Yardstick launch goes KABOOM

We don’t get typhoons down here on the Southern tip of Africa, but Sunday’s weather-tantrum in Stellenbosch was a fairly close approximation of what I imagine it would be like if we did. 

Despite the obvious signs that nature and all her forces were opposed to this meeting of foodies and quaffers, all went ahead as planned. A non-plussed DJ Rene calmly set up his disco in the back of the cellar while the debonair guys from TRUTH coffee manned the prow of their stand like hipster Captain Ahabs. 

It must have been a combination of Pete Tempelhoff’s culinary wizardry and Adam Mason’s generous desire to ply people with his deeply satisfying wines that kept the guests on that long wet road to this unique “coming out” event. 

I think the specific reference to children being welcome also had some kick. Limber kids spilled out of station wagons, saw the piles of hay and, for the rest of the afternoon, stormed them like a castle while their parents milled and bobbed around tables of endless eatables and drinkables.

  

In addition to the boards of cheese and meaty olives, Pete’s team gently kicked us off by walking around with crisp little triangles of prawn and sesame toast cunningly arranged around bamboo bowls of soy-based dipping sauce. After two petite glasses of the Yardstick Chardonnay I was still able to resist the temptation to follow the prawn-toast guy around with a skewer. 

Then came the duck spring rolls. Oh my. Wrapped in soft glass rice paper and served with a roasted chili sauce, I enjoyed a few of these chaps with the Yardstick 2011 Pinot Noir. 

We found a spot in the corner and the prawn-toast guy (God bless him) made regular visits to our locale. He served us well through the speeches. I had to laugh when my brother spoke because he must be one the few people in the world who can geek out about varieties of grapes. 

I guess that’s what it’s all about though, that passion and dedicated exploration of things that fascinate you. It’s what makes this unique partnership so exciting.

                                       

The concept is simple. A chef and a winemaker join forces to pair good food up with outstanding new blends of wine. Sunday’s launch was an occasion that celebrated indulging in simple pleasures: fine company; happy families and a smorgasbord of tastes.

After disappearing for a while, my husband (damn I love him) returned with plates of grilled entrecôte and fries, served with a truffled hollandaise sauce. I paired these doozies up with a not-so-petite glass of SHAZAM! Adam and Pete’s answer to a Syrah heavy blend with touches of Grenache, Mourvedre and floral Viognier. 

As I was trying to contain the inappropriate noises of pleasure that were escaping my lips, Adam approached with a gazelle-like creature who turned out to be the deputy editor of House and Leisure. I was wiping hollandaise sauce from my chin when he introduced me with a chortle: “This is my sister. Bless her, she came for the food”. This elegant woman took pity on me as I tried to become one with the couch, wishing my alter ego would stride confidently though the doorway with a winning smile and a leather-bound portfolio of my work. Aye me.

It took me another bolstering glass of SHAZAM! To recover from that moment of shame. Not one to be deterred for very long, I found solace in a wee plate of waterblommetjie and mushroom risotto. This dish was superb. I switched back to white but went with Ka-POW! - my firm favourite. Adam’s artful use of Chardonnay and Viognier showcases a delicate Chenin blanc base. Interestingly, this wine is partly barrel fermented - this is possibly why I like it. I have a thing for the subtle spicy characters of barrel fermented wine.

Even though I was full I couldn't help nibbling from my husband’s bowl. The Cape fish stew was accompanied by saffron pap and of course there had to be wine so I topped up, this time with KABOOM! It’s a blend of the “Bordeaux 5” and while it’s more robust than say, the Yardskick Pinot Noirs, it was remarkably delicious between morsels of this inspiring seafood dish.

To be honest, by this time I was a bit unsteady on the old pins and after this it all becomes a blur. Single frames from my memory include: a monstrous vat of Brewers & Union beers nestled in ice [egad]; Grappa with coffee and Truffles [yeep]. Other frames show images of a straw castle laid to waste as children returned to the warm laps of their replenished parents. And rain.

Thanks guys, you are magnificent.

Hic’

Photo by Wine Gems

Gypsy Café

I have a few firm favourite restaurants in Cape Town: El Burro, Woodlands Eatery and Hello Sailor. I am loyal to these guys but hope they can share because last night a pretty young thing joined their ranks.

Gypsy Café in Observatory is one of the special ones. You can always tell if a restaurant has heart, and this one does. My husband and I have been wanting to go for months because we drive past 87 Station road daily. My beloved mum is in town at the moment so last night we found the perfect opportunity to visit this fairy-lit half-hidden bistro of quirk and joy.

The first thing that struck me was the decor. From the bird cages, thoughtful paintings and suitcases to the festive bunting and higgledy-piggledy potted succulents in the alleyway, Gypsy doesn't just excel in the culinary arts, it is a feast for the eyes as well. Everywhere I looked I found something for my peepers to drool over. It reminds me of the little family-run cafés that we'd discover when I was a surly teenager being dragged reluctantly through provincial France by my monstrously unfair parents. Aye me.

Each month the Gypsy finds a new country to explore and offers specials inspired by these new regions. The gastronomes have kitchen-traveled to such exotic places as Thailand, France and - where we landed last night - Argentina. The main courses on offer were well-priced and well-spiced and left me with a belly full of wanderlust.

Currently, Gypsy's specials reflect the fierce Argentinian love of meat. The starter sets this scene by using a salad to artfully uplift the flavours of prosciutto. To follow is a modest 300g rib eye steak, encrusted in crushed coriander and served with a chimichurri sauce that'll have you saying "¡Olé!" in no time.

If you're not a carnivore don't be dismayed, they cater for a range of preferences and have vegan options that are actual full meals. I find this a feat to marvel at.

While we gargled in delight at the nomadic specials, the three of us did pick our fare from the more permanent chalk-board selection. We sampled the blue cheese and garlic snails - each mouthful of which brought forth goaty noises of pleasure - and the fresh spring rolls which are served with a sweet chilli sauce that is more Thai-spicy than your regular sickly saccharine goop. Other starters available included chicken livers, salmon cannelloni and a roasted veg salad.

I opted for the "Two Tarts" main.  My plate arrived with two heart-shaped phyllo pastry tarts. These terrific little guys were filled with different cheeses and served with a tangy onion and balsamic reduction, and a fresh salad. My husband opted for the line-fish, which was ocean-friendly silver, served with a creamy garlic sauce and generous lashings of dill. Our dear mum had the chicken. This was a bird as moist and succulent as you could wish for, perched on a plump nest of roasted veg. At this point conversation slowed down. It was limited to the sounds of gnashing mastication and grunts of contentment as we swapped forkfuls of morsels and restrained ourselves from licking the plates like we would do at home. Sorry mom. We do that at home.

I firmly believe that most of the time it's the little things that count, so when bill arrived as a wee scroll wrapped up in a ribbon, and surrounded by chocolate coins, I nearly swooned. So I went outside and smelled the jasmine creeper that grows by the door until I had successfully come back down from the clouds.

What will be bringing me back to this gem is its winning combination of very well-priced meals that are obviously prepared with pride and care, and a warm, personal ambiance. When we were first seated, by one of the owners, my mum gave him the 3rd degree about how he should stock the wines that my brother makes. Bless this man's soul if he didn't twitch an eyebrow. He was the picture of grace and good manners as our mum continued to extoll, at great length, the virtues of said brother until hunger itself made her stop and choose her dishes. Instead of taking the gap and legging it, this good gentleman then took a seat at a neighbouring table and talked us through the menu with the same thorough dedication as my mother so clearly has to her beloved offspring.

The wine list samples a wide variety of cape classics and while corkage exists at R30, there's something for every palate on the Gypsy's list. One of the three owners is an experienced wine sommelier and the selection at Gypsy can only benefit from his considerations. Soon I am sure, this poor man will be worn down by my mother's conversation and we will see some Mulderbosch and Yardstick wines on their already impressive list list. (Ahem)

Gypsy Cafe

87 Station rd Observatory

021 448 8336

Mmmmm.