2oceans Vibe

They’re surprisingly hard to find – the Salt & Vinegar flavour of Robertson spices. This, even though it is the best thing to put on popcorn at home. I used to go to the cinema just to experience popcorn with salt & vinegar flavouring. Because that was the only place I could find it. But then I found the Robertson version – and I was happy.

But then I discovered – as I did with most things I have acquired a taste for (along with Daim chocolates, Carmel gherkins and Judy’s extra hot pickled onions) – that this particular Robertson spice was very hard to find. I would find the whole range in certain shops, but they would always leave out this one – the most important one.

I am sure a lot of you are experiencing the same thing, so I thought I would let you know they are available at the Checkers on Kloof Street.

Knock yourselves out.

It should be noted that this photo was taken by the ever-intrepid Silverstreak.

Regular readers and 2oceansvibe Twitter followers will be well aware that I only stay at The Westcliff hotel when I’m in Johannesburg. The beauty of the Westcliff hotel is you actually don’t really need to leave the hotel. And you don’t have to feel bad about it either – because the Westcliff is where you would want to be anyway! Seriously, why would you? Even if I was staying at a friend in Johannesburg, I would want to spend my free time at the Westcliff. Just search for their twitter name (@the_westcliff) and you will see tons of fans tweeting pics from their pool, or Polo Bar and even the newly-renovated La Belle Terrasse restaurant! Nothing like dinner with a view.

The view alone is the best in Johannesburg. Fact…

Now when I say “kicks it up a notch,” you’re probably wondering how on earth they could manage to improve anything. To be quite honest, the sentence in itself is an oxymoron.

Well, I tell you what, they’ve got a new chef in. The phenomenal Klaus Beckmann has joined The Westcliff hotel as Executive Chef. True to his German roots, after two weeks at the hotel he has surprised everyone by already elevating The Westcliff’s culinary offerings to a standard that will get the nod from any discerning gourmand.

I’m heading up this weekend again – I can’t wait to test the new menus. You know – in between lengths of the pool, with a “molecular mixology” cocktail on the side (26 degrees + no clouds this Saturday)…

I was a big fan of the Vodacom ad some time ago, which featured the African-dictator-type character, laughing as he abuses his power, repeatedly delivering the catchphrase “We’ve been having it!”

The central idea of Nando’s festive season campaign follows that trend and revolves around a Robert Mugabe lookalike, as he reminisces about the good times with fellow dictators, including the likes of Muammar Gaddafi (shooting a gold AK47 waterpistol), Idi Amin (‘surfing’ a tank) and Saddam Hussein (playing in the sand). Oh, it even throws in PW Botha (being pushed on a swing)! All in all, it’s pretty damn funny.

Follow the link and quietly enjoy it.. Continue Reading

Any foodie worth his/her salt will be well aware of the multi-award winning “Best Country Kitchen” in South Africa, Mariana’s – the jewel in Stanford’s crown. Stanford, for the less-informed, is 15 minutes after Hermanus. On the river.

My family are close friends with owners, Mariana and Peter. My dad gets special pies which aren’t on the menu when we’re at Mariana’s. And when they come round to my folks’ place, you can only imagine (as an accomplished cook herself) the performance my mother throws in the kitchen. It’s quite ridiculous, with much wine and invention. But given our (the boys) fortunate position of being at the receiving end of the production line, we let them maa’ carry on.

Getting more to the point, I’m quite used to these high levels of real cooking (every single thing cooked from scratch), and must be forgiven for not telling you about this earlier. You see, I ran out of my last jar of atchar Mariana gave me, and I haven’t had it for a few MONTHS. But just last week a brand new jar was dropped off for me at the Cape Royale hotel. I took it back to the Safe House and opened it for the first time today.

Oh my good Lord…

I don’t know if I’m even allowed to be telling you about this. For all I know Mariana just makes it for me and my mum. And if that is the case, then I apologise for making you excited. But if she does sell it, I strongly advise you prioritise your shit and get your hands on it with the greatest of urgency.

It goes with anything. Take for example the sandwich in the above photograph. Notice how the atchar has transformed your basic cheese sandwich, into a gastronomical orgasm.

You have never known an atchar like this. When you eat it, it feels like you’re doing something illegal.

When I eat is, I EXPECT to get arrested.

You need to get some of this stuff.

Even if you don’t like atchar, I bet you R1 000 you will love it.

That’s if they sell it.

I doubt they do.

And you certainly shouldn’t expect it to be dropped off at your front door, either.

[mariana's]

Egg and bacon burger for 60 bucks, or Steak, egg and chips for under a hundred? Shame, they’ve made it terribly easy for us..