated from the Greeks like the Dimitri’s uncle always says).While waiting for the meals, we had cappuccinos, wow this is the best cappuccino we’ve been privileged to come across in SA. Firstly, they used the proper sized cup, the coffee was not too hot, the foam was flat with body and there were no chocolate sprinkles on it, just like in Italy. For a Greek establishment, they know how to make a cappuccino…would even say better than any Italian place we visited recently in SA.

To end off our meal we ordered another cappuccino and a slice of a home-made nutty custard cake. Not sure what the name was but it was fresh and yummy.

For this week we would like to find out where you had your best cappuccino. Email us at: best@yourtastebuds.com

Until we eat again,

DimitrION

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Feedback from Readers:


Hi Dimitron,

Friday 8 Feb…- your blog inspired me to reply…. Cappuccinos – I just love them. But, like you, I am on an eternal search for a really good one! I'm not a 'wimpy coffee' type of girl. I'm a discerning cappuccino drinker. I can't believe how many establishments in SA just can't seem to get them right? Big soup-like cups, huge airy foam plonked on top of insipid scorching hot coffee and my pet hate: chocolate sprinkles!!!

I traveled through Italy a few years ago and every single cappuccino was perfect. Even those little out of the way places got it right. In fact, I had one of the best cappuccinos at a little blue-collar establishment in the 'docklands' of Venice. (I also had a perfect cappuccino at Baker Street train station in London last year)

But, I digress….. back to SA: I live in Johannesburg currently (although I used to live in Cpt) and my current favourite haunts are Ciao Baby Cucino Eastgate or Menlyn Park (they serve the lavasse blend), the Bread Basket, Greenstone (Eastgate branch doesn't know how to make them) who serve the Illy bland and Woollies coffee shop own organic coffee is good – but it depends on the barista who is making them. In fact, a lot of a good cappuccino depends on the barista.

But the BEST cappuccino in SA, in my opinion, is served at the Piggly Wiggly farm stall in Nottingham Road, KZN. We were Meandering the Midlands in December and almost drove past the Piggly Wiggly but the sign outside declaring 'voted the best cappuccinos' made me screech to a stop! I just had to put them to the test! Wow – they really do know what they are doing! Perfect dense foam, the right cups, the right heat, the best taste (Italian Illy blend again) and NO disgusting chocolate powder.

When in KZN, you really must try them out.

To caffeine kicks, Mediterranean meals and good, clean fun.

Hayley
XXX

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Dear Sir

In your recent column, you described you criteria for the perfect cappuccino - that perfectly describes our approach to it as well.

I'd like to invite you to try ours and would welcome your opinion on it.



Kind regards

Greeff Kotzé
General Manager
Beads Bistro

Espresso Yourself

Whether it’s enjoyed either alone or with a desert or grappa at the end of the meal, or if it’s your kick-start to the day, the café is like a ritual, a religion, a member of the family. And as a result, the perfect espresso can earn an establishment significant praise and appreciation – well at least in our books it does.
So what are the fundamentals for the perfect caffeine shot? The best quality coffee, the machine’s pressure, the layer of “crema”, the heat of the espresso - especially ensuring it’s not burnt, and not least, the presentation.
Some of our favorite spots for a good espresso include Tortellini D’Oro (comes with a yummy Italian pastry and a shot of sparkling water, Scusi in Parktown North (the owner Grant is the best barista and they also make killer cappuccinos), Streghe in Greenside, Cuccina Italiana in Parkview and Tasha’s in Atholl Square for the Greek equivalent to the espresso, served in the traditional “briki”.

Where is your local espresso bar or restaurant that serves the best café? Tell us at best@yourtastebuds.com

Until we eat again

Your Taste Buds,

DimitrIon

Hint: If you’re keen on enjoying a café in an Italian home, don’t ask for a cappuccino later than 11am!