The Dog's Bollocks

On Saturday, I went to the Dog's Bollocks for the first time. I'd heard so much about this place and was super excited to try it out. 

For those of you who don't know, The Dog's Bollocks is a secret burger joint in Gardens that's just recently opened. News has spread like wildfire that this is where one can sample the best burgers in Cape Town.

Now, as everyone knows, in Cape Town we have two main competitors contending for "Best Burger in Cape Town" - Royale Eatery and Hudson's. I've eaten at both, and I think that Royale is more date night than cool, cheap hangout. As for Hudson's, the burgers are good and the toppings are creative. But still, there's always room for more!

The Dog's Bollocks is set up in an alley way just off Buitenkant. The decor is simple and kinda kitsch, in the best way. Garden chairs, pot plants and a small one man cooking area teamed with chilled music and the eccentric owner make up a very cool, relaxed little place.

Maar, wat vannie burgers? There are about eight or ten to choose from, with such interesting names. How about a Chocolate Molé or a Pepperberry Mushroom?

I went for the Jalapeno Cheese, while Boyfriend and HNPB chose the 1950's Slider and the Chilli Cheese burgers. 

And man, were they good! They were huge, HUGE, I tell you! Home made juicy patties, delicious, fresh ingredients. The cheese sauce concoction on my Jalapeno Cheese was so good! 

There's no waiter, no bills, hardly anything at all. Just good, old fashioned burgers. Delish. 

I will definitely be going again. Like every week. You should too. 

The prices range from R50 - R55, I don't think there was one that was more than R55. 

Wimpy's Braille Burgers

Fast food ads usually inspire feelings such as mirth, guilt (for me anyway), surprise, and normally, horror at the amount of cheese on that burger! But Wimpy has just launched a touching ad campaign aimed at the blind.

It shows Wimpy's chefs meticulously placing sesame seeds to create messages in Braille on burger buns, such as “100% beef burger just for you” etc.

We then see the buns delivered to a few sight impaired people, with their surprised and overjoyed reactions to the burger’s messages filmed. 

It is extraordinarily moving to see their reactions when they realize that their burger is talking to them. The video explains that “For people who use their hands as their eyes, this is the first time they could do more than just taste their food, they could see it.” :D

According to 2006 data, there are more than 300,000 blind people in South Africa. And this ad is part of Wimpy’s campaign to make SA more aware of that fact. The video was made to “let people know that Wimpy is a place where everyone can feel at home.”  

Did you know that Wimpy has been producing their menus in Braille since 2002? I wish there were more restaurants making this effort!

I noticed a few things though:

The entire ad is totally visual, with no voiceover or any kind of vocal explanation for their target, the visually impaired, and even though it shows the ad going viral in the social network world on blind-friendly computers and smart phones, I’m sure that there is quite a large majority of impoverished blind people (especially in South Africa) who do not have access to computers, or are computer illiterate!

I also spotted that the oven in the ad was quite grimy. Icky!

All in all I think the ad was well done, and hope that it does make one appreciate the efforts Wimpy make next time they eat there.

I have been told of a friend of a friend who is blind, and how she has to feel her food to recognize what it is. I can only imagine how technology enriches the lives of the blind, and hope that some profits from this ad will go to equipping blind institutions and charities.

The ad won "Ad of the Month - November"

While researching this post, I read how a blind woman was turned away from McDonald’s because she had her guide dog with her. SO unfeeling!

Here’s the ad, what do you think?

Cocoa Oola

SoOoooOoo, as I mentioned previously.. We went to Cocoa Oola in Kloof on the weekend. It's pretty new and I was under the impression that it was a single restaurant. But it's actually part of a small group.


Their description: 


The Cocoa Group started trading in 2005 with the aim of being the first choice venue for quality food and drink in the relaxed dining segment. We place a strong emphasis on consistency and quality, ensuring that the Cocoa's are a popular choice amongst consumers for Wraps, Salads, Burgers, Pastas, Baked goods, Coffees and Iced Crushes.


And that it sure does. The food was sooo yummy. SO YUMMY! I was really impressed with the menu choices, very varied and  as Mork would say "something for the plainsman" - the usual cheese and tomato something, but also something for the more adventurous eater.


I was so happy to get the chocolatiest little biscuit with my coffee. Like a Romany Cream, but better. 


Can't wait to go back. 

My amazeballs croissant. Ooh yummy 

the cool magnet board menu

So, How Was Your Day?

I am finally getting over my flu. Lots of staying in bed, drinking Medlemon, and taking sleep-inducing pills.

I was back at work this morning, FUN! Managing a restaurant has it's interesting moments. I had a waiter ask me to check on his table, because "they were looking at him funny". So I off I skipped, only to be met by Mr and Mrs Drunk-at-one-PM. Mr Drunk-at-one-PM decided that when I asked him whether he needed some help, that now would be a good time to confess his undying (not so secret) love (lust?) for me.

Drunk = sexy. NOT

And I quote, "How would you like to run away with me, let's just go have a jol, none of that sexual nonsense, well unless you care for sexual nonsense?" When someone warns you that they are "completely slobbered" it's code for "I'm going to flirt incessantly with you until you walk away."

Ah, wonderful.

I'm off to book that hair cut I've been going on about for a while now.

Til next time, lovelies

 Xoxo

Drunk. SO Hot Right Now.

I Still Love You, Dearest Blog

Nahoon Beach, East London

I have been a terrible blogger..

Deserted my darling for almost a week and a half. It's been a busy little week.

Had my darling friend, Alez, visit me all the way from Slumtown, East London to all you geographical-slang ignoramuses :) East London is known for it's beautiful beaches, the girl/boy ratio being 12:1, and not much else.

We did some research for my blog, testing the burgers at Rafiki's, (read - testing our alcohol levels), stopping for really bad espressos at the Mexican Kitchen, more on that later, and basically just being girly girls! Alie did plenty of shopping too. I mean it is the Mother (of all shopping) City!

We went to Rafiki's on Wednesday.. Two burgers for R89.95... The burgers were huge, aptly named Mountain Burger, or something like that. Lots of guacamole and salad. Good deal, but I wasn't in love with the patties. I still am gonna praise Narona with their amazing burgers, start drooling just thinking about their cheeseburger! The vibe is awesome, though. Feels like you're back in the early 90's, but in the best way, because of the way the people are dressed and the bar decor. IT"S OLD SKOOL!  The peeps are chilled out, just there to pass some time, drink some beer and hang out with their friends.

There are few things I love more than good mexican food, and good coffee. Combining the two makes for a very content Carmie. So this is what I ordered when Alie, her James Dean lookalike and I went to the Mexican Kitchen in Bloem street. I ordered a small portion of the Nachos, I love how they use coriander in the mix,  it was delish as usual.. The espresso... not so much. I was handed a small cup half-filled with watery filter coffee. It had obviously been standing a while, because it was cold, and there was no crema at all... :( I was sad. We also ordered a jug of the yummy frozen margheritha they are known so well for. R70- R85, enough for 3 people to have 2 glasses - BARGAIN! The thing about the Mexican Kitchen is, their food and margeritha pitchers are always awesome, and quick, but the service is not always so great, I think the waiters have giant stoner sessions in the back of the restaurant, they seem to forget that you are there... But I will keep going back, as long as the food is so good. Mexican is in my top two favourite food list.

More tomorrow about this yummy new Doner Kebap place in Long street - it's totally authentic Turkish yummyness! And also do yourselves a favour and have susho @ Tong Luk... I'll post my pics of their amazing fishy creations tomorrow as well.

Lola's Stole My Heart

Lately I have been on the hunt to find the perfect milkshake. In my search I found a gem, something screaming “Cape Town” at me as I walked past. Sure, I had heard of Lola’s, I had even recommended them to friends for breakfast, based on what I’d heard. But when I went there myself, I knew... It was love.

Lola’s has been around for a long time, about 14 years, and has a really good name.. Their thing is vegetarian, really yummy vegetarian, and definitely not just for vegetarians. It's a great alternative for your average vegetarian, used to bland cheese and tomato sarmies, or vegetable lasagnes..

Try the curry - it's awesome! Comes with old fashioned sambals, sour cream, banana and chutney.

Lola’s fits right into Long Street. It’s kind of bohemian, definitely eclectic. It’s bright red and yellow 50's style interior gives it a sunshiny feel. On the day I was there, it was cold and drab outside, but not inside!

The service is good too. That always makes a restaurant for me. If a place has bad service I won’t go back, no matter how amazing the food is.

The crowd that hangs out at Lola’s reflects the restaurant’s happy vibes. They have got the "I sit in cafes sipping on my espresso all day" thing down pat. Everyone looks at ease, as if they have the whole day to lounge in the sun outside, or lately, huddle together deep in conversation in the cold that Cape Town is known for.

It's fun to pretend that you can spend your entire day in a cafe, but nobody really has that kind of time, which is why, for me, Lola’s gives off some special sparkly cafe charm, giving us some quiet time in these hectic times :)