Breakfast, Cape Town, Holiday, Review, Weekend

A misty Winter 2019 stay in Paternoster’s Abalone House

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Last weekend we were treated to a winter stay at Abalone House, Paternoster. Reuben’s is no longer the on-site restaurant, but our meals were just as good – if not better – than on our last visit…

Friday, 31 May 2019: Creative Mornings Cape Town at AAA School

I started my Friday at the May 2019 edition of Creative Mornings Cape Town, featuring Ashley Dowds. See the delicious coffee and doughnut treat, and watch for my overview on Bizcommunity next week!
I started my Friday at the May 2019 edition of Creative Mornings Cape Town, featuring Ashley Dowds. See the delicious coffee and doughnut treat, and watch for my overview of his talk on Bizcommunity next week!

Saturday, 1 June 2019: Roadtrip to Abalone House, Paternoster

We started our weekend with breakfast at Woolworth's in Table Bay Mall. See my croissant French toast and vanilla-cinnamon cappuccino, as well as Husband's enormous chilli egg omelette.
We started our weekend with breakfast at Woolworth’s in Table Bay Mall. See my croissant French toast and vanilla-cinnamon cappuccino, as well as Husband’s enormous chilli egg omelette.
Our destination at the curve of the road - the always-lovely Abalone House, Paternoster.
Our misty, 100-minute roadtrip was enjoyable, bar three ‘stop-go’ sections, but we were happy to see our destination at the curve of the road – the always-lovely Abalone House, Paternoster.
Nothing warms the cockles of the heart more than sitting in a little bit of wintery sunshine, with welcome drinks on the deck. Lovely flutes of bubbly!
Nothing warms the cockles of the heart more than sitting in a little bit of wintery sunshine, with welcome drinks on the deck. Lovely flutes of bubbly!
Spot the husband amongst the Tretchikoffs! He's printed a few of these over his career as it's a popular choice in the local design industry, so had to snap a few pics.
Spot the husband amongst the Tretchikoffs! He’s printed a few of these over his career as it’s a popular choice in the local design industry, so had to snap a few pics.
Abalone House just shouts 'Winter comfort' to me - probably because of all the fireplaces, well-stocked bookshelves and cute in-room rubber duckies! Also see the gorgeous but laughably cold pool - we'll have to return in Summer to try it out.
Abalone House just shouts ‘Winter comfort’ to me – probably because of all the fireplaces, well-stocked bookshelves and cute in-room rubber duckies! Also see the gorgeous but laughably cold pool – we’ll have to return in Summer to try it out.
We noticed signs for the Crayfish Wharf for the first time on this visit to Paternoster, so drove down to explore. It's a lovely spot when the mist lifts!
We noticed signs for the Crayfish Wharf for the first time on this visit to Paternoster, so drove down to explore. It’s a lovely spot when the mist lifts!
To the beach! The weather seemed to be getting worse, so we took a chance in walking down to the beach. It was too misty for more than a few quick snaps, so we hurried back to Abalone House to jump into the Jacuzzi.
To the beach! The weather seemed to be getting worse, so we took a chance in walking down to the beach. It was too misty for more than a few quick snaps, so we hurried back to Abalone House to jump into the Jacuzzi.
Teehee! Another cat of Paternoster. This kitty in the window watched us on our way to and from the beach.
Teehee! I call this ‘the cat of Paternoster’. This kitty in the window watched us on our way to and from the beach.
The kitties of Abalone House! Chelsea rushed over to greet us and even Toffee gave a meow of remembrance once we entered our room - the exact same one as last time. The kitties loved the under-carpet heating!
Also meet the kitties of Abalone House! Chelsea rushed over to greet us and even Toffee gave a meow of remembrance once we entered our room – the exact same one as last time. The kitties loved the under-carpet heating!
You'll find me in the Jacuzzi... The rooftop Jacuzzi seemed to heat up much faster than on our previous visit, so we spent much of our afternoon there, gazing across the bay when the mist allowed. Also see Husband having a final steamy dip after dinner in the bottom-left pic.
You’ll find me in the Jacuzzi… The rooftop Jacuzzi seemed to heat up much faster than on our previous visit, so we spent much of our afternoon there, gazing across the bay when the mist allowed. Also see Husband having a final steamy dip after dinner in the bottom-left pic.
Dinner is served! See the excitement on my face at the delicious, fresh rolls that appeared while we were deciding on our orders from the menu. We each went with a starter and main from the menu for the night: The 'three-cheese soup with bacon and red pepper' for me, and crispy pork belly with spicy croquet and pineapple chutney, ginger-infused honey jus as my main, while Husband enjoyed the chili-salt squid starter with crisp paper vegetable salad, lime mayo and nuac cham starter followed by the char-grilled fillet mignon with cauliflower puree, baby carrots, potato fondant and green peppercorn emulsion. A truly delicious meal, my only disappointment was a confused shake of the head when I asked about milkshakes as I had a delicious strawberry one last time - oh well, the #MilkshakeQueen will return!
Dinner is served! See the excitement on my face at the delicious, fresh rolls that appeared while we were deciding on our orders from the menu. We each went with a starter and main from the menu for the night: The ‘three-cheese soup with bacon and red pepper’ for me, and crispy pork belly with spicy croquet and pineapple chutney, ginger-infused honey jus as my main, while Husband enjoyed the chili-salt squid starter with crisp paper vegetable salad, lime mayo and nuac cham starter followed by the char-grilled fillet mignon with cauliflower puree, baby carrots, potato fondant and green peppercorn emulsion. A truly delicious meal, my only disappointment was the firm shake of the head response when I asked about milkshakes, as I had a delicious strawberry one last time – oh well, the #MilkshakeQueen will return!
The best of the 'gown shots' from this stay.
The best of our ‘gown shots’ from this stay.

Sunday, 2 June 2019: Morning massages and breakfast buffets

Breakfast's the best meal of the day, especially if you have yours at Abalone House! See the buffet table spread, Bloody Mary station, where guests are encouraged to fix their own, Terbodore cappuccinos and our Eggs Benedicts - parma ham for me, salmon for Husband. Yum!
Breakfast’s the best meal of the day, especially if you have yours at Abalone House! See the buffet table spread, Bloody Mary station, where guests are encouraged to fix their own, Terbodore cappuccinos and our Eggs Benedicts – parma ham for me, salmon for Husband. Yum!
Husband heading off to the Spa building for his 30-minute Majestic Awakening massage.
Husband heading off to the Spa building for his 30-minute Majestic Awakening head-neck-and-shoulders massage.
Another gorgeous Trentchikoff inside the Spa building. I paged through magazines and enjoyed the citrussy scents while waiting for Husband as he enjoyed our complimentary massage. I'd been struggling with a pinched nerve in my shoulder that week so didn't want to risk further pain - luckily, Husband said it was soothing and just what he needed to face the week ahead.
Another gorgeous Tretchikoff inside the Spa building. I paged through magazines and enjoyed the citrussy scents while waiting for Husband as he enjoyed our complimentary massage. I’d been struggling with a pinched nerve in my shoulder that week so didn’t want to risk further pain – luckily, Husband said it was soothing and just what he needed to face the week ahead.
Quality time with the sweet doglets that afternoon, once we were back home safe and sound. Both seen getting TLC from their Grandpa here.
Quality time with the sweet doglets that afternoon, once we were back home safe and sound. Both seen getting TLC from their Grandpa here.

That’s all, folks! We hope your weekend is warm and filled with good food. 🙂

*Disclaimer: Our accommodation and meals at Abalone House were part of our review package. All else came from our own pockets. All enjoyed equally.

One thought on “A misty Winter 2019 stay in Paternoster’s Abalone House”

  1. Pingback: Winter lunch at Terroir, Ou Meul’s red velvet lattes and midweek milkshakes at Rocomama’s | Rambling Litchii

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