Travelling Taste-buds

With the Heritage Day public holiday falling on a Thursday, I decided to take leave on the Friday and fly to Pretoria for an extended weekend.  Leaving a gloomy Cape Town behind, I arrived in Gauteng to the most amazing weather.  Where a windy Cape Town seems to be clinging on to temperatures of around 18°C, Pretoria stays above 30°C and with no wind.

I seem to travel with my taste buds and so we decided to visit Pizzeria Milan straight from the airport on our way home. I have heard a lot about this restaurant that is known for using the freshest ingredients and for their home-smoked meats.  Their Napoleon cake for dessert is a must-taste.

To complement our Italian food Keith surprised me with some wine from Italy to complete the experience.

Smoked Pork Pizza

I wanted to taste their smoked pork and decided instead on a smoked pork pizza, being wary of ordering the 600g of smoked pork ribs on offer so late at night. Keith had a rib-eye steak and we decided to have a relaxed meal in order to try Lana’s Napoleon cake that was being freshly made within view of our table.

Rib eye Steak

I enjoyed the pork and decided to buy the 600g of smoked pork rib as a take-away and use it in a smoked pork salad the next day.

The pizza crust was thin and crispy, the way I like it and Keith’s steak was soft and tender. The Napoleon cake is a mille-feuille and reminded me of the Russian style multi-layered mille-feuille. With layers of crisp pastry filled with custard it was pure decadence and was enjoyed with some Italian coffee.

Fresh Napoleon Cake

A slice of Napoleon cake

We went home basking in the afterglow of the hospitality of our hosts and their dedication to the preparation of their delicious food. Everything I heard of the food was true and I am glad we took the effort and the GPS to find this gem.

On Friday we drove to old Cullinan to have a meal at “As Greek as it Gets”. Not being able to get a table the previous time we went, I took the precaution of booking early this time. I was glad we did so because soon after we sat down Patron Stavros asked the hostess to put up the “full” sign.

Chicken Bourekia

Artichokes in Lemon Yogurt Sauce

We enjoy Greek food and this restaurant with its formidable owner was a real treat. Enjoying some cold Camparis as an aperitif we perused the menu and decided on a Mezze platter in order to taste a variety of dishes. This was accompanied by a bottle of Hermanuspietersfontein No 7, Sauvingnon Blanc.

  

Grilled Calamari

Spanakorizo Spinach mixed with Savoury Rice and yoghurt

Stavros is a formidable host and the restaurant runs like a well-oiled machine. With Melissa attending to us and guiding us in our choices under Stavros’s watchful eye, we had a memorable lunch experience.

Sardines, Beef Souvlakia and Potato Wedges

With applauding taste buds we headed home and realised that both dining experiences were enhanced by the personal interest of the owners. At both restaurants, the Patrons took a personal interest in the preparation of the food while attending to the needs of guests.