Friday, June 21, 2013

The Foundry


Life can run away with me and often I realize it's been MONTHS since I've last seen some of my closest friends. Completely unacceptable, I know. To combat this horrible dilemma, we've now set up a Monthly Couples Dinner. Each month, one couple chooses a restaurant and the rest of us simply show up and enjoy good food (hopefully) and good company (ALWAYS!). This past month was our choice of restaurant and I'm happy to say that The Foundry, in Parktown North did not let us down!

Friends of ours recently told us to check out this cosy eatery which opened last year and I'm so so glad they did! The Foundry has labelled itself a Kitchen Roastworks Craft Bar and offers a great selection of local and international craft beers (boys will be very excited at the site of the craft beer menu) as well as a wine and cocktail menu for the ladies.

I still can't put my finger on how to categorize the restaurant- A steakhouse? No- it's way too distinctive for that kind of label...more like a Gastro Pub (i.e High quality food loosely based on a traditional pub menu). Each dish on the menu was quite unique and you certainly won't find the average, Steak, Chips & Salad here. The dinner menu was small but I can guarantee you'll still have a hard time deciding what to order. I know I certainly did!


Take a look at some of the dishes we ordered below and see for yourself...
Crispy Skinned Pork Belly served with an apple, green-pepper and pear cider relish and warm potato salad (92)
Butter Chicken, Masala, Pineapple, Cracked Pompadom, Raita and Fresh Coriander Pizza
(80)
Fillet Steak Medallions with potato dauphinoise, spinach, pea puree and red wine jus
(145)
Handmade Mushroom Ravioli- Field Mushrooms, Springs Onions, Pine Nuts and Rocket with Herb infused Truffle Oil (88)

The friendly kitchen staff




The Foundry is situated in Parktown Quarter, Third Avenue, Parktown North. Tel: 011 447 5828
 BOOK IN ADVANCE! 


Tuesday, June 11, 2013

A 35th Wedding Anniversary

I'm so happy to be able to say that I've had parents who have displayed a pretty close to perfect example of what marriage should be like. After meeting and falling in love in their teens, my parents married at 21 and have continued to grow old together ever since. 35 years later they are still saying, "I Do". What an honour it's been for Gaz and I to have learnt so much about marriage from them and an even greater honour to celebrate their 35th Wedding Anniversary with them a few weeks ago. The family decided to put on a celebratory champagne breakfast for the occasion and it was my job to make it look as beautiful as possible. I decided to go with a Romantic Vintage Theme by using lace, burlap, vintage items like old typewriters and old cameras and lots of roses (my moms favourite flower). Personal touches in the decor, like old family photos, scrabble letters (a game they are very fond of) and buntings made from photocopies of old love letters made faded memories come back to life.

Despite the wind- the morning was joyfully spent in the company of an amazing family (if I say so myself)... here are some pictures which captured the event...






Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Irene Village Market


Last week Saturday Gaz and I decided to take a drive to the Irene Village Market.  The Market which lies on the beautiful grounds of the Smuts House Museum is about 40 kilometres from Johannesburg and definitely worth the drive. I truly believe this market has been the pioneer in setting the trend for all the newer lifestyle markets which have popped up more recently. 


Held on the second and last Saturday of every month,  the market offers an AMAZING antique section, YUMMY food stalls and tons of other homemade, homegrown and handcrafted exhibits.

Our Advice...
GO EARLY- the market gets jam packed from as early as 10am. 
TAKE CASH- if you draw cash at the teller you'll be charged a hefty 10% surcharge.
...AND BRING YOUR FURRIES because the market is pet friendly. Had we known this- Colby & Mila would've definitely tagged along for the adventure.


09:00 -14:00
every second and last 
Saturday of the month.

tel: (012) 667 1659 
weekdays 09:00-12:30
fax: 086 6566 254
PO box 985, Irene, 0062