Cape Town - Last week I roped in my friend Gabbi Katz, who is also known as The Blue Haired Betty and a bona fide rockabilly pin-up model who was recently crowned a princess in a Las Vegas pageant, to come with me to Stellenbosch. She was also kind enough to write most of today’s stories for us too.
“I was utterly delighted when I was invited to tag along on one of Bianca Coleman’s fabulous explorations of food and wine around Cape Town,” said Miss Betty. “Her Facebook and Instagram feeds are always filled with the most beautiful images of food and bubbly and I was going to be a part of it.”
Because there was going to be drinking involved, we did the responsible thing and summoned an Uber driver. I use the service frequently but it was something new for Blue Haired Betty. “My first ever Uber experience was marvellous. We were transported from Cape Town to Stellenbosch by a gentleman by the name of Brighton, who was professional, friendly and knew exactly where he was going. I was schooled on how the Uber service works by Bianca herself and I’ve already signed up my own Uber account,” she said.
It’s always wonderful to visit the winelands but it was amazing how in such a short time since I was last there, it has transformed into its autumn wardrobe. The colours of the trees and vineyards are amazing, and the moment we got out the car at Tokara – which has spectacular views from its location high on the Helshoogte pass – we started taking photographs.
“Tokara was just the most beautiful picture of autumn. It was lovely walking through the garden outside the deli, viewing the art and soaking up our beautiful surroundings before heading in for lunch… the peacocks were a real treat too. Maybe I’m drawn to them because of our matching heads of colour?” pondered Betty.
The revamped deli is spacious, light, and airy, with glass walls and an outside deck for warmer days. As you enter, there is a long counter and a wall of shelves filled with treats and delightful goodies to take home. Breakfast is served until noon, and then light lunches, salads, pizzas and platters. Presentation is gorgeous – we had a mixed platter of cheese, charcuterie, antipasti (hummus, the best sundried tomatoes, olives), and fresh bread, which can be ordered for one or two people; and a tomato and buffalo mozzarella salad with celery pesto, olives, and dressed with balsamic and Tokara’s olive oil.
We drank a bottle of the farm’s grenache rosé – which is marked up in the deli but can be bought at cellar door price when you leave – and were both entranced by the colour. “It was the most beautifully coloured rosé I have ever seen. Its hue actually matched the turning autumn leaves outside the window. The food is unpretentious, just beautifully fresh and flavoursome,” commented BHB, who happens to work in the restaurant industry when she’s not striking glamorous poses, and knows what she’s talking about.
l The deli is open from 9am till 5pm Tuesdays to Sundays for breakfast and lunch. Tokara is on the Helshoogte Pass about halfway between Stellenbosch and Franschhoek. Call 021 808 5951 or see www.tokaradelicatessen.co.za.
Weekend Argus