Named after his two late grandfathers, Douglas + Hale is Chef James Diack’s fourth venture and we love it! If funky, cool and creative cocktails are your thing – then you will love it as much as we do, too. From the décor which carries a rather ritzy, burlesque feel, to an extensive wine selection which will leave every taste and palate satisfied this is an experience from start to finish. Cocktails are created with passion and the names are delightful – The Black Pearl, a rum based cocktail, was a huge hit at our table. The Electric Coolaid also had us intrigued and cocktail guru and master drink creator Jesse Chinn (who bares an uncanny resemblance to Captain Jack Sparrow), kept us well entertained as he explained his creation process and showed us step by step how a few of the cocktails are made, much to our delight! The…
We are not sure if everyone feels the same as we do about shopping for life’s essentials like groceries and pet food, but we are pretty sure that it’s not your favourite thing either, right? Enter the solution we just love – OneCart.co.za! This super easy to use online platform, where consumers can shop from multiple grocery retailers and receive their delivery within 2 hours or at their preferred scheduled time is changing the grocery game exponentially! OneCart have just launched their Click & Collect service – customers place their order online from multiple stores and then simply drive through to the mall and collect directly from a OneCart Click & Collect facility which is conveniently located in/near the parking lot – no need to pay for parking or go in to the mall. Love it! These will eventually be found in several shopping centres throughout South Africa, and serves…
It’s almost a New Year, and if – like us – you are looking for some fresh new changes in your life, why not start with your bedroom, it is where you rest and relax, and the latest floral trends from Volpes Linen have us feeling as fresh as a daisy! Think beautiful designs in a myriad of colours, patterns, prints and styles, and not only are florals popping up in accessories, but also in bedroom linen, dramatic wallpapers, curtains to even fun and interesting furniture pieces, as showcased in homes around the world. Your bedroom is your sanctuary and when it comes to incorporating florals, the options are endless, from subtle classic prints in pretty colours to the larger, brighter and bolder florals that really make a statement. Keep in mind that you should only have one modern floral statement piece – so select either the bed, curtains or…
In case you are needing some festive shopping inspo, or are just running out of time before the guests arrive, we have put together our must have Top 5 stocking stuffers to help you out. Also, if Santa left any of these under our tree, we wouldn’t say no – if you know what we mean! Tokara MCC Festive Gift Box For a gift that ticks all the right boxes, look no further than this stunning Méthode Cap Classique gift box from Tokara Wines. This tasty 2011 vintage, available in a slick black gift box, will certainly add a touch of style to your Christmas cheer. Created from 100% Chardonnay, this Blanc de Blanc owes its elegance and finesse to the more than four years the wine matured on the lees. These spent yeast cells that remain after bottle fermentation to create the vibrant effervescence, impart texture and complexity to…
If you love to collect beautiful bits and bobs from around the world for your home, or you are an interior decorator looking for some epic pieces for your clients – then you will love to shop at The Storer, which is located in the 44 Stanley Precinct in Milpark. Dynamic and passionate owner, Lisa Storer, travels the globe to bring back some stunning and authentic artisanal crafts from around the globe… and the shop itself is a uniquely inspiring space brimming with artisanal collectors’ items from around the world. Each piece is personally sourced for discerning individuals who embrace the concept of ‘luxury lifestyle with a meaning and soul’. A seasoned retailer with years of experience and an inimitable taste for all things beautiful, Lisa and her team mindfully source rare finds from sustainable crafters around the globe, each with a story attached to the origin, crafting and history…
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…
It’s almost that time of year when the family arrives in full force, and if you are going to be hosting over the festive season, then this delicious mussel pot recipe is just for you. We don’t usually share recipes, but this one is a winner in our books, thanks to Chef Mynhardt Joubert. A mussel pot smacks of happy times and rekindling old friendships and is the perfect way to celebrate a sharing meal, with those dear to you – all with a bottle of Roodeberg in hand, of course. Chef Mynhardt’s heart beats to the rhythm of heritage food and his deliciously creamy mussel pot recipe spiced up with Roodeberg red wine and the rich flavours of chorizo is to die for! Get everyone involved for a cooking experience and can even be done in a pot over the fire too. “The robust flavours of the red wine…
There literally is nothing that Mi Casa’s front man – J’Something cannot do it seems, and 2018 has been a good year for him. From juggling his acclaimed musical career and being a judge on My Kitchen Rules South Africa to hosting a few cooking shows such as What’s for Dinner and Something’s Cooking (he’s just brought out a book of the same name). To top it off, he has opened his own restaurant, Something’s Cooking by J and has now – wait for it – launched a range of gins too. Jin Gin (because it’s so good you should say it twice and also it has be a J’Something – geddit – in the name, this range offers 3 tasty variants – include Rooibos, Orange and Honey, Tomato and Sweet Piquant Peppers and Honey and Olives. For Jin Gin, J’Something teamed up with local craft gin experts, Craft Link…
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…
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…