Literally! You can’t miss Scrumpy Jack’s. It fronts on the road and sits on a hill.
It’s also on the way to just about anywhere you’re going in the Central Drakensberg (7 kilometres south of the Thokozisa information centre on the R600, opposite the turn off to the Ardmore Guest Farm, just after the entrance to The Nest if you’re headed south).
What that long winded description means is it’s right in the middle of anywhere you want to be in the Central Berg.
But the visibility and easy access aren’t the most important bits of information.
I wouldn’t say this shop has everything – no shop does – but it has a very diverse and personalized assortment of offerings: Bee tours, pony rides, a cafe and more. It even has a pet pig named Porky who lazily – sometimes snoringly – welcomes all visitors to the shop.
The shop has a range of delectables to browse and buy: chocolates, nougat, nuts, biltong, jams, brittles, biscuits, teas, coffees and hot chocolate to name a few. I even noticed corn chips and a cool drink cooler.
If you’re snackish or ready for a meal, no worries. Seating is available and they offer puddings or light meals with hot or cold drinks to order.
My wife and I recently visited the Quarters Restaurant on Florida Road. It was during the lunch service and I decided to try something I’d never eaten before: Arancini.
I’d never even heard of Arancini before, and I’m not one to try new things, but this sounded good. I’m a sucker for anything with tomato based sauces and this came with a healthy portion of the stuff.
If you’re wondering, Arancini is not a rare ingredient, unusual cut of meat or a dish requiring several delicate processes. It’s arborio rice formed into balls with a mozzarella center, dipped in egg wash and dredged through bread crumbs.
Once fried, it’s served in a bowl of marinara sauce. And it really is tasty. So tasty, in fact, my wife decided to try it at home.
How was it? In a word: Success!!
Sorry Quarters. My wife’s rendition was better than yours but that’s not unusual. She is the best cook I know. Very difficult to better her servings.