As, we were casually perusing through the abundant labels in a speciality wine store, we came across this. What a find! This might have been one of the best purchases I’ve made while in South Africa.  A wine called “Hat Trick.” The taste was just as brilliant as the label. At a heafty cost of around 300 Rand (approximately 30 USD) it was amazingly expensive compared the the wonderful wines you can get at a fraction of the price. 

So, for the Spirrsguy’s take on Welbedacht’s 2005 Hat Trick:  Full Bodied, a bit woody, lots of essence fig and berries, finishes nice, smooth and fresh on the back palate.  Excellent wine, and a good year. It’s called Hat Trick for goodness sake!

Be sure to bring one back as a WC2010 SA souvenir.  Cheers!

So, while I was in South Africa I did have the luxury of fine eating and drinking.  When we weren’t on the town at posh new restaruants and classic eateries, we did get to make our own meals.  When I returned to the states, I seemingly lost 20 pounds.  Now, it might have been the lack of training/lifting, and the lost of muscle mass.  And some might joke around, but I contribute it to the ‘squirrel’ diet as we like to call it, other might call it the re-cooper-ation diet.  Above, is a picture of such a meal. 

Description (lower right, clockwise): carrot medallions, mushroom slivers, grape tomatoes, carrot STICKS…beat and carrot mixed bowl…cheese slices…ginger ale, Gin, Vodka, tonic, and Cuervo.

Please note: It is ill-advise that anyone try this as an entire meal.  For any normal person, this should be a supplement to an full coursed meal.

Now, one of South Africa’s most popular snacks is something called Biltong.  If you don’t know what Biltong is, here is a beautifully depicted story of Biltong.  Much like beef jerky here in America, it is enjoyed by many through the country.  My personal favorite is the Ostrich Biltong.  And if your up for a more gamey taste, try the Spring Bok.  You’ll get the “essense” of South Africa.

These photo were taken in the famous Gateway Shopping Mall in Umhlanga, Durban.  Please note: You can get Biltong anywhere in SA…I mean anywhere. Also, just as a precaution. If you fell in love with the delicacy as I did, and you decide that it would be the perfect gift for friends and family back here, just be sure not to tell customs on your return trip to the states.  U.S. Customs regulations aren’t too found of foreign cured meats entering the country.  But I’ll tell you what…I know a couple Custom Agents who don’t know much about South Africa, and they LOVE Biltong.

Cheers!

Located in Kalk Bay on the Eastern Cape, Kalky’s is disputably the best Fish and Chips place.  Ask any local and they’ll tell you to get to Kalky’s and order the usual. But as you can tell their slogan “The Original & Best Fish & Chips” are far from what they do well.  With a menu that spans and entire wall just before you reach the counter to make the difficult decision of what exactly to order, your choices are vast and your one time visit will surely not be your last.

I, myself, when for the Fish and Chips with Calamari.  Classic, simple, fresh and oh so fried.  I have to say, the couple days leading up to this experience had been somewhat of a thrill.  When we first got to Cape Town we past this water front restaurant that was lined up out the door.   We couldn’t stop that day, but “we have to go there” quickly trickled through the group. 

So, the place: Indoor and outdoor seating on picnic tables through out. It reminded me of a southern BBQ place with sauces racked at every table, with no untensils in sight, and the smell of deep fried food that hugs your every movement.  It was amazing walking in there, the open air the fresh breeze off the water and the seafood stench.  Just watching orders being poured out of the tiny kitchen could made anyone anxious on line. 

Anyway, great fish and chips. The batter was crunchy and light, the fish was fluffy. Both the fish and the chips were light (not oily or soggy). Overall really good. Oh and the Calamari, nice and tender. Only problem with the Calamari, they didn’t give enough.

Kalky’s The Original & Best Fish & Chips:
[xrr rating=4.5/5] So, if you’re ever in Kalky Bay and you’re in the mood for fish and chips…Don’t say I didn’t tell you give these a try.

Oh and if you do happen to find some that are better, do us all a favor and tell us huh?

Ok, Cheers for now.

Now, this here is also a Springbok (left). Commonly known as a SpringBok shooter and found in every bar across South Africa.  As a national symbol, it too resonates amongst pub goers nation wide.

What is it?

SpringBok Shooter: 3 part Creme de Menthol and 1 part Amarula Cream.

By the way, shots are called Shooter here in South Africa, so have a couple Shooter while your out, and if your going to show some national pride, have a SpringBok. Cheers!

So, wanted to say Happy Turkey to everyone. Since Thanks Giving is not a holiday South Africans celebrate we decided to do thanks giving like we know it and invited our unsuspecting african friends to a lustrious feast.  Now, yes, thats not all thanks giving is all about, but it was nice to introduce them to a meal so many families look forward to and partake in.  Aside from cooking a few dishes to contribute to the pot luck style dinner we had, I was also lucky enough to be apart of the beverage buying for the party. Now, what you will find here, in south africa, things are a bit cheaper when it come to purchasing power. Here’s a run down of what we purchased for a some dinner party of 15.

• 3 Six packs of SA beer
• 2 Four packs of Glorsh Beer
• 6 bottles of Red wine
• 3 bottles of white
• 3 bottles of bubbly
• 1 bottle of cream liqueur

Not bad for 60 buck huh? and yes i meant dollars.