Challenge 16: Ride In

| Stellenbosch Culinary Challenge | 

 - a student's quest to visit every restaurant in Stellenbosch, 

before her final graduation - 

Ride In is a unique concept. It is mainly geared towards cyclists wanting easy access to the trails of Jonkershoek but they are open to the public and are besides Postcard Cafe the only restaurants that pair the beauty that Jonkershoek Nature Reserve  has to offer with great food.

Situated at the start of Jonkershoek way, just 3 kilometers outside Stellenbosch, Ride In is a great access point to all Jonkershoek has to offer. If the ample parking spots, bike hires, showers and bike wash don't intrigue you, the cafe and accommodation sure will. 

 The cafe has a limited menu, but the meals are large, fresh and scrumptious. Their menu is displayed on the blackbooards above the counter and changes regularly. They also have a deal of the day, which goes along the line of a main meal, beverage and dessert for about R80-90 - so if nothing else, it's quite a bargain.

Previous lunch options include:

• Steak, rocket & blue cheese open sandwich, with a chocolate brownie and cuppacino (R 85)
• Steak & parsnip pie, with plum tart & coffee (R85) 
• Sweet chilli chicken wrap, with a chocolate brownie and BlueJay juice (R80)

The sweet chilli chicken wrap, with dessert and juice

Steak pie, with juice and mini muffin selection for dessert 

- they cater for the hungry! 

Steak, lentil & aubergine salad, with a Hazz coffee 

and oat & date bar

If you are not opting for their daily lunch deal, other options include all day breakfasts,  spicy chorizo quesidillas, aubergine, rocket & feta sandwich, pies, boboties and hearty  homemade dishes. If you're looking for an afternoon tea spot, Ride In also offers delicious treats and snacks. In fact, when my boyfriend (now fiance) wanted to introduce me to cycling, he made the lucrative offer of a post cycle sweet treat at Ride In - it obviously worked seeing as we are doing the Cape Cycle Tour next weekend, on a tandem... ;-)

The cafe also sells fresh flowers, the Buttanutt range of homemade nut butters, Artisan ice cream from Ice Cream Community and a variety of other energy bars, fresh juices, craft beers and even cycling equipment. 

The amazing view from the seating area and tranquil atmosphere is however what ensures that it is a firm favourite of mine. There is also a great play place which will keep the kids entertained. They also have a generator and free wifi - so if loadshedding strikes, Ride In is a great alternative to the office. 

Whether you are cycling past or just in search of a great meal, Ride In has a lot to offer. 

Amazing sunset as viewed from Ride In

 Outside seating area

 Entrance to Ride In

 Play area for the kids

Specialized bicycles are available to hire for the day 

The counter brimming with sweat treats

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Address | Jonkershoek Road, Stellenbosch

Trading hours | Monday - Saturday 07: 00 - 17:30, (Closed on Tuesdays). Sunday 07:00 - 16:00

Telephone | 021 883 3985

Email | info@ridein.co.za

Website | www.ridein.co.za

* Photo Credit: Ride In

The photos used in this post are not my own * 

Challenge 15: Taste Bud Eatery

| Stellenbosch Culinary Challenge |

- a student's quest to visit every restaurant in town, 

before her final graduation - 

I often pop into the Taste Bud eatery, seeing that it is situated about 300 metres from my lecture hall. It is however not only their convenient location but their clean, fresh approach to food that keeps me coming back. 

Taste Bud has a simple approach - they offer a buffet lunch daily, where you help yourself and the menu is consistently adapted. They also offer the alternative of an a la carte menu. If you still can't get enough, Taste Bud also takes orders for homemade dishes that will make entertaining much more convenient. 

The Taste Bud Eatery has a comfortable feel to it

 and draws visitors and locals alike

The daily buffet is perhaps their biggest attraction. With quality ingredients and creative combinations you will never get bored of the selection. I promise, there are not a bain-marie in sight!  The homey vibe adds to the experience. Pricing is done according to the weight of your plate, so you can determine the size of your portion. 

Delicious buffet lined up

 There are numerous dishes to choose from 

and vegetarians are also well looked after

The buffet is prepared fresh daily 

so when it's done, it's done - best to come early!

Having quite a sweet tooth, the dessert table never disappoints. Their sweet selection also changes constantly, however the red velvet cupcakes with cream cheese icing seems to be a constant winner. They also make a superb red cuppacino and red latte, which for a non-coffee drinker is quite a drawing card. 

The only drawback is that inside seating can be limited on overcast days. On one of my visits, my friend and I were seated at a table for four as it was the last available option. Twice the manager asked if other patrons could join us at our table seeing as they had no more spaces available. We did not complain, but it is not ideal. During the course of our visit, we shared the table with a few different patrons. Towards the end of our coffee, we felt that they encouraged us to leave as soon as possible so that the table would become available again. In summer however there is ample seating available outside under the magnificent oak trees and judging by the seat allocation, this seems to be a firm favourite. 

The dessert selection 

The red velvet cupcakes -  clearly a winner!

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Address | 44 Reyneveld Street, Stellenbosch

Telephone | 082 336 5863

Trading hours | Monday to Friday 08:00 - 17:00

Email | tastebud.eatery@gmail.com

Challenge # 14: Brenaissance & Cafe Blanc de Noir

| The Stellenbosch Culinary Challenge |

- a student's quest to visit every restaurant in town, 

before her final graduation - 

Brenaissance is a wine and stud estate situated in Devon Valley. The estate offers a function venue, accommodation and produce their own wine - Cafe Blanc de Noir (literally translated as a "white wine, made from red grapes) is however my favourite part of the estate. 

The restaurant offers a small selection of dishes, but they are of such a high standard that the limited choice is not a concern. Their menu basically consists of a selection of pizza's, salads and desserts - which make for a delightful combination. 

Their thin-based, rustic wood oven pizza's are by far the best I've had in Stellenbosch, paired with a good vino and you are all set for a scrumptious meal. The first time we visited, my boyfriend and I both ordered our own pizza - we barely managed to finish one so I will definitely suggest that you share with someone, unless you are really hungry! 

On a subsequent visit, we celebrated a special friend's birthday at Cafe Blanc de Noir and both couples ordered a salad and pizza to share. Like their pizza', he salads are scrumptious and come in large portions. My boyfriend and I shared a biltong salad and a parma ham pizza with rosa tomatoes, avo and parmesan shavings. Our friends had the same salad, and for the pizza they combined the cajun chicken and biltong option. There is also a full house pizza option, where you receive all four different pizza's in one - which is a great choice for the indecisive patrons.  We enjoyed a lovely bottle of Lady H, Sauvignon Blanc which was the perfect compliment to our food. My favourite beverage however is the lemon, lime & mint cordial, which basically a virgin mojito cocktail served with lots of fresh, crushed mint. This is the best thirst quencher! 

Half biltong & Half cajun chicken & chorizo pizza

 The Biltong salad - protein packed! 

Parma ham & parmesan pizza

We visited on a Saturday for lunch and the venue was packed, their service was however excellent and our food arrived in record time. All in all, Cafe Blanc de Noir is a rustic spot, surrounded by amazing views and they sure do deliver on quality and service. 

At no extra cost, the Brenaissance team will be happy to host your special functions, offering relative exclusivity for events such as corporate lunches, kitchen teas and birthdays. A venue hire fee will however be charged for the exclusive use of the Cafe. For those with kids, Brenaissance is very accommodating towards the little ones and have a great outside play area to keep them entertained.

When we visited, we sat outside and the blossoms in the surrounding orchids have just started to bloom. Coupled with a small stream cobbling it's way around past the outside seating area it was the perfect spot to celebrate life. 

Birthday celebrations!

 Best way to spend a Saturday

With the special birthday girl

That mint cordial!

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Address | 75/2 Devon Valley Road, Stellenbosch 

Telephone | 021 200 2644

Email | cafe@brenaissance.co.za

Trading hours | Wednesday - Saturday 11:00 - 22:00

                          Sunday & Public Holidays 11:00 - 17:00

Challenge # 13: Tokara Delicatessen

| The Stellenbosch Culinary Challenge |

- a student's quest to visit every restaurant in town, 

before her final graduation - 

My boyfriend has been trying for a while to get me into cycling - with no avail. However, things quickly changed when we tried out tandem cycling. It's great because I sit at the back and let him do all the cycling :-)  but it really is a fun way of exercising and spending time together simultaneously. Because you have quite a lot of momentum, when cycling downhill we decided to put it to the test on Helshoogte Pass, just outside Stellenbosch. Our goal was to see if we could set of the speed camera at the bottom of the Pass, in a 60km/h zone. However, what goes down, must go up, so early Saturday morning we set off for a steep ride, breakfast at Tokara Delicatessen (which would hopefully add to our momentum) and then the downhill challenge.

Set among olive groves and vineyards, overlooking Simonsberg Mountain and the Stellenbosch Valley Tokara is a worthy competitor to the views that Tuscany and the Bordeaux regions in Europe offer. To me, Tokara is like a mini overseas trip!

One of the Delicatessen's best features is that it caters for everyone. They are extremely family orientated, with ample space for kids to play, jungle gyms, toys and other activities. Yet they also have a very stylish and simplistic interior, adding elegance to the venue. Cyclists are also welcomed and seeing as they are situated at the end of the Helshoogte Pass, they are a popular stop-over. Especially the Delicatessen is quite inclusive. 

After cycling to Pniel and back, we were in search of a good breakfast. I had the Avocado on toast, with grilled cherry tomatoes and radishes (R 55) and my boyfriend had the continental butter croissant with eggs and bacon (R 55). It was a cold, drizzly morning, so I had a Earl Grey & Blue Flower loose leaf tea (R20) while the boyfriend indulged in a belgian hot chocolate (R25). The hot chocolate is served with  frothed milk and ample real belgian chocolate which provides for a rich, comforting drink. Their food is of very high quality and since having the avocado toast on my first visit to Tokara a few years ago, it has become my standard choice.

Belgian Hot Chocolate indulgence

Loose leaf Earl Grey & Blue Flower tea

Hungry after a good cycle

The Delicatessen hosts breakfast and lunch. Options that you can look forward to include salads, open sandwiches and more substantial options such as Pork Belly Cassoulet (R 125), Braised Lamb Neck and various platters. An average main meal is about R 80. The majestic view is however free and is my favourite part of Tokara. 

The Delicatessen also sell their own olive products, various delicacies, fresh produce, charcuterie, imported coffees and a selection of handmade belgian chocolates as well as providing a complimentary olive & oil tasting. If a bicycle is not your mode of transport, I can recommend their wine testing hosted in the adjoining cellar and tasting room. 

The estate is also home to a fine dining restaurant, with terroir focused cuisine under the guidance of chef Richard Carstens. The restaurant shares in the magnificent view that the area offers and promises a taste sensation as one of South Africa's leading fine dining restaurants. Clothed in our cycling gear however, we gave the restaurant a miss. :-)

The Tokara estate has a lot to offer, most importantly it cultivates a deep appreciation for and celebrates the beauty of South Africa. 

To finish our outing, we hopped onto our bicycle and started our journey down Helshoogte Pass -  3 kilometres of downhill cycling in which we hoped to gain enough momentum to offset the camera at the bottom of the hill. It was quite an exhilarating experience, whizzing down the hill on a bicycle with only a few centimeters separating you from the very unforgiving tarmac. We gained our maximum speed at 71 km/h, but unfortunately the bicycle was too light to be picked up by the camera - I knew we should have had a bigger breakfast! 

Delicacies available for sale 

Comfortable seating area

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Trading hours | Tuesday - Sunday 09:00 -  17:00

Address | Top op Helshoogte Pass, Stellenbosch

Telephone | 021 808 5950

Email | deli@tokara.com

Website | www.tokara.co.za

Challenge # 12: Lanzerac Deli

| The Stellenbosch Culinary Challenge |

- a student's quest to visit every restaurant in town, 

before her final graduation - 

Following the most beautiful stretch of road, a magnificent lining of oak trees welcome you to the Lanzerac Estate - a better welcoming can surely not be had.The Lanzerac Deli is a new addition to the Lanzerac Estate and serves as a great in between. The Estate also boasts with a number of other restaurants such as the Governors Hall, Lady Anne Courtyard and Terrace restaurant and Esquire Whiskey & Cigar Bar to only name a few. 

The most magnificent entry, leading up to the Lanzerac Estate

The estate itself dates back to 1692, whereas the Lanzerac Deli is a new addition and opened its doors late 2013. It enjoins the newly renovated wine tasting room and is a fitting companion. Like most deli's, the Lanzerac Deli offers freshly baked artisan breads, cheese and charcuterie platters, cakes and pastries as well as picnic baskets which can be enjoyed while overlooking the vineyards.

We stopped over for a lazy lunch and I was pleasantly surprised by their efficient service, quality food and presentation. Very often, new restaurants take a while to find their feet - however joining the rest of the Lanzerac family, the Deli is setting a high standard. I had the Grand brie & coppa open sandwich, served on light rye bread, with chardonnay onion marmelade, butternut hummus spread and rocket (R 60). This was quite a feast and an option I can definitely recommend. My mom and brother had the Beetroot and orange cured salmon sandwich, with herb cream cheese and avocado butter (R 65).

Grand Brie & Coppa Sandwich on light rye bread 

Orange & Beetroot Cured Salmon on Ciabatta 

The outside seating area overlooks the vineyards

Other delectable lunch options which caught my attention, is the spice roasted sirloin, cumin boerenkaas, cucumber relish & sweet dill mustard (R 45) or the tuscan salami, creamy taleggio and grilled peppers (R55). They also have platters available for sharing, ranging between R 125 to R 140. These platters will be ideal, when accompanied by a bottle of wine and good company. 

You can also design your own picnic basket  from a selection of meats, breads, savoury and sweet items and add your preferred beverages. They also offer a pre-selected heritage picnic and wine basket for two with a grande selection of their finest products and wines (R 535).

For dessert the Lanzerac Deli offers a wide variety of treats, cakes and pastries which you can enjoy there and then or as a take-away. Their freshly baked breads can also be bought at the deli, to enjoy later. The Deli is a perfect getaway and the peaceful atmosphere on the estate contributes to the success of this enterprise. 

When visiting, make sure you have enough time to do a wine tasting. They standard wine tasting, includes 4 wines (R35). Other options include the chocolate and wine pairing, (R40) and cheese & wine pairing (R75). They also have a kiddies pairing at R 35, where the young ones pair three different chocolates with grapetiser. The Lanzerac Estate is family friendly, we have had big family luncheons at their other restaurants and they easily accommodate big groups, especially with their Sunday Buffet option. 

The interior of the Lanzerac Deli

Happy patrons! 

The Lanzerac Deli is a fresh, alternative to the other restaurants on the estate  - whilst keeping up the high standards of their counterparts. 

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Address | 1 Lanzerac Road, Stellenbosch

Telephone | 021 887 1132

Website | www.lanzerac.co.za

Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/LanzeracWineEstate?fref=ts

Twitter | @LanzeracHotel_

Challenge # 11: Liza's Meeting Place

| The Stellenbosch Culinary Challenge |

 - a student's quest to visit every restaurant in town, 

before her final graduation - 

With a philosophy such as "Happiness through food, drinks and wine" you can't really go wrong. I was pleasantly surprised when I stumbled upon Liza's. Situated in Dorp Street, (next to Big Easy), I have often driven past Liza's, but  never paid them a visit. 

When my dad was in town however, we met at Liza's for a coffee and sweet treat. Liza's surpassed all my expectations. Firstly, the owner of Liza's is by far the friendliest and most welcoming restaurant owner I have ever come across. This attitude resonates from their aim to not treat customers as customers, but rather like family. 

Secondly, if you enjoy cheesecake, there is no better variety and quality available in Stellenbosch. On the day that we visited, they had  no less than six different types of cheesecakes available (standard, strawberry, caramel, peanut butter, nutella and oreo cheesecake). Even better, they bake all produce themselves, therefore it is bound to be fresh. 

Knowing myself, I ordered a slice of chocolate torte. After a long day of class, the torte and earl grey & blue flower tea was a fantastic combination, complimented by my dad's presence. 

I love that they serve loose leaf tea, seeing as it allows for a much richer and better developed flavour in the tea. Liza's use the now famous Nigiro glass teapots, with tealight candle beneath, to retain some of the heat (These teapots are available to order online, via Yuppiechef).

Chocolate torte indulgence and Earl Grey & Blue Flower tea

Since our visit, my family have visited Liza's a couple of times - I'm pretty sure it is the cheesecake which lures them back. The cheesecake is definitely their specialty but they have a large, array of treats such as beautifully decorated cupcakes, croissants, tarts and plenty of savoury options available. They also have a liquor license and serve well known beers and ciders. Liza's are open from 07:00 am, making it an ideal spot for an early breakfast seeing as most restaurants in Stellenbosch only open much later. They also serve a hearty lunch and have a real commitment towards quality food. 

Bar-One Cheesecake

Oreo Cheesecake

Dad & daughter bonding :-)

Their decor is simple and elegant with our national flower, the protea, prominent throughout. Liza's take great pride in showcasing our national heritage to tourists. With great service and the warmest of welcomes, they are worthy ambassadors. 

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Address | 87 Dorp Street, Stellenbosch

Trading hours | Monday - Saturday 07:00 - 17:00

Telephone | 021 883 3977

Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lizas-Meeting-Place/220143391494543?fref=ts