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In Travel

Beauty and magic abound in the countryside at De Hoek

December 11, 2018 No Comments

In case you had not realised – we love to travel and seeing as we live in such a beautiful country, and a weekend escape requires a mere hour or two in the car, we are all in for exploring more. Our travels have of course led us to the beautiful De Hoek Country Hotel located cosily amongst the Magaliesberg Mountains and only an hour and fifteen minutes away from Johannesburg. Driving through the gate and over the rickety bridge would give you the feeling that you have finally escaped from the madness of the outside world, and beaming faces await, ready with a water, a glass of bubbly and a hand to help with your luggage. The beautiful old stone building are nothing short of charming and the beautifully manicured gardens lend to the general air of countryside calm. Breathe. Again. Aaaah. Whether you are here for a romantic…

In Food & Drink

Level 4 Restaurant launch new ‘sunshine’ summer menu…

November 30, 2018 No Comments

One of our fave Rosebank hotels, 54 on Bath have taken their fine-dining experience at Level Four restaurant (aptly named as it is on the 4th level of the hotel) to new heights with a fresh new summer inspired menu, thanks to Executive Chef, Matthew Foxon. We love that the team at Level Four give credit where credit is due, and share the names of the individual young chefs who have created the dishes as well. Delish starters on offer include a tasty Seared ‘Yellow Fin’ tuna, fresh raw peas, avocado mousse, wasabi powder, and pickles, which GM Jacques Heath says features “very cool plating”; the ‘Black Angus’ carpaccio, quail egg, pomegranate, truffle mayonnaise, and parmesan, which has a lovely combination of flavours with tartness of the pomegranate, the rich quail egg, and the umami of the truffle, which work extremely well together and was created by Maria Letsoalo, whose…

In Food & Drink

Flagstone Wines Launches Refreshing ‘Poetry’ Rosé

November 28, 2018 No Comments

What better time to crack open a few bottles of perfectly chilled rosé, spend some time with friends and family and let the worries from the year disappear, as the holiday season kicks off with perfect summer evenings here in Jozi. Rosé is proving to be a popular choice with consumers as the temperature’s soar – and it’s the perfect accompaniment to just about everything – beach, park, braai, lunch, sundowners… you get the idea! Flagstone’s Poetry Cinsault Rosé is much more than a light, refreshing summer wine with zip, rosé is about a lifestyle, and like poetry it truly embraces the joy, and highlights the natural sadness of our human condition, it eulogises the cycle of nature and blushes a romantic cherry-blossom pink. Beneath the top is a bouquet of crushed summer berries, black and red cherries, supported by subtle spicy tones to introduce expressive juicy berry flavours that…

In Lifestyle

Fairlawns launch their redefined spa experience and it is heavenly

November 27, 2018 No Comments

Creating quite a stir among guests and locals alike, the newly refreshed spa at Fairlawns Boutique Hotel in Sandton is already gaining a reputation for its tranquillity, relaxed ambience, beautiful layout and of course it’s treatments, which are unparalleled. The 5-star hotel itself is located on sprawling grounds, and is one of Joburg’s most well known inner city hotels, and the new addition of the extended space and garden area in it’s Balinese spa now makes it one of the largest and most exclusive spa experiences in the city. Not only are the stunning lawns welcoming, and the entrance walk through to the treatment rooms reminiscent of a bamboo grove, but around every nook and cranny awaits either a beautiful Balinese statue or a water feature to catch your eye, and the sound of birds singing in the tree’s will already create the feeling of having stepped in to another…

In Food & Drink

Food Trends For 2019 – What To Expect When You Dine Out

November 21, 2018 No Comments

We recently caught up with well-known local chef James Diack, who is the owner of The Brightside Group of restaurants, to find out what to expect from out dining experiences in the new year – what’s new, and what’s old news! James shared with us that source and cost will be the two largest driving forces for purchasing in 2019. This will shape what you see on your plate and also what you pay too. Chef James is all about sustainable food and farming and was recently awarded the SASSI Trailblazer Award for 2018. So, how we can be smarter about our food – knowing where it comes from and how it was farmed, and smarter with our money? Trend 1: Katsu Pork Katsu, which means “cutlet” in Japanese, refers to various cuts (often the cheaper cuts) of meat that’s been pounded to be really thin before cooking. The meat,…

In Lifestyle

Spend a night at the InterContinental OR Tambo Hotel and be amazed…

November 20, 2018 1 Comment

We had never considered spending a night at an airport hotel in our own city, but after an amazing evening in the beautifully appointed InterContinental Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport Hotel we have to say that this is certainly something that we will be doing again. The hotel is situated in one of the prime spots at the airport – a mere minute or so’s walk away from the arrivals terminal, and boasts the title of South Africa’s only luxury airport hotel. And luxury it certainly is. The hotel serves perfect base for travellers that may be flying out early in the morning or evening, or even for honeymooners to relax and unwind after the wedding before jetting off to their Honeymoon destination. Some guests are international travellers in transit to their next destination that just need a spot to rest and unwind, and others are families travelling along for work…

In Lifestyle

A stylish affair at The Bull Ring in Midrand…

November 19, 2018 1 Comment

It’s the new hotspot in Joburg, and if you have not yet visited The Bull Ring – make sure that you plan a trip to the stylish new racecourse, restaurant and event venue in Randjesfontein, Midrand. Deep in the heart of horse country north of Johannesburg, the newly revamped Bull Ring is set to accommodate a host of events. Horse racing enthusiasts will flock to enjoy the fixtures that will be added to and complement the horse racing calendar, while corporates can rent the land, as well as the chic new restaurant, The Bull Ring Grill and Bar, for events ranging from car launches to year end functions or sporting events. The venue seats 150 people easily and The Bull Ring Grill and Bar boasts a stylish industrial chic look with quirky touches, and an extensive menu, which caters for all occasions – from business lunches and after work drinks…

In Events

Wade Bales brings their Cap Classique and Gin Affair to Jozi…

November 16, 2018 No Comments

One of Joburg’s most anticipated events has to be The Wade Bales Cap Classique & Gin Affair which will be hosted on the beautiful Southern Sun in Hyde Park’s Rooftop Terrace Bar on 24th and 25th of November. Expect spectacular views and great music, makes for a stylish and sophisticated experience, spent sipping the finest bubbly and enjoying the coolest craft and international gins available in South Africa. Over 60 of South Africa’s premium MCC’s (all made in the traditional Methode Champenoise style), will be available to taste, and you’ll get to enjoy the likes of Graham Beck, Steenberg, Anthonij Rupert, Tanzanite and Boschendal to name but a few. Then taste and celebrate with the fastest growing spirit in the world, gin! There will be up to 50 craft and international gins to taste, with local producers present to share their knowledge and unique insights into what makes their particular…

In Food & Drink

UCOOK Christmas Feast Box – Review

November 15, 2018 No Comments

UCOOK has just released their new Christmas Feast Box and we had the pleasure of trying it out for ourselves. ‘Tis the season to be jolly! Thanks to UCOOK, you now have another reason to look forward to Christmas celebrations this year as SA’s largest meal-kit provider has launched their Christmas Feast Box and it includes delicious dishes that are perfect for entertaining this festive season. The UCOOK Feast Box encompasses everything you love about a warm summer Christmas – their chefs have designed the menu to be as simple and easy to follow as possible and have sourced the highest quality produce that is sustainable, free-range and locally produced. Starter options include roasted figs enrobed in prosciutto as well as spinach and ricotta ravioli. We chose the spinach and ricotta, which was quick and easy to make and packed with buttery goodness from the butter and sage sauce. Some…

In Food & Drink

The Grande Matriarch MCC 2015 from Nitida is a winner

November 14, 2018 No Comments

It’s been three years in the making, but it has certainly been worth the wait for Nitida’s 100% Pinot Noir bubbly – The Grande Matriarch MCC 2015! Amber in colour, this refreshing and clean bubbly is one of our must haves for the festive season ahead. “After three years of hard work, we are finally releasing our very first 100% Pinot Noir bubbles, The Grande Matriarch. During the final stages of getting this wine ready, we realised that everyone’s expectations of a blush bubbly are very different and upon further investigation we also noted that the other 100% Pinot Noir bubblies on the shelves are also not what we had envisioned.” says Nitida winemaker, Daniel Keulder. “This gave us a clean canvas to make a serious style Method Cap Classique that ticked all the boxes of what we expect of a blush bubbly – a truly unique Nitida wine.” Adds…