Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Mediterranean-inspired braai buffet a festive feast
his time of year there are many gift ideas floating around, but if the person you’re buying for drink alcohol, your job is slightly easier.
There are two ways to approach buying a festive spirits gift pack. You could buy a tipple you know will be well received, which is a safe bet if you’ve seen them enjoy it before.
Or you could use your gift to expand someone’s palate – within reason. If you know your mom likes to sip a gin, why not get a craft gin?
Still, this is the time of year to be merry, and nothing achieves that better than a special (often limited edition) gift pack.
T● Tequila is all grown up and you’ll find it in many of your summer cocktails this summer. The Patron Premium Imported Silver Tequila and Shaker in Gift Pack would be a great spirits gift. The silver tequila does make for a good sippper, but put the shaker to good use and experiment with fruity, tequila cocktails.
Recommended selling price:
R400. THE Oasis Bistro at the Mount Nelson Hotel is the perfect getaway from the busy streets of the CBD and it re-opened for summer!
The restaurant offers a Mediterranean-inspired buffet as well as an à la carte menu with grilled meats, roasted linefish and daily specials harvested from local markets.
If you love a good braai and want to have yours in style, then try out the Saturday braai buffet. As my partner and I entered the restaurant we were greeted by the friendly hostess and a whiff of burning wood hit us almost immediately.
The restaurant has a relaxed, contemporary feel.
The stretched-out silver male and female door handles is a definite conversation starter.
I had a good laugh watching my partner strategically place his hand around the female’s midsection as he opened the door, being careful not to touch her “inappropriately”.
The braai is different to any braai my partner and I have ever been to. This feast includes a selection of warm, home-baked breads, pâté, cold meats and chicken thighs.
For the fish lovers there is also a seafood buffet with oysters, smoked trout, mussels and a juicy prawn salad.
Outside, the chefs are grilling a selection of sirloin steak, lamb
Oasis Bistro, 76 Orange Street, Gardens, Cape Town
021 483 1000
Lunch is served daily from
12.30 noon cutlets, pork spare ribs, lamb ribs, chicken and potjie sosaties.
The meat dishes come with traditional accompaniments of char-grilled mealies, garlic bread and braaibroodjies (traditional braai sandwiches with tomato and onion).
I went with the chef ’s suggestion of lamb kebabs as starter, with a side portion of potato salad, couscous and quinoa salad and two slices of garlic bread.
R1 000.
● SA brandies are world class and the KWV 15 year old (with decanter in gift pack) is a testament to this. With tropical and peach flavour notes this brandy is a special treat for the brandy lover.
Recommended selling price: R700.
The kebabs and garlic bread were the best!
My meat was perfectly cooked and very succulent with just the right amount of barbecue sauce.
It tasted great with the crisp, cheesy garlic roll.
For mains we ordered the chicken for me and pork ribs for him.
While I enjoyed the chicken, I must admit the ribs were very tasty. The meat was perfectly done, succulent to the bone.
As for the portions, perhaps some would feel they are quite small, but this is good when you are pacing yourself for all the other options available.
The chilled CBC and Jack
Black lagers and pilseners on tap were the perfect complement.