PictionaryAir CHANGES THINGS UP - get drawing in the air
All my freak gamers out there, there's a new baddie on the block. Mattel's PictionaryAir has hit South Africa and I want to give you a lowdown on what to expect, what I liked and what I did not like about it so you can make an informed decision when purchasing it.
First things first, Pictionary Air is probably one of the most hilarious games I have ever played. In my opinion it was perfectly designed to bring the humour that has been missing in the gaming world lately. new version of the game that takes sketches off the paper pad and onto your phone, tablet or TV screen. Yup, everything is digital now which makes things way easier and advanced.
Review of Virtuoso Guitar Duo CH2’s new album release - their 12th - of STARSTRUCK.
CH2, the multi-international award-winning duo from South Africa just released their 12th album and I was fortunate enough to have a listen. classical – guitars seems to be the sound they are comfortable with, you can tell by the different transitions between tracks and their guitar playing skills are evident.
A number of exciting international, African and local collaborations are featured on the album, which makes sense if you want to have an album with different influences and one that will take you to places. Their choice of collaborations is amazing, I loved what Nomad and Llloyd Cele brought to the album, these two artists brought immense soul and texture to the project.
The album is graced with the musician mastery of world-class artists like Denny Lalouette on bass (Josh Groban, Leo Sayer, Chris de Burgh, Shirley Bassey, Andy Narell (American steel drum player), Demis Roussos, Patrizio Buanne, Michael Gibbs (British arranger), Joe Henderson (American jazz saxophonist), Trevor Rabin, (Dana Winner) and Brendan Ross on sax (who played for the legend Johnny Clegg)
One of the elements I liked is how gracefully they handled cover songs on the album. There are some songs that you don’t truly appreciate until another artist takes it on and makes it their own. Often times the newer version draws out the original’s complexities in a way you never would have noticed before. Or maybe the first version is equally compelling, but the cover artist reimagined it with such grandeur that many don’t even realize that it’s a new take on an old song. I enjoyed their cover of Shakira’s 2010 hit, ‘Waka Waka’, perfectly executed.
My Top 3 Tracks:
1. Keep Moving ft Lloyd Cele
2. Dream ft Butera
3. Volare
Least favourites:
1. Fabel (live)
2. I’ll tell me ma
3. Thunderstruck
STARSTRUCK is available for purchase via various digital platforms. Hard copies of the album can be bought at their many public gigs, ordered online at http://ch2.bigcartel.com otherwise by clicking the “Shop” button on CH2’s website.
Review by Thabang Nteso ISLAND FEVER JUST HIT MELVILLE TINY TIKI
2019 has been great the South African restaurant scene, a scene that has always been deemed serious and one dimensional. This year we have seen restaurants step it up to give the customers the full on experience and not just have them come, eat and leave. Luckily, Tiny Tiki Bar gave us just that! From arrival, we were welcomed by the staff whose high spirits and positive energies are just contagious! The music, décor, bar area were the first to make you feel like you are somewhere far, far away from the jungle city They have a wide variety of island inspired cocktails and ‘The Zombie’ was our first to taste. The Zombie is a famous blend of four different rums with a show-stopper homemade overproof rum with a spoonful of apricot syrup, topped with pineapple juice, Angostura bitters and a dusting of nutmeg. This was fruity, fresh, not too sweet, not too strong. apricots add subtle stone-fruit flavour to cocktails and combined with the pineapple juice, they made a great combo into making this fresh and fruity! The cocktails in Tiny Tiki bar are served in their own customised glasses. Great!
The other steller cocktail we had was the SINGAPORE SLING WHICH IS A vibrant mix of gin, Grand Manier, and cherry syrup with a tropical kiss of grenadine, topped with pineapple juice and a lime and herbal hint. WE THEN HAD THE BACON PANCAKE STACK Stack of 3 pancakes with with house made miso and maple bacon, 2 free range eggs, maple syrup and blueberry compote on the side. I’m sorry but I cannot fault this meal. Everything made sense, together, separate.. they all made sense! Tiny Tiki is sure to serve Joburgers with great memories. situated next to a barber, why not make this a one trip? do your hair and go try out the best food in the city.
ANTI-SOCIAL SOCIAL CLUB
Anti-social and Tiny tiki are just separated by a passage, with more exciting foods and drinks of the exotic places on the other side of the Pacific. The Anti-Social Social club is a bit more spacious, well thought out decor, very refreshing, modern and simplistic. The bright, exotic interior takes you away from the big city, on a flavour adventure infused with Asian inspired cocktails and cuisine. we had The RED LOTUS which is a global favourite and timeless classic blend of vodka, cranberry, and a squeeze of lime perfectly balanced with their Asian flair of lychee and elderflower notes. The Elderflower in the drink was so reminiscent of all the very best things about spring. The lime bring out more of the semi-sweet flavor of the lychees. gorge! Then we drank the MISO & MAPLE BACON OLD FASHIONED - A twist of bacon and miso maple syrup, stirred. This was not to my liking, too strong, the bacon was super dry which added nothing to the drink. This tasted heavy but I think it's perfect for those bad winter colds. We were quite excited to try out Asian inspired meals as Asian food is known for being the melting pot of food styles.
For the meals we had the KOREAN BBQ RIBS - pork ribs, slow-cooked to perfection, glazed in a Korean BBQ sauce, omg these were so succulent,soft.The star was the Korean BBQ sauce in this. quite special. The VIETNAMESE RICE PAPER ROLLS were next, which is a Suckling pig, carrot, cucumber, fresh coriander, mint and spring onion, enveloped in a soft rice paper wrapper served with a chili and lime dipping sauce, more effort should be put into this meal as it was quite bland and dry. we ended this beautiful day with their serving of dessert, TROPICAL MUNCHIES - 3 delicious fried dough balls filled with your choice of either mango or passion fruit custard. This was a heavy dessert, I am advising you not to order it if you've had a big meal before. I would've preferred the munchies to be less in size and wish they had more of the filling in them.
The Tiny Tiki and The Anti-Social social club only opened six weeks ago, still babies but already showed a lot of charisma and knowledge. With time, they will only get greater.
LOCATION Corner of 7th Street & 3rd Avenue, Melville, Johannesburg
HOURS Wednesday to Sunday 15:00 to 02:00
CONTACT Email: admin@antisocialmelville.com
Everything new is always as a result of a need that wasn’t being addressed. Fetch the City has a lot of driving factors ranging from the need for people to Uber for short distances, the need for something spontaneously, a lot of people having very busy schedules, fatigue after a long day even though you still have errands to run, just but to name a few. Before Fetch the City came about, the only other option people had was to schedule a delivery from some of the major supermarkets. These however are mostly fulfilled in the following day after you order.
With Fetch the City, everything is delivered right away unless you instruct otherwise. I believe that, and rightly so, Fetch the City is a new and interesting concept. It is the only one of its kind here in South Africa and there is definitely a huge market for it. I loves the fact that in this day and age of social media dominance, this is also integrated within this concept which keeps up with current trends and makes it very easy for current and prospective customers to make use of the service. Speaking about the South African foodie world, we all know that South Africa is a wine producing country and personally, I appreciate red wine more due to its ability to blend in and elevate various types of foods and meals.
I believe that South Africa’s champagne is of good quality and is almost on par but much more affordable than for example the French products. I am not picky however, and I will indulge in any wine that tickles my fancy. No matter its origin. Not only is wine loved all over South Africa, but, that the wine fairs, events, organized tours and wine testing do keep this trend growing. However, only giving preference to bloggers and influencers in the western cape isn’t the best way to go. This is because wine, just like our love for the braai, is a national thing enjoyed the whole country over. I can’t speak on behalf of everyone, but nothing beats a nice cut of red meat roasted over charcoal and escorted with a nice bottle of red wine. While still on that, I can’t forget to mention its ability and effectiveness of bringing people together. It is something deeply ingrained in the south African culture, which is very unique. Being a whisky lover as well, and with Bain’s Cape Mountain Whisky being my favorite tipple at the moment, I am quite fascinated by how you can add a few drops of water to a whisky and it brings out so much flavor from it that will keep you hooked. This fascination with whisky is something I am looking to explore further. So, what should you expect soon or in the near future? Well, I am exploring the idea of starting a miniseries that will explore in depth, the various types of whiskies available. This will keep you well informed and help you in making choices when deciding which would be a good fit for you. Even if you just want to follow your curiosity and explore the whole range, then you should really look forward to this series. Stay tuned. In the meantime, head over to Fetch the City, sign up and receive a 20% discount on your first order. MY EXPERIENCE AT THE KAYAFM WINE AND WHISKY AFFAIR
My Snow White Panto REVIEW
THE FAIREST PANTO IN THE LAND
I am so delighted to have been given the opportunity to watch a Janice Honeyman Panto, although I always heard about the Panto through the grapevines, this was my first one ever and what a ride it was! Snow White is Janice Honeyman's thirty-first pantomime and I made sure to head out at the Joburg Theatre to get into the spirit of festive season and celebrate the joys and laughs of life.
First of all I would like to congratulate Janice on creating, writing and directing this masterpiece that continuously breaks records year after year. Upon arrival my heart melted by seeing everyone out with their families and being able to bond through laughter, giggles, screams and complete goofiness.
The cast were truly the stars of this show, they gave outstanding performances and what really stuck out what how well they were able to commit and stay in character even if it's not their character's chance to speak. Desmond Dube as Dame Dolla Dludlu was one of my absolute favourites, I grew up watching Desmond on TV and having to see him do his thing live on stage will be one of the fondest memories I'll hold to heart. He gave the show colour by using his quirkiness to add a huge comedy effect on his character.
Queen Hildegonda played by Ben Voss was full of drama and great lines, this character was so spectacular and even though this was a villainous character, it was a huge favourite amongst majority of the audience members. I also absolutely loved Sneezy played by Namisa Mdlalose, a character so well written and very funny with all the sneezing!
The stage was well set-up with creative and innovative designs and I loved how they incorporated 3D effect in some of the designs, the 3D offered an adrenaline rush and for a moment there I forgot I was in a Theatre. The lighting by Graham Mclusky was outstanding, he has lit each of Janice Honeyman's pantomimes at Joburg Theatre and for the past thirty-five years so he perfectly understands what exactly is needed where and totally understands the vision. The choreography by Nicol Sheraton was totally perfect for each scene and complimented the story, I've noticed that only a few choreographers get this right. One more thing Snow White Panto got right was including the audience in the fun by hosting a sing-off towards the end of the show, I really thought that was special.
If you have not watched nor got tickets to the show, I really think you should get them now rather than later. It will be at the Joburg Theatre till 23 December 2018
Tickets range from R245 – R375 and can be booked at www.joburgtheatre.com or by calling 0861 670 670. Theatre patrons can also book online and pay at selected Pick N Pay stores.
Thank you Colab Network and Joburg Theatre for the hosting!
#SnowWhitePantoSA
@Thabang4real Sauvignon Blanc that perfectly complements
Released 1 August 2016
Vondeling Petit Chenin Blanc 2018
It's getting more and more difficult to find a really good 100% Chenin Blanc wine so it's really special that I found this 2018 bottle of Vondeling Petit Blanc Chenin Blanc which boasts alot of quality, from smell to taste.
It's only week two of #4realwineoftheweek but I'm already discovering real gems. I wonder what the next final two weeks have in store for me. Yup, unfortunately #4realWineOfTheWeek is only a 4 week trial so let's have fun while we can. Let's discuss this green bottled goddess.
Upon my further research of Vondeling Petit Chenin Blanc I discovered something really interesting. Vondeling picks the grapes in the very early hours of the morning and processed immediately. The grapes are destemmed and chilled further before they are pressed. This short supply from vine topress ensures minimal degradation of the fruit aromas.
The wine has a striking, pale lime colour. The nose has pronounced tropical aromas of guava,The wine has a striking, pale lime colour. The nose has pronounced tropical aromas of guava,passion fruit and melon with an interesting floral, potpourri twist. On the palate you can enjoywhite peach, kiwi fruit and pink lady apple, underpinned by a delightful flinty freshness anddelicate citrus finish. Full and fresh, this wine will pair well with prawn risotto, lobster, soft cheesesand sunshine.
I loved it. Do you have any suggestions on Wines I should try next? Leave a comment or www.instagram.com/Thabang4real and DM me!!
Congrats to Vondeling Wines for taking the Week 2 title!!
Warwick Three Cape Ladies 2014
Whoa guys! The stakes have just went to the roof with #4realWineOfTheWeek - week 3 of 4 edition! Let me introduce my Wine of the week that thoroughly impressed me. I'm certain South Africa has the best wines in the world, very certain!!
you all know I'm not really a huge fan of Red Wine/Red Blends but when I drink one I want only the best. With 14.20% alcohol volume, this wine is best to be enjoyed only at the finest venues.
TASTING NOTES:
Floral - rosepetal, white jasmine on the nose. Musk, bramble berries,blackcurrant, sour figs. White pepper spice on the palate, beautiful red berries. Juicy, very well integrated tannins.
FOOD PAIRING:
A Cape blend and a good old char grilled steak are a perfect match, but try it with a fiery chimmicurri sauce on the side and it takes you to a new level.
FUN FACT:
The wine had 24 months in 40% new French oak.
I had a few friends taste it with me and the reviews were quite good for this one. I'd like for you to try it and tell me your thoughts at www.twitter.com/Thabang4real Jimmys Killer Brands offers an experience
Jimmy's Killer brands in Ormonde is definitely changing the Joburg South culinary scene and we got to experience it first hand as they launched their new valentines day menu to celebrate all things love and romance. Jimmy's Killer Brands - affectionally known by customers and locals in the area as Jimmy's has always been in the forefront as a perfect spot to experience with your buddies or family and take loads of pictures.
Before welcomed by their experienced and friendly staff, you pass by the beautiful, inviting outdoor area where customers can dine in style while experiencing the lovely Joburg breeze.
BOUCHARD FINLAYSON GOODNESS!
All my freak gamers out there, there's a new baddie on the block. Mattel's PictionaryAir has hit South Africa and I want to give you a lowdown on what to expect, what I liked and what I did not like about it so you can make an informed decision when purchasing it.
First things first, Pictionary Air is probably one of the most hilarious games I have ever played. In my opinion it was perfectly designed to bring the humour that has been missing in the gaming world lately. new version of the game that takes sketches off the paper pad and onto your phone, tablet or TV screen. Yup, everything is digital now which makes things way easier and advanced.
The best way to play this is if you have about 8 members and then split into two teams to play against each other, the competitiveness it brings is quite healthy to relationships, trust me. Download the free Pictionary App, point the in-app camera at the illustrator and they'll appear, along with their sketch, on the screen of your smart device or even TV screen. I recommend the TV screen if you have a large group of people but the downside? The TV feature is only compatible with certain smartphones
I loved playing this game mainly because it brings the whole family together regardless of age, Toymakers often struggle with finding the right balance to incorporating tech that gets kids excited, while also not pushing away parents who are wary of data collection and want to limit screen time. The Guesses are hilarious and you'll see that some people are really bad drawers!
Pictionary Air will be available at selected retailers at a recommended retail price of R499.99. It Includes a Pictionary Air pen, 112 double-sided clue cards and card box and one AA Alkaline battery.
CH2, the multi-international award-winning duo from South Africa just released their 12th album and I was fortunate enough to have a listen. classical – guitars seems to be the sound they are comfortable with, you can tell by the different transitions between tracks and their guitar playing skills are evident.
A number of exciting international, African and local collaborations are featured on the album, which makes sense if you want to have an album with different influences and one that will take you to places. Their choice of collaborations is amazing, I loved what Nomad and Llloyd Cele brought to the album, these two artists brought immense soul and texture to the project.
The album is graced with the musician mastery of world-class artists like Denny Lalouette on bass (Josh Groban, Leo Sayer, Chris de Burgh, Shirley Bassey, Andy Narell (American steel drum player), Demis Roussos, Patrizio Buanne, Michael Gibbs (British arranger), Joe Henderson (American jazz saxophonist), Trevor Rabin, (Dana Winner) and Brendan Ross on sax (who played for the legend Johnny Clegg)
One of the elements I liked is how gracefully they handled cover songs on the album. There are some songs that you don’t truly appreciate until another artist takes it on and makes it their own. Often times the newer version draws out the original’s complexities in a way you never would have noticed before. Or maybe the first version is equally compelling, but the cover artist reimagined it with such grandeur that many don’t even realize that it’s a new take on an old song. I enjoyed their cover of Shakira’s 2010 hit, ‘Waka Waka’, perfectly executed.
My Top 3 Tracks:
1. Keep Moving ft Lloyd Cele
2. Dream ft Butera
3. Volare
Least favourites:
1. Fabel (live)
2. I’ll tell me ma
3. Thunderstruck
STARSTRUCK is available for purchase via various digital platforms. Hard copies of the album can be bought at their many public gigs, ordered online at http://ch2.bigcartel.com otherwise by clicking the “Shop” button on CH2’s website.
Review by Thabang Nteso ISLAND FEVER JUST HIT MELVILLE TINY TIKI
2019 has been great the South African restaurant scene, a scene that has always been deemed serious and one dimensional. This year we have seen restaurants step it up to give the customers the full on experience and not just have them come, eat and leave. Luckily, Tiny Tiki Bar gave us just that! From arrival, we were welcomed by the staff whose high spirits and positive energies are just contagious! The music, décor, bar area were the first to make you feel like you are somewhere far, far away from the jungle city They have a wide variety of island inspired cocktails and ‘The Zombie’ was our first to taste. The Zombie is a famous blend of four different rums with a show-stopper homemade overproof rum with a spoonful of apricot syrup, topped with pineapple juice, Angostura bitters and a dusting of nutmeg. This was fruity, fresh, not too sweet, not too strong. apricots add subtle stone-fruit flavour to cocktails and combined with the pineapple juice, they made a great combo into making this fresh and fruity! The cocktails in Tiny Tiki bar are served in their own customised glasses. Great!
The other steller cocktail we had was the SINGAPORE SLING WHICH IS A vibrant mix of gin, Grand Manier, and cherry syrup with a tropical kiss of grenadine, topped with pineapple juice and a lime and herbal hint. WE THEN HAD THE BACON PANCAKE STACK Stack of 3 pancakes with with house made miso and maple bacon, 2 free range eggs, maple syrup and blueberry compote on the side. I’m sorry but I cannot fault this meal. Everything made sense, together, separate.. they all made sense! Tiny Tiki is sure to serve Joburgers with great memories. situated next to a barber, why not make this a one trip? do your hair and go try out the best food in the city.
ANTI-SOCIAL SOCIAL CLUB
Anti-social and Tiny tiki are just separated by a passage, with more exciting foods and drinks of the exotic places on the other side of the Pacific. The Anti-Social Social club is a bit more spacious, well thought out decor, very refreshing, modern and simplistic. The bright, exotic interior takes you away from the big city, on a flavour adventure infused with Asian inspired cocktails and cuisine. we had The RED LOTUS which is a global favourite and timeless classic blend of vodka, cranberry, and a squeeze of lime perfectly balanced with their Asian flair of lychee and elderflower notes. The Elderflower in the drink was so reminiscent of all the very best things about spring. The lime bring out more of the semi-sweet flavor of the lychees. gorge! Then we drank the MISO & MAPLE BACON OLD FASHIONED - A twist of bacon and miso maple syrup, stirred. This was not to my liking, too strong, the bacon was super dry which added nothing to the drink. This tasted heavy but I think it's perfect for those bad winter colds. We were quite excited to try out Asian inspired meals as Asian food is known for being the melting pot of food styles.
For the meals we had the KOREAN BBQ RIBS - pork ribs, slow-cooked to perfection, glazed in a Korean BBQ sauce, omg these were so succulent,soft.The star was the Korean BBQ sauce in this. quite special. The VIETNAMESE RICE PAPER ROLLS were next, which is a Suckling pig, carrot, cucumber, fresh coriander, mint and spring onion, enveloped in a soft rice paper wrapper served with a chili and lime dipping sauce, more effort should be put into this meal as it was quite bland and dry. we ended this beautiful day with their serving of dessert, TROPICAL MUNCHIES - 3 delicious fried dough balls filled with your choice of either mango or passion fruit custard. This was a heavy dessert, I am advising you not to order it if you've had a big meal before. I would've preferred the munchies to be less in size and wish they had more of the filling in them.
The Tiny Tiki and The Anti-Social social club only opened six weeks ago, still babies but already showed a lot of charisma and knowledge. With time, they will only get greater.
LOCATION Corner of 7th Street & 3rd Avenue, Melville, Johannesburg
HOURS Wednesday to Sunday 15:00 to 02:00
CONTACT Email: admin@antisocialmelville.com
Everything new is always as a result of a need that wasn’t being addressed. Fetch the City has a lot of driving factors ranging from the need for people to Uber for short distances, the need for something spontaneously, a lot of people having very busy schedules, fatigue after a long day even though you still have errands to run, just but to name a few. Before Fetch the City came about, the only other option people had was to schedule a delivery from some of the major supermarkets. These however are mostly fulfilled in the following day after you order.
With Fetch the City, everything is delivered right away unless you instruct otherwise. I believe that, and rightly so, Fetch the City is a new and interesting concept. It is the only one of its kind here in South Africa and there is definitely a huge market for it. I loves the fact that in this day and age of social media dominance, this is also integrated within this concept which keeps up with current trends and makes it very easy for current and prospective customers to make use of the service. Speaking about the South African foodie world, we all know that South Africa is a wine producing country and personally, I appreciate red wine more due to its ability to blend in and elevate various types of foods and meals.
I believe that South Africa’s champagne is of good quality and is almost on par but much more affordable than for example the French products. I am not picky however, and I will indulge in any wine that tickles my fancy. No matter its origin. Not only is wine loved all over South Africa, but, that the wine fairs, events, organized tours and wine testing do keep this trend growing. However, only giving preference to bloggers and influencers in the western cape isn’t the best way to go. This is because wine, just like our love for the braai, is a national thing enjoyed the whole country over. I can’t speak on behalf of everyone, but nothing beats a nice cut of red meat roasted over charcoal and escorted with a nice bottle of red wine. While still on that, I can’t forget to mention its ability and effectiveness of bringing people together. It is something deeply ingrained in the south African culture, which is very unique. Being a whisky lover as well, and with Bain’s Cape Mountain Whisky being my favorite tipple at the moment, I am quite fascinated by how you can add a few drops of water to a whisky and it brings out so much flavor from it that will keep you hooked. This fascination with whisky is something I am looking to explore further. So, what should you expect soon or in the near future? Well, I am exploring the idea of starting a miniseries that will explore in depth, the various types of whiskies available. This will keep you well informed and help you in making choices when deciding which would be a good fit for you. Even if you just want to follow your curiosity and explore the whole range, then you should really look forward to this series. Stay tuned. In the meantime, head over to Fetch the City, sign up and receive a 20% discount on your first order. MY EXPERIENCE AT THE KAYAFM WINE AND WHISKY AFFAIR
The Kaya FM Wine and Whisky affair presented by Wade Bales in partnership with Hyde Park corner was everything I had imagined and more. I for one have never been to Wade Bales events, however I've heard people describe them as a sophisticated gathering amongst friends. This was exactly my expectation going in, leaving no room for disappointments even with knowing what people say about expectations. I don't regret having high expectations for this event as they were met and I left completely satisfied.
The Kaya FM Wine and Whisky affair allowed us to taste some of the most incredible wines and whiskies from around the world. Guests were welcomed with a complimentary glass to enjoy unlimited tastings of more than 200 of South Africa's premium wines and over 100 top malt whiskies from around the world. This was the perfect opportunity to engage and find out the back stories from winemakers and whisky ambassadors.
Can we talk about the food? gorgeous! we had a wide variety of gourmet cheese, breads, meat, fruits to choose from. The inclusion of food was an amazing idea, with all those tastings you are going to need some food to keep things balanced. Everyone who was there was raving about the quality and presentation of the various foods we had.
Another thing that stood out for me was the Half-Time Bell that they incorporated in the show, where for a limited period of 15 minutes, you get access to taste exclusive and limited editions of wines and whiskies. I took advantage of this, anyone who knows me knows I prefer exclusivity before anything else!
Here's a list of my favourite wines and whiskies tasted on both evenings:
WINES
1. ALTO SHIRAZ 2016
- Medium to full-bodied with a good balance between finesse and structure. Red fruit and spices. infact, great balance! The spiciness at the back of your throat? to die for!
- Medium to full-bodied with a good balance between finesse and structure. Red fruit and spices. infact, great balance! The spiciness at the back of your throat? to die for!
2. DURBANVILLE HILLS COLLECTORS RESERVE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2018 - 
A gorgeous 750ml bottle, slick, great colour. The label is inviting, this is one of the premium ranges. Loved the tropical fruit flavours and freshness on the palate
3. GROOT CONSTANTIA SAUVIGNON BLANC 2018 - 
I found out from the exhibitors that the grapes are hand picked very early in the morning. after fermentation, the wine is left on the lees for 4 months before being racked, fined and stabilized in preparation. I enjoyed this so much. I have to add it to my collection.
WHISKIES
I really do not know much about whisky but here's what my palate preferred
1. 
Bains Cape Mountain Whisky. I enjoy this whisky everytime and there's no surprise it's one of the best I tasted that night. I suggest you take it as it is. No ice, no water, just so you can go on a journey with all the flavours coming through. It's a single-grain malt! That says alot.
Bains Cape Mountain Whisky. I enjoy this whisky everytime and there's no surprise it's one of the best I tasted that night. I suggest you take it as it is. No ice, no water, just so you can go on a journey with all the flavours coming through. It's a single-grain malt! That says alot.
2. 
The Glenlivet 12 Year old. Now this is what I'm talking about! This might make me fall in love with whiskies. Vanilla notes and gives the whisky its distinct smoothness. It has a soft balance of sweet summer fruits and floral notes of spring flowers. So bloody yummy!
The Glenlivet 12 Year old. Now this is what I'm talking about! This might make me fall in love with whiskies. Vanilla notes and gives the whisky its distinct smoothness. It has a soft balance of sweet summer fruits and floral notes of spring flowers. So bloody yummy!
3. 
The Highland park naked grouse. The exhibitors created such great whisky cocktails with this. They had that fresh, lime taste. it was amazing
The Highland park naked grouse. The exhibitors created such great whisky cocktails with this. They had that fresh, lime taste. it was amazing
A special thanks to the exhibitors & all event partners. It was truly memorable. I am looking forward to the next one! #WineWhiskyAffair
MY SOCIAL MEDIA
THE FAIREST PANTO IN THE LAND
I am so delighted to have been given the opportunity to watch a Janice Honeyman Panto, although I always heard about the Panto through the grapevines, this was my first one ever and what a ride it was! Snow White is Janice Honeyman's thirty-first pantomime and I made sure to head out at the Joburg Theatre to get into the spirit of festive season and celebrate the joys and laughs of life.
First of all I would like to congratulate Janice on creating, writing and directing this masterpiece that continuously breaks records year after year. Upon arrival my heart melted by seeing everyone out with their families and being able to bond through laughter, giggles, screams and complete goofiness.
The cast were truly the stars of this show, they gave outstanding performances and what really stuck out what how well they were able to commit and stay in character even if it's not their character's chance to speak. Desmond Dube as Dame Dolla Dludlu was one of my absolute favourites, I grew up watching Desmond on TV and having to see him do his thing live on stage will be one of the fondest memories I'll hold to heart. He gave the show colour by using his quirkiness to add a huge comedy effect on his character.
Queen Hildegonda played by Ben Voss was full of drama and great lines, this character was so spectacular and even though this was a villainous character, it was a huge favourite amongst majority of the audience members. I also absolutely loved Sneezy played by Namisa Mdlalose, a character so well written and very funny with all the sneezing!
The stage was well set-up with creative and innovative designs and I loved how they incorporated 3D effect in some of the designs, the 3D offered an adrenaline rush and for a moment there I forgot I was in a Theatre. The lighting by Graham Mclusky was outstanding, he has lit each of Janice Honeyman's pantomimes at Joburg Theatre and for the past thirty-five years so he perfectly understands what exactly is needed where and totally understands the vision. The choreography by Nicol Sheraton was totally perfect for each scene and complimented the story, I've noticed that only a few choreographers get this right. One more thing Snow White Panto got right was including the audience in the fun by hosting a sing-off towards the end of the show, I really thought that was special.
If you have not watched nor got tickets to the show, I really think you should get them now rather than later. It will be at the Joburg Theatre till 23 December 2018
Tickets range from R245 – R375 and can be booked at www.joburgtheatre.com or by calling 0861 670 670. Theatre patrons can also book online and pay at selected Pick N Pay stores.
Thank you Colab Network and Joburg Theatre for the hosting!
#SnowWhitePantoSA
@Thabang4real Sauvignon Blanc that perfectly complements
#4RealWineOfTheWeek
I'm always on a wine quest, always searching for the best wines and in the next coming few weeks I will be sharing with you only the finest wines that I come across. I decided to pick up a gorgeous bottle of Guardian Peak Sauvignon Blanc 2016 which is a crisp, light, Sauvignon Blanc perfect to be enjoyed on a beautiful Summer's afternoon
Released 1 August 2016
It has a nice, complex aroma of kiwi and gooseberries with hints of pawpaw. This Wine has a fresh, yet graceful mouthfeel and a crisp clean finish. I heard the grapes are sourced from various pockets of vineyards from the darling, Stellenbosch and Breedekloof regions. Yum!
I truly enjoyed this wine and it definately started my year on a good wine note. This is the first #4realWineOfTheWeek and deservedly so. Looking forward to experiencing and bringing you more wines with character that is maintained by a beautiful minerality
Www.Instagram.com/Thabang4real
It's getting more and more difficult to find a really good 100% Chenin Blanc wine so it's really special that I found this 2018 bottle of Vondeling Petit Blanc Chenin Blanc which boasts alot of quality, from smell to taste.
It's only week two of #4realwineoftheweek but I'm already discovering real gems. I wonder what the next final two weeks have in store for me. Yup, unfortunately #4realWineOfTheWeek is only a 4 week trial so let's have fun while we can. Let's discuss this green bottled goddess.
Upon my further research of Vondeling Petit Chenin Blanc I discovered something really interesting. Vondeling picks the grapes in the very early hours of the morning and processed immediately. The grapes are destemmed and chilled further before they are pressed. This short supply from vine topress ensures minimal degradation of the fruit aromas.
The wine has a striking, pale lime colour. The nose has pronounced tropical aromas of guava,The wine has a striking, pale lime colour. The nose has pronounced tropical aromas of guava,passion fruit and melon with an interesting floral, potpourri twist. On the palate you can enjoywhite peach, kiwi fruit and pink lady apple, underpinned by a delightful flinty freshness anddelicate citrus finish. Full and fresh, this wine will pair well with prawn risotto, lobster, soft cheesesand sunshine.
I loved it. Do you have any suggestions on Wines I should try next? Leave a comment or www.instagram.com/Thabang4real and DM me!!
Congrats to Vondeling Wines for taking the Week 2 title!!
Warwick Three Cape Ladies 2014
Whoa guys! The stakes have just went to the roof with #4realWineOfTheWeek - week 3 of 4 edition! Let me introduce my Wine of the week that thoroughly impressed me. I'm certain South Africa has the best wines in the world, very certain!!
you all know I'm not really a huge fan of Red Wine/Red Blends but when I drink one I want only the best. With 14.20% alcohol volume, this wine is best to be enjoyed only at the finest venues.Floral - rosepetal, white jasmine on the nose. Musk, bramble berries,blackcurrant, sour figs. White pepper spice on the palate, beautiful red berries. Juicy, very well integrated tannins.
FOOD PAIRING:
A Cape blend and a good old char grilled steak are a perfect match, but try it with a fiery chimmicurri sauce on the side and it takes you to a new level.
FUN FACT:
The wine had 24 months in 40% new French oak.
I had a few friends taste it with me and the reviews were quite good for this one. I'd like for you to try it and tell me your thoughts at www.twitter.com/Thabang4real Jimmys Killer Brands offers an experience
Jimmy's Killer brands in Ormonde is definitely changing the Joburg South culinary scene and we got to experience it first hand as they launched their new valentines day menu to celebrate all things love and romance. Jimmy's Killer Brands - affectionally known by customers and locals in the area as Jimmy's has always been in the forefront as a perfect spot to experience with your buddies or family and take loads of pictures.
Before welcomed by their experienced and friendly staff, you pass by the beautiful, inviting outdoor area where customers can dine in style while experiencing the lovely Joburg breeze.
Jimmy's Killer Brands restaurant encompasses of 1. Jimmy's Killer Prawns
2. Jimmy's Killer Fish & Chips
3. Jimmy's Killer Grills
4. Cheeeesa Mazambane
So trust me when I say their Valentines Menu had the best from all the franchises!
Have a look at the delightful dishes that form part of their Valentine's menu.
STARTER
For starters - Cheesy garlic rolls and chicken strips
MAIN COURSE
Prawns and Kingclip Fish served with Rice with sides of Creamed Spinach, Greek Salad and Butternut
DESSERT
Chocolate Brownies with Ice Cream
Or
Milkshakes (various flavours)
All Jimmys Killer Brand's Menus are thoroughly researched with a wealth of knowledge & experience which has been gained over the years and it definately shows!
Their Valentine's day Menu is simple yet well executed. They have some daring and interesting flavours and classics with a twist. If you're looking for a restaurant that has you in mind.. look no further.
Jimmy's Killer Brands is located at
11 Crownwood road, Ormonde, Inner City, Johannesburg South
General Enquiries: info@jimmyskillerprawns.com
Www.Jimmyskillerbrands.co.za
Instagram: @Jimmys_Ormonde
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| bouchard finlayson estate YES! Finally, We are at the end of a journey that truly made us closer and had us in wine joy! #4realwineoftheweek aim was to truly give you the real when it comes to value for money, good, rich wine. We had 3 wines the past weeks and now we are down to the final one(s). To make the final one extra special we are reviewing three different wines from Bouchard Finlayson and giving you the chance to experience this goodness with us by giving away all three bottles to our fabulous readers! exciting right? so let's get into it.  1. WALKER BAY SAUVIGNON BLANC RESERVE 2017South Africa is one of the few countries that have the best Sauvignon Blanc on offer, that's why I was not entirely surprised when I tasted this one from Bouchard Finlayson. This is a 2017 and we all know before choosing a Sauvignon Blanc to sip always remember the phrase "old before young", because this is from 2017 the characteristics of the wine have mellowed and smoothed. I found it best served chilled, that's where all the properties show up. it is so full bodied and has noticeable tannins. This would best be enjoyed on a romantic picnic with your bae or an afternoon gossip session with the girls. vinification: Fermented dry with extended post ferment yeast contact, enabling the expansion of the creamy texture to this sculptured edition  2. BLANC DE MER 2018My, my, my! what a beauty this is. Buttery wine with an unexplained herbal & earthy taste. The name Blanc de Mer translates to 'white of the sea'. inspired by the estate's close proximity to their coastal town Hermanus. This is quite a rare wine to get, kudos to Bouchard Finlayson for being very creative and distinct when making this one. Tasting Notes: A fountain of flowery aromas, the taste is characterised by hints of quince, apricot and almonds with a comforting creamy middle and a bold seamless surround. Fresh and vibrant, with a convincing strength and quality finish.  3. CROCODILE'S LAIR, KAAIMANSGAT CHARDONNAY 2017We had to be very careful when consuming this one, how you serve it can make it or break it. we had it straight from the box without refrigerating it and it went down so well. we love a good wine that challenges the norm or the conventional. This Chardonnay is memorable, balanced and enjoyable. We feel like it's low on the acidity which pushes the hidden flavours to show up. The smell is heavenly and it is one of the main elements that pop up. The flavours are proportional to one another, just give it a soft swirl and enjoy. you can never go wrong with Chardonnay and Bouchard Finlayson did not go wrong anywhere! Food Pairing: Treat Seriously and sip slowly! A great companion to white meat and rich seafood such as lobster bisque. Enjoy with soft cheese and mushroom risotto. #4realwineoftheweek has been a true success! the 4 wines reviewed are the best in the market right now. info and enquiries on Bouchard Finlayson contact: Info@bouchardfinlayson.co.za we are giving away 3 of the reviewed on social media1 find us below www.twitter.com/Thabang4real instagram.com/Thabang4real www.facebook.com/4realnessblog |
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