Bocadillos
Bocadillos on Sixth Avenue, Walmer, now has a sibling on First Avenue, with Bocadillos on First opening at its stylish new premises in Victoria House on the corner of First Avenue and Heugh Road. For group chef Heila van Zyl and Lauren van Deventer, a partner at the new shop, nothing dispels post-winter blues quite like a bottle of bubbly.
“We suggest pairing the Simonsig Kaapse Vonkel Brut with a mixed berry friand (a small French cake made with almond flour) dessert served with a strawberry salad and vanilla pod ice cream,” says Heila. “This particular MCC has a beautiful, soft mousse, which plays well with the texture of the friand and the tartness of the strawberry.”
Summer pairings
Summertime is for rose and fish. “The Graham Beck Gorgeous is a perfect daytime quaffer, This easy drinking wine is superb with a smoked trout phyllo tart with avo, cremè fraîche and watercress salad. The 2014 is beautifully balanced and compliments the creaminess of the cremè fraîche and avo.”
A rather tongue-in-cheek wine, the Fat Bastard Chardonnay is Heila and Lauren’s third choice. Try it with a chicken Caesar salad, a favourite with “Boca” regulars.
Kipling’s Brasserie
Executive chef Paul Bain is also a bubbly fan and reckons one should go all out this summer with a bottle of GH Mumm Champagne Brut. “It is sharp and crisp, with a flint-like quality, and must be poured ice cold to fully appreciate its qualities.” Try it with fresh oysters; it can handle a squeeze of lemon and a droplet of Tabasco.
Paul rates the Tokara Reserve Collection Elgin Sauvignon Blanc 2014 among the best Sauvignon Blancs in the country. “This wine must be poured well chilled to appreciate its clean flavour. It’s a great match for grilled fish or any seafood with a little buttery sauce,” he says. Moving on to reds, the De Grendel Merlot 2014 is a classic Merlot – full flavoured and with a subtle smokiness – making it ideal for grilled meats with a good amount of fat marbling. Think braai!
Cork Wine Garden
Cork owner Kirsty Reilly says this vibey Walmer establishment will be starting Sangria Sundays from mid-September to embrace the new season with gusto. But getting back to wines, here are head bartender Scott Binge’s suggestions:
- The Delaire Graff Shiraz 2013 has wonderful spicy and fruity notes, which make it very drinkable for spring and summer. Serve it with a cheese board of goat’s cheese, creamy Gorgonzola, Brie and Camembert. Cork’s board also comes with crackers, fig preserve and onion marmalade.
- The Paul Cluver Gewurztraminer 2014 has light, crisp and bold flavours. It’s a spicy white wine that goes nicely with an Italian board of cured meats, sun-dried tomatoes and Caprese salad. Cork’s cured meats include coppa ham, spicy chorizo, pancetta and salami. “The Gewurztraminer gives it a very nice balance,” says Binge.
- The Graham Beck Demi Sec NV is a stunning summer bubbly that is sweet enough to pair beautifully with a chocolate fondue and sweet dippers.
Taste for yourself:
Bocadillos
041 581 1523 / 082 459 2885
Kipling’s Brasserie
041 507 9452
Cork Wine Garden
041 581 0924
Words: Louise Liebenberg
Images: Eugene Coetzee
