http://www.chow.com/boards/51 Thu, 08 Oct 2009 20:24:38 GMT Keep track of the lastest threads on Chowhound http://www.chow.com/topics/658079#5156805 great, thanks for the help. Thu, 05 Nov 2009 02:06:07 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/658079#5156805 http://www.chow.com/topics/664618#5154649 In Kinshasa for a month. Any good places to eat? Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:07:16 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/664618#5154649 http://www.chow.com/topics/658732#5154298 Hello, My name is Henry and I am a Cameroonian that lives in Canada. Your post gave a very accurate description of the food landscape in Cameroon. Hopefully, our tourism administration will do a better job promoting it. The fruit you are talking about is called '' prune'' in french. You can eat it with bread, yam and/or green plantain. Since your host was probably from the west (bamileke) you probably ate lot of dishes from that part of Cameroon and they are excellent by the way. Many memories of my childhood resurfaced when I read your post and I felt compelled to reply. They are many problems in Cameroon but food is not one of them. Thanks for sharing your experience PS: I was curious to know the workshop you attended at University of Yaounde. Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:58:24 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/658732#5154298 http://www.chow.com/topics/662146#5151426 The best meal we had in South Africa was at Zacharys at the Pezula resort. The weekend menu was $55. including wine tasting. Indeed it was one of the best meals we have ever had, and we are real foodies. The weekday menu is good, and cheaper but the weekend menu is over the top. The Chef is American, French trained, This meal in France would be $$$$$ Tue, 03 Nov 2009 13:31:21 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/662146#5151426 http://www.chow.com/topics/664088#5149013 We have one night in Port Elizabeth and would appreciate any recommendations of a good meal, but not too fussy as we will be tired and getting on an early flight the next morning. thanks! Mon, 02 Nov 2009 17:05:03 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/664088#5149013 http://www.chow.com/topics/657119#5134855 i think bobotie is a great idea, as an alternative South Africans love to Braai or as you would know it barbeque. A couple of good steaks, lamb chops and or chicken pieces barnequed over hot coals will fit the bill. traditional South African sausage called boerewors (translation farmers sausage) would complete the occassion and I would not be surprised at all if a local web search produced a local butcher that makes it. Most important share the meal with friends, thats what we as `South Africans"love to do ( a couple of cold beers wouldn't go amiss Castle lager if you can get it or maybe a South African wine) I promise you the barbeque will do it but make sure you invite your friend to a Braai!!! Good luck I dadorian Tue, 27 Oct 2009 18:13:37 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/657119#5134855 http://www.chow.com/topics/659078#5101686 I think it is: Haute Cabriere Pass Road, Franschhoek Wed, 14 Oct 2009 07:31:42 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/659078#5101686 http://www.chow.com/topics/648340#5099506 We will be in Zimbabwe, but also can do both sides. Tue, 13 Oct 2009 15:50:48 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/648340#5099506 http://www.chow.com/topics/411133#5098879 Thanks to everyone for the corrections and updates. I haven't really been on the boards since moving back to Nairobi from LA and it was a pleasant surprise to find that there are 'Hounds'' here too. I guess I will have to start logging in and updating more regularly! Tue, 13 Oct 2009 09:43:58 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/411133#5098879 http://www.chow.com/topics/585618#5098833 Hope you enjoyed La Colombe - I think it is the best in Cape Town at the moment. I also like Willoughby - always reliable and consistent. Emilys is disappointing and very over priced. Visitors always seem to enjoy Baia, but personally think it too is rather pricey and sort of 'expense account' dining. If you enjoy fish try Millers Thumb, great neighbourhood restaurant. You should also try to get to Bizerca Bistro, Jardine, Carne, 95 Keerom and Opal Lounge. The best restaurants are not at the Waterfront! Tue, 13 Oct 2009 07:04:00 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/585618#5098833 http://www.chow.com/topics/638782#5075261 Thank you all. We liked Forodani a lot, nice views and interesting nightlife. We loved seeing all the families convene. I ate about 3 big crab claws, they were sweet, moist and succulent and a little smokey tasting. My friends were less impressed with their choices but thought I made the best choice of all after sampling mine. We had dinner one night at the Tower Top, it was average. My friends made the reservations so I didn't have a lot of choice. We took a spice tour w/ lunch which I really enjoyed. Nice fresh flavors and abundant fruit! I plan to return some day, I loved the people and the area. Fri, 02 Oct 2009 21:25:21 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/638782#5075261 http://www.chow.com/topics/600406#5043892 I only have the opportunity on an upcoming trip to have lunch in Franschoek - If I have only one meal (lunch) I can enjoy which would you recommend the most? Thanks! Sun, 20 Sep 2009 18:23:59 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/600406#5043892 http://www.chow.com/topics/479060#5024176 I went to the French restaraunt la Chaumiere - excellent. Have also eaten twice in Heritage India - which is above Noble China. Heritage is OK - but much better Indian restaraunts in other African countries. Subodh Sat, 12 Sep 2009 13:21:53 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/479060#5024176 http://www.chow.com/topics/610920#4984856 I recommend Nyoni's Kraal Restaurant in Long Street. It is the best restaurant I have eaten in in the time that I was in Cape Town. Service was great, Ambiance wonderful, Friendly efficient team of people. I am definitely going back there again. www.nyoniskraal.co.za Fri, 28 Aug 2009 07:25:09 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/610920#4984856 http://www.chow.com/topics/640019#4973622 In Cape Town, I would definitely recommend Portobello (111 Long street) and Bird's boutique Cafe (127 Bree street). They are both excellent. If you are looking for more information about CapeTown, you should check on www.voilacapetown.com. Mon, 24 Aug 2009 20:45:45 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/640019#4973622 http://www.chow.com/topics/644111#4950962 I'm glad you had a great time. I find it useful to read people's destination restaurants on this board: it reminds me that when I go to other countries' boards and ask for recommendations, to ask specifically for down to earth, simple places. Because if I was a visitor to Cape Town and only went to the high end places, it wouldn't be an accurate experience, or in my opinion as delicious an experience as it could be. Obs has a great little cafe, on the corner of lower main road and Trill Rds, called something like Mango Ginger. Simple daily menu of sandwiches and soups. And a coffee milkshake which is truly marvellous. So I certainly won't turn my nose up at Obs! I hope you come back for more down to earth food! Sun, 16 Aug 2009 20:24:35 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/644111#4950962 http://www.chow.com/topics/632289#4941793 Just checked out their website and it was Moyo. Thanks for the help. Thu, 13 Aug 2009 02:20:09 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/632289#4941793 http://www.chow.com/topics/637295#4866880 I'm heading to Cape Town next Friday and am looking for a restaurant that offers impressive views AND great food. I've already made a booking at Salt in Bantry Bay for 1 night, but would like another place with a view (ideally where we can watch the sunset) for our last night. As we'll have already experienced the Bantry Bay view, perhaps somewhere near the V&A? We're open to all styles of food, and anything from casual to fine dining. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! Fri, 17 Jul 2009 13:59:31 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/637295#4866880 http://www.chow.com/topics/338331#4842178 I tried Arirang yesterday and sadly it was the worst Korean food I've eaten. The soonduboo was made with regular tofu, had no spice and a really odd flavor. The Galbee was super dry and the marinade tasted more like Chinese food than Korean. The place was nice and the service was decent, but no Korean staff and the food was awful. Thu, 09 Jul 2009 09:30:10 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/338331#4842178 http://www.chow.com/topics/634705#4837481 I will be spending 1 week in Cameroon (Yaounde) in September. Any dining/food recommendations? Thanks! Tue, 07 Jul 2009 22:22:57 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/634705#4837481 http://www.chow.com/topics/626385#4756175 I searched but found little posted here on Chowhound about Gold restaurant in Cape Town. Has anyone been to give a thumbs up or down for the restaurant? From what I've seen, it is touristy in its entertainment. That's ok... we're tourists but we do also like good food. Is it suitable for an adventurous pre-teen? Thanks :) Tue, 09 Jun 2009 15:20:36 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/626385#4756175 http://www.chow.com/topics/621877#4735390 Here is a link that gives several suggestions that might help: http://www.happycow.net/africa/south_africa/western_cape/ Tue, 02 Jun 2009 15:10:14 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/621877#4735390 http://www.chow.com/topics/623454#4724213 Hi there fellow Joburgers...(or visitors...) What's your favourite place to eat out? Fri, 29 May 2009 08:11:46 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/623454#4724213 http://www.chow.com/topics/621289#4701810 Lots of pap with and meat and veg stews, practically the same as South Africa. I missed Mexican food the most, I would have killed for some flour tortillas for a burrito, otherwise you can get just about anything in neighboring South Africa. Wed, 20 May 2009 22:34:16 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/621289#4701810 http://www.chow.com/topics/614719#4689775 Good luck with that. Unless you're going to be near Bahir Dar or Lake Tana, you'll be hard pressed to find any fish. And the fish you do find...you might want to not eat. Addis isn't New York. It's Africa. You're going to be going heavy on the traditional stuff. Enjoy it. Sat, 16 May 2009 20:21:44 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/614719#4689775 http://www.chow.com/topics/606579#4686046 Hey, rpd, any update or report from your trip? It looks like from your posts you are also in the Wash/Balto region. Certainly post about your food experiences here, but if you would like to share any other Namibia information with me, then you can always PM me. My e-mail address is in my profile. Fri, 15 May 2009 13:02:40 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/606579#4686046 http://www.chow.com/topics/617642#4678878 Here's my email just in case you're around: jlginbj(at)me(dot)com Wed, 13 May 2009 06:29:02 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/617642#4678878 http://www.chow.com/topics/610319#4661782 I suggest Carne in Keerom Street. Very good meat (no fish). Pleasant contemporary surroundings, good service, reasonable prices, very central. I certainly recommend it. You can see mine and others reviews on www.eatout.co.za Enjoy! Thu, 07 May 2009 12:38:37 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/610319#4661782 http://www.chow.com/topics/615728#4637236 Hi - I need a place to take my parents, who are serious, serious foodies. It doesn't have to be expensive, but it does have to have some atmosphere (the type of place we can linger over dinner). Ideally it would be something with local influence (and they love seafood) and great African wine. The quality and freshness of the food are the highest priority, though. Any recommendations? Tue, 28 Apr 2009 23:38:45 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/615728#4637236 http://www.chow.com/topics/608641#4557669 NINJANI? If you’re like me you travel around the world making food and travel TV Shows so when the chance came to jump down the rabbit hole again with the Todd Squad well let’s just say, call me what you like but don’t call me late for TV dinner. Celebrity Chef Todd English, Food writer and good friend Annie Copps,sound recordist Steveevo and yours truly shuttle off to LaGuardia and connect with a flight to Atlanta then off to Mother Africa. Next stop: Dhaka, Senegal. Just another 8 hours to Johannesburg. Africa is big and we are going far. Insert ambien here. Touchdown and finally arrive at the reknowned Hotel Westcliffe a perfect hilltop series of buildings overlooking the city. Dinner at Westcliffe of Lobster bobotie, Springbok and a South African Pinotage. Very nice. The crew is happy and ready to roll. We are glad to be together and ready for another food adventure. (nts: it is good to be Chef.) Restless sleep. A foggy morning in Joburg. The dinner last night reminded this place is all about food and so am I. The bounty of Africa awaits. I’m about to meet passionate local Cooks who mind tradition to keep soul in the food. So the Crew and I are in Johannesburg heading for a private plane that will take us back to the hungry and the hunted, back into Africa. Outside the Westcliffe enclave, graffiti walls and razor wire Johannesburg goes by as our van speeds thru town to avoid the morning motorway traffic. I wish we had another day here. I heard about a little place in Soweto where the lunch is awesome….next time. The plane is waiting. The airport gets small and we climb out over cultivated lands that slowly change to velt as we fly east to the Zwa-Zulu Natal. We make a neat touchdown on an airstrip in the bush covered with Impala poop. The Impala, proud of themselves stand on the other side of the landing field. Their backsides look like the McDonald’s logo. McButt. A little queezy from the puddle jump we could use a beverage. The staff from CC Africa’s Forrest lodge awaits and obliges. Pimms No.1 Cup all? Roofless four bench seat custom land rovers are waiting. They’ll be our ride for the next few days. A large caliber rifle and a machete adorn the dash and a special seat is mounted on the front of the hood for the tracker or bait depending on the scenario. Now if Safari is like fishing this trip starts out catching on every cast. Hello Rhino, Elephant, Giraffe. I ask if I can walk up to the Giraffe and our guide says fine if I want to be kicked to death. The animals are five or ten feet from me. I need the wide angle lens. Check in at Forest Lodge where we are warned not to leave our bungalows after sundown lest we be eaten. Security will collect and return us after dark. PM Game drive to a South African sundown and Sundowner Bar in a box is revealed and assembled by ye olde watering hole. Wart hogs and Ngala scurry along on their way home and a big African sky is having a hard time holding up a massive orange ball. We are silhouettes as the Southern Cross and stars new to us come out. Cocktails appear with biltong (South African jerky), nuts, cheese, dried fruits, crackers and dreoworse (dried sausage/the real slim jim). These foods reflect the region’s food history when storage and refrigeration called for these preservations. They are excellent with the local beer Castle or Hansa. This night we have our first dinner in the Boma. Boma: think stockade of vertical sticks lit by firelight and torches. Basically the set of Survivor Africa. Lamb on the Braai; the South African Barbie, local spinach and beans, a dorado, and chutneys, sambals and blatjangs all reflect the Dutch, English, Indian and Malay cooks who reached even to this upper right corner of South Africa. AM game drive. Did you know a group of Zebras are called a dazzle and they fart early and often? Dazzling. White Rhino and baby are just over there. A Cheetah and five young cubs tolerate us only meters away. Change to a telephoto lens and the close-ups of mother and cub are awesome. A Lion and three young males had been seen the day before but our tracker Daniel out on the bumper seat finds no trace. Back at the lodge it’s full colonial breakfast served by Barry excellent waiter and winning smile. Some nice person has already ordered me a Bloody Mary. Next a visit to the local community with excellent guide V.R. Along the way he sings and repeats Zulu words. We were gettin Isi-Zulu-schooled. Sawubono (Sonny Bono= Hello). Hundreds of kid faces surround us at the community school. We learn one entire class are orphans. HIV here is at some of highest levels anywhere. The kids are so excited to see us. We make a gift of school supplies to the principal. CC Africa, which runs the game preserve and lodges, has donated some of the classrooms. The kids surround our van and it is hard to leave on several levels. When you want your fortune told in Zulu country first clap your hands and say Togoza as you enter a dimly lit hut with drums and smoke and chanting. Stir up a froth from a cup of warm sorghum beer and we are ready to channel the spirits of the ancestors who will sound like Harvey Fierstein with a bad cold, dance with soda can bangles and rattles on ankles and eleven cows later you can see your destiny or add a wife. We made friends and I think the ancestors like us too. Is that so wrong? Back inside the preserve we continue our search for Lions. They prove elusive. Our trackers spot their prints in the soft sand of the paths and roads but the kings of the jungle auger into the bush where even Dumi does not follow. The sun drops out of a painted sky like a glowing monkey orange and trades places with the Southern Cross. A big candle lit sundowner is setup around the bend as if by some magic and we recall the adventures of the day. A lion or a fortune teller, one or the other, roar far away. Back at the lodge we celebrate the Todd’s birthday. What do you get the chef who has everything? A perfect evening under African skies, a splendid dinner, a birthday cake, friends close, a serenade by acapella choir and a Zulu Spear. It is good to be Chef. Sisaphila. Ngiyabonga kakhulu. (We’re OK. Thank you very much.) Flashlight armed security guards escort us back to our Japanese style glass boxes on stilts. Outside Impala and Ngala drift about in the brush. Hard to say who else is sleeping in the jungle tonight or under the bungalow? Better get some sleep cause in the AM we are going to kill a goat. Next day while the AM game drive is on, the strong stomach crew heads to off to visit a local young Chief in the community. The Chief or Inkosi ,dressed in a pink shirt and slacks received us at his compound (think Boma with a ranch house and outdoor plumbing). When we get ready to sacrifice the goat for lunch, Inkosi donned a grass tiara and entered a ceremonial traditional hut to OK this with the ancestors. Evidently they’d heard from the fortune teller so it was all cool. With a wicked sharp knife the goat met its fate and and no one lost it. It was intense to get that close to the food process and we headed back to the lodge before the meal and agreed we’d bring Inkosi a lamb at mealtime to complete the circle of lunch. Some hours later we returned with lamb in tow and our whole group. Now this was the real Zulu deal. Lunch featuring pot cooked goat, beans, spinach, and Lala Beer. Small three legged cauldrons were simmering away over a wood fire. The famed Lala palm beer was in a large glass pitcher beckoning to the flies. The Lala, from which the term Lala-land is derived, causes a sleepy feeling of well being as it continues to ferment inside the drinker. Eatiquette involves stepping up to the jar and taking a big pull right from said container. As I gave it a good hit I noticed the Zulu women watching (separate from the men) laughing. Was this going to be a Carlos Castaneda thing or more of a Cipro thing? Try everything once is what I say. Plus the Chief went first. The feast on mats on the ground was eaten with both hands from wooden platters and was not bad. Sam the head cook made us traditional Zulu bracelets from the fresh goat hide stretched over our wrists and worn as long as one might dare. The Chief and the Chef each danced the traditional dance. A very Zulu Thanksgiving. It is good to be Inkosi. Now the PM game drive included Mr. Crocodile as he cruised a small pond and another massive sunset and of course the essential sundowner. Our caravan of land rovers wheel into night in the bush. This night the bush dinner cooked by Dumi; in the bush. Local Zulu dancers fly thru the air as we run a gauntlet of drums and dancers. The Braai is all fired up and we dine on Springbok (a gamey antelope), boerworse (farmer’s sausage in spiral links), pumpkin and dumplings and beans and spinach. Shadows with big bore rifles patrol the perimeter and our voices and Cuban smoke rise with the sparks from the fire into the shimmering ceiling over Mother Africa. Last day at Forrest Lodge and last AM game drive. Finally the Lion is sighted and we get close enough to hear what is clearly not purring and get some incredibly close shots. He is an older male who has killed a rival and taken his territory. With his black mane he is regal indeed and we wonder what he must make of us. A Cheetah paces our Rover along a road. We drive to a high overlook and shoot time lapse of the vista with clouds rolling by. One last Bar n’box and we say goodbye to Forest Lodge and our guides. I drive with Dumi for one last game drive and we witness a Cheetah chasing a McButt but the Impala gets away for now and the cheetah lays down to catch its breath. Another day in the bush. Back on the Impala poop strip two prop planes are waiting. We fly to Durban and change to a national airline to fly on to Cape Town. I’m sure I would feel better after a rough night if I could only get some pasta. The Cape Grace Hotel is very nice and after scouting some locations I borrow part of the kitchen to conjure some pasta. It looked and tasted the part. Sleep is also good food. The Cape Grace Hotel is fine digs indeed. Outside my window a table cloth of clouds obscures Table Mountain, which commands Cape Town. If the weather clears we’ll take the Gondola up to the summit to view the Cape Peninsula and The Indian Ocean having a big fight with the Atlantic. Next stop Antarctica. Who were those brave souls who pioneered this spice route and plied these waters in wooden boats like bobbing corks? They were hungry evidently. Today the Cape Cuisine is a legacy from Portuguese, Dutch, English, Indian and Malay influences. At a local farmers market Biltong and woersts and spectacular lamb, cheeses and honey, baked goods, herbs like Fynbos and other fresh produce are tempting. Chef Craig Patterson from the hotel is our guide and the bounty of South Africa is laid out in a pristine setting and teases what Craig will be cooking up back at his kitchen. When you travel the wine country always go by motorcycle and sidecar. Batman and Robin in Constantia. At the winery we met the vintners and enjoyed a rare opportunity to sample elements of some great future red blends.That evening I got to cook with the Waterfront Chef Craig Patterson using the great local ingredients we’d gathered that morning then flung over to Bruce Robertson’s Showroom where that chef has clearly been struck by lighting. He is pixilated and the fare with countless ingredients is inspired. The Showroom restaurant is inside a car dealership which was an interesting décor. We linger for some fine South African red blends and then fade into the rainy evening. Nothing to do now but head for Cape Grace’s Waterfront restaurant. There was after all Chef Craig’s Cape Malay dim sum and notable entrees to dispatch. How about a Pork Belly secondi? Compliments… Kalks Bay has some of the best frozen fried fish you’ll find. Wrinkled old fisher folk with faces like roadmaps twist native smokes up to bolster themselves before heading out to an unpredictable sea from this fishing village. The day’s catch of kingklip, john dory, bream, and dorado become delectably fried morsels at shacks along the quay and we tuck in. Meet Egon Seconds a big star as far as Rugby goes in South Africa and we learn about the scrum and such then head off to Tiger’s Tavern in Cape Town’s Langa Township. Tiger’s, a Shabine or speakeasy was literally and otherwise cooking. An indoor Braai was turning out sausages and chicken. The history of this pre and post apartheid tavern is interesting as upward mobility brings back those with roots here. Their upscale cars are parked outside and local guys hand wash and watch them. The vibe of the township is intense and reveals this complex country has a long way to go in transition to pluralism. Inside the Shabine it is a noisy smokey crossroads and we seem to be in another dimension as no one notices us crew, cameras and all. Some are playing pool. Lots are drinking on this early afternoon. Some lovers locked in embrace, some friends deep in conversation. Games of chance. Children race about on small bikes indoors and babies are held as the business of everyday goes on. Folk cuddled cold bottles of Black Label beer and hot dogs on paper plates while a radio burst into life with a rendition of Amajoba. Some people may have been uncomfortable, others exhilarated. I ate a chicken wing that could not be beat. Shabine. Last stop Table Mountain and the view is world class. We close the show and regroup for an elevated Indian Feast at Bukhara. Back at Cape Grace with over 460 different whiskies, Whiskey Sommelier Korbis de Koek knows his distilled libations well and we learn some things about the single malts. Cuban cigars. Fade. In the morning we’ll squeeze our heads thru the rabbit hole again and get very small and head back to the point of origin. Good-bye game drive and big five. Bye bye Boma. So long Egon and Shabine. Farewell and Sala kahle South Africa. Tomorrow and tomorrow the stars will be familiar but some part of us will always long for Sundowners, and dinner in the Boma and Dumi, in the bush. Wed, 01 Apr 2009 17:14:54 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/608641#4557669 http://www.chow.com/topics/599246#4549353 Thanks-we had a great time at Moyo!! Sun, 29 Mar 2009 23:02:28 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/599246#4549353 http://www.chow.com/topics/600525#4549340 Back from Cape Town and had some great food and wine. Some favorites were Ginja, Bizerca, Tank, Winesense (great for wine tasting and a nice tapas menu) Lunch at Harbor House at Kalk Bay-thought the setting better than the food. In Franschhoek, we had a great meal at Ruebens (thanks for the recommendation) and had a SUBLIME meal at The Tasting Room. And a wonderful chef's dinner at our hotel, La Residence.... Bread and Wine was outstanding-perhaps the best risotto I have ever had. Sun, 29 Mar 2009 22:57:34 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/600525#4549340 http://www.chow.com/topics/606502#4549319 We had a great meal and fun time at Moyo in Melrose Arch, not too far from Sandton.... Sun, 29 Mar 2009 22:51:09 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/606502#4549319 http://www.chow.com/topics/602530#4502747 Boekenhoutskloof - outstanding Cabernet and Syrah. La Petite Ferme - great shiraz, and white blends, also serves some of the best lunch in the region. Fri, 13 Mar 2009 22:32:31 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/602530#4502747 http://www.chow.com/topics/597758#4471820 Kenya Bureau of Halal Certification: http://www.kbhc.info/companies.html Wed, 04 Mar 2009 11:54:27 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/597758#4471820 http://www.chow.com/topics/509069#4468949 I think the cooking classes might seem (based on following the links) to just teach you a tagine or two, which I would argue isn't something one can't learn from a book. I'd push to learn Pastilla or something more complicated that would be nearly impossible to do out of a book. When I went we also had some sort of 'hidden chicken' dish prepared in the home of a friend of the family (by a Berber home cook) and it was pieces of chicken under noodles w/cinnamon and other spices. If I could track down how to make that bad boy I'd be a happy man. Tue, 03 Mar 2009 16:32:26 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/509069#4468949 http://www.chow.com/topics/517005#4468927 Absolutely agree on the rose's in Morocco. I was worried about sweetness but they had a nice, well-balanced dryness and fruitiness, in general. Tue, 03 Mar 2009 16:26:39 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/517005#4468927 http://www.chow.com/topics/571457#4420238 Thanks. Got this just after returning! On my trip by myself, I ended up staying in the Piazza area and being really busy at night, so often just grabbed food at my hotel, the Taitu. It was actually quite good, especially the doro wat. Just around the corner from the Taitu (on the big steep road that leadsfrom teh Piazza) I found really great kitfo. The place didn't have a sign on the door, but was the door next to a bar with a porch. All done up and packed to the gills, and good meat. On a return trip with others, I also did really like Habesha. Folks had recommended Villa Verde, which I thought was quite tamed down (maybe finding it had me losing my appetite). We also ate at Yod Abyssinia, out in Lideta, one night, and that was quite good too, esp the fasting dishes. Really, it seemed like the few random wats I got out in the countryside were much better than any of these, though. One great one in a strange place--Buffet d'Aouache in Awash Arba (I think? I'm forgetting the towns... the big military one right before the T junction). That was one of the strangest haunts I've ever found, a complete throwback. You're right that Metro Pizza was quite good. I tried going to the Armenian sporting club but it just didn't work out--nobody understood what I wanted (everyone was gone so it was just the security guard). Too bad I missed the Greek--that would have been fun too . I also had coffee most mornings at Tomoca, near the Piazza, and was compltely in love with the place and the coffee. Mon, 16 Feb 2009 01:54:04 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/571457#4420238 http://www.chow.com/topics/377703#4387888 We tried the Pepper Steak Pies, after reading the comments. I am glad to have the posted recipe, as they were a great lunch, and although we loved all of the food, we found most dishes were underspiced, so the "kick" of the pie was a wonderful treat. Wed, 04 Feb 2009 22:21:28 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/377703#4387888 http://www.chow.com/topics/583420#4278854 I'll be traveling to Durban, down the Garden Route and then spending about 5 days in Cape Town. I'm a very healthy eater and due to some dietary concerns, I need to limit my intake of butter, oil, red meat, cheese and carbs (no corn, I know a staple in SA). For those of you have have traveled or lived there, have you found most restaurants to have leaf-based salads or healthy protein/veggies based dishes? I'm sure in Cape Town I won't have many problems, but the little places along the Garden Route I'm a little worried about . In restaurants/cafes in the bigger cities have you found the menus to be health conscious? Any recommendations of cafes/restaurants (not too pricey) to hit up while there that focus on healthy cuisines (not necessarily vegetarian because I definitely eat tons of fish and chicken)? Mon, 29 Dec 2008 04:31:14 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/583420#4278854 http://www.chow.com/topics/426711#4239700 This is a great list. We will be in Capetown mid-January for 6 days. Do I need to reserve any of the restaurants before our arrival? Also we are staying at the Cape Grace Hotel, are there any recommendations within walking distance? We want good food,.. fancy, plain, doesn't matter. Just out of curiosity. Why do you need to get the calamari from Alaska? This is our first trip to South Africa, so I am not familiar with Capetown. Thu, 11 Dec 2008 21:47:31 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/426711#4239700 http://www.chow.com/topics/503410#4219259 OK. I just got back from Morocco, and there is no Chinatown in this tiny African country. There are chinese, thai, vietnamese restaurants. But I don't know how authentic the food are. Just for the info. Thanks. Thu, 04 Dec 2008 05:23:20 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/503410#4219259 http://www.chow.com/topics/575669#4205327 Mauritius is definitely a culinary experience: we had an absolutely lovely meal at Le Pescatore just outside of Trou aux Biches. The decor, the amuse-bouches, the desserts were fantastic. Do try it if you get a chance (remember that you need a reservation; we needed one even for lunch). Grand Baie has a plethora of good restaurants: we picked a random Chinese place that offered the freshest Chinese food I have ever had. Le Capitaine also in Grand Baie is very good, too. In general, the seafood and salads were spectacular - fresh and well-prepared; I would stay away from dishes that involve other type of meat or cheese (they are mostly imported) and by comparison, they were just average. There is also a lot of mediocre and over-priced food; it's good to do some research beforehand. The hotel food was a good example: the menu was primarily catered to their guests and involved some variation of schnitzels, fish swimming in butter or pasta. Let me know if I can help with anything else. An do report back! (Not that we're going to go back any time soon :) Thu, 27 Nov 2008 14:27:45 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/575669#4205327 http://www.chow.com/topics/570779#4160078 i unfortunately don't have any recs for you, but you might want to cross-post on the Middle East and Africa board as a lot of North Africa posts get placed there Sun, 09 Nov 2008 21:00:46 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/570779#4160078 http://www.chow.com/topics/562014#4120462 I have the joy of having moved permanently to Cape Town and Beleza and I have created a wonderful relationship. Beleza feeds me and I love the food. There are plenty of restaurants in town but I can always get something different at Beleza. Wed, 22 Oct 2008 08:30:39 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/562014#4120462 http://www.chow.com/topics/267976#4069746 I wrote a lot more details about my food experiences in Ghana under the post: Ghana: can a chowhound survive? http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/532686 Mon, 29 Sep 2008 16:30:44 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/267976#4069746 http://www.chow.com/topics/403908#4062755 The food in cape town is really good with a focus on fresh healthy ingredients. Once you know the right restaurants to visit. You'll have a great time! :) Enjoy! Fri, 26 Sep 2008 05:21:40 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/403908#4062755 http://www.chow.com/topics/315092#4050016 Hi there- Just wanted to throw in my 2 cents. (From the viewpoint of a US based foodie) Travelmad: I agree with you. Baia and another waterfront restaurant I went to were really quite mediocre and expensive for what you get, though I suppose you are paying for the view. One Waterfront was a refreshing change however. I liked it and the price, thought slightly more expensive, was worthwhile for the quality and ambience. I have some photos on my blog: http://travelingchomps.blogspot.com/2008/09/one-waterfront-restaurant-review.html I also reviewed several others including Le Petite Ferme, Reubens, Manna Epicure etc. Hope this helps someone! http://travelingchomps.blogspot.com/2007/09/all-south-africa-restaurant-reviews.html Sun, 21 Sep 2008 00:33:05 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/315092#4050016 http://www.chow.com/topics/490453#4046307 This reply may be a little late but hopefully it will help other people who're looking for recommendations in Cape Town. I went to Reuben's and Le Petite Ferme in Franchoek and really enjoyed them both. Mama Africa was nice and the band was good. When I was there they played local music not western influenced stuff. I second Manna Epicure. I also liked Cafe Paradiso and loved going to Vida E Caffe (Coffee chain). I also liked some of the chains we don't get in the US. Kauai had good breakfast and shakes. I've reviewed a bunch of the Cape Town Restaurants I've been to on my blog with photos. Hope it helps! Cape Town Restaurant Reviews http://travelingchomps.blogspot.com/2007_09_01_archive.html Fri, 19 Sep 2008 06:41:14 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/490453#4046307 http://www.chow.com/topics/266235#4046289 I loved Le Petite Ferme. The setting is gorgeous and the food was excellent. I've written an entry in my blog with some photos here. Thought I'd share since I couldn't find much info when I was researching for my trip. Hope this helps! My Le Petite Ferme Review http://travelingchomps.blogspot.com/2008/09/le-petite-ferme-winelands-south-africa.html I also went to Cod Father in Camps Bay. It's pretty cool since you can pick your fish out from a glass case in the front of the restaurant. More picks below: Cod Father http://travelingchomps.blogspot.com/2008/07/cod-father-unique-dining-experience.html I also managed to hit up Reuben's which was I really liked too. Great food and reasonable prices. http://travelingchomps.blogspot.com/2008/09/reubens-review-south-africa.html Man I miss Cape Town! Fri, 19 Sep 2008 06:18:11 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/266235#4046289