Casareccio

Eugene and I have made another discovery - Casareccio in Hout Bay, Cape Town.  It baffles me that it has taken us so long to discover what hordes of people have known about for ages!  A place that serves English breakfasts, divine Italian pizza and pasta, Portuguese specialities, perfect pastry and more.  A Cucina Italiana with a real Italian Mama in command of the kitchen, a restaurateur whose experience, energy and enthusiasm is daunting and delicious food that invites one to return again and again.

Friends introduced us to Casareccio.  All eight of us trooped in on a busy week night.  Actually, I think that every night is busy at Casareccio.  But the friends had booked and we were immediately taken under the warmly hospitable wing of Jorge Ferreira, the owner and his excellent team of service staff.   Eugene and I were quite bowled over by the vast array of pizza and pasta choices. There are also a number of salads and 'Speciality Dishes', which reflect Jorge's Portuguese heritage and are star turns at Casareccio.  To further complicate matters, there are specials displayed on a blackboard. Good grief, where to start?  I wanted everything.  We were gently guided through the maze of delights by our valiantly patient companions and finally decided to begin the proceedings with Garlic and Herb Focaccia (or two).  To follow, I ordered a half portion of 'Pasta Contadina (Village Style)' with olive oil, garlic, artichokes with white wine and parsley with added chorizo for good measure. And a side salad!

Delicious Italian Food At Magica Roma

Eugene and I adore Italian food.   Authentic, delicious Italian food made with the best and purest ingredients and with all the verve, passion and energy that the finest Italian chefs bring to their creations.

So it is with unalloyed happiness that we have been regular patrons of Magica Roma for years and years.

Magica Roma Ristorante Italiano at 8 Central Square, Pinelands in Cape Town, is proudly Italian.  Everything about it is Italian, from the owner/chefs Ezio De Biaggi and Franco Zezia, to the food that emerges triumphantly from the kitchen.   Our hosts were named Cavalieri Del Lavoro (Knights) by the President of Italy Dr. Scalfaro,  for creating a completely genuine Italian restaurant outside Italy.  Having been accorded this signal honour,  they are honour bound to maintain the finest tradition of Italian cooking using only the best ingredients.  Wine Magazine has, since the year 2000, included them each year in the top 100 restaurants in South Africa.  Rossouw's  Restaurant has awarded Magica Roma 3 stars.  In addition to all of this, there are numerous glowing write-ups and mentions from all over the world.

Cargills

I find it incredible that we only found out about lovely Cargills Restaurant at 20 Station Road, Rondebosch, Western Cape, on Saturday 26th January 2013!   A foodie chef friend took over the  restaurant and treated his friends to an evening of superb food, finest wines and great conviviality.  We were captivated.   As soon as we could, we returned to Cargills, this time for lunch.

The restaurant, situated opposite Rondebosch station, is part of a row of shops with windows fronting directly onto the street. There is an air of genteel tranquillity, no hustle and bustle and lots of trees and shade.  The Rondebosch library is there.  As a young girl I used to take the bus to Rondebosch station to visit the library.  And now, all the years on, it seems that time has stood still.  Nothing has changed.  All quaint and English villagey.

Jordan Restaurant with George Jardine

We loved the experience of George Jardine's restaurant in Bloem Street, Cape Town.  We loved the food that emerged from his kitchen and the quirkiness of the upstairs downstairs set up of the place.   So when he relocated to a mountain eyrie in Stellenbosch, we became very happy camp followers.

To reach his mountain perch, one motors up a narrow road, framed by trees and lakes and vineyards and in summer, the brilliant colours of flowers and shrubs all dressed up in their best.   At the very end of the road the restaurant beams its welcome.  Beautifully constructed from wood, glass and steel, and surrounded by a bower of trees, it all blends perfectly and harmoniously.  Lovely to park under the trees; blessed shade on the fiery Cape summer days.

Lincoln

                                                                                                                                       

                                                                                 

Directed by:    Steven Spielberg
Screenplay by:  Tony  Kushner                                                               

Starring:         Daniel Day-Lewis
                        Sally Field
                        David Strathairn
                        James Spader
                        Hal Holbrook
                        Tommy Lee Jones

Running time : 150 minutes                                                                                 
Based on the book by Doris Kearns Goodwin, 'Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln'.
                                                   
Time Magazine devoted a cover to Daniel Day Lewis' craggy profile as Lincoln.  Critics have written hundreds of words of praise for every aspect of the film.  At the time of writing this article, nominations for every award imaginable have been received.  So all that remained after digesting this panegyric was a personal assessment.   And quite simply, in Back Chat's opinion, this is a film at which to wonder.  Wonder at the mastery of Daniel Day Lewis' portrayal of Lincoln.  Wonder at the superb performances of supporting actors and wonder at cinematography and screenplay that are beautifully and miraculously wedded.

Come to the movies with us !

I would love to know your reactions to this cinematic experience.  Do let me know.  You may like to leave a comment on Back Chat or email me at les@leslieback.co.za .  I look forward to hearing from you.

Woodlands Eatery

Happily ensconced at 2 Deer Park Drive, Vredehoek in Cape Town, South Africa, the Woodlands Eatery is serving delicious food that defies any stereotype.  Yes, it does do pizzas and burgers, but they are especially wonderful pizzas and burgers. But it is not just a pizza and burger place! This little gem of food happiness produces dishes to satisfy all tastes and palates.  Wonderful antipasti, dishes of the day that make choice impossibly difficult and desserts that include a chocolate fondant that is the stuff of dreams. (Incidentally, before you tar and feather me for appearing to cast doubt on the nobility of pizza and burger places, let me hasten to assure you that I am in total awe of good examples of those particular cuisines.)

Emily Moon Revisited

In February 2010, I wrote an article describing our visit to Emily's Restaurant at the Emily Moon River Lodge in Plettenberg Bay.  The title, "The Legend of Emily Moon."  For there is a legend.  Now, two and a half years later, I am taking you back to Emily's with news of a new chef and the delicious food he is creating.

Our first sensation as we re-entered the world of Emily Moon was relief that physically nothing had changed.  It is still a magical place in an idyllic setting.  Read the first article in which I tell of the phantasmagorical story of two lost loves, and hopefully, you will understand the magic.

The Legend of Emily Moon

There is a magical place in Plettenberg Bay called The Emily Moon River Lodge.   Eugene and I visited this place where legend swirls and where fiction and fact are so closely interwoven that reality becomes blurred.

We dined in the bewitching Emily's Restaurant.  But first, in order to tell the tale and to set the scene, I shall describe our first impressions as we entered this extraordinary world.

Spice Route Restaurant

Sitting regally on the slopes of Paarl Mountain, on the Suid-Agter Paarl side and overlooking a breath-taking expanse of open plain, is a farm that 300 years ago was named De Leuwen Jagt which is Dutch for 'The Lion Hunt.'.  Today, 300 years on, the farm is called Spice Route and nestled within its confines is a great new restaurant, also named Spice Route.  The name recalls the centuries-old practice when fragrant and exotic spices were transported by sea around the Cape of Good Hope to the Sundra Strait in Indonesia.  The farm is owned by siblings, Charles Back and Abigail Bisogno. 

Two New England Eating Adventures

New England Diaries.

This article combines 'Back Chat Eats Out' with 'Travels With Back Chat'.   Eating and travel are two of Back Chat's favourite things.  It is the story of two special  experiences that Eugene and I enjoyed during our New England odyssey:

River House, Portsmouth, USA

Constantino's Venda Ravioli, Providence. USA

La Belle Café & Bakery

‘The Alphen' in Constantia, Western Cape, has always been there, much like a benevolent maiden aunt at every family occasion.  Now a fresh breeze has swept through the lovely old place and given it new life.  A new owner, Paul Kovensky, whose innovative refurbishment allowed the spirit and ethos of the old Alphen to remain and voila, the Alphen once again stands tall and proud.  And nestling in amongst all this loveliness is La Belle Café and Bakery, the brainchild and province of Simone, Paul Kovensky's wife.

It was a rainy, grey day when Eugene and I first visited La Belle.  The gracious old Cape Dutch building beckoned its welcome and we happily left the inclement weather behind as we entered the warm heart of the restaurant.   The welcome was smiling and friendly.  I always find this so important.  It sets the tone and standard for the entire experience.  There is nothing I hate more than snooty, uncaring front of the house staff.

Boston The Third Adventure

New England Diaries

A lovely lazy Sunday in New England and our gang was back in Boston, this time to visit the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum.  But first lunch at Joe's American Bar and Grill at 181 Newbury Street.

Boston - The 2nd Adventure

The New England Diaries.

During our second adventure in Boston, we visited the JFK Presidential Library and Museum.  We had an hiliarious and delicious dinner at P.F. Chang's China Bistro and spent an evening at the theatre experiencing the controlled lunacy of the Blue Man Group.  Do join Back Chat on a wonderful day in Boston.

On a rainy day in June we visited the JFK Presidential Library and Museum.  The sight of that splendid concrete building with its majestic glass pavilion was triumphal.  The great Chinese American architect, I.M.Pei,  who designed the library, was the personal choice of Jackie Kennedy's.  She picked him from a bevy of major talents because in her view he had the imagination and promise to realise her vision for the project.  I love his startling glass pyramid above the Louvre in Paris and was overjoyed at the prospect of seeing more of his work.

Boston: The First Adventure.

The New England Diaries. 

Happily settled in our amazing billet in Seekonk, Eugene and I were constantly delighted by its close proximity to some of the great cities in that north eastern corner of the United States.  Robin and James remained unfazed by distances or the prospect of driving those distances.  So a distance of 80 kilometres (50 miles) from Providence to Boston was dismissed as a mere bagatelle.  During our time in New England, we would visit Boston three times, each time an adventure.

Gardener's Cottage.

Eugene and I love eating at The Gardener's Cottage in Newlands, Cape Town.  It has been in existence for 19 years and for as many years we have been delighted by their lovely homemade food . Visiting the restaurant is a bit like going back in time. There is a gentle and relaxed feel that harks back to another time when life was less trammelled and cluttered with modernity.  Let me hasten to add that it is a very modern and up to date establishment.  However, the owner, Lee Barty, has created a sanctuary of calm and peace in her cottage under the ancient trees.

New York! New York!

 The New England Diaries.

Of course New York is not in New England.  However, our wonderful New York interlude took place while Eugene and I were staying with Robin and James in their beautiful New England home.  Therefore I have included it under 'The New England Diaries' banner.  Please forgive me and Back Chat our literary licence.

Midnight In Paris

Midnight In Paris 

Directed and Written by Woody Allen

Starring:  Owen Wilson

                Rachel McAdams

                Marion Cotillard

                Kathy Bates

                Adrien Brody

                Carla Bruni

                Michael Sheen

Eugene and I love Paris and all things French.  We are intrigued by every detail of the 'lost generation' and are really quite disappointed that we didn't live during that glorious time.  So, Woody Allen's 'Midnight In Paris' was the looking glass through which we stepped to capture wisps of a dream.  A dream of sharing the Paris of the 20's and 30's with all the extraordinary and brilliant people who created the magic that has us in their thrall

Join Back Chat as we 'Go To The Movies' and enjoy Woody Allen's tribute to Paris with us.  I would love to know your reaction to this remarkable film.  Do contact me at les@leslieback.co.za or leave a comment on Back Chat, I look forward to hearing from you.  

Harbour House Restaurant Kalk Bay

Kalk Bay has a wonderful, bustling, working harbour and happily ensconced on a breakwater in the harbour is  Harbour House Restaurant.  There she sits, perched on the edge of the ocean, eyeing all the goings on.   In order to reach this lady of the bay, we made our way up some stairs and into a lovely place that seemed all light and white.

The interior of Harbour House Restaurant is divided into various rooms, terraces and cosy nooks.   Each space has a number and the tables in that area are numbered accordingly.  We sat in the 60's at a table number 61.  Our table was in a corner of a room with floor to ceiling windows.  Waves broke and crashed over the rocks below us and birds wheeled overhead.  I am told that whales can be seen at various time of the year, frolicking and blowing up plumes of spray, sadly not for us that day, but still a vista spectacular and breathtaking.

Memories of Irma Stern

Memories Of Irma Stern

                                                   1894 - 1966                                         

This is a story of a time long past, when my world was younger and I had the incredible good luck to meet  the fantastic Irma Stern.  These are some of my memories of that amazing lady.   I do hope that you will travel back in time with me and enjoy the memoir.

Martha's Vineyard

The New England Diaries

Eugene and I had only ever heard of Martha's Vineyard as a summer playground of the rich and very famous.  So many tales of happenings that have made newspaper headlines.  But we were going to learn more about this extraordinary place.  Robin would share his knowledge and be our guide on a fascinating exploration of 'The  Vineyard'.   His treasure trove of detail and anecdotes would make this adventure all the more remarkable.

He rounded us up for an early start for the drive to New Bedford, a city in Bristol County, Massachusetts.  Here we booked our tickets on a ferry to Martha's Vineyard.  It all seemed so normal for people to be taking a short sea voyage to their jobs or their homes.  Apparently 'The Vineyard' is only accessible by sea or air.  We enjoyed the journey on the calm waters of the Nantucket Sound and landed at Oak Bluffs, a town located in Dukes County, Massachusetts.   Eugene and I were never going to get used to the rapidity and ease with which we changed states,counties,cities and towns. Robin hired a car and off we went to explore this quite extraordinary place.  What a treat lay in store!