Fairview Goatshed

The temptation to play with the word ‘fair’ when applied to Fairview Wine Estate is great – it more than lives up to its name. The Wine and Cheese farm, just off Suid-Agter Paarl Road, lies in one of the ‘fairest’ settings possible, set behind Paarl’s ubiquitous ‘rock’, its parking area littered with pretty, shady trees and its entrance utterly dominated by a fairly ingenious tower complete with spiral staircase, featuring three of their Swiss Saanen goats – that on this particular Sunday, looked very much the way I felt, considering it was probably 40 degrees in the shade, of which there was not much in their domain …

The Goatshed, Fairview’s slightly upmarket barn-style/foodhall restaurant touting Mediterranean ‘fare’ (couldn’t resist) and a chance to sample up to twenty five of the farm’s predominantly goats’ cheeses, together with their wines, is extremely popular. It was just as well we had booked a table as when we arrived, just before 1pm, the place was literally humming. It helped that the heat had all but driven everyone into the air-conditioned former wine cellar interior – its clay-tiled floors, high ceilings, wooden furniture and thoroughly rustic atmosphere a bonus on a day when sitting outside, despite the gorgeous scenery, was pretty warm (and we thought we’d scored by booking outside!)

Outside, the grapevine smothered balcony below, and the slightly cooler bluegum latte-roofed verandah offered a further smattering of tables, which, provided there is a breeze, are wonderful to sit at – beautiful lawns and a trickling stream and water features. There was evidence of ice buckets on virtually every table, as people drank copious amounts, not always water, and the shouts of children dipping themselves in the little stream beyond our tables added further still to the sense of balmy days, good food and little else to do.

The Goatshed has got the ‘food experience’ combination right. One isn’t there purely for the menu, but for the experience whilst eating the food that makes it taste all the finer for the surrounding combination of beautiful views and alfresco dining experience. It’s no surprise that the food is good as the former owner of the Mimosa Lodge in Montagu, Andreas Küng, a qualified architect who had a change of heart due to his love of food, is the chef. The restaurant also employs rougly 25 formerly unemployed people from the surrounding winelands as bakers, waiters and wine stewards.

And the food was good. Nothing fancy or intimidating, although there were a selection of cleverly combined salads and bistro meals that work perfectly for lazy summer Sundays – farm salad that combines roasted vegetables, cherry tomatoes and toasted seeds, smoked trout salad, beef fillet carpaccio with toasted pine nuts, gruyère shavings and more, duck liver paté, warm stir-fried springbok, beef biltong salad, a chicken pie, ostrich medallions, line fish, pork spare ribs, lamb curry, beef fillet and on and on….

But the star of the show was the cheese platters themselves, and the restaurant’s range of artisanal breads that are not only served at the table to accompany cheese platters, but are for sale in the restaurant. Their range of ciabatta, panini, sour doughs, ryes, bagels and a few signature breads are simply heavenly! You can taste that the restaurant enlisted the help of Johan Sörberg, who owns his own bakeries in Stockholm in Sweden, to coach the baking team…

We settled for the smoked snoek salad, a truly heavenly combination of celery, red onions, green apples, white grapes, turmeric potatoes and snoek tossed together in a light yoghurt, lemon juice and olive oil dressing, served with moskonfyt that gave it a wonderful flavour; a couple of paninis (made on the premises; a truly unique version of the usual doughy white bread) served with pesto, roasted vegetables and grated farmhouse cheddar and a cheese platter to share. There was enough food to feed an army, the decadence was enormously pleasing, and the combination of the food wonderful.

The cheese platter arrived with a generous portion of sliced bread, and our little one was brought even more farmhouse bread of his own to have with grated cheese and butter – kiddie heaven (and they charged us virtually nothing for his meal, which may have been an oversight, but I felt was incredibly generous).

Cheese included camembert, brie, bleu en blanc, blue rock (a particularly creamy roquefort), white rock with cranberry (my personal favourite), cream cheese with black pepper, cream cheese with sweet chilli (another num version) and crottin. Cheese platters come in 8 choice, 10 choice, and I think 12 choice, platters and are a must when there for any meal.

Fairview’s popular Goats do Roam wines are served in 200ml carafes or by the bottle, and, provided you don’t manage to upend most of the wine onto the floor as we did, are thoroughly enjoyable. The restaurant does special group breakfast set menus, and gives early bird bikers and cyclists a 15% discount on breakfast – you have only to produce your helmet as evidence of having made it out there!

There is also a deli corner that offers a stream of sliced cured meats, preserves, jams, chutneys, nougat, goats’ milk fudge, and of course, cheese by the kilogram (although you don’t really score by buying from the farm as the price is only just lower than what you would pay in your local supermarket).

We rounded off the wonderful meal with a scoop of the most creamy, homemade blueberry ice cream with a piece of shortbread, and a couple of cappuccinos. The Goatshed claims the best coffee in the Cape, but I confess it was possibly that much too warm a day to be thoroughly convinced by this assertion.

But the unanimous conclusion of the meal was that we resolved to return to partake of the breakfast menu, or to sample the winter menu, which is bound to be full of soups and roast toasty something or other, hmm mm….

Paarl Links:
Paarl Attractions
Things to Do in Paarl
Paarl Accommodation
Paarl Hotels
Cape Winelands Hotels

Duchess of Wisbeach

The Duchess of Wisbeach is a relative newcomer to the Sea Point Restaurant Scene and she announces herself with a London Double Decker Bus bright red front door and an antelope head of some kind above the bar (keeping a watchful eye over the entrance!)

We had a fairly large table with stragglers arriving way after the time the table was booked for.  Seeing as the group is quite a rowdy bunch and seemed to spend more time chatting and having a cigarette on the pavement, our waitress suggested putting a few of their sidewalk tables together and so we ended up dining, Parisian café style, on the pavement! It was the perfect evening for it though and the smokers of the group were happy …

The food was delicious.  I started with fresh figs stuffed with gorgonzola, wrapped in Parma ham, served on a bed or rocket and topped with Parmesan cheese.  Im not normally that ‘adventurous’ with food and I was pleasantly surprised with my choice.  My main course were equally tasty plump and crispy fish cakes.  While Im not the biggest fan of fish, I absolutely LOVE a fish cake and these were some of the best ever.  Served with a side salad and a dressing it was the perfect main meal.  I ended off with a Dom Pedro – in my eyes a Dom Pedro never fails to disappoint.. a drink and a dessert in one!

Other items on the menu included fillet with proper hand cut chips (not that dehydrated potato rubbish), some indulgent sounding salads and vegetarians were also catered for with a lentil and chickpea creation.

I will definitely go back to The Duchess of Wisbeach and this time I will make sure I upgrade myself from the pavement to a seat inside!  The view through the window of the black and white floor tiles, the white chairs, beautiful old pictures on the walls and flickering candlelight looked most inviting!

Contact Details:
The Duchess of Wisbeach, The Courtyard Building, 3 Wisbeach Road, Sea Point
Telephone: +27 (0)21 434-1525

Sea Point Links:
Sea Point Attractions
Things to Do in Sea Point
Sea Point Hotels
Cape Town Hotels

Tea-time in Cape Town

It isn’t difficult to hide little tea nooks in the leafy southern suburbs of Cape Town. Many of those listed here are tucked away, off the beaten track, some of them in resuscitated period homes, others not necessarily here for their menu but rather their venue. But each of these is worth a visit for its particular offering, be it the location, the food, the décor, or simply because you need to know about it. Treat each with the respect it deserves, and only tell your very best friends about them…

Queen of Tarts, Obs
Lying out of the way in Lower Main Road in Observatory, Queen of Tarts, as its name suggests, doesn’t take itself terribly seriously. Looking as though it has stepped off the streets of Paris with its black and white décor, its exterior a regenerated Victorian/Cape Dutch rendition, Queen of Tarts has a reputation for its breakfasts and teas. Even if its prices are a tad dear, its followers regard the little gem as untouchable and well worth it for its great coffee and food.

Queen of Tarts

Once you’ve dined on one of the Queen’s delicious tarts that come in various guises including butternut and camembert, potato, pecorino and bacon or roasted veg, pesto and feta, and picked up one of their sweet delicacies to take home with you, you will feel as though you’ve been part of an experience, rather than just nipped out to the corner café for tea. And this is perhaps part of the Queen’s secret, and why people return again and again.

Tip: have a look at Tina’s (of the Queen of Tarts) flamboyant cakes whilst you’re there – she makes and bakes for all occasions.

High Tea, Wynberg
This is really an out-of-the-way little breakfast and tea nook in Wynberg, situated just off Constantia Road as it becomes Gabriel Road (before the circle) behind Farriers. High Tea lies in an inner courtyard laid out in the classical garden style that one would expect to find at Versailles (that’s the one in Paris), but which works surprisingly well here, given that there are a number of statues and garden décor from one or two décor shops that share the space, and work well in the garden. A fountain adds to the authenticity and provides a gentle background gush.

High Tea

High Tea isn’t open until 9am, so don’t expect to have an early morning breakfast meeting here, but the meals are generous, delicious and well priced, given their location, and there is always the offer of coffee should you get there ahead of time. Interestingly, High Tea with cucumber sandwiches doesn’t make it onto the menu, but ensure that you pick up one of their chocolate truffle cakes or other sweet delights on offer, before heading back into the fray.

Tip: there is also a hair salon in the courtyard, so indulge yourself.

Florentines, Kenilworth
Florentines is real old world charm, set off the main drag in Myrtle Road, Kenilworth. The tea shop specialises in indulgent breakfasts, teas and lunches, and includes an array of freshly baked cakes, tarts and muffins. The bright, comfortable shop oozes frivolity all the way to the loos, which sport a brightly bejewelled, gold toilet cistern.

Florentines

Sipping on a cup of their very own coffee blend is a treat in itself, and you won’t be sorry that you dragged your nearest and dearest to sample Florentines delights, whilst you sink into one of their heavenly couches. Breakfasts include toast with preserves, stewed fruit with nutty muesli and Greek yoghurt, eggs en cocotte and gluten-free muffins, whilst lunches vary from toasted sandwiches to Italian wedges, wraps and salads.

Tip: there are gorgeous gifts on offer here, make sure you ask to see samples of their wedding cakes, and take advantage of the sushi making classes.

Tokai Arboretum, Tokai forest
You don’t stop here for the food – although it isn’t bad, it’s very reasonably priced, and the scones are more than worthwhile – but rather for the sheer joy of lunching and sipping tea under a rich canopy of trees. Aside from the fact that this is a beautiful venue, the arboretum is a national monument, established in 1885, and the trees are practically ancient, which makes it a space in which to breathe and unwind.

Most people head out here for the hiking and mountain bike paths through the pine plantations of the Tokai forest, but it’s worth bearing in mind that this historic tree plantation is the creation of Joseph Storr Lister who planted 150 species of trees from temperate countries, including a great many oaks, California redwoods and eucalyptus. The pretty, thatched cafe is fairly close to the entrance. Don’t forget to leave a donation for the arboretum.

Tip: a great venue for children, but closed on Mondays.

Ashton's @ Greenways

Ashton’s @ Greenways, Constantia
Once you’ve overcome your self-consciousness at having perhaps entered someone’s private abode by mistake, Ashton’s is a surprisingly wonderful breakfast experience set in the heart of Constantia at Greenways Hotel. Greenways is a Herbert Baker look-alike that turns out to be Cape Revival style, modelled on Baker’s famous Muizenberg house called Rust en Vrede (hence the similarity).

Whilst you wouldn’t officially make the trip here just for tea, breakfast during summer  allows one to sit out on a sunny verandah complete with views over immaculately maintained gardens, whilst watching the odd Egyptian goose come in to land – colonial decadence at its best! Breakfast consists of a buffet-style continental array of fruit salad, yoghurts, breads and other delectable dainties like croissants, whilst you can order a cooked breakfast too. You pay per head and for the experience it is well worth it.

Tip: make sure you find the time to wander through the gardens, they are pretty impressive and there is a huge vegetable and fruit garden towards the rear (the hotel has a green mission and has implemented an impressive list of sustainable practices that minimise their carbon footprint).

Millstone Café & farmstall

Millstone Café and farmstall, Pinelands
Set off the beaten track in one of the most beautiful settings possible in the inner city, Millstone is in the heart of the Oude Molen Eco Village on Alexandra Road in Pinelands. You get to unwind in a gorgeous garden setting infront of the little thatched roof café on a series of wooden crates and tables, whilst children let their imaginations run wild in the garden’s treehouse.

It’s real country-style relaxation and the food is wholesome, enjoyable, and includes freshly squeezed fruit juices and dishes made with as much organic produce as possible. Most of the fresh veg is supplied from the village gardens.

Tip: go prepared to spend time (and money) browsing the farmstall where you can pick up wood fired home-made bread home-made preserves and jams, honey and an array of healthy snacks.

Useful Southern Suburbs Links:
Southern Suburbs Attractions
Things to Do in Southern Suburbs
Southern Suburbs Hotels
Southern Suburbs Accommodation

Polana

I hadn’t been to Polana for a good three years (Ive got no idea why I stayed away for that long!) but a friend had a birthday party here on Saturday night and I was reminded of why it’s such a great spot.

The location of this venue could not be closer to the sea – in fact you could probably touch the rocks if you leant far enough out the enormous windows!  The view, on a clear day or not, is spectacular – the crashing waves only a few metres away and of course being able to see right across the bay to the mountains on the other side …

Polana is situated below Harbour House and next door to Lucky Fish and Chips – all in the same building on the Kalk Bay Pier.  While Harbour House is slighty more expensive, Polana still has a great menu and serves the most delicious tapas – anything from the ciabatta wrapped in Parma ham, chicken livers (the most “to die for” livers Ive had in a long time), spare ribs, prawns or chirozo sausage and olives are well worth it.  The menu features dishes from Angola and Mozambique and being so close to the harbor the freshest of fresh fish is served – in fact the restaurant has its own fishing boat!

The interior decorating of Polana is a mixture of Indonesian and Portuguese with a colonial touch!  The floors are whitewashed, colourful ceramic tiles adorn the walls and Indonesian furniture is dotted around.  Booths with comfortable cushions make up the more ‘formal’ dining area of the restaurant whereas the tapas menu is available in the ‘lounge’ area closest to the windows.

Polana is the perfect summer and winter venue – in winter a log fire roars in the lounge; perfect to quaff red wine as you whale watch (sometimes you can see whales from less than 100 metres away) and of course the seals are in the harbour and off the harbour wall all year around.

So, when you are next looking for a party venue give Polana a try – the view will take your breath away and you will probably make yourself very comfy at the windows and will settle in for a good few hours.  The lounge area remains open late for drinks so you might even find yourself watching the sun come up and the fishing boats chug  out for the new days catch.

Details:
Address: Harbour House, Kalk Bay Harbour, 7975 Kalk Bay, Cape Town
Telephone: +27 (0)21 788-4133
Opening hours: Open daily for lunch and dinner.

Useful Kalk Bay Links:
Kalk Bay Attractions
Things to Do in Kalk Bay
Kalk Bay Accommodation
False Bay Coast Accommodation

Bistro 1682

Cape Town is renowned for it’s restaurants and eateries – from deli’s to 5-star cuisine, little café’s, coffee shops, wine estates and more, and often places open up faster than you can keep track of. A place that has been much spoken about over the last few months, and one that I have been eagerly waiting to try out, is the new Bistro-style restaurant at Steenberg Golf Estate in Constantia, which is already quite popular for their fine dining restaurant Catharina’s.

Bistro 1682 is an innovative concept with an extremely unique wine tasting bar and cool, comfortable restaurant. Where does the name come from? 1682 is the year Steenberg was first established and so seems quite a fitting name. The restaurant has a completely formal yet relaxed atmosphere, it is difficult to explain but it exudes elegance and casualness at the same time …

I was lucky enough to dine at Bistro 1682 twice this past weekend and both times the company was as wonderful as the food. With an early-ish start for a Saturday morning after a birthday party the night before we met up at, a little worse for wear, and ordered some coffee’s – I had a café latte which was huge, but rich, foamy and strong, the perfect coffee in my opinion. My friend, who has been to Bistro 1682 on 3 other occasions, has absolutely raved about this place, but mostly for what is served at your table while you are deciding on your order …

It is not a standard chunk of bread with some balsamic vinegar and olive oil; oh no this was a taste sensation of note. We were not served ordinary bread we were served brioche. For those of you, who like me might not have had the privilege of eating brioche then you need to try it. I don’t think there is anything better than freshly baked bread with a thick spread of butter on top, but oh my goodness I have now been spoilt with brioche. This is a soft, flaky, rich and slightly sweet bread whose texture and taste is almost a bit more like pastry than it is bread. Either way I am a convert to the brioche lifestyle and could happily eat loaves of it daily!

The menu is simple, yet varied; you have a choice from berries and yoghurt, to egg dishes or even mini pastries. We had 3 orders of scrambled eggs and salmon and 1 bacon and eggs. I am always a little bit worried when I order anything with salmon, I absolutely adore the stuff and in my experience the portions are quite small with only 1 or two slivers of the stuff hiding under a piece of toast. Oh boy was I happy to see my plate when it arrived, there was an extremely large portion of salmon on the plate (I must note that the breakfast was magnificently presented – I wasn’t even sure breakfast could be beautiful, I can say now it most definitely can) as well as a decent portion of scrambled eggs on top of sour dough bread, all topped with asparagus spears and hollandaise sauce. The eggs were perfectly cooked, not too hard and not too soft, just the way a scrambled egg should be. We spent a leisurely morning there and it was an enjoyable breakfast.

I was eager to return soon as I had taken a sneak peak at the lunch menu and desserts and my mouth was already watering. Little did I know I’d have the opportunity to come back the very next day, for a Valentines lunch – not with my Valentine, but with my two best friends. With glasses of sparkling wine and stories of the weekend it was a fantastic lunch. And yes, there was more brioche! Delicious! The prawn starter was delicious; they were huge and done in a miso sauce, absolutely tasty. Mains were a cold smoked trout tartine and JD’s club sandwich. Both were presented beautifully and were most definitely more-ish! I would love to have the chef cooking for me everyday.

If you are looking for fresh ingredients, presented beautifully and tasting as good as they look then you need to make your booking at Bistro 1682. No matter if you’re looking for an intimate dining experience with your loved one, a relaxed meal with friends or family or a lunch out with a group of friends Bistro 1862 can cater to all of your needs, with friendly staff and a lovely setting what more could you ask from a dining experience.

Things to know:
Booking is advisable, telephone Bistro 1682 on +27 (0)21 713-2211
Breakfast is served from 09h00 to 11h30
Lunch is served until 17h00
Tapas from 17h00 to 20h00
The restaurant closes at 20h00

Useful Links:
Steenberg Hotel
Constantia Hotels
Constantia Accommodation

Zevenwacht Estate

It is more than a little fitting that Zevenwacht Wine Estate should lie on Langverwacht Road in Kuils River. We found ourselves on Bottelary Road in Bellville, a road we were not familiar with – something we enjoy doing on a weekend; seeing where the road takes us – and as we headed into and past Brackenfell, our hopes (a long time waiting) at finding a lunch venue extraordinaire diminished somewhat – Brackenfell hardly equates with sprawling vineyards and mountain views.

Fortunately for us, Zevenwacht was sign-posted left off Van Riebeek Road towards wine country on Strand Road, and we found ourselves heading up the hill to one of the lesser known wine farms in this part of the world …

The lower reaches of Zevenwacht (it lies on the hills above Kuils River) are dominated by garden ‘estates’; gated villages that have become fairly commonplace on wine estates. The architectural character of the estates were in keeping with a wine estate – in the historic cape cottage, tin roof and gable style – so that despite this development on the lower slopes, the estate up on the hill certainly didn’t seem to be in any way diminished.

The estate itself eludes one, giving extra potency to its position on Langverwacht Road – it is really ‘long-awaited’ by the time one bends the curve of the driveway and sights the manor house directly across a shimmering lake. Only the swans were missing to complete the picture, although there were a few ducks.

One travels uphill for a fair amount of time, leaving the residential country and equestrian estates well behind. Zevenwacht, or ’seven expectations’ – called this for the ‘at least’ seven delights that apparently await visitors to the estate – is part of the Stellenbosch wine route. It’s a fairly small affair and vineyards cover 200 hectares of the 450 hectare farm. The views from here over Table Mountain are, to say the least, gorgeous.

The restaurant is set in a 19th century Cape Dutch manor house that is quite simply beautiful. It rests on the sloping banks of a lake bordered by pretty gardens, and from the other side of the lake looks like something from out of a picture story book. It has apparently been fairly recently restored, and its rooms, wooden floors, gorgeous gables and tasteful furnishings are worth a visit, even if you’re not going to stay for a meal.

The restaurant describes its food as ‘contemporary continental cuisine’, which essentially means it serves something for everyone. Salads, aside from the conventional Caesar and Greek version, also include an original poached pear and blue cheese salad, and main meals include items such as crispy duck, roasted rack of lamb, pork fillet, sirloin steak, Norwegian salmon wraps, a parmesan vegetable basket that sounded particularly tempting, vegetarian penne, and wonderful curries.

This veritable feast uses as many vegetables, salad leaves and herbs as it can from its own garden, growing literally a few metres away. The only downside is that they’re definitey not organic as the estate sprays its grapes.

Desserts include crème brŭlé, lemon sherbets, cherry jubilee, rooibos poached pear with a pineapple tart, French meringue with caramelized bananas, raisins and a brandy anglaise, as well as Zevenwacht’s chocolate delight, which wafted past me just as I was seated – a chocolate envelope filled with chocolate mousse and served on a bed of orange segments and a vanilla tuille biscuit – hmmm hmmm!

The restaurant’s service was faultless and they went out of their way to make us feel at home, particularly as we had to content ourselves with an indoor table next to the window as the patio was full. But we were soon consorting with the hoi paloi out on the stoep, the views over the lake definitely one of the finest luncheon views imaginable.

My better half savoured a surprisingly fruity glass of Sauvignon Blanc 2009 that I can highly recommend, having taken more than a couple of sips (I was the designated driver). The best part about it was that the acidity was down played whilst a tremendous fruitiness dominated. It’s described as having ‘a palate of granadillas and gooseberries, accentuated by a juicy, fresh acidity which carries the fruit right to the back of the palate and prolongs the lingering after-taste’ – couldn’t have put it better myself.

I had a wonderful warm potato and roast chicken salad that came served on a bed of baby spinach leaves with avo, cherry tomatoes and a yoghurt dressing. It was filling and they weren’t shy with their ingredients. Our other meal was a wonderfully tender chicken tikka. It creatively skewered chicken pieces on lemongrass, served on a bed of lemonzest balsamic rice with vegetables, and a paw paw, coriander and feta sambal.

The restaurant is also no stranger to children and has a kiddie menu, whilst the garden serves as a great distraction for after they’ve fed. There is also a play park for children, although having lunch closer to this facility involves buying a picnic hamper beforehand from the estate, a lovely option, but one we didn’t feel inspired to take.

Zevenwacht offers vineyard and cellar tours, full-time chef’s courses, a cheesery that produces a farmhouse cheddar, the Mangwanani spa, and a series of vineyard cottages, chalets, and a country inn with luxurious suites.

Contact Zevenwacht Wine Estate:
‘Telephone: +27 (0)21 903-5123

Useful Stellenbosch Links:
Stellenbosch Attractions
Things to Do in Stellenbosch
Stellenbosch Hotels
Stellenbosch Accommodation
Cape Winelands Accommodation

“This is a great season for us. The weather has been superb for our outdoor venue and we’ve had a great line-up of guest artists playing with us.”

Cape Dutch Connection is a jazz quintet with vocalist Charlette Dickson, Wesley Rustin double bass, drummer Jack Momple, Derk Blaisse on piano and a guest soloist on saxophone, clarinet, flute, trumpet or trombone.

Guest artists for the next four weeks include Klaus Baltin, German trombonist and vocalist (6 & 12 February), Willie van Zyl, acclaimed South African saxophonist and member of the Navy Band in Simonstown (19 February) and Mike Rossi, woodwind specialist and professor in Jazz and Woodwinds at the South African College of Music, UCT (26 February).

Jazz on Friday continues until 2 April at La Brasserie in Franschhoek. Entry is R130 per couple which includes jazz and a good bottle of local wine. The performance runs from 5.30-8.30pm. To book call 021 876 3420 or visit www.capedutchconnection.co.za for more information.

JAZZ ON FRIDAY until 2 April 2009
LA BRASSERIE, 13 Daniel Hugo Street, Franschhoek
Entrance R 130 per couple for a bottle of wine and free jazz.
Tables will be held until 6 pm.
BOOKINGS +27 (0)21 876-3420

Hudsons, Kloof Street

I don’t know of anyone who doesn’t have their favourite burger spot, whether they are vegetarian, chicken eaters or meat lovers, and last night I definitely found my spot. For those of you who haven’t yet tried Hudsons (The Burger Joint) on Kloof Street in Cape Town you most definitely need to give them a try.

Set in a busy part of Kloof Street they are well situated for both walk in trade and those who have already discovered the delight of the place. As you walk in you immediately relax as the atmosphere is cool and calm with a definite retro feel. You can either take a seat up at the bar, inside or outside under a cover. The waitresses are friendly and eager to assist you in your choice …

What’s good to know and which is quite clearly stated on the menu is that “if you don’t see it, we don’t serve it!” however don’t let that startle you – their menu covers a variety of burgers and options and caters for anyone and everyone, so don’t fear if you are a vegetarian, they have chickpea burgers.

Hudsons, Kloof Street

They have two options in the beef and ostrich burgers, you can either have a 150g or 250g patty, the chicken breasts and veggie options come in one size. The menu has changed slightly and the burger prices have come down and then you order your sides separately. This is a great option if you are with friends, as I was last night, as you can order a couple of the sides and share.

I think hands down Hudsons serves the best House salad I have ever eaten (and you can order this as a side for only R20, thin cut fries R10 and onion rings R15 a portion), but let me get back to the salad. I have never been a big salad eater, but with 2010 being a new year and my goal to eat healthier and get fit and all of that, I am trying to eat more salad – even though they generally come with the dreaded lettuce… But now I can honestly say that if I had to eat a Hudsons salad every day I would be quite a happy chappy. You’re now asking what makes it so good and it’s because of the fantastic ingredients. Picture this; cos lettuce, red onions, marinated cherry tomatoes, pine nuts and artichokes and all of this topped with the most delicious balsamic dressing and parmesan shavings, delicious – my mouth is watering just at the thought of it!

But let me get back to the burgers, because they are after all a burger joint and these burgers certainly did not disappoint. I decided to try the veggie patty option and decided on The Meridian (with the burger only costing R25 – it was excellent value for money), the chickpea patty was topped with a tomato relish, mustard mayo, sliced jalapeños and red onion and as it was melt in the mouth yummy, I found myself licking my fingers once the burger had been devoured. I did find the mustard mayo quite strong and so in hindsight will probably order it on the side next time. What I also really enjoyed was the fact that the burger roll is a soft bun, not one of those hard ones that you sometimes get and makes it difficult to eat the burger. The roll was also toasted and for those of you who are wheat intolerant there is a wheat-free roll option for an additional R3.

Hudsons, Kloof Street

The special of the day, which my friend had and raved about, was a lamb patty, topped with a mint and jalapeño salsa, brie cheese and rocket. However, I must mention that almost all of the burger combinations sounded delicious and I would be quite happy to work my way through their menu. You are also able to build your own burger by adding additional toppings. The ingredients are fresh and tasty and the vibe is fun and funky. With songs like “Pretty Woman” playing in the background all we needed were the waitresses to be serving us on roller skates and we could have been transported to another era.

All in all it was a fabulous experience and I certainly will be going back there time and time again. If only the saying went something like “a burger a day keeps the doctor away”…

Address & Contact Details:
Hudsone,  69A Kloof Street Cape Town
Tel: +27 (0)21 426-5974
Times: Open 11h00 to 22h00 daily

Useful Links:
Cape Town City Bowl
Things to do in City Bowl
Gardens Accommodation
Higgovale Accommodation
Tamboerskloof Accommodation
Cape Town City Bowl Accommodation

Britannia Hotel

I had read about the Britannia Hotel and after asking local friends about it, it turns out that the Brittania is a bit of a legend in Durban.  The building, built in 1897, is now listed and forms part of the heritage of the city.  The front of the building must have been impressive in its hey day but seeing as Umgeni Road and its volumes of traffic now run past the venue its difficult to get a good look and appreciate the workmanship, for fear of being knocked over by a car!

However, we had not come to the Britannia to admire the architecture; we had come to sample a good curry.  I’m sometimes a bit wary of new places but not being able to find a parking spot and then finding out there was a waiting list for a table in the restaurant was clearly a good sign!

The Sports Bar

The Britannia is divided into two eating venues; the restaurant and the Sports Bar.  We had arranged to meet a friend for lunch and he’d managed to grab a table in the Sports Bar.  With walls adorned with Premier Division football shirts and Ferrari flags the atmosphere was friendly and relaxed.  A great place to kick back and watch sport on the big screen.

The menu is pretty standard; there’s chicken, mutton or vegetarian curry, chicken, mutton or vegetarian roti’s and finally chicken, mutton or vegetarian Bunnie Chows.

Bunnie Chow

The Bunnie Chows also come as a either a quarter or half (loaf of bread that is!).  The portions are more than adequate … in fact my brother and father order three half bunnies between them and had to take the 3rd home.  I had the chicken roti but I’m a bit of a weakling when it comes to spicy food and it turned out to be a bit too hot for me.

Prices are more than reasonable with a quarter Bunnie starting at R16 and the mutton curry only R39.90.  So next time you feel the need for a Quarter Bean Bunnie make your way to the Britannia Hotel – it’s definitely worth it.

Where?
Britannia Hotel, 1299 Umgeni Road, Durban
Telephone: +27 (0)31 303-2266

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Eight at Spier

Before the word gets out, I thought I’d share my addiction to the latest restaurant to open on the Spier Wine Estate in Lyndedoch Road, Stellenbosch. Eight at Spier serves good wholesome breakfasts, brunches and lunches on the grounds of the popular weekend destination.

The restaurant is child-friendly, affordable, and one of very few restaurants with a green ethos where environmental consciousness and commitment to the Earth is a high priority. Most of all, the restaurant lacks pretentiousness, and easily ranks as one of the best places to get  a decent, healthy breakfast over a weekend …

The restaurant lies behind the wine tasting and shop buildings, off the main pathway, close to the sprawling gardens at Spier. Outside, under umbrellas and foliage, lie a few  tables that invite alfresco dining, whilst inside the modern, minimalist looking restaurant has clean lines and décor with a strong accent on wood and recycled design – Heath Nash features predominantly and his ceiling design  of over 10 000 individually-crafted flowers made from recycled white plastic milk bottles is quite lovely (we’ve got a Heath Nash light fitting in our kitchen, so I recognised his hand in the décor immediately).

Eight at Spier

The waitrons, who have obviously recently received training, welcome you at the entrance (or at least they did when I visited, but that was possibly their very first week on the job) to explain the ethos behind the restaurant and just what you can expect from your visit – it’s a farm-to-table eating experience of nourishing, healthy and delicious food.

The glass door through which you pass is etched with the number eight, lying on its side, in a similar vein to Spier’s water treatment plant where a series of flow forms through which water flows also lie in the form of an eight, and represents infinity (their waste water recycling plant, as an aside, is also a yin yang pool reflecting the balance of energy where newly recycled water is pumped back into a dam and used for irrigation). The number 8 is about balance, cycles, harmony, infinity and abundance.

One of Spier’s aims is to be a zero-waste producing estate by 2015, and this is pretty evident in their new Eight at Spier restaurant. There is no sign of laminated menus for a start, and the seasonally produced items on the menu, most of the ingredients of which come from their biodynamically farmed vegetable gardens, are written up in chalk on black boards that are brought to your table, and described in detail by your waitron.

Eight at Spier

Heidi Newton-King, Spier’s COO describes Eight as ‘the manifestation of Spier’s belief that a restaurant can be a catalyst for social and environmental change while still offering fabulous food.’

Roughly 300 hectares of the farm at Spier is farmed biodynamically and has been since December 2008. Pasture reared beef, chicken, eggs, wine grapes and vegetables, as well as olives, artichokes, nectarines and almond trees are all in production. It is a wonderful feeling to know that you’re eating food that was grown but a few metres away from your table. What the chefs at Eight cannot source from their garden, they source from local farms and suppliers chosen for their mindful and sensitive approach to the way food is grown, handled and packaged.

Spier’s waste-recycling programme collects roughly 11 times more than the average South African business in a year, and recycles around 80% of its waste – there are on-site recycling programmes that convert food waste to worms to produce fertiliser, and other recycling projects such as the Adobe Brick Works, a Biolytix waste-recycling project (already mentioned), and a bio-diesel project that will power the estate’s tractors and generators.

Eight at Spier

They’re leading the way when it comes to ethical responsibility in business. And Eight at Spier is just one more example of their commitment to creating awareness, and cutting back on waste.

As well as wonderful food, the restaurant already had a number of interesting items on sale made from recycled goods, interesting books and DVDs about food and farming, and other practical items like hemp bags and wine carriers. Their aim is to have farm produce here too from the farm – so delicious cheeses and other fresh, natural and organic produce from local suppliers should also be up for sale, although when I was there this wasn’t yet the case.

We began our breakfast at a table indoors, set against the window, the sunlight streaming through the glass, with freshly squeezed organic juices. I was surprised at how reasonably these were priced. Usually a freshly squeezed glass of juice costs more and I was equally surprised to see that it came in a reasonably sized glass. I ordered a delicious combination of carrot and pineapple, whilst my companion enjoyed a beetroot, carrot and apple juice.

Eight at Spier

Breakfasts include the mandatory eggs and toast combinations but I ordered a delicious sounding collection of rolled oats, fresh berries, yoghurt and honey. It arrived in a huge wine glass, quite a novel way of serving a delicious meal! Before it arrived at the table, we were also served with a couple of slices of gorgeous looking home-made fruit bread, served with various combinations of butter, jam, salt and pepper.

Breakfast at Eight is not only a delicious experience, it’s a feel-good experience too – knowing that most of your food is grown moments away on a biodynamic farm means not only does it not travel miles to reach your plate, but it’s also probably that much better for you because of the inherent freshness. I don’t know about you, but I’m all for this type of eating.

Address: Eight at Spier, R310 Lynedoch Road Stellenbosch
Telephone: +27 (0)21 809-1100

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Farmstalls on the N2

As the N2 summits Sir Lowry’s Pass and begins its meander through one of the most lovely valleys known to man – the Elgin Valley is sumptuous it is such a feast of beauty -  it passes no fewer than five farmstalls distributed fairly evenly on either side of the road (if you’re smart, you can stop at one or two on the way to your destination, and then another couple on your return).

We were headed to Vermont, the little village not far from Hermanus that has enjoyed a fair amount of attention if the number of holiday homes is anything to go by. We took it upon ourselves to stop at four of the farmstalls in an effort to do a comparison and to see just what each of them offers – besides, it’s great fun to fall out of the car, meander around the grounds, have a look at all the goodies, make a selection or two and then, between mouthfuls, rate the nosh …

Not even half an hour out of Cape Town, the Orchard Farmstall in Grabouw lies in the bend of the N2 in a pretty setting.  Facing out on the parking lot, its pathways strewn with climbing roses, is the farmstall, a coffee shop and a Wildekrans wine tasting venue, behind which lies the inevitable estate agency. Turning off the N2 towards the farmstall, we couldn’t help noticing that a particularly unattractive mall had gone up just across the road from them fairly recently – can’t help wondering if it has affected passing trade?

Orchard Farmstall

The coffee shop is not much to write home about. The food, based on a quick squizz through the menu, is typical of roadside restaurants – pies, pasta, salads that border on boring, hamburgers, an array of soft drinks and coffees. But then you come to Orchard Farmstall to sample the cakes! And what an array. From apple tart to chocolate mousse cake, via an incredible looking lemon cheesecake, just about every one’s taste is catered for here – and they’re all baked on-site. There was also a mouthwatering array of muffins and breads, although, on asking, the breads are made with pre-mixes.

The shelves are lined with home-made jams and preserves – anything from orange, passion fruit, pear and ginger to pineapple, apricot, strawberry etc. There are local and imported teas on sale, any number of local arts and crafts and then an array of the usual – chips, sweets, cooldrinks – that we’ve come to expect from farmstalls. There is a lovely jungle gym for little ones to play on and the grassy surrounds of the farmstall make a good spot to sit and picnic if you’re so inclined.

Orchard Farm Stall photographs – click to enlarge

A little further down the drag (the N2 that is) a large sign advertising Thandi wines, farm kitchen and crafts. We were rather excited at the prospect, but it seems that we chose the wrong day as there wasn’t much in evidence at the time. The restaurant had a number of clientele though, and I could see why – the menu looked particularly enticing, with homemade babotie and pie, and scrumptious breakfasts, whilst at the other end of the room was a wine tasting bar. The roaring fire, on what was yet another one of the Cape’s freak cold spells in November, was also most welcome.

Thandi Wines

What I didn’t realise is that Thandi wines were the first Fairtrade wines in the world! (for more on  fairtrade see World Trade Fair Day) Thandi is a true empowerment project with 90% ownership in the hands of its workers. It’s the first enterprise in South Africa where the workers are equal partners with the state, the community and private enterprise in a profit-sharing farming venture! (awesome)

It goes a long way to explain the gorgeous little vegetable and herb garden into which we stumbled to one side of the restaurant and children’s play area. At Thandi you can pick your own vegetables fresh from the fields, although the fields usually dedicated to vegetables were being prepared for new crops from what we could see. And according to Susan Kroukamp, who manages the restaurant, craft centre and farm stall, much of their home-cooked food benefits from the vegetables grown here, and they use their own vegetables wherever possible (what I didn’t ascertain was whether or not they were organically grown).

The farmstall and craft centre, unfortunately, were undergoing refurbishment so weren’t open. By all accounts it’s usually filled with home-cooked, home-baked, hand picked goods and produce. We’ll be back!

Thandi wines, farm kitchen and crafts photographs – click to enlarge

Our next stop was the Houw Hoek farmstall. They’re famous for their pies and lay claim to the ‘best pies in the land’ (we thought we’d put them to the test, but more about that later). Judging by the number of cars that make their way through here on any given day (we stopped off here on a Thursday and a Sunday and both days were equally busy) this is a popular venue.

Houw Hoek farmstall

It’s a little further along the N2 from Thandi Wines, on the right-hand side of the road, as opposed to the left, just before you reach the Houwhoek pass and into the Caledon Valley. Again, you don’t come to the Houw Hoek Farmstall to savour its typical roadfood in the adjacent coffee shop; if it were in Cape Town, you probably wouldn’t frequent it at all, but the farmstall is probably the best of the lot. Certainly it easily jostles for first place with the Peregrine Farmstall, on the other side of the Houhoek Pass.

The deli side of things is well stocked – olive oils, vinegars, nuts, preserves, jams – much of it locally sourced, or at least as much as they can. The service is excellent – you are not left to idle away your time dreamily infront of the shelves, but rather in moments your needs are met and information is easily forthcoming.

But back to their pies and sausage rolls, for it is for these that the number of passers by stop – certainly their pie rack is cleared out at least once a day by hungry bikers and roadtrippers (what is it about being inside a car that brings on the pangs of hunger?).

I’m not a pie fan, but I can attest to the excellence of these. My other half succumbed to one where the pastry was melt in your mouth stuff.  I believe that there are certain fans that can write an ode to their pies, so popular are they! And that is without mentioning the wine section of the stall, adjacent to the shop that supplies a good range of wines from the region.

Houw Hoek Farm Stall photographs – click to enlarge

Last, but by no means least, we made a stop at the Peregrine Farmstall, close to Grabouw. Apart from the fact that I felt as though I’d stepped onto the set of Heidi (the farmstall resembles similar shops in the southern German region), this was a stall that was humming with activity.

Peregrine Farmstall

They have a tradition of quality homemade fresh farm produce, and you can smell it the minute you walk in the door. Home made breads, pizzas and pies come rolling past you down the aisles, baskets are overflowing with fresh produce, and if that doesn’t tempt you, then the myriad deli-style foods will – anything from homemade pastas to delicious homemade sundried tomatoes.

Right in the front of the stall are an array of quiches, tarts, cakes, pecan nut pies, muffins and other delights, and all reasonably priced. The fridges were filled with anything from keoksisters to mosbolletjies. They also boast a Saturday morning market that looks well worth attending. Peregrine Farmstall claims to emphasise all things natural, organic, handmade and wholesome – all of which I’m in favour!

Peregrine Farm Stall – click to enlarge

So, which farmstall to choose? The choice is yours!

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185 Bree Street

Friends were visiting from Mpumalanga last week and invited me to join them for dinner at Jardine.  Included on the S. Pellegrino Worlds Best 100 Restaurants list for 2009, dining at Jardine is not something to be missed.  Owner and Executive Chef George has worked all over the world and since opening Jardine in 2006 has established the restaurant into one of the leading fine dining restaurants this country has to offer …

Situated at 185 Bree Street (on the corner of Bree and Bloem) in Cape Town Central, Jardine is located in a building that over the past century has also been home to a butchery, chocolatier, jewellery shop, radio station and most recently Cape Towns branch of the Church of Scientology!  After renovations, the restaurant now seats 70 covers upstairs (some on a wrap around balcony) and the ground level of the restaurant serves as a bar area – perfect for enjoying a pre dinner cocktail or an ABF before heading home!

The menu at Jardine offers either the á la carte option or alternatively one can choose the chef’s signature five course menu.  The five course menu is prepared by George and his team using products sourced from the market that day.  Although the portions are smaller than normal, they are big enough to allow the customer to enjoy and savour the flavours and presentation of the five courses.

Jardine Restaurant

We opted for the á la carte option and every course was delicious.  I started with an avocado and organic fennel bulb salad topped with crispy pork belly, followed by the best ribeye steak I’ve ever eaten.  The steak was accompanied with cauliflower and porcini mushrooms and finished off the meal with a to die for vanilla soufflé flambéed with Grand Marnier.

My companions enjoyed mussels served steamed with coconut milk, ginger and lemongrass and Saldanha Blue Bay oysters.  For main they tried the Fraserburg lamb and the Fort Beaufort springbok leg.  Both also concluded the meal with the vanilla soufflé!

The service at Jardine is impeccable – attentive but not overly so.  The atmosphere at the restaurant is great – small enough that the service is good and the waiting time for courses is not too long but big enough to feel the buzz of the place.

I really enjoyed Jardine and will make a point of returning.

Contact Details:
Jardine Restaurant
185 Bree Street, Cape Town Central, Cape Town
Telephone: +27 (0)21 424-5640
Website: http://www.jardineonbree.co.za/

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Bird’s Boutique Café

A meal at Bird’s Boutique is something of an experience, and if you haven’t already stopped off to taste Mathilde Stegmann and her daughter’s delectable dishes, then I would advise that you do.

Set on the corner of Bree and Church Street in a building that is most un-restaurant-like, there isn’t anything quite like this café in Cape Town. The concept defies categorisation, and yet the food is simple, home-cooking. Described as a ‘unique, artistic refuge’ the café, despite sounding such, is not pretentious and doesn’t work hard at just being what it is – a kitchen that feeds its patrons seriously yummy and distinctive food, with none of the gloss, glamour and self-indulgent ostentation that some other restaurants manage.

The first impression to strike you on walking through the doorway, is that you have perhaps entered a backstage set build. With a curtain dividing the kitchen from the  the restaurant, ceramic birds suspended from the ceiling, and overturned crates for chairs (don’t worry there are cushions to soften the perch) you would be forgiven for thinking similar, but you soon realise that it has more to do with seriously unconventional informality than the theatre, even if birdsong accompanies your meal.

Mathilde and her daughter hail from Swakopmund in Namibia and named the restaurant after the feathered variety for whom Mathilde has much affinity, particularly seagulls. The main emphasis is on fresh, organic fare and the need to slow down, which you do automatically as food served here is of the slow variety (both the service and the time allocated to prepare your meal).

There is a real sense of the journey of food. Seasonal veg and fruit lie in crates just visible below the curtain line, waiting for use in the next freshly squeezed juice, and the menu describes what blend of herbs, vegetables and other ingredients are involved in your menu item of choice. Menus are hand-written, probably because they change every day as a sign of the seasonal emphasis, but drinks stay the same, and I can recommend their organic coffee.

Despite the pace of food production, Bird’s is popular. There is seldom a dull moment  and as people stop to greet colleagues and friends on their way in or out of the door you realise that Bird’s has followers not just casual customers. And it is no surprise given the flavourful food!

We’ve been to Bird’s on a couple of occasions following a meeting in town with colleagues just around the corner. The food is sumptious! There is no scrimping on ingredients or taste. The price of menu items reflects this, although people don’t seem to mind, given that this simple, satisfying food is so obviously home-made without sparing any detail, and the portions are generous.

On our way through the restaurant, our colleague stops to greet a couple of journalists – one of them is based at the Beeld and the other is a guest journalist up from Durban; they’re obviously swopping trade secrets. They’re already hard at work on their generous cups of coffee, and one look at the monster slice of quiche before one of them on the table, and all thought of networking flies out of the window. On the other side of the restaurant four gents who must be in advertising or design of some sort are bent in discussion, whilst the waitress scribbles their order in pencil in in her booklet.

Their seasonal tomato soup and quiche of the day are extraordinary. Despite reading the entire menu and being more than a little swayed by a couple of items, I succumbed to the quiche and wasn’t sorry. It was so creamy and rich that I found myself closing my eyes and hmmming with satisfaction.

Whilst I haven’t sampled the sandwiches, I can tell you that they come heaped with ingredients (as did the quiche) and when you manage to get your mouth around them (quite an endeavour, I should imagine) your mouth should explode with the various combinations of avo, tomato, smoked chicken, mozzarella, sprouts, green, seeds and a good dollop of oil and balsamic vinegar.

Our colleague ordered the cheesecake and upon seeing the look on my face, handed me a fork. It came on a crust of note, despite, or is that inspite, of its being wheat-free. Mountains of creamy yet light cheese interspersed with poppyseed and raisins and all topped with a huge dollop of cream fresh from the farm – I ask you, what more could you want?

Address & Contact Details:
127 Bree St, Cape Town City Centre, Cape Town
Telephone: +27 (0)21 426-2534

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Parks Café in Wynberg

We don’t get out much. No seriously, doing lunch is tantamount to a social occasion we manage it so seldom. When one works from home, lunch hour is something you snatch on the run whilst picking up the wee one and sprinting into the local bakery  double time for fresh bread!

But yesterday we managed to have what definitely qualifies as a civilised lunch time interlude at Parks Café, Wynberg. The address is a little misleading, as Parks Café actually rests on Constantia Main Road, more-or-less across the road from Norman Henshilwood High School, in a simply beautiful restored Victorian villa (you probably drive past here on numerous occasions, but next time, swing inside – you’ll not be disappointed) …

I was interested to read fellow blogger Fred Roed’s write up on the Parks Café’s coffee. Whilst I am far from a coffee aficionado (I sadly drink mine decaffeinated, do not gasp!) Fred is perpetually on the hunt for the Great South African Cup of Coffee. Fred was more than impressed with Park Café’s cappuccinos. He waxed lyrical about well-balanced foam and rich aroma. He also mentions the hemp biscotti treat that comes as an extra and likewise accompanied my herbal tea, so I can attest to agreeing with his take on its numminess (although Fred would never stoop to using such inanities to describe a biscuit).

Parks Café in Wynberg

Coffee aside, the building itself deserves more mention. It was built at the turn of the century by a doctor, who used to consult from home in what is now described as the ‘cloakroom’ and which I’ve taken to mean the loo. Head off there to wash your hands and you’ll see a particularly beautiful floor. In 1906 the property, which must have been a bit bigger than it is today, was sold to the Retief brothers who ran a forage and grain store to feed passing trade, much the same as today except that then it was horses on the way to Constantia valley from Cape Town, not southern suburbs’ clientèle in need of a coffee fix.

The house then passed on to blacksmith Paulse in 1938 who, as his title suggests, shod horses and fixed carts until the smoke he produced from his forge was deemed ‘undesirable’ and closed in 1948 (it appears we worried more then about carbon emissions than now).

The house finally ended up as part of Zonnestraal Farm, set a little higher up the hill behind the house, and not only is the restaurant run from here but Hemporium shares the space and sells a selection of accessories, clothes, paper and cosmetics all made from hemp. Interestingly all the seats in Parks Café are covered in hemp fabric (should you be interested in this fabric as an environmentally alternative to cotton).

Parks Café in Wynberg

We had excellent meals, but before I launch into a description of our food, let me just interject and tell you that you can design your own breakfast here, which they serve until 11.45am. And you can enjoy all of the items on the breakfast menu accompanied with hemp nut toast. Otherwise settle for one of their omelettes or croissants served in various ways, all of them mouth wateringly tempting.

But we were too late for breakfast. And besides, once I’d read the lunch menu, I was all in favour of trying their roasted butternut and baby leaf salad with cucumber, cherry tomatoes, goats cheese and soya sauce roasted nuts! It was as good as it sounds.

It isn’t often that one eats a salad where you don’t have to squint to find at least two of the ingredients. And in this case, there were generous helpings of goats cheese, butternut and roasted nuts, and the salad leaves were really fresh baby leaf, which I love. And what an amazing combination for a salad, which the owner, Michelle, apparently designed herself, for herself. Enough said.

Parks Café in Wynberg

My partner opted for the vegetarian health burger (made with pulses, seeds, hempnuts, butternut and onion) with red pepper pesto, lettuce and tomato. This all arrived accompanied by chunky potato wedges. I settled for just one taste as my partner, upon tasting his first mouthful, was very quick to point out the measure of his appetite and the deliciousness of the burger.

Choose from homemade vegetable soup with homemade hemp bread, potato with avocado dip, vegetarian pasta pockets, beef burger (in much the same vein as the vege burger but with a walnut pesto), chicken burger with brie etc. and any number of filled ciabattas. There are also other salad options that include a smoked or char-grilled chicken salad, and a smoked salmon salad with avocado (when in season).

There is a lot to please and little to displease at Parks Café, especially as the weather has improved and sitting in the inner courtyard is an option. For those after coffee or tea, don’t leave without sampling the baked cheesecake or carrot cake, or if you just want a little something to nibble, then the chocolate chip and hemp nut cookie is a less robust option.

An extra note:
You can use the venue for a meeting, but book the meeting room ahead of time.

Address and Contact Details:
Parks Café, 114 Main Road, Constantia, Cape Town
Telephone: +27 (0)21 797-8202.

Photographs of Parks Café – Click thumbnails to view the gallery:

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La Boheme

A friend resides in Sea Point and has been raving about a restaurant that has opened up on Main Road so we gave it a try on Tuesday evening.  I’m so glad we did!  At R85 for a 2 course meal we were off to a good start, and the delicious food cemented La Boheme on one of my new favourite eateries …

I tried the grilled polenta with marinated aubergine and a tomato relish as a starter and then had the very tasty lamb, mushroom and rosemary pie as a main course.  Both servings were generous but not enough to leave one feeling bloated!

Other starters were beef carpaccio and feta phyllo parcels and several of our group had a spicy chicken tagine as a main course.  Main courses are also served with vegetables for the table – a nice change indeed.
Our total bill per head was R135 each, including soft drinks, two bottles of decent rose (wines are also served by the glass) and a tip for the super efficient waitress.

La Boheme

Although we sat at one of the outside tables, there are enough tables inside the shop and the modern, fuss free interior gives a good atmosphere.

La Boheme Restaurant is open for lunch and dinner, Monday through to Saturday.  I would definitely recommend La Boheme – a welcome addition to the Sea Point Restaurant scene.

Address & Contact:
La Boheme, 341 Main Road (corner of Main and Albany), Sea Point, Cape Town.
Telephone: +27 (0)21 434-8797
Website: http://www.labohemebistro.co.za

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Photograph: Vibey Sea Point on the Atlantic Seaboard in Cape Town

The views of the Atlantic Ocean, the white sand, palm trees and Lions Head to the left (if you are facing the sea, and lets face it, who wouldn’t be!) Caprice could not ask for a better location.  Open for breakfast, lunch, dinner and of course drinks, the menu is varied and great value for money. 

I met a friend out from the UK for drinks there last night and our ‘quick’ catch up over a vodka and tonic turned out to be a six hour drinks, dinner and coffee session!  Such is the great, laid back atmosphere and friendly, efficient service.

Photograph of Café Caprice by Cape Town wedding photographer, Greg Lumley

Caprice is well set out, with enough tables both inside and outside.  Heaters and blankets keep patrons warm during winter and the fresh spring evenings and you really can settle down for a long evening of socialising!

Well positioned plasma TVs allow for sports coverage in the large, open bar areas which are normally packed to capacity over weekend evenings or if there is a major sporting event on television.

So do yourself a favour, next time you are in Camps Bay, pop into Café Caprice and enjoy a sun downer or one of their sublime burgers … I guarantee you will be back time and time again.

Contact Details:
Find Café Caprice at 37 Victoria Road, Camps Bay, Cape Town
Telephone: +27 (0)21 438-8315
Website: http://www.cafecaprice.co.za/

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Pigalle Cape Town

What do you get when you put together a group of old friends, an approaching birthday, delicious food and copious amounts of wine? The answer – a reunion and smashing birthday bash.

I have a group of very special friends who are spread far and wide across continents and sea and this week we were lucky enough to arrange for everyone to be in the same place at the same time for a celebration. We had friends travel from Eshowe in KwaZulu Natal, Grahamstown in the Eastern Cape as well as the birthday boy from Hamburg, Germany, his sister from the UK and a pair love birds from the shores of Spain. And of course -  all of the fabulous people who reside in Cape Town. This evening was an opportunity to get kitted out in our finest attire and head down to Somerset Road in Green Point for some fine dining and bit of dancing …

Pigalle Cape Town

The decision was to do something completely out of the norm, we wanted it lavish, we wanted it over the top and most importantly indulgent. And where better to do so than Pigalle Restaurant? Not only is the decor opulent, but the service impeccable and the food sublime.

For those of you who don’t know, Pigalle is a special concept brought to life by Victor Gonçalves with branches in Cape Town and three in Johannesburg (Bedfordview, Sandton and Melrose Arch).  The entrance to Pigalle in Cape Town is not off Somerset road as expected, but at the back end of the building. It is a grand entrance with red carpeted floors with a team of staff who eagerly await your arrival. A warm, welcoming bar is your first taste of Pigalle with a cocktail and wine list that is vast and this makes it tricky to make a decision as to what to drink, however it is also easy to become distracted by the gorgeous decor of chandeliers and magnificent artwork.

Baked line fish

This 350-seater restaurant has a private dining room for more intimate functions as well as a smoking room for those who wish to relax on a big leather couch and catch up with good friends. The room is centred around the 3 piece band who treated us to a wonderful selection of music and steadily transformed the relaxed dining atmosphere into an exciting music dance hall during the course of the evening.

Once seated at our table we were introduced to our waiters, who I must add, took exceptional care of the table and attended to our every need. I do need to add a note here though that while they keep filling up your water glasses be aware that this can lead to an unexpected hefty addition to your bill at the end of the night (we had an additional R400 added to our bill for water).

Grilled linefish

I think the most difficult part of the evening was trying to select what to eat as the menu, although not for everyone’s budget, is vast with a wide selection to choose from. As the staff will tell you Pigalle is renowned for their seafood and there are a number of options you can chose. For those meat lovers out there you will not be disappointed as there are some excellent choices for you.

As our waiter was telling us about the specials and what he would recommend for the evening everyone’s mouth started to water as he described some of their most popular dishes. I was sold on something that is so 1970’s, the prawn cocktail. It arrived in a margarita glass with a base of beetroot, a creamy avocado puree, delightfully plump prawns, a segment of citrus and topped with a dash of caviar. It was absolutely tasty but it was only the beginning of the feast. I was also lucky enough to try an oyster, which was possibly one of the biggest and freshest oysters I have been lucky enough to slurp down. Some of the other starters that were enjoyed were escargot, grilled calamari and a goats cheese salad. The starters and salads range start at R49 and up to R80 with the majority priced at around R65.

Herb fillet

You know you are in a place with great service when you don’t need to ask for another drink or ask when the next course will be ready, time seemed to flow effortlessly that evening and before we knew it our main course had arrived.

The line fish of the day was Kingklip and I decided to have this grilled with a lemon beurre blanc sauce, it was accompanied by a scrumptious basil mash (which I will definitely try to replicate at home), the shocking green colour of the mash was complimented with red onions, pepperdews and baby peas. This was definitely worth the R118 charged for the meal, it looked as good as it tasted.

As is most common with good friends, or certainly in my case, sharing is caring and so it was lovely to be able to taste a few of my friends dishes as well. The baked line fish (R118) was extremely tasty and well presented and as mentioned before meat lovers will not be disappointed. The herb marinated beef fillet (R150) epitomised the expression “like a hot knife through butter”, as this fillet was cooked to perfection and was an absolute star at the dinner table. Main courses range from R118 to R490 for a seafood platter for 2.

Pigalle Cape Town

Once we had had our fill and were a bit more relaxed the band upped the tempo and it was time to hit the dance floor. Since we were a large table it was the perfect opportunity to fill up your dance card and dance with each and everyone. What fun it was spinning around the floor and having the most fun with your friends. It doesn’t really matter what kind of moves you have it is just a great opportunity to get up and move your body to some smooth sounds from the band.

The band played their last number just after 23h00 although I think a few of us could have danced all night! Dinner was rounded off by some delectable desserts, I would highly recommend adding some butterscotch sauce to your malva pudding when you are next there.

Pigalle Cape Town

Some important things to remember are that there is a dress code enforced at the door and it is smart. This means a collared shirt and smart shoes, jeans are acceptable. You also need to be prepared for a minimum spend of R150, this is what each person will be charged no matter what they have. So if you only intend to have a starter you will still be charged R150.

What more is there to say besides that I highly recommend an evening at Pigalle, but remember this is not a quick dining experience. You need to ensure you go when you can savour the entire evening, the food is most definitely worth it. And go with people you really care about, it makes the evening that much more memorable. Thank you friends, you know who you are!

Contact details:
Pigalle Cape Town – 57A Somerset Road, Green Point, +27 (0)21 421-4848.
Pigalle Bedfordview – Shop No 36, Village View Shopping Centre, Cnr. Kloof and Van Buuren Road, +27 (0)11 450-2242.
Pigalle Sandton – Shop U09, 4th floor, Michelangelo Tower, Maude Street, +27 (0)21 884-8899.
Pigalle Melrose Arch – Shop HL48 Level 05/Orange (High Level Street), Corlett Drive, +27 (0)11 684-2711

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Cape Town Restaurants

Its nonassuming kerbside façade gives no real indication of the buzz that ensues just inside the door, even though there is an outside table or two, this being spring and hardly the time to sit out of doors, yet. But I can see that in summer, the outside tables could be much sought after, depending on how much you like watching traffic drive by …

The Italian Kitchen’s décor is just that, an Italian Kitchen, and the bar off to the side allows casual visitors a chance to sit and sip without having to sup (or something like that). The team behind the restaurant also bring Tokai the weekly Porter Estate market or outdoor country kitchen – favourite local produce directly from the source – and the restaurant is covered with pictures from the market, and the pics of local food so enticing that by the time you reach your seat and the menu finds its way into your hands, you’re practically salivating.

The ethos behind Societi Bistro (which has a co-operative relationship with the Labia Theatre) and Jonkershuis has been one of deepening the quality of life in the community, an emphasis on local products and a place where the accent is on family and friends, all of which is also in evidence at Italian Kitchen. Although it was difficult to work out just which of their menu items supported local farmers and business (perhaps they can think of adding this as some stage?)

We were seated in a private alcove that serves as a room for such functions and can seat up to 12 people. We had a good time, the service was excellent (except when it came time for the bill, but then we all have our shortcomings) and the food was better than it gets when it comes to Italian food.

Most interesting was the take on pizzas. These were original to say the least. Not only are they rectangular, with a simply gorgeous thin crust, but they come in formerly unheard of varieties, like the Sei, which comes with bacon, red chilli, avo and rocket, the Otto with pesto chicken, goats feta and spinach, and the Dieci, the vegetarian’s choice, with cinnamon butternut, spinach and feta.

Not only do children get to roll their own pizzas, but you can order a pizza that comes with a square of each of just about every type of pizza in the joint, known as the Kitchen Zink! Not that that’s to what I succumbed. An even better option was the half a pizza that comes with a side salad of micro greens, tomato and a wonderful olive oil based dressing.

And the Italian Kitchen is not all about pizza. There are some heavenly starters – they assured us that our special of beef bruschetta would soon become a menu regular – and there are pastas and meat options on the menu as well. And desserts are simply delicious – cheesecake, wonderful almond icecream, dom pedros, irish coffees – the works.

Where?
The Italian Kitchen is at 21 Tokai road, opposite the Blue Route Mall in Tokai, right next door to Easy Life Kitchens.
Telephone: +27 (0)21 713-4218.

Porter Estate produce market is a great place for Saturday morning farm-style breakfasts, fresh local and organic produce and a place for children to play. Saturday from 9 am till 1 pm.
Telephone: +27 (0)82 823-4121.

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Constantia Valley

Shoreline Café

Cape Town offers some beautiful locations to spend time with your family in a relaxing and playful atmosphere. On a constant quest to find perfect family spots offering healthy child-friendly food with an appetizing menu for adults, set in pleasant surrounds with play areas, here are some of the best experiences on offer …

Shoreline Café at the V&A Waterfront was created for pure enjoyment and is situated next to the Two Oceans Aquarium. An indoor play area makes this spot a great escape for rainy days! The kiddie’s area is lined with AstroTurf and has a big TV to entertain the older chldren, while the younger members of the family will be kept very busy on the creatively designed jungle gym and slides … (Find Shoreline Cafe next to the 2 Oceans Aquarium at the V&A waterfront, Cape Town. Telephone: +27 (0)21 418-8645).

In the city, Deer Park Café in the suburb of Vredehoek is an institution with local trendy families because of its deli-style food and large play park. A healthy menu impresses parents and children alike, giving them plenty of fuel for clambering over the play obstacles and jungle gyms that fill the generous park.

Set in the residential area at the foot of Table Mountain Park, with tall trees and greenery growing amongst the peaceful neighbourhood, Deer Park Café is a wonderful way to spend time with your children, while squeezing in some gourmet treats for yourself! (Find them at 2 Deer Park Avenue, Vredehoek, Cape Town. Telephone: +27 (0)21 462-6311)

Cape Farmhouse Restaurant

A little further out in the suburb of Hout Bay, Scarecrows has been created purely for the enjoyment of the little people! Combining the magical ingredients of a huge play area and fantastic food, Scarecrows never fails in delighting the whole family.

Watch your kids play in the teepees, in the sandpits and on the junglegyms while you have a well deserved cappacino and slice of cheesecake. (Find Scarecrows at Oakhurst Farm Park, Main Road, Hout Bay. Telephone: +27 (0)21 790-0841).

The Cape Farmhouse Restaurant in Red Hill, en route to Cape Point, is the place to go for an unforgettable family day out. An old farmhouse turned restaurant creates a beautiful space to savour a long lunch, under the vines.

Geese roam around the grassy play areas which provide plenty of running space, complimented by a menu comprising of true gourmet delights. Local folk bands play live music on Saturday afternoons, so be sure to book for a truly different treat for the whole family. (Find The Cape Farmhouse restaurant 3km from Scarbourgh at the bottom of Red Hill – Junction M66 & m65. Telephone: +27 (0)21 780-1246).

@ Imhoff Farm

Imhoff Farm, Kommetjie, is a day long experience not to be missed, making Blue Water Café the perfect venue for a family meal. A majestic farmhouse with rolling green lawns looking out onto horses grazing, sets the scene as you enjoy outstanding food. With a large jungle gym, ample space and a touch farm bordering the restaurant, your children will be entertained for hours. (Find Blue Water Café on Imhoff Farm in Kommetjie. Telephone: +27 (0)21 783-4545).

The Barnyard in Tokai is the ultimate child friendly venue, complete with farm animals, several jungle gyms, swings and play areas. Homestyle cooking feeds hungry children and parents, inbetween hours of play. (Find The Barnyard at 4 Steenberg Road, Tokai. Telephone: +27 (0)21 712-6934).

Treat the whole family to a Saturday morning at the Porter’s Estate Market in Tokai for a gourmet organic experience of food, drinks and handmade goods. Set amongst the trees of the Tokai forest, not only will you experience a day of chocolate filled pancakes and fairy cakes, your children will also have the time of their lives playing in the special kiddie’s entertainment area. (Find the market at Chrysalis Academy, behind the Tokai forest picnic area in Tokai. Telephone: +27 (0)82 823-4121).

Café Roux

Café Roux at the Noordhoek Farm Village is the haunt of food lovers everywhere and with a beautiful playground bordering the alfresco style restaurant, it is a welcoming space for families. Along with all the other family friendly restaurants on this list, Café Roux is an upmarket space that impresses with its relaxed gourmet menu.

Watch your children play to their hearts’ content on the tractor or inside the wendy house while you sample fresh food made with dedication and passion. (Find them at Noordhoek Farm Village, Village Lane, Noordhoek, Cape Town. Telephone: +27 (0)21 789-2538).

For lots more Family Friendly Entertainment in the Cape Town area see Cape Town Family Friendly Things to Do or to find a place to stay for your next holiday in Cape Town see Cape Town accommodation or Western Cape accommodation.

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Located on Sea Point Main Road, Posticino has been dishing up simple, fresh food for close on ten years and over that time the restaurant has become an established and favourite venue for locals and visitors alike.

Decorated with photos of the host family, Posticino boasts a great outside area for al fresco summer dining and an equally as inviting interior for the rainy winter months.

The pizzas remain ever popular, and so they should be.  The traditional thin bases are loaded with delicious toppings for a wood fired treat.  I also recommend the grilled calamari starter.

The menu and atmosphere have both played their parts in landing Posticino in the Dine Magazines South Africa Top 100 and they are deserving of that position.  Give Posticino a try but remember to book ahead of time so you aren’t disappointed.

Contact Details:
Telephone:  +27 (0)21 439-4014.
Address: Main Road, Sea Point, Cape Town.
Website: http://www.posticino.co.za/

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Martins Bakery

Martins in Diepriver is one of those hidden gems about which only the locals know, and visitors to Cape Town wish they knew, given the recent propensity for artisan breads.

Martins resembles a typical old fashioned deli / coffee shop, which indeed is exactly what it is. Run by ‘Mr Martins’ (even his faithful staff members call him thus) together with his son and daughter-in-law, Martins is teeming with bread and baked products of just about every description, including an excellent range of wheat-free goodies that feature a wheat free bread (for which you have to place an order, so be warned), a range of biscuits, and the bakery’s delectable date balls, for which we make a stop at least once a week …

The shop is unpretentious, filled with the smells and sounds of bread and baking, and the shelves are lined with any number of items other than bread to easily stock up on goodies to fill your picnic hamper on your way out over a weekend.

Martins Bakery

To be honest, I own shares in Martins, or should, since we stop off here at least once a week to buy reasonably priced, just baked bread. And that’s the pleasure about Martins. It doesn’t even pretend to be an artisan bread bakery (they probably don’t even realise that the good old fashioned way that they produce bread has just become the latest trend). Martins just does what it does best – bakes non-commercial, homemade and handmade breads without preservatives, using traditional techniques such as a sourdough starter.

Whilst Martins does not produce all of its breads from sourdough, all of their breads contain flour, water and salt, leavened using a wild yeast or commercial yeast, and nothing else.

Martins Bakery

Their rye ciabatta (a twist on their standard and olive versions thereof) and rosemary and raisin bread are reasons to get up in the morning, whilst their 100% rye bread can always be counted on. They also sell a 50% rye and a 25% sorbitol rye, all at decent prices, when compared to other bakeries, and there are a number of different types of rolls, bagels and sweet baked goods like croissants, pretzels and muffins.

On any given morning, the coffee shop serves delectable breakfasts and handmade sandwiches using their breads, to locals, who frequent the cafe for anything from business meetings to a quick catch up with mom. It’s the kind of place where you’re greeted by name and the staff quickly get to know your favourite breads and let you know when they’re due out of the oven (I’ve even had a loaf pulled out of the oven ahead of schedule for me, but you have to own shares in the shop, as I mentioned above).

Martins Bakery

The fridges are filled with local farm cheeses and dips, fresh vegetables, and ready-to-eat avocado pears right next to the till for you to enjoy with your fresh loaf of bread. They also stock gluten-free pastas, coffees, stoneground flours for those of us who bake our own breads, samoosas (which sell out really fast on a Saturday morning) and wraps if you’re popping in for a fast food fix during the week (they’ll heat them while you wait).

There are moments when Martins gives the distinct impression of being the graduate cousin of the Greek corner cafe of my youth, and may it continue to stay that way. For where else in Cape Town can you find artisan breads for a good price, a decent cup of coffee, and a chance to catch up on the latest rugby match from the lady at the till, who, with a very broad smile, relays how former Springbok members have sat in her kitchen, so closely connected is she with the game.

Contact Details:
Martins Bakery, 43 Main Road, Diep River, Cape Town
Telephone: +27 (0)21 712-8555

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There are few things better during a torrential Cape Town winter than some good old comfort eating – and nobody does comfort food like the Italians. Bacini’s (upper Kloof Street), with its soccer banner-draped walls and ceiling, is an old favourite. The food is unfalteringly delicious, the prices good value for money and the service excellent. (Find Bacini’s at 177 Kloof Street, Gardens, Cape Town. Telephone +27 (0)21 423-6668).

Zucca, Kloof Street

A little down the road is Zucca. A relative newcomer (it’s only about two years old), this restaurant has nonetheless made its mark on city dwellers with its authentic fare – watched over by the equally authentic, rounded shape of its owner, Ricky Turilli. Reasons to go include their lunchtime specials and for a peek at the walls, which are covered with corkscrews of various shapes, sizes and origins. (Find Zucca at 84 Kloof Street, Gardens. Telephone: +27 (0)21 423-7331).

And one can’t leave out Col’Cacchio (which translates to ‘up yours’!) in the foreshore, whose loyal clientele and constantly buzzing interior are a testament to the excellent dining experience it offers. The choice between a wood-fired pizza, a bowlful of pasta and a mountainous salad is harder than you might think … (Find Col’Cacchio at 42 Hans Strijdom Avenue on the Foreshore, Cape Town. Telephone: +27 (0)21 419-4848).

Fancy a Chinese? No cardboard takeout boxes for Capetonians. Head over to Mr Chan’s, a Sea Point institution, for an extensive menu of mouth-watering dishes in a traditional setting. (Find Mr Chan at 178 Main Road, Sea Point. Telephone: +27 (0) 439-2239). Also certainly worth a stop is the recently relocated Jewel Tavern, previously in a bland, cafeteria-style harbour location, now reborn as a slick town eatery. The one thing that hasn’t changed is the incredible food. You just can’t stop yourself from having three helpings of everything. (Corner of Duncan & Vanguard Roads, Cape Town. Telephone: +27 (0)21 448-1977).

Mexican Kitchen

Or you could join the Mexican wave. Fat Cactus in Park Road (the original is in Mowbray) is enjoying wild popularity thanks to its prime location, Margarita jugs and simple menu of tasty tapas (think quesadillas and nachos) and great burgers. (5 Park Road, Gardens, Cape Town. Telephone: +27 (0)21 422-5022). In Long Street, the long-standing Mexican Kitchen might never die, its gaudily painted interior and famous chilli poppers still pulling punters through its doors. (13 Long Street, Cape Town. Telephone: +27 (0)21 423-1541).

And the Cuban-themed Buena Vista in Green Point is almost a no-brainer if it’s delicious Mexican-inspired meals in a cosy, rustic locale you’re after. (1st Floor Exhibition House, 81 Main Road, Green Point. Telephone +27 (0)21 433-0611).

Portuguese? Pigalle, the dinner-dancing, live-music hosting, 300-seater converted-ice rink of a restaurant in Green Point is certainly dinner with a difference, as well as providing a great Portuguese-inspired seafood menu. (57A Somerset Road, Green Point. Telephone: +27 (0) 421-4848). Or for a more familial supper visit Toni’s in Kloof Street for Mozambican-Portuguese fare. (88 Kloof Street, Gardens, Cape Town. Telephone: +27 (0)21 423 7617).

Buena Vista, Green Point

How about Indian? Bukhara in Church Street is hands-down the best curry, setting, service and general dining excellence you’re likely to find anywhere. The butter chicken is butter-soft, the vindaloo will blow your head off and the hot, buttery naan bread has me salivating at the very thought of it. (33 Church Street, Cape Town. Telephone: +27 (0)21 424-0000).

Of course, if you’re looking for something a little off the beaten track, how about some Lebanese baba ghanoush and Hummus at Cedar House, watching the world go by on Sea Point’s Main Road? (Courtyard Building, 100 Main Road, Sea Point. Telephone: +27 (0)21 433-2546). Or sample some Kurdish allnazik, zozan or a shish Kebab while enjoying the sensuous movements of a belly dancer at Mesopotamia on the corner of Church and Long Street. (Telephone: +27 (0)21 424-4664).

And if it’s Pacific Rim cuisine or sushi you’re after … well you can’t swing a chopstick in Cape Town without hitting a spot to get your fix. (see our previous article on where to eat Sushi in Cape Town).

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kwaLapa in Newlands

It’s my week for visiting food stores. And kwaLapa in Newlands Montebello Design Centre, just recently opened, is about to take the southern suburbs organic-and-green-for-lunch crowd by storm.

It’s not just their catchy byline – telling the stories of food, where the store weaves the stories of its suppliers into the very fabric of the walls – but it is also the menu, filled with organic, wholesome options that include buttermilk flapjacks, raw muesli, organic soup of the day, delectably filled wraps, a freshly tossed salad of the day served with a cranberry or blueberry dip, and various organic coffee and tea options that make one fairly burst to sit and sip, whilst waving one’s hands in the air for them to ‘bring it on’! …

Not since Organic Living in Plumstead closed its restaurant doors and absconded to Constantia Village (where it remains a thriving organic health store), has a deli held so much promise. And when you see their venue, you will understand. KwaLapa is set in amongst the trees, sheltered beneath a bedouin tent, its central fulcrum a huge, old tree that lends the space an incredible feeling, with wooden, temporary walls at various heights that both keep the weather at bay, and allow in the wonderful natural surrounds at Montebello.

By Right Mukore

Fey light fittings designed by Street Wires cascade from the roof, there are handcrafted tables from recycled materials at which to sit, made by Weyers Marais, and the long central table found in the shop proper (the part of the shop that is inside, as opposed to outside), as well as two other, were handcrafted by local Montebello artist Right Mukore (you can visit his studio directly across from kwaLapa). See his website at http://www.mukore.com/

KwaLapa have been very quiet about its opening. They’re postponing their official launch until November, in time for summer, which also allows them to get through the initial teething problems that apparently beset all such ventures. But it’s difficult to see any sign of these.

It’s true that the store is not teeming with products – I’d be worried if it was as there is a derth of truly certified organic, local products. What they have on their shelves are carefully handpicked products that reflect the ethos of the store and local community projects, like Beanthere coffee, an Ethiopian, Fairtrade, single estate coffee, truly free-range eggs handpicked at Splash farm, milk, feta, rusks and jam from Camphill Village, and some gorgeous dried flower arrangements in baskets that urge on to indulge.

Beenthere Coffee

And speaking of indulgences, after Emily, one of the four partners involved in kwaLapa, has finished showing me around and pointing out the finer points of many of the products, it is difficult for me to resist whipping out my debit card as a ’shopping spree in the making’ hits me from a dizzy height. I’m here, after all, to scout the place out for a write up, not to satiate my desires. But go on, a cup of your wild hot chocolate, made from organic cocoa, wild honey and spices (no sugar) would definitely tempt me!

And so I sit and listen to the various stories behind the food. There’s Sky, the young farmer with a farm in Philipi who supplies their fresh organic produce on a weekly basis. They’re waiting on a delivery from him as we sit and chat, and moments later he arrives, denims tucked into wellies – a parody of the Constantia horsy crowd who parade in their jodpurs and boots. I hear about the already mentioned tables, their eggs and dairy, their organic sausages (to which I succumbed) and their plans for the future.

Biophile Magazine

There are the fine pottery tea cups and saucers, locally designed and made, and even a reference section in the shop where you can sit and read backdated versions of local green magazines like Biophile and Shared Earth, and local books like Bending the Curve and the Beryn and Peter Daniel’s latest raw food (un)cook book.

There is a general lightness about the store that is hard to describe, and has a lot to do with the obvious passion that the 4 partners involved, Emily, Patrick, Bruce and Paula, have poured into the store. If food could speak, what would it say to us? Would it tell us about its friends? Who’s cared for it, carried it around, the things it saw along the way, the places it visited, the people who raised it, its ancestory and its dreams?

Find Kwalapa:
31 Newlands Avenue, Newlands, Cape Town
Telephone +27 (0)21 687-9314
Website: http://www.kwalapa.co.za

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For lots of ideas for places to go see our section on Things to Do in Cape Town. The section includes Art Galleries, craft and flea markets, farmers markets, cafes and eateries, places to shop … and a whole lot more! And if you are a tourist see Cape Town Attractions for all the recommended things to see and Cape Town Hotels to plan your trip!

Sushi definitely grew on me, and you’d be amazed how many Capetonians list this Japanese cuisine as their number one favourite food. Luckily for me, Cape Town embraced sushi in a big way a few years ago and I can now get my fix just about anywhere in the city. Just in case you don’t know, here’s a rundown of a few of the best places to grab a California roll or ten …

Sushi

Willoughby & Co is an institution at the V&A Waterfront, thanks to a combination of excellent service and even better seafood. It’s almost never not busy, and they don’t take bookings so arrive in good time. Seen over by Asian Head Chef Sam – almost as much of an institution himself – the sushi is some of the best in Cape Town, and with an in-house deli and wine shop, this place ticks all the right boxes.

Try the ‘Rainbow Reloaded’ or get a little silly with an oyster shooter. (Find Willoughby & Co at Shop 6132 on the Lower Level of the Victoria Wharf at the Waterfront. Telephone: +27 (0)21 418 6115).

It may not have a sparkling façade, but Kubo’s Little Japan in Riebeck Street (the site of my virgin sushi experience) has other things going for it. The tiny restaurant (it seats around twenty people at a squash) has an incredibly authentic feel about it, probably due to the very little English spoken by the staff.

Perfectly light sushi and even more delicate tempura keeps those in the know coming back. Grab a lunchtime bento box special for a little over R70 (you won’t be disappointed) or ladies, go on Wednesday and Saturday nights for a discount. Just plan on an early dinner – Kubo’s is open, according to the signage, until ‘not late’. (Find Kubo’s Little Japan at 48 Riebeek Street, Cape Town. Telephone: +27 (0)21 421-4360).

More Sushi ...

Certainly more aesthetic is Tank, in the chic Cape Quarter, one of the first sushi hotspots for Cape Town’s upwardly mobile set to see and be seen – and get some decent sushi while they were at it. Surrounded by a 20 000 litre, saltwater fish tank, you can guess how it got its name. (Find Tank at the Cape Quarter, 72 Waterkant Street, De Waterkant, Cape Town. Telephone: +27 (0)021 419-0007).

Equally trendy is Wakame. With its sweeping views (taking in Table Bay, Mouille Point lighthouse and Robben Island) and slick interior (wooden decking, cherry wood counters and multiple three-metre fish tanks), it’s a great place to munch a few maki while rubbing shoulders with other beautiful people. The selection is mostly traditional though, with only one or two original pieces. (Find Wakame on the corner of Beach Road and Surrey Place in Mouille Point, Cape Town. Telephone: +27 (0)21 433-2377).

and sum more

Heading down south … oh, you thought Constantia only had wine? It’s also hiding Wasabi, a recent find at the Constantia Village shopping centre. The décor is tastefully stylish and cosy, with an open food preparation area, and the menu boasts some very inventive sushi that’s sure to please the most jaded palate.

Pop in now for winter platter specials, and leave a little room for dessert … the almond and marshmallow springrolls sound great but the Lindt Chocolate Eruption changed my life. (Find Wasabi at the Constantia Village Shopping Centre, Constantia. Telephone: +27 (0)21 794-6546).

And, of course, ever popular with Capetonians is Beluga in Green Point (and sister restaurant Sevruga). With a menu of creative sushi (try the Samurai rolls – California rolls with a tempura prawn centre) and their famous half-off specials on both sushi and cocktails, you can see why Sundays see so many of us lounging around here. (Find Beluga at The Foundry in Prestwich Street, Green Point, Cape Town. Telephone: +27 (0)21 418-2948)

Other favourites include Hong’s Seafood and Bar (low-key, very well-priced sushi spot in Claremont), Saul’s Sushi in Sea Point (good sushi, even better discounts, wine list compiled by Vaughn Johnson himself) and Haiku (five-star excellence from the man who brought Cape Town Bukhara).

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The idea for this blog actually came about during just such a luxuriously late breakfast on an unseasonably sunny winter’s day in Kalk Bay. The place? Olympia Bakery (Find Olympia Cafe at 134 Main Road in Kalk Bay or phone: +27 (0)21 788-6396).

Though a 20- to 30-minute drive from the city centre, Olympia is always busy. And small wonder – such mouth-watering confectionary as comes out of its ovens (to make no mention of the freshly baked bread) would be reason to drive a whole lot further. A sweet tooth like mine is overwhelmed by the collection of biscuits, muffins, cakes, croissants, Danishes, brownies, and whatever else you care to name, but the café does ‘proper’ food as well of course, and no less delicious for not being sugar-filled. Add to this the feeling of well-being that hanging out in picturesque Kalk Bay always brings, and you’ve got yourself one great spot for a lazy breakfast.

Saturday and Sunday mornings in Cape Town see a large portion of (usually hungover) locals mobbing the street-side patio of Arnold’s in Kloof Street (Find Arnold’s at 60 Kloof Street, Gardens or phone +27 (0)21 434-4344). Its chilled vibe, central location, friendly staff and simple yet generous fare score it points with fickle Capetonians, who hate anything that tries too hard.

Constantly winning it new converts, as well as keeping regulars returning, is Mike’s Breakfast – two eggs, bacon, grilled tomato, ostrich wors (that’s sausage by the way) and toast, for R19. Variations come in the form of the cheaper Early Bird special (R9.50 for the same breakfast provided you’re there before 7am) and the Double Mike’s – self-explanatory, except you get potato wedges instead of doubling up on the tomato, and it’ll cost you R38. Breakfast, in true Mother City style, is served until 5pm.

A stone’s throw away from Arnold’s (literally – the two are separated by the entrance to a block of flats), is Café Sofia (60 Kloof Street, Gardens or phone: 021 426-0801), a more recent addition to the Mother City eatery scene but one that’s settled in nicely and gained popularity. Though Sofia is a franchise (with other branches in Camps Bay, Green Point, Rondebosch and Seapoint) it scores points for not having that chain-store feel. Decorated in an eclectic 70s style, the restaurant specialises in meze and tapas, but their breakfast specials are good too: regular English and coffee for twenty bucks, an omelette with toast and coffee for R25, or coffee and a muffin for R15.

Situated opposite the wildly popular Rafiki’s on Kloof Nek (Find Rafiki’s at 13B Kloof Nek Road or phone +27 (0)21 426-4731), you’d expect a small eatery like Beleza to struggle for clientele. You’d be wrong. An extensive (and I really mean extensive) brunch menu pulls crowds onto its wooden decking, and at R12 for a regular English, they’ve got the cheapest breakfast in town.

Budget breakfasts are huge with Capetonians, but if you can afford to blow the bank on this all-important first meal of the day, most of the Mother City’s hotels offer the public some seriously decadent buffet breakfasts with all the frills. My personal favourite has to be the Winchester Mansions Sunday Jazz Branch, an affair of epic proportions accompanied by easy-listening, live jazz, a glass of bubbly and a complimentary morning paper, all for R195 a head.

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Vista Lounge

In search of an early start to the weekend, I took off to the One&Only Hotel at the V&A Waterfront. Having been lucky enough to enjoy High Tea at The Palace in Sun City, I wondered if Sol Kerzner’s new offering at the Waterfront could match up.

Afternoon Tea is served from 14h30 to 18h00 every day in the Vista Lounge. The double volume lounge is certainly quite opulent with a magnificent view of Table Mountain (when not obstructed by clouds) and the waterways which surround the two man-made islands that house 40 of the 131 rooms available at the hotel.

Choosing couches at the 8 metre high windows, we prepared ourselves for a true indulgence – tea and cakes in Cape Town’s premier new hotel during working hours (bliss). We were greeted with a huge smile by our waiter and presented with an extensive cocktail menu. I will definitely return to sample some cocktails (the candy floss concoction I saw delivered to another table certainly has me intrigued), but our focus on this day was High Tea, so ordering a pot of tea for 4, we set to the task at hand.

One of three tiers

While the selection may not be as large or as varied as at the Mount Nelson, the delicate desserts and savouries on offer are as tasty as they are visually appealing. From traditional favourites like black forest cake and lemon meringue to home grown favourites like koeksisters. Caramel éclairs, scones with jams and clotted cream, chocolate slices (my favourite), pannacotta, banoffee and tiramisu pots … there is something for everyone in this selection. Yum!

One of the things I really liked was that this High Tea allows you to try as little or as much as you like. While the High Tea at the Mount Nelson will set you back a tidy R150 PER PERSON irrespective of whether you eat like a rabbit or piglet (can’t say I’m the former), here at the One&Only you can choose a 3-tiered selection of sweets and savouries for 2 persons (including tea) for only R180 or choose two of the cake slices for R50. This actually makes it quite affordable, even in today’s penny-watching times.

My only real criticism is the overpowering floral scent in the foyer (think bathroom deodouriser on steroids … though I hear they were aiming for vanilla). This is a permanent feature (I know, because of a recent visit to The Maze Restaurant) and one I don’t really understand.

On the bright side, after we’d tried just about every dessert on offer, the private walkways outside the hotel provide the perfect opportunity to try to burn off some the much-enjoyed calories. A moment on the lips …

If, like me, you enjoy celebrating South Africa’s colonial heritage with High Tea, the Vista Lounge at the One&Only Hotel is a great option. Treat your mother or a friend and make it a tradition here or at another of Cape Town’s Premier Teatime Spots.

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Chandani

We’re fans of Indian food, and rather than heading off to town to eat at Bukhara’s – which, incidentally, has recently had a fire (we learned as much when trying to book a table) where the plush décor is a pre-sentiment of the bill that follows, even if the food is supposed to be indescribably good – we spotted Chandani’s in Woodstock whilst leafing through the Time-Out (rather obviously, we don’t get out much!).

The added benefit of booking a table at Chandani’s was that their meat is all halaal and there are a lot of vegetarian options on the menu, since we were dining with someone who was fasting for Ramadan, who wouldn’t have taken lightly to discovering that his first meal of the day was going to be severely restricted because the kitchen hadn’t considered his needs …

Chandani

I’m also a fan of Woodstock and hadn’t gone there at night. Roodebloem Avenue, despite its daytime shabbiness, is alive with a number of eateries, with names like ‘Jamaica me Crazy’ and even on a Tuesday evening was vibey, so weekends must be completely abuzz.

Chandani Restaurant is co-owned by a Jagdish Vanzara and Dina de Bruyn, who have done up a typical little Woodstock jewel with pieces from Mumbai. It’s like stepping into another country once indoors, and the atmosphere, even during the week, which should have been a slow night, was authentic and relaxed.

The eating areas are divided up amongst rooms and verandahs which makes for more intimate and mellow dinners and moves away from the staid format of large areas thick with tables, which most restaurants follow.

Chandani

The food was simply stunning. The menu was extensive, offering chef’s specialities, vegetarian, chicken and meat options, an array of accompanying rice variations, and breads like naan and rotis. The food was fragrant, the portions generous and the prices fair (if you don’t fall prey to numerous delectable side orders of vegetables and rice), whilst the desserts were particularly yummy.

We skipped starters and headed directly on to the main meal, choosing Palak Goscht (lamb done in a spinach sauce), Murg Amratsari (chicken in a tomato base with cashew and sesami seeds) and Murg Palak (chicken in a spinach sauce). All of these were simply heavenly and beautifully presented in little silver bowels. We added garlic infused naan to the combination and enjoyed ourselves immensely. We followed this with sogi (a sweet semolina pudding), gajar halwa and a sweet lassi.

The southern suburbs is starved of good Indian food and, whilst Woodstock is so close to the City bowl it may as well be in town, it still shaves off travel time, and getting there along the M3 is pretty effortless. The food at Chandani was exceptional and we enjoyed ourselves immensely. One of the highlights is that the heat of the food is controlled entirely by you, the customer, except for the mild dishes, which are apparently a little difficult to make hot (understandably, I wasn’t too concerned by this as ‘mild’ is about as hot a curry as I can stand).

Return we will.

Contact Details:
Chandani – 85 Roodebloem Avenue, Woodstock, Cape Town
Telephone: 021 447 7887
Website: http://www.chandani.co.za

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Restaurant Specials

Brad’s Grill in Harfield Village Claremont (Southern Suburbs, Cape Town), has an In by 6 Out by 8 special that runs 7 days a week and the whole night on Sunday. The deal is you need to be in the restaurant by 18h00 (last orders taken at 18h45) and be out by 20h00. This is great for a midweek dinner when you have forgotten to defrost the chicken! The menu is always the same, which is great because you know what you are in for. For R35.00 you have a choice between a 180g sirloin steak, chicken schnitzel, deep fried calamari, hot and spicy chicken wings or vegetarian spring rolls. This is served with either a baked potato, chips or rice and 2 vegetables (butternut and spinach) …

I find the calamari is always succulent and tasty and the steak is done to perfection. If you are feeling a bit peckish then you can always have the Combo, which is any 2 items on the special menu for only R65.00 (so the steak and calamari make the perfect surf and turf). A recent addition to this special is the lamb shank for R60.00 served with mashed potatoes and 2 vegetables, it is absolutely delicious, slow roasted in a red wine sauce and don’t forget to ask for the bone in a doggy bag if you have a dog at home, it will definitely go down a treat!

Restaurant Specials

Another early dinner special can be found at Barristers Grill & Cafe on Main in Newlands (Southern Suburbs, Cape Town). This is also great as a lunch special as it starts from 12 noon and you need to have eaten by 19h00. I met a friend for after work drinks and since we both live on our own this was a great opportunity to let someone else deal with the dirty dishes. The special costs only R39.95 and there are a wide range of choices on the menu, each main is served with the vegetables of the day (it was butternut and creamed spinach when we were there).

You have a choice between chicken schnitzel, steak, fish served with lemon or garlic butter, vegetarian pasta (a spinach cannelloni was the option for the day), pie of the day, bangers and mash, the curry of the day (mutton) or crumbed calamari. Barristers is renowned for their steak so you won’t be disappointed. We both decided to have the fish, which was an absolutely enormous portion and fantastic value for money. It was crumbed with a lovely batter that when cracked revealed a perfectly cooked piece of hake, it was accompanied by a tartar sauce and not the lemon or garlic butter as on the menu, however it was delicious none the less. This was a great meal and I will definitely be heading back there soon.

Restaurant Specials

Heading into the Cape Town city centre the Cape Quarter in De Waterkant has a number of fabulous restaurants and most of them offering specials. Fiesta, a tapas, cafe and bar offers 2 tapas for R39.95 and 3 tapas for only R49.95, this is a great way to spend an evening with good friends who you can share food with. I especially enjoyed their artichokes marinated with garlic and rosemary. You can be sure to find something to cater for anyone’s palate.

Last night I once again found myself at the Cape Quarter, this time at Andiamo for their fantastic special 2 pizzas or 2 pastas plus 2 glasses of wine for only R100.00. This is definitely something you shouldn’t miss out on, the special has been extended and it’s not surprising as the restaurant was packed and buzzing with a great vibe. We had a large table of friends (try to make sure you go with even numbers so that no one misses out on the special) and all ordered the special. It was also a happy discovery to find that you are not limited to have 2 pastas or 2 pizzas you can mix and match (i.e. 1 pasta and 1 pizza), which is exactly what many of us at the table did, sharing is caring after all.

Restaurant Specials

You are able to chose from their main menu and not the one that is entitled specials, which can cause a bit of confusion however there are plenty of options.  My choice was the Al Samone pasta (fresh baby leeks, smoked salmon, cream & a touch of napoletana sauce) which was absolutely delicious and the portion size is just right. I also had a taste of the Salmone E Rucola a pizza with smoked salmon and rocket, served with cream cheese which is absolutely fantastic, their pizzas are not overloaded with cheese so you are able to taste the delicate flavour of the smoked salmon with the peppery flavour of rocket. This special is great option with a large group of friends as there is not much to quibble over when the bill comes, everyone owes their R50.00 plus tip and any additional beverages they had.

A big thank you to these restaurants for giving us such great specials that are good value for money and tasty. Everyone deserves a night off from the kitchen so why give yourself a break or surprise your loved one and visit one of these restaurants?

Contact Details:
Brad’s Grill, 69 Second Avenue, Harfield Village, Claremont
Telephone: +27 (0)21 671-2527

Barristers Grill & Cafe on Main, Cardiff Castle, Corner of Kildare Rd and Main Street, Newlands
Telephone: +27 (0)21 671-7907

Fiesta, Cape Quarter, 72 Waterkant Street, Green Point
Telephone: +27 (0)21 418-5121

Andiamo, Cape Quarter, 72 Waterkant Street, Green Point
Telephone: +27 (0)21 421-3687 / 8

Know of any good Restaurants offering specials?
If you know about other restaurant specials please share them with us by posting the details in the comments below.

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The restaurant is known simply as ‘Greek’, and delicious, simple, anything-but-fast Greek fare is what you can look forward to. And, despite its reputation as a student hangout, the dinners I’ve eaten there thus far have had fewer students than families with young children, and the usual slightly bourgeois and arty crowd you would expect to find in Mowbray …

Baklava

It helps that I have more than a slight penchant for Greek food, and cheap and cheerful with flair is my thing, but there have been mumblings from more longtime clients about the atmostphere having deteriorated from chic shabby to shabby chic, and grumbings about the decline in pretty waitresses. Can’t say any of this bothered me particularly.

I’ve not been disappointed in the tasty and Mediterranean style food. Virtually unpronouncable items that have become so familiar such as souvlaki, hummus, shwarma, lamb kofte and excellent versions of fish, all appear on the understated menu. And desserts are usually on offer on a subtly placed chalk board; tempting baklava a standard special.

The waitrons are always efficient, friendly and refrain from hovering when you’re deep in conversation, and the kitchen is clearly viewable by all, always an indication that food is honest-to-goodness what it says on the menu and not a microwaved version of last night’s left overs.

One doesn’t pretend to go to Greek for the latest in haute cuisine. Rather it’s about good food, generous portions and unpretentious, relaxed time with friends. And nothing beats that for time out.

Contact Details:
78 Durban Road, Mowbray, Cape Town. Telephone: +27 (0)21 686-4314

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Veritas & Reubens

Veritas and Reubens Team Up for a double dose of delicious: Lovers of fine wines and gourmet dining are in for a two-fold treat this July. Not only will seven Gold and Double Gold award winning wines from the 2008 Veritas Awards be showcased, they’ll be served with a mouth watering three-course gourmet dinner created by celebrated local chef Reuben Riffel at his highly rated restaurant, Reubens, in Franschhoek.

This glorious gourmet dinner promises to be a feast for the senses allowing guests to sample the very best of local cuisine expertly paired with the cream of the South African wine industry crop. The wines will be introduced by well known wine and food fundi, Bennie Howard, Vice-Chairman of Veritas and Cape Wine Master …

Now in its 19th year, the Veritas Awards plays a major role in promoting the South African wine industry and rewarding superior quality and consistent excellence. Reubens Restaurant has racked up an impressive array of accolades and has established a reputation for unsurpassed professionalism and superior cuisine.

Veritas & Reubens

The carefully crafted menu will feature such delectable dishes as herb crusted Karoo lamb loin with Portuguese style lentils, parmesan, rosemary cream fritters, mint scented ratatouille and jus. Those with a sweet tooth will undoubtedly succumb to dark chocolate fondant with salted caramel and crème fraiche ice cream. The Veritas winners include wines from Kleine Zalze, Spier, Glenwood, La Motte, Bredell’s, Stellar and Monis and promise to be perfect partners to these delicious dishes.

The Veritas Gourmet Dinner takes place on Thursday, 30 July 2009 at Reubens Restaurant in Main Road, Franschhoek, Cape Winelands. The time is 7pm for 7:30pm and the cost is R220 per person including wine and gratuity.

Contact: To reserve your place contact the restaurant on 021 876 3772.

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Olympia Cafe

Aside from the fact that whenever vaguely in the vicinity, I find reason to pop into the Olympia Café’s bakery, which now offers its breads, pastries, danishes and other delectable tasties around the corner from the eatery on the corner of Main Road and Boyes Drive, I have also had occasion to breakfast there at least once and found reason to dine there more than twice - and I don’t even live in Kalk Bay!

This rather obviously expresses my enthusiasm for the popular place. The food is, well, it’s really good. And for what you receive on your plate, excellent value. The bread is heavenly (I defy anyone to find tastier ciabata on the peninsular) and the menu takes its cue from the accessibility and availability of fresh, local, organic where possible ingredients …

But the main reason for going is the unpretentiousness of the place. Wooden tables and rather old, mismatched chairs, as well as paintings and photographs by local artists give it character. There is always a bustling atmosphere, people are prepared to queue for a table, and the view from the window over Main Road and the harbour, whilst not breath-taking, makes for interesting ‘people watching’ opportunities (although on this particular visit, much of this was marred by scaffolding – obviously a temporary hindrance).

Olympia Cafe

I’ve yet to be disappointed by Olympia Café. And it’s fairly obvious why – even the waitors like to work here because, whilst it may be an award-winning eatery, there is also a genuine passion to the way their down-to-earth nosh is served that invokes a quality that every restaurateur wishes he could bottle.

I was particularly struck on this visit, by a blatent refusal to stock bottled mineral water, by a menu item on the chalk board behind the counter, which stated that mineral water was ‘N/A’. Tap water was, however, at a cost of R0.0. It appears that the café and its owner are doing their bit for the environment, and running an ethical business. Staff here receive better that average hourly rates, the restaurant is SASSI aware and never serves fish on the red list, organic and local fruit and veg is sourced as much as possible, and their fish is bought fresh across the road in the harbour from local fishermen.

Given the chance, the average waitron will do anything but enthuse about his employer (and often for good reason) and the way a restaurant runs its business, but here is one venue where the opposite occurred. There is no better advert, not that this particular restaurant needs marketing!

Olympia Cafe

And there is plenty of reason to head over to the little village of Kalk Bay, even if the current road works on Main Road between Muizenberg and Kalk Bay are something of a deterrent! This quaint, seaside hamlet, with a high street that is Cape Town’s closest thing to Portobello Road in London (although much smaller) is humming with a combination of vintage stores, book shops (including Kalk Bay Books), galleries (don’t forget the modern art gallery above Olympia Café). And a fair number of bohemian boutiques and restaurants means that it is never quiet.

Hard to believe that during the early 1990s there was not a restaurant or fancy apartment in evidence, and the nearest thing to a deli was the corner café that sold fish and chips. In a former life the fish and chips shop had been known as the Olympia tea room and the building was home to a hotel and movie house. The deli and restaurant’s current owner, who worked up the road at the Brass Bell during the early 1990s, knew something we didn’t and succumbed to a dream of reinstating the beautiful old building into something of its former glory. We’re rather glad that he did.

Contact Details: Find Olympia Cafe at 134 Main Road in Kalk Bay or phone: +27 (0)21 788-6396.

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For more about Kalk Bay and surrounding suburbs see:
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