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

Bellagio - Atholl, JHB

Eat with your Eyes.

We found another fish restaurant second to our all time favourite Fishmonger in Illovo, it’s called Bellagio in Atholl. This gem is located in the Blu Bird centre just opposite our favourite grooming spot called The Mens Room – Dimitri loves this spot as he can have a professional full shave done there...

Coming back to Bellagio, we recommend the white bait starter, this was the ultimate starter BUT was removed from their menu and we are devastated. Another goodie as a starter are the sardines while the best for mains are Seafood Risotto and whole Kabeljou line fish. Their Sushi needs a little oomph with better options and pricing.

Their desert is not what you go there for but order their well prepared espresso, which is presented with a delicious biscotti.

We have been asked again and again, “What’s the difference between you guys and the rest?” DimitrION is totally independent and we don’t pre-warn the owners that we will be reviewing their establishments. We also take the photos ourselves.We endeavour to explore and showcase the best of everything that we come across both in our daily lives and in our ventures to far away places. Take a look at our website to eat with your eyes: www.YourTasteBuds.com

Until we eat again,

DimitrION

Winter Warmers

So its supposedly summer in Vancouver but 9 degrees and constant rainfall really doesn’t feel like a Northern Hemisphere summer. And as the winter evening chills descend on the Southernmost tip of Africa as well, we started wondering what the best way would be to keep the stomach satisfied and the body warm. Our one word answer – Indian.

So Ion set off to find the best Indian on the Canadian West Coast, while Dimitri set off to find a similar jewel in the city of Gold. Being new to the city, Ion put his trust in the rave reviews and daily queues that form outside of VJ’s. The restaurant’s atmosphere is warm and welcoming and the wait is alleviated by the yummy snacks that are offered regularly. Once you get a table, you realize the food was worth the wait. We loved the Lamb Popsicles in a creamy curry sauce. The chicken in a spicy, tomato based sauce was also a hit. Funny enough, the Chardonay-Pinot Noir Prosecco we ordered complimented these dishes remarkably well.

On the other side of the globe, our vote goes out to Bukhara in Sandton Square. The food and service has always been of the highest standard, even though the Lamb Vindaloo may leave you asking “where’s the loo?”. Hot is an understatement! For a not-so-hot, but just as nice dish, go for the Lamb Rogan Josh or the traditional Tandoori Chicken. The Naan bread is also yummy, although we suspect that they don’t use fresh garlic in making it.
Another favourite in the Indian cuisine circuit is Kharma, which has a more relaxed and bohemian atmosphere, although we suspect that there are many more small, informal and very traditional Indian hot-spots that remain to be uncovered!

Where is your favourite Indian restaurant? Tell us at best@yourtastebuds.com

Until we eat again,

Your Taste Buds,

DimitrION

On the Go

This week we wanted to look at what is the best on-the-go food without losing focus on quality.

To start let’s look at the “most important meal of the day”, breakfast. (DimitrION don’t agree with this general comment, we believe ALL our meals are the “most important”). For breakfast, the best is to go to your Virgin Active gym for warm “Power Oats” after your morning gym session from their in-house Kauai stores. For lunch, there are a few options we give our DimitrION stamp of approval, first on the list is Vida e Cafes they are awesome for vibey service, really fresh sandwich (the smoked salmon or cheese and tomato) accompanied with a freshly squeezed orange or amazing espresso. Talking about coffee on-the-go, Coca-Cola (yes, Coke) has launched a coffee brand called Chaywa, a Canadian brand that delivers freshly ground coffee on the go. Bread Basket has whole-wheat bread sandwiches, which fill the gap and are delicious and wholesome. Kauai is not only good for breakfasts- their protein smoothies are winners, especially The Hulk and try the Hummer and Thai Chicken sarmies.

This week we’d like to know where you’re favourite on-the-go place is. Please email us at: best@yourtastebuds.com

Until we eat again,

DimitrION

Top Pops

With Father’s Day just around the bend, we decided to look at where the best place would be for the prodigal DimitrION sons to spend some quality time with their “captains”. Last year we spent a great sunny afternoon indulging in a 3-course meal at the Cradle restaurant in Muldersdrift, where the boys tested out some big camera lenses, some aged bottles of wine and enjoyed the sights and sounds of nature. The perfect ingredients (apart from those used in the food) for a good day out in the sun.

After discussing it over a few bottles of good wine, we came to the conclusion that comfortable, relaxed surroundings, good food and drinks and a whole bunch of gadgets and other “boys stuff” was the best recipe for spoiling dad (and ourselves) on this day of celebration. The simple things that make life good…
Spoiling dad can be exactly that – simple, and it definitely doesn’t need to include a 3‑course meal. Some other suggestions and happy memories that came to mind for “dining” out with the old man include visiting the Guinness “Museum” in Dublin and enjoying a pint at the top followed by a traditional Irish pub dinner, or fish and chips on the docks (a magical and simple recipe that is an attractive option in loads of countries across the globe in seaside locations), or enjoying a few glasses of ouzo with a meze at the local Greek Taverna, and of course sitting around the good old traditional braai with a few cold ones.
In our opinion, the best part of the traditional Father’s Day celebration is picture of the generations of boys enjoying a post-lunch nap on the couch. Life is good.

Tell us how and where you would spoil dad at best@yourtastebuds.com

Until we eat again,

Happy Fathers Day from Your Taste Buds

Dimitrion & sons (well maybe not just yet…)