So, this will be a slightly different blog post.
I’ve been selected by GQ as a finalist in a blogger start-up challenge. You can read all about it here, but basically we’re competing for a feather in our cap of being the best style blogger. Well, that and some rad little gadgets to make our blogging that much better.
So, as opposed to a fashion-only post, we’ve been asked to write a review on anything from a restaurant to a store. I picked a little of both and decided to do a review on a day out at the Neighbourgoods Market. For those of you who don’t know, the Neighbourgoods Market at the Old Biscuit Mill in Woodstock is Cape Town’s version of a farmers’ market, where everything is either proper, artisanal or gourmet. It’s all a bit wanky but I’m a sucker for that stuff and absolutely love it. It’s one of our favourite breakfast spots on a Saturday morning. If you’ve never been, it looks a little something like this.
It’s pretty much wall to ceiling awesomeness with hipsters both young and old sitting around enjoying good food and drink. We had planned on exactly that.
Misha is obsessed with Rostis by Luke which serves up potato rostis topped with a poached egg and salmon trout topped with Hollandaise. She gets one every time we go. I on the other hand, am a little more adventurous like to try something new every time, to make sure I’m not missing out on anything. I do always have order envy though, because hers always looks so damn good. So this week I opted for one of these guys.
Breakfast is not complete without coffee. Hell, no day is complete without coffee, so we had a double latte each and sat down to enjoy. Or at least, that was the plan. Unfortunately, it didn’t quite work out like that.
My rosti was burnt on one side and completely uncooked on the other. Not underdone, just uncooked. I should have taken it back to get a new one, but unfortunately the Rostis by Luke place is the only stall with a constant queue and by this time I was so hungry that I just ate it. The poached egg was a perfect medium and the Hollandaise sauce was delicious, but the raw rosti turned the texture of everything into smoosh and made the meal rather forgettable.
The coffee was okay, or average at best. At some point I was convinced they had given me an Americano with milk as the drink tasted watery and weak. It’s definitely not our favourite coffee haunt in Cape Town, but is unfortunately the only one at the market. Once again, I’d normally complain, but the lady behind the till is rude enough when she takes your orders, I shudder to think what kind of tongue lashing I’d be facing if I take something back. Easier to sip and cringe.
All in all, a disappointing breakfast experience sadly.
After breakfast we thought we would take a stroll through the design section. This a little flea market filled with young South African designers selling everything from jewellery to handmade leather goods. There is some really nice stuff out there, but here are some of my favourites.
This stuff is from Wolf & Maiden, they do a whole range of beautifully made leather goods and furniture. I absolutely loved that duffel bag. It’s incredible. May become my want of the week.
These shoes are from a shoe-maker who works out of a little store on Long Street called Diomonde. They’re all handmade and quite amazing, apparently he takes orders and can create your bespoke shoe in no time. What a rad idea.
The above stuff is from another leather goods crafter called Research Unit, they do anything from iPad sleeves to wallets. This stuff comes in some beautifull colours and has the most incredible details.
There was a lot of good stuff out there, and I couldn’t feature it all, but there were some little things that jumped out at me and I really wanted to share. Loved this world map backpack from the guys at Leather With an Edge, these socks from a company called Feat and this leather and wood belt from Indalo. We really do have some serious craftsmen making amazing stuff in this country. Its awesome!
All in all it was a fun day out, and I would definitely suggest a day out here. It gets really busy so come early as parking can be an absolute nightmare. There is way more to see and do than I have shared with you folks, but I suggest you come down and check it out.
Hope you guys liked this post, it’s a little something different. If you would like to see more of them, just let me know, and I’ll make it a thing.
If you REALLY like it and you want to vote for me in the GQ blogger start up challenge, just go here, it would be pretty awesome of you guys!
Okay. Stay fancy.
