Sunday lunch at Tokara

This is just a quick post because we thought we needed to share this Sunday Lunch gem.

Tokara is well known for their wines and olive oil and as we found out their breath taking view. With my line of work I was eager to taste their olive oil (which really is quite good - despite me being very bias) and was surprised to see how many delicious variations they produce.

Tokara is along the Helshoogte pass heading towards Francshhoek so one rainy Sunday afternoon we set off with our friend Nick to explore a little bit. We decided when we got there, that looking around wouldn't be enough for us and we needed to try some of the delicious goodies at their Delicatessen. They have the most wonderful lunch buffet which worked out pretty nicely because there is no set fee, you simply weigh your plate at the end of the line of the Sunday lunch delights. Roast chicken ,lamb in gravy, veggies, exotic salads, all sorts of goodies. The Deli has a wide variety of specialty items and could make any cooking enthusiast drool. 
It's also a very child friendly place and we'd definitely recommend it if you have kids of any age - their jungle gyms are so cool, we even had to try them out (if it wasn't for the rain we'd probably have stayed even longer). 
The view of the valley is absolutely stunning and it goes on forever. Since it being a Sunday, their wine tasting closed at 3pm so sadly we missed out - we were lucky enough to taste their 5 year old potstill brandy at WineX in November and it is as beautiful as the bottle they pour it from.

We decided it was far to early to go home and seeing as Hillcrest Berry Farm is just around the corner from Tokara we made it our next stop. The chilli hot chocolate is definitely something worth writing home about and I have loved it ever since I tried it about 6 years ago. This accompanied by the cutest ginger lady really hit the spot.

 

A night with Madam Zingara

Madam Zingara has been on my Bucket list for as long as I can remember and we've finally ticked it off.

For those of you who don't know Madam Zingara's Theater of Dreams is a travelling dinner circus, not the kind with elephants and poodles. The kind where beautiful girls with glitter and feathers do amazing acrobatics from the top of the circus tent while you enjoy your delicious 4 course meal. It takes place in the only Spiegel tent in Africa and is propped up by 1000 beveled mirrors.

We arrived a little earlier to enjoy the atmosphere and take in as much as we possible could. The entrance itself is a feast for your eyes with so many different things happening around you, from the Geisha on a podium to the floating top hats at the bar.

Once you enter through the door you find a fancy dress shop so you can make yourself feel at home as well as face painters do the most exquisite art works.

Fancy dress shop

Face painting

                                     

Welcome drinks are passed around and you're ushered to your seat (we were lucky enough to get an upgrade so we were even closer to the action). Before the show started we were served a wonderful mezze platter with a wonderful spinach and pear soup as well as cheeses,roasted nuts, bread sticks and a variety of dips.

Delicious Mezze plater to start the evening

The lights dim and the magic starts. A giant chandelier is lowered from the top of the tent and two women climb on and are lifted to the ceiling where they start the most spectacular acrobatics - no safety nets or strings attached. It's hard to take your eyes off them as they dangle above the audience.

The show is stolen by Cathy Specific, Queen of the Skies. She has a body to die for and quick wit to match, she had us laughing every time she was on stage. Cathy Specific is originally part of the musical comedy Mile High with Cathy Specific. What an awesome performer...she's have you eating out of the palms of her very large hands.

After the first half of the show dinner is served. What a menu, they've really made a huge job out of choosing what you want as a main. After our waiter Sheroo had gone through the list it was a no brainer to choose the Madam Zingara specialty of Chocolate Chilli Fillet with a magnificent tower of vermicelli which was equally spectacular on the taste buds as the show was on the eyes. (This awesome dish can also be found at the Bombay Bicycle Club if you can't get tickets for the show)

The rest of the show was one jaw dropping performance after the next with Russian balancing acts and contortionists to mention a few. Madam Zingara definitely brings a slice of magic to Cape Town and the Theater of Dreams will be at the V & A Waterfront until June. Tickets range from R385 - R475/R495 depending on where you are seated but seating is staggered so you are able to see from anywhere. Booking online seems to be the simplest way to book.