On our radar

This month we’re obssessed with the newest viral breakfast trend, the prettiest lunchbox cakes, JHB’s new 24-hour gourmet garage shop and a restaurant so cool you may never get a table

Golden brown

Move over salted caramel. Brown-butter caramel is the new kid on the block. Just ask international coffee conglomerate Starbucks, who’ve made it one of their new frappuccino flavours. Why the fuss? Cooking butter slightly past its melting point yields a rich, intensely nutty flavour that sings with the sweetbitter notes of a good home-made caramel sauce. Intrigued? Give it a whirl.

BROWN BUTTER CARAMEL SAUCE

Melt 6 T butter in a small saucepan over a low to medium heat, swirling the pan frequently until it separates and brown bits start to form at the bottom. Once it’s golden brown and smells nutty, remove from the heat and allow to cool. Place 200 g sugar in a pan over a medium heat and melt. When dark and caramel-coloured, whisk in the cooled browned butter. Remove the pan from the heat and slowly add ½ cup cream while whisking (it’ll splatter, but don’t panic!) until glossy. Return to the heat and simmer over a low heat for a few minutes, then allow to cool and thicken. Add a sprinkle of sea salt if you like.

PARTY FOR ONE

From its birthplace in South Korean cafés to the hippest bakeries in the States, the UK and right here in SA, everyone seems to be sweet on the bento box cake trend right now. We’re not surprised. Measuring around 10 x 8 cm, the dinky desserts are easy on the eyes (check out the cutie from Spoonlick Bakery in Cape Town), they’re delicious and, since they come in a singleserving takeaway container, it’s only fair to assume you’re supposed to finish it on your own. In one sitting. @spoonlick

24-HOUR PARTY, PEOPLE!

The post-party pie-and-Coke run has levelled up in Joburg thanks to chef David Higgs and the Marble Group. Pantry, the “fancy, but easy” 24-7 Sasol forecourt convenience store on Jan Smuts Avenue, has all the staples you’d expect, plus a selection of artisanal and imported products and swanky homeware. It's the kind of one-stop deli that offers everything from sushi bowls to takeaway woodfired pizza, while the artisanal bakery will always have sourdough and tartes tatin on stand-by. @pantry_jhb

The toast with the most

Is it breakfast? Is it dessert? With millions of TikTok users falling over themselves to make #custardtoast, does it matter? A couple of spoonfuls of yoghurt, one egg, a dash of maple syrup and a handful of fresh berries is all you’ll need to whip up this viral toast topper that yields a surprisingly delicious, cheesecakey result.

Blonde ambition

If the throngs of cool kids (formerly hipsters) commandeering the outdoor space are anything to go by, Blondie restaurant on Cape Town’s Kloof Street – the new satellite to the eponymous Joburg bar – is the place to be now. Go for the tall, ice-cold palomas and retro-ironic decor; stay for chef Ma’or Harris’s inspired menu, including the likes of charred Romaine wedges with Parmesan, whole roasted brinjal with tahini and harissa shortrib. @blondie_cpt