Strictly Coffee 05/05/2010
 Strictly Coffee, a boutique coffee roaster set in the spectacular valley of Robertson, invites you experience true devotion in pursuit of the perfect cup of expertly blended coffee. Now available at Grand Cafe Robertson, 250g packs of Beans and Ground Coffee from Strictly Coffee! Add Comment Bread Making with Niël Jonker 04/14/2010
Niël Jonker is holding breadmaking workshops this winter in the Overberg. Join him for an inspiring insight into the breadmaking craft, oven building and mysterious yeasts!  Clotted Cream Story 04/05/2010
Clotted cream is usually only found in Devon and Cornwall in the South West of England where their famous 'English Cream Tea' is a must! This famously thick delicious cream achieves its thick clotted texture by heating cream of high-fat breed cows, such as the Jersey type, in pans, traditionally made of copper but latterly stainless steel, to about 87°C and allowing it to cool slowly. In the old Devonshire farmhouses, the pans were heated crudely over a fire or stove and the cream was rich in acid and aroma-producing bacteria. Dairy or factory methods were much better controlled, using steam heated pans. The cream is usually packed in shallow trays a few inches deep and forms a yellow crusty surface. The consistency is thick and heavy, almost like treacle, and is traditionally served by scooping the cream out into cups or small cartons. In Robertson, we are extremely lucky to have a dairy farmer and his wife who have a beautiful herd of Jersey cows and the know how. John and Jenny make clotted cream under the brand name Jenny's Cream Products and are the only supplier of genuine Devonshire Style clotted cream in South Africa. You can order clotted cream at the Grand Cafe or sit down to a delicious scone with local strawberry jam and fresh clotted cream. Heavenly. (Note: Clotted cream orders must be in on Mondays for pickup on Thursday)  Art Route McGregor 03/30/2010
Following the great success of last year, McGregor is hosting its second annual Art Weekend which promises to be bigger, better and more diverse than before. This celebration of the Arts in all its forms will take place from the 30th April to the 2nd May 2010. Come to McGregor and "Feel the Vibe!" Creative energy is in full flow, artists and performers are inspired as everyone is gets ready to exhibit and participate in the festivities during the 1st weekend in May. "Feel the Vibe" and experience art in McGregor - 30 April - 2 May.  Mushrooms with cinnamon 03/22/2010
 This is a gutsy dish. You allow the mushrooms to burn slightly and then absorb lots of lemon juice to create sharp, contrasting flavours. You can serve the mushrooms on a plate of mezzes along side different roasted and marinated vegetables. Source Ottolenghi Cookbook Serves 2
Heat up the oil in a large flat pan until smoking. Meanwhile toss together the mushroom, herbs, cinnamon sticks and garlic. Pour into the hot oil and leave on a hot flame 7-9 minutes. Be patient, do not stir or shake. Now stir the mushroom, allowing any left juices to evaporate. Pour in the lemon juice, ground cinnamon and plenty of salt and pepper. Remove from the heat. You can serve this warm or at room temperature. Just make sure you stir in the extra parsley and lemon slices at the last minute. Adjust the seasoning again. Hester se Brood 03/16/2010
 Hester se brood tells the story of how with time, attention to detail and dedication to craft, it is possible to create something wonderful and delicious from the simplest and cheapest of ingredients. This beautifully illustrated and produced book tells the reader how to make bread in an old-fashioned way. It is a story of the magic of taste, the mystery (the alchemy, even) of yeast, the joy of producing and eating something which is utterly delectable.Though the book does indeed give us recipes, and though it tells the reader how to make bread, this is much more than a recipe book. There is a parallel between the magic of Hester’s bread, which comes from the simplicity of yeast and flour, and the gift that is Hester se Brood. This is a book written with exquisite simplicity and directness, yet yielding a treasure for all readers, including those who have no interest in bread at all. We are told the story not only of bread-baking, but also of the choices we make in life, the impact of brave and at times frightening decisions on how we can shape what we do and who we are. This is a book about the reward of risks. We learn, in the quietest and almost austere way, of the choices the author Hester van der Walt and her partner Lies Hoogendoorn have made, of the value for them and for all of us of a slow, examined and thoughtful life. Hoogendoorn’s charming illustrations add to the text, and help us in the process of wondering and thinking.
Yoga Retreat 03/11/2010
Unwind, de-stress, meditate - Helen Altman is holding a 3 day Yoga Retreat at Temenos, McGregor in April. See her advert below for details. YOGA RETREAT 16 - 18 th APRIL (plus 1 extra nights free stay-on) TEMENOS Includes wonderful accomodation, delicious fresh vegatarian meals, extended asana, breathing and meditative practises and Bemer 3000 treatments. OUR APPROACH IS GENTLE, SUPPORTIVE AND THOROUGH EXPERIENCED TEACHER - HELEN ALTMAN - 023 6251420 or 083 7902780  In celebration of the Robertson Cellar’s 20th anniversary, the tasting room facilities recently received an exciting, exuberant and elegant new make-over. While still retaining the intrinsic essence of the much loved Graham Beck Wines brand ethos, the fresh new-look 'Cellar door' promises to take the Graham Beck Wines tasting experience to an entirely new level of sophistication.  The Cellar Door also hosts a unique private collection of art work featuring South African artists alongside internationally established artists. Art lovers can see works by Chagall, Sumner, Ngatane, Boonzaier amongst many other original works. A rusted and damaged Eduardo Villa relief has been perfectly restored and displayed after being 'lost' on the farm. Your Own Organic Veggies 02/27/2010
For all of you in or near Cape Town (and those who aren't but will forward this to those who are!) the Cape Town Launch of Jane's Delicious Garden is happening on March 10th at Starke Ayers Garden Centre. Join us at 17h00 for 17h30 for the launch and a talk by the author Jane Griffiths. Click here for details: http://www.janesdeliciousgarden.com/events Jane will give a workshop on growing organic vegetables and herbs. Where: Starke Ayers Garden Centre When: Thursday 11th, 10 for 10.30 until 1pm Cost: R200.00 (includes refreshments). Booking necessary – contact Lucinda@starkeayresgc.co.za or tel 021 6854120. www.janesdeliciousgarden.com info@janesdeliciousgarden.com Land line: +27 11 482 2052 Cell: +27 82 898 6953  EatOut Magazine - 1001 Best! 02/23/2010
Very exciting for us to be have our cafe featured in the Robertson Winelands section of the 2010 EatOut Magazine - Top 1001 restaurants in the country! Get your copy of this indispensable guide to the best food in South Africa.  | Grand CafeGood Food Cafe on Route 62. CategoriesAll Note: Recipes I have found are published acknowledging the source and author.
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