Winter’s best comfort food: Italian Club gnocchi, News Cafe’s cherry hot chocolate

Fiddlesticks and phew, here we are at the start of a weekend where both of us are going to switch off, not think too deeply and have many happy moments together.

But first a few of our favourite happy moments from the past week…

Friday, 30 June 2017: Day off breakfast and winter gnocchi

We both had Friday off work so once we woke (without an alarm, yay), we headed out to Canal Walk. Breakfast took place at La Rocca. That’s my cappuccino and caramel banana pancakes with Husband’s deboned rib eggs benedict topped with prego sauce.

The day was cold so after naps and chores we decided on the Italian Club for dins. Just look at these perfect plates of gnocchi bolognese, drowning in grated parmesan and chilli. Plus Husband’s Stella Artois and my cappuccino.

Happy doglets in front of the fire a little later that evening.

Saturday, 1 July 2017: Durban July at the in-laws

Our table at Primi for Saturday morning breakfast. Close-ups in next snap…

We each started with a cappuccino, then I had the French toast with peanut butter and caramelised banana (mmm), and Husband had the Eggs Florentine with haloumi and many mini tomatoes adding a ruby glow.

Sunset at Husband’s parents house that evening where we were having a braai to celebrate the Durban July.

Bassie took a liking to her grampa’s SA beanie and spent most of the afternoon on, in and under it.

Bertie was also at his sweetest – this is the face he made when asked if he’s allowed to sit on granny’s new couch.

Coffee and my Durban July draw ‘second place prize’ Strawberry Lindt (I shared with everyone, promise).

Sunday, 2 July 2017: Rainy Baconville brekkie and News Cafe afternoon

My sleepy boys. Best faces. ❤

Sunday morning was rainy and cold and we had a craving for bacon so breakfasted at Baconville in Willowbridge. See my chocolate latte, bacon flapjacks, Husband’s Breakfast Club with an extra egg and his ‘hmm’ face at the ‘I dare you sauce’ – child’s play, he said.

Sunday afternoon felt like an ‘afternoon treat at News Cafe’ time of the week – I tried the cherry hot chocolate while Husband had a dom pedro. Not on the menu but one of the best he’s had, and he’s had a few.

In addition to sweet-tart cherry flavoured syrup in the hot chocolate, you get a sweet cherry on top.

More delicious wintery food ensued at Mum’s for lupper that eve – minestrone soup with cheesy breadsticks, spag bol topped with parmesan, malva pudding with custard and stormy skies.

Midweek lonely evenings with dogs

Husband was Marvin this week so these are the faces I was rushing home to from work – sometimes with pretty pink streaky clouds when I got there, sometimes with night already setting in.

Thursday, 6 July 2017: Digital influence launch at Grand Daddy Hotel, after-work drinks at Tap Room

Such pretty elephant graffiti just outside the Grand Mac Daddy Hotel on Long Street – my early morning stop before work to cover Popimedia’s digital influence in SA study launch. Coverage on Biz next week.

Not joking when I say I got there before the sun was up. The lovely view down Long Street, as well as coffee and cold breakfast bits to snack on kept everyone happy.

One of the amazing student artworks in the main hotel area. Such soulful eyes.

My colleague from Joburg was visiting for a few days this week so a few of us went for a chat over liquid refreshments at the Tap Room at Devil’s Peak Brewery after work on Thursday as it’s close to the office. Of course we took photos as proof we were there. These people keep me sane during office hours!

I went for the double choc milkshake – it’s a small as it’s listed under the kiddies’ drinks. The others enjoyed the ginger cider, if you’re in the area.

That’s all, folks! It’s set to be a cold wet weekend in Cape Town – stay warm and dry.