Cross country
Craving a break, but only have one day to spare? Head out here.
Cape Town The Foodbarn Noordhoek Farm Village, Noordhoek; 021 789 1390
Acclaimed chef Franck Dangereux serves outstanding, unpretentious food in this rustic space, rated as one of the city’s finest. The menu changes daily, with favourites like the Karoo lamb rack (R230) and prawn risotto (R210) to keep guests coming back for more.
The Werf Restaurant 10 Park Dr, Boschendal Estate, Franschoek; 021 870 4206
Expect exquisite farm-to-table dishes and the estate’s award-winning wines, at this fine spot. For starters, try the beef fillet tartar (R98). Then treat yourself and your partner to the salt baked trout and forage salad (R450 to share)
Harbour House 1 Hout Bay Rd, Constantia; 021 795 0688
Huge windows, breathtaking valley views and contemporary decor in a century-old barn make for a memorable setting, with food to match. Dine on their legendary sushi, share a seafood platter (R700) or try the kingklip with orange beurre blanc sauce (R235).
Durban Piggly Wiggly 1 Dargle Rd, Lions River; 033 234 2911
Set on the popular Midlands Meander route, Piggly Wiggly is great for lazy lunches and laid-back brunches. Try the eggs Benedict with crispy bacon (R74) or scrambled egg croissant with smoked Norwegian salmon (R85). And for a touch of decadence? Dark hot chocolate with whipped cream (R32)!
Intaba View 10 Old Main Rd, Drummond; 031 783 4011
Combine a great menu with stunning views of the Phezulu Nature Reserve and you have ample reason to head for the Valley of a 1 000 Hills. The traditional SA favourites here include braised oxtail and beans (R115), country pie (R86) and spicy Natal curry (R95).
The Bierfassl R103, Rawdons Estate, Nottingham; 033 266 6320
This Austrian-themed eatery is always packed, and for good reason: the meals are hearty and the surrounds are beautiful. Sample a range of local craft beers with the Taster Paddle (R48) then move onto the Oktoberfest Baby Chicken (R120) and German Black Forest Gateaux (R55).
Joburg Olifants Café 7 Nelson Rd, The Big Red Barn, Olifantsfontein; 072 517 0966
With a cycle park and kids’ play area, Olifants Café makes for fun family outings. Expect light dishes like the Barn Breakfast (fried eggs, bacon, baked beans and fries; R35) or try the signature Texan Pit pizza (pork, bacon, pineapple, green chilli and red onion on a traditional pizza base; R110).
Black Horse Estate 32 Zeekoeihoek Rd, Magaliesburg; 082 453 5295
Perched on the shores of the Magalies River, this family-friendly estate boasts both a restaurant and a craft brewery with a great range of gin, vodka and beers. The menu features easy alehouse fare like caramelised apple and Camembert scones (R70), crispy pork knuckle (R147) and build-it-yourself pizza (from R45).
Country House Restaurant 1 Elansdrift Rd, The Hertford Hotel, Lanseria; 084 761 2017
This spot has a long and excellent reputation for serving hearty lunches and dinners in a setting that oozes old-world charm. Try the traditional lamb shank (R145) slow-roasted in a classic tomato and red wine sauce, then end a lazy afternoon with a delicious homemade dessert, like the Hertford Berry Pavlova (R48).
Rocks Honne Warm on a Cold Night
The title says it all. Honne means ‘innermost feelings’ in Japanese and that is what this UK duo are all about: honest, self-revealing lyrics combined with the electro-funky beats and soulful vocals that shone through on the three EPS that preceded this debut album. Key track ‘Someone that loves you’ Get it For its groovy melodies ✪✪✪✪✪
Jack White Acoustic Recordings 1998-2016
A stripped-back, wide-ranging retrospective of a stunningly diverse career, this first compilation album from singer-songwriter Jack White features remixes, alternate versions and material that was originally recorded for The White Stripes, The Raconteurs and as a solo artist. Key track ‘Love interruption’ Get it As a collector’s item ✪✪✪✪
John Legend Darkness and Light
With 10 Grammys, a Golden Globe and an Oscar to his credit, Mr Legend is living up to his name! His fifth album is a mix of R&B and soul, and it includes collaborations with Miguel and Chance the Rapper, as well as ‘Right by you’, a song composed for Luna, his daughter with model Chrissy Teigen. Key track ‘Love me now’ Get it If you love slow jams ✪✪✪✪
J Cole 4 Your Eyez Only
With all 10 tracks from his album charting on the Billboard Hot 100, this hip hop artist has hit the big time. 4 Your Eyez Only follows the life of a fictional character, named James, as he goes from selling crack to falling in love. The final track reveals that James has died, and the album is a tape he created for his daughter. Key track ‘Deja Vu’ Get it For its poetic lyrics ✪✪✪✪
Reads A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness
(Walker Books; R180) Sad, wise, darkly funny and marvellously illustrated, A Monster Calls is a meditation on grief, growth and courage, one of those children’s books that speaks to the eternal child in every one of us. Whatever your age, you will surely relate to 13-year-old Conor O’malley as he is forced to come to terms with the imminent loss of his mother to cancer, all with the help of a most unusual and compelling yew tree.
Break Point by James Patterson
(Penguin; R63) Looking for a quick, grabby and well-priced read? How about a Bookshot? This devour-in-one-sitting format was devised by the mega-selling thriller author with the aim of delivering the impact of a full-size novel in a fraction of the pages. “Like reading movies,” as he describes it. The plot here revolves around tennis star Kirsten Keller and Chris Foster, the former police officer she hires to protect her from a murderous stalker during Wimbledon.
Nujeen by Nujeen Mustafa and Christina Lamb
(Harpercollins; R216) The true story of a Syrian teenager with cerebral palsy, Nujeen follows her harrowing, wheelchair-bound journey from warstricken Aleppo to Europe, giving a human face to the statistics. Read this for a deeper, more heartfelt sense of what it is to be displaced and swept up in what news reports call “the refugee crisis”.