Brilliant burgers and slurpworthy shakes at Gibson’s

Last weekend the weather was just gorgeous, as you’ll see from the snaps below, and the food – my goodness, the food…

Saturday, 9 February 2019: Burgers and shakes at Gibson’s Gourmet Burgers, V&A Waterfront

We were up and about early on Saturday so decided on breakfast at The Hart Bakery in Melkbos. See the pretty floral decor, also my single bacon benedict and Husband’s chorizo rosti.

Bassie was very interested in my quick ‘coffee and cake treat’ later that morning – Husband’s parents dropped off the wedge of baked milktart from their roadtrip to Philadelphia. Now you have the Philadelphia song playing in your head, I’m sure… “The streets of Philadelphia, nah nah nah…” Sorry. It sure was good!

Taking the scenic route meant it was all palm trees and sunny skies on the way into town.

Beautiful blue skies and cloudy tops for Table Mountain on our way along the R27 that afternoon, as a table was waiting for us at Gibson’s Gourmet Burgers in the V&A Waterfront.

Once seated with a view across the water, we browsed the immense flip-style menu to find just the concoctions that tickled our fancy. See Husband’s Amarula Colada and my chocolate-toffee-cashew shake. That spoon came in handy for scooping up all the cashews that had drifted to the bottom of the glass!

And the food! There’s almost any combination of toppings available, which is why I ended up with the ‘onion blossom’ on mine – that’s a full fried onion, instead of a side of onion rings, accompanied by sweet potato fries, while Husband had the Philly Cheese Steak and accompanying baked potato – one of the best taters he’s ever eaten.

Bellies full, we decided on a quick quayside stroll before heading back to the car. This was just before 7pm, the sun was nowhere near ready for setting…

I almost blended in with the rhinos outside the Waterfront’s main quay, so bright and festive and rounded were we.

Sunday, 10 February 2019: Early morning doggy beach walks

The doglets were thrilled at the idea of beach walkies first thing on Sunday, before the humans had even had breakfast.

See a very happy Bertie post-beach walkies, reflected in the rear-view mirror.

Beach walkies done and doglets back at home, it was a Woolworths W Cafe breakfast on Sunday as we had mall admin to sort out. See my vanilla-cinnamon cappuccino, Husband’s regular flat white and Coke Zero, my croissant French Toast and his exotic tomato breakfast, all featuring lots of flaked almonds.

A quick coffee pick-me-up break later in the day at Xpresso in Table View Mall meant a dirty chai latte for me and a double espresso con panna for Husband.

One of Mum’s former work colleagues was in town last Sunday so we met up for a ‘team lunch’ with other friends at Panama Jack’s. See the Thai Fish Curry, which was ordered by most, and my starter portion of crispy sesame duck with peanut dressing.

We were so full from lunch that it was just sweet treats for lupper at Mum’s later that afternoon – crumpets with syrup, jam and honey; juicy cherries, frozen yoghurt cups and coffee with biscuits. Yum!

Precious doglets snapped in sleepy mode over the weekend.

That’s all, folks! Watch for my full review of Gibson’s on Bizcommunity soon…

*Disclaimer: Our meals at Gibson’s were part of our review package. All else came from our own pockets. All enjoyed equally.

Stunning sea sunsets, Saint’s burgers and hanging with Smile 90.4 FM

Streaked with clouds, pink pastels, fire ball orange – this past week I can’t believe the beautiful sunsets I’ve snapped, mostly near the sea. See for yourself below…

Saturday, 13 October 2018: Greens breakfast and sunset burgers from Saint’s

We started our Saturday with breakfast at Greens in Plattekloof Village with Husband’s parents. See our smiley faces and breakfasts.

See Husband’s Seaside haddock, hash brown and poached egg breakfast; his dad’s deluxe breakfast with beans, chips, bacon and mushrooms; my flapjacks with caramelised pear, pecan and marscapone cheese; and my coffee shake.

Spending quality time with the furkids later that afternoon.

We decided on Saint’s in Eden on the Bay for lupper as it’s one of the best spots (close to home) to sea-gaze. See my Cafe Capri – it’s a latte topped with chocolate and coconut, as well as Husband’s glass of red and Tom Yum shooter with chilli flakes on the rim, and our enormous burgers and sides.

Bellies full, it was almost time to catch the sunset. We posed all around the yellow National Geographic frame…

And then we hit the beach at ‘golden hour’ – I find the light to be just magical as sunset approaches. See how the mountain was outlined, and the sun as it set over the sea.

See folk on rocks with their dog in the distance.

Pretty girl, nibbling some leftovers.

Sunday, 14 October 2018: News Cafe breakfast and Pakololo sundowners

We popped into News Cafe in Marine Circle for an earlybird Sunday morning breakfast – we were there before 8am! See my cappuccino and earlybird English, as well as Husband’s ‘Mexican sunrise’ bowl.

The top row is lupper at Mum’s on Sunday – homemade bobotie with peach mousse dessert; while the bottom row is from dins at our house on Tuesday eve – Mum made meatballs, spicy rice and veg, while Dad captured the rainbow flower light in this coffee cup reflection.

Sundowners at Pakololo’s on the beachfront that evening. A Kahlua dom pedro for me, with a Bloody Mary for Husband.

Heart-eyes emoji for this pastel sunset, as captured in our back garden.

Wednesday, 17 October 2018: Smile 90.4FM new office meet and greet

I popped in to see Smile 90.4 FM’s new offices after work on Wednesday. They have gorgeous views across the CBD, with lots of greenery and lovely spaces to relax inside, too…

Hanging with the cool kids – I chatted to radio hosts Bobby, Bailey and Lindy from Smile FM, as well as Fatima from the Cape Town Ramadaan and Lifestyle Expo.

Another beautiful sunset, while passing Sunset Beach on my way home that evening.

That’s all, folks! May your weekend be filled with similarly beautiful sunsets. 🙂

Superette study buddy brownies and midweek sunset burgers at Jerry’s

This week, we got to see all the close Cape family members, as our Johannesburg friend Gords was in town on business…

Friday, 5 October 2018: Sunny office start

I started last Friday with a bright Smile 90.4FM mug of Douwe Egberts coffee in the office, yum.

Saturday, 6 October 2018: The Daily, Melkbos and El Barrio Springbok-viewing

A brand new branch of The Daily has opened in Melkbos, over looking the beachfront, so that’s where we headed for Saturday morning breakfast. See my condensed milk-topped tin cup coffee and ‘waffle pop’ topped with bananas and caramel, as well as Husband’s eggs Florentine.

View of Melkbos beachfront, from The Daily balcony.

Rugby-themed baked goods on display at our local Checkers when we did groceries that afternoon.

Husband had some 2-for-1 salmon sashimi from Best Asia Cape Town, the sushi restaurant in Bayside Mall for his early afternoon treat.

Scenes from our early Saturday evening dins at El Barrio – we watched the first-half of the Springboks-All Blacks rugby match and ate delicious taco bowls.

Husband had a glass of red, I tried the ‘Mexican coffee’ from the breakfast menu – Sierra Blanco, espresso, Kahlua and melted ice cream, with a cinnamon-rim.

Spending some quality time with the doglets that evening.

Sunday, 7 October 2018: Sleepy dogs and Pakalolo’s Bloody Mary

Various sleepy dogs as seen in and around the bedroom on Sunday morning.

We had breakfast at Village Place in West Coast Village on Sunday morning. I’d already had a coffee at home, so see my peanutbutter smoothie and Husband’s flat white.

To eat, Husband had the mince (and eggs) on toast, while I went for the banting flapjacks – the mix includes bananas, and they’re topped with berries and yoghurt. Yum!

Scenes from Husband having his customary weekend dip in the sea.

Husband looking pleased with his Bloody Mary at Pakalolo’s that afternoon.

Mum made a delicious potato-filled beef curry with rotis for lupper that evening.

Monday, 8 October 2018: Study buddy catch-up at Superette

After work on Monday, I caught up with my former study buddy from Red & Yellow School, Jaryd – he now runs Trusted Talent. We were thrilled to be at Superette in the Woodstock Exchange, as you can see.

It was super-hot that day so we were given chilled glasses of water with lemon. I also had a hot-cross-bun latte and we each ordered a chocolate brownie – see little lump of white chocolate inside, with berries and cream.

Wednesday, 10 October 2018: Ads24 event at Nasdak and family dins at Jerry’s

Gorgeous view from the ‘Nasdak’, where the Ads24 Food For Thought event was held on Wednesday. Click here and here if you’ve missed my coverage on Bizcommunity so far.

As the event was called ‘Food For Thought’, the food on display was a true delight! See the doughuts, asking to be topped or filled with the contents of the hanging tubes – padkos-nostalgia themed, with strawberry Steri-Stumpie, peanutbutter-and-jam, humbug, guava roll-cream or ‘biltong-and-Melrose’ to choose from. Also see superfood capsules and shakers to boost our morning coffee with cocoa, macha powder, turmeric, hemp seed or mushroom powder.

Gords was down from Joburg on business on Wednesday, so we gathered the family at Jerry’s on Marine Drive after work that eve.

We had booked a booth, so got to see the lights from Jerry’s reflecting out over the view of Table Mountain and Lion’s Head at sunset.

Group shot in front of the Jerry’s tattoo wallpaper before we left.

The doggies, caught napping together on the couch again that evening.

That’s all, folks! Have a relaxing weekend 🙂

Car-crazy Father’s Day in Franschhoek

This past weekend was Father’s Day, and this week the 2018 Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity award week in full, so it’s been a super busy time, as you’ll see from the snaps below.

We went car crazy with the dads and took in not just one car museum but two, visiting the Wijnland Auto Museum before our appointment at the Franschhoek Motor Museum, followed by lunch in Franschhoek town itself…

Friday, 15 June 2018: A work farewell

Friday was a dear colleague’s last day working with us so we went for an early team dins. See some of the snacks in office, my latte and shared slice of cheesecake at Derry’s on Carlyle in Vredehoek, and a group shot.

Saturday, 16 June 2018: News Cafe and Moyo eats and treats

It was a ‘News Cafe breakfast special’ kind of Saturday, see my early-bird English and cappuccino, as well as Husband’s flat white and bacon eggs benedict.

It was very wintery weather so we decided on the Moyo pulled-lamb linguine for an early dins. I had a vanilla latte, Husband had a Castle draught and we also splurged on a set of the Chief of Greatness ‘communal shooters’ – Skyy infusions vanilla vodka, roasted hazelnut extracts and Cape Velvet chocolate liqueur.

Sunday, 17 June 2018: Father’s Day at the Franschhoek Motor Museum and Tuk-Tuk Microbrewery

Bertie boy waiting for his dad to open his eyes so he could welcome him to Father’s Day with a big lick.

Oh, my heart! Little Miss Bass having a Father’s Day snuggle with her dad.

For Sunday breakfast, we stopped in at Village Place Cafe. See Husband’s eggy mince-on-toast, my berry-banana banting flapjacks and large caramel cappuccino – also the sweet mini cakes we spied, will have to go with enough belly-room for one next time!

The sun shone through the streaky clouds, making for the prettiest Sunday roadtrip sky.

Our first stop in convoy was the Wijnland Auto Museum in Paarl, on the way to Franschhoek. We saw it all, from the delightfully old…

To the very new! Not sure which road is wide-enough to accommodate this rocket-car, it’s quite something.

Ahh, Franschhoek! It’s one of the most beautiful spots in the country, especially in winter when they skies are grey, mountains blue and grass finally green from the much-needed rains.

We got to the Franshhoek Motor Museum bang on time, boarded the tram from the parking lot and were ready to take in even more motor vehicles in the greenest surrounds.

The Franschhoek Motor Museum’s entry area features this bright, Chapman’s Peak-inspired artwork.

Wine and art go well together, clearly. Some of the goods for sale in the Franschhoek Motor Museum’s main hall.

We were told at reception to make the ‘Food truck hall’ our first stop, and we’re nothing if not good at following orders. See the queue for Terbodore coffee, a bowl of truffle-mayo fries and more.

Next, we paused to watch a few cars go around the track. Some real beauts.

Several cars were whizzed around the track at a leisurely pace, but the big halls are the main attraction. Just took at these old beauties!

Each vehicle on display at the Franschhoek Motor Museum is worth a second look.

A quaint, glass-cased collection of model cars.

By then there was more then one rumbling tum, so we high-tailed it to Tuk-tuk Microbrewery in the heart of Franschhoek for some grub.

Tucking into Tuk-tuk food. See the bowl of salty chips we shared, two of the ‘dogs’ on special – a Mexican and a chorizo, as well as my chicken chimichangas and the fish tostado.

We also strolled along the main street and stopped in at Leeu House right beside Tuk-Tuk for the dads to take photos next to Madiba and Gandhi. Plus, chocolates!

Precious doglets under a blanket on their Granny’s couch, much later that evening.

Wednesday, 20 June 2018: Family dins at Bossa with Gords

Cannes Lions is one of the busiest, most stressful work weeks of the year, so I was fortified by headphones, coffee, and Kit-Kats that magically appeared on my desk. 😉

How beautiful! The dam at Mellish Welbeloond reflected the sunset sky when we drove past on Wednesday evening for family dinner at Bossa in Burgundy Estate.

This is what (some of us) came for – Stone-baked base pizza, burgers, beer and shakes. Yum!

Happy snaps of the family in eating mode. Gords was clearly down from Joburg for a visit, too.

See my mochaccino, as well as assorted burgers and pizzas. We finished everything between us, not a jot needed to be taken home in a doggy bag.

Gords’ view of the table. My happy Cape Town family! ❤

That’s all folks! Hope you have a restful, relaxing weekend ahead 🙂

Beach dogs, art galleries and a splash of coffee

The past week-and-a-bit was filled with dashing around from work event to work event, a few arty moments – and coffee, of course…

Monday, 21 May 2018: Social media workshop at Southern Sun Newlands

I spent all of last Monday at the Southern Sun Newlands, soaking up knowledge from the Vivid Engage ‘understanding social media and using it to market your business’ workshop. Click here if you missed my overview on Biz!

It was a wonderfully rainy day so we were happy to batten down the hatches, ask questions and take notes. There was a tempting foosball table right outside the conference room and also lovely conference food in the Newlands Cafe downstairs at lunch time.

Tuesday, 22 May 2018: Startupbootcamp FastTrack interview

Then on Tuesday I dashed off the Old Mutual Centre in Pinelands for a quick lunchtime interview with Phil Kiracofe, CEO of Startupbootcamp. If you have no idea what I’m talking about, click here to educate yourself!

Thursday, 24 May 2018: Afternoon at Southern Guild

I’d been to Southern Guild’s gallery space once before, when they were just up the road in Woodstock (that’s where we snapped this pic of me in a Porky Hefer original), but not since their move to the Silo side of the V&A Waterfront a year ago, so was only happy to attend their ‘announcement event’. The actual content shared is under wraps for another week still, but you can take in some of the scenes so long – that’s a glass of Krone in the bottom right…

Some of the sights in and around Southern Guild. It was another much-needed rainy day, so my umbrella tagged along for the trip.

Sweet little Bassie warming herself in front of the fire that evening.

Saturday, 26 May 2018: Golden lattes and ground-splattered ice creams

We had some mall admin to do so breakfasted at W Cafe at Woolworths in the new Table Bay Mall. See me smelling my ‘golden latte’ – turmeric, ginger and cinnamon. Also Husband’s flat white in the background, his exotic shroom bowl and my Nutella French toast. Yum!

The weather had turned crisp yet sunny that afternoon, so Husband had his weekend plunge in the Atlantic.

Isn’t this the saddest thing you’ve ever seen? Luckily not mine, but it was right outside our car when we returned from our beach visit.

Sunday, 27 May: Cup & Cake brunch, Jerry’s burger’s lunch and train station collection

We had brunch at Cup & Cake with Husband’s parents on Sunday. See my creamy spiced chai latte at Cup & Cake.

Ah, pancakes! Cup & Cake’s current special is three cinnamon-sugar ones for R20. They’re fresh and tasty.

We had early lupper at Jerry’s on the beachfront as we’d only be collecting my parents from the train station much later that eve. Husband told me to pose.

The view at Jerry’s is quite something, as is the food. Husband went for a Bloody Jerry to drink and Drunken chicken burger to eat, while I opted for the peanut butter-banana shake and the ‘Heart attack’ burger with sweet potato fries. We ate it all.

Finally! Husband managed to get us onto the exact platform at Cape Town station where the Rovos rail would eventually pull up, so we were there to film my parents and their new friends as they got off the train.

Monday, 28 May 2018: Almost-disastrous day-off dog walkies

After some bike admin first thing on Monday – the reason we’d taken a day’s leave – my parents treated us to breakfast at All in the Kitchen, which is only open on weekdays. I agree that coffee is always a good idea! See the pretty foamy flat whites, my ‘nutters’ granola bowl, the bacon-cheese croissant Husband and Mum went for, and Dad’s toasted bacon-and-egg.

Such an attractive breakfast spread!

We drove the doggies up to Kreeftebaai and due to the chilly weather with drizzle on-and-off, found it absolutely deserted. The doggies had a ball running to and fro.

Sweet little Bassie running back towards me from all the way up the coast. You’ll notice her brother is nowhere in sight.

See Bassie trotting sweetly beside her dad, only to realise brother Bertie is long gone chasing birdies up the coast. We drove two beaches further up before Husband found him gazing out at sea in ‘wild dog’ mode. Bassie won’t admit it but she was slightly concerned. All’s well, though!

All tuckered out, Bertie was very content to just lie on the warm blankets that evening.

Thursday, 31 May 2018: Crystal Towers working breakfast

I met a PR colleague for our annual catch-up chat first thing on Thursday. It was yet another much-needed rainy day so the strong cappuccinos were just what we ordered.

That’s all, folks! May your weekend be happy and warm; and your ice-cream not go splat on the ground.

Bringing in St Patrick’s Day and Human Right’s Day 2018

Last weekend we celebrated St Patrick’s Day with my dad, as it’s his name day, and also had a mid-week day off in honour of Human Right’s Day – but still did lots of work in between…

Friday, 16 March 2018: BrandLove potent digital storytelling workshop

I spent my Friday attending the Brand Love ‘Potent digital storytelling’ workshop. It was intense, but I loved it! Coverage to follow on Bizcommunity soon…

The Bothas’ BrandLove house/office space is lovely, and they made all the food we ate for lunch – even the bread was baked that morning!

Saturday, 17 March 2018: St Patrick’s Day drinks at Brazen Head, parents braai at ours

We decided on a fast, filling breakfast as we had many tasks to get through on Saturday. so went for the News Cafe early bird. It did the trick.

Husband exploring the rocks and tide was very shallow that morning.

We met my parents at the Brazen Head in Seaside Village for a St Patrick’s-themed drink when the clock struck noon. See various green/clear/black drinks, here.

Dad and Husband. Both in green, both with a Guinness.

T’was our turn to host the Andrews’ family braai. Husband went with a lamb roast on the Weber, with smashed potatoes, roast veg and a S’mores type braai pudding. Yum!

There were lots of happy ‘dog on couch’ moments.

Sometimes our dining room looks like a sushi restaurant, what with the fish tank and shiny black table.

Sunday, 18 March 2018: Melkbos Kitchen breakfast and beach wander

We only set out for breakfast around 10am, and decided on the Melkbos Kitchen (formerly known as Ritzi’s). See my latte, as well as Husband and Brother-in-Law Spec’s cappuccinos.

After a fair wait, our food arrived, and it was delicious. Husband went for the salmon benedict, Spec the ham, and me the apple-ginger flapjacks. Yum!

We went for a brisk walk along the Melkbos beachfront to work off some off those calories after breakfast.

Bassie was happy to sit with mommy and the reheated breakfast with yet another coffee, later that afternoon.

We stopped at Saint’s in Eden on the Bay for my favourite Insomniac shake for our Sunday afternoon treat. Husband had one, too.

Monday, 19 March 2018: Taking a break with Kit-kat

Monday. What. A. Day. Yes, note all the full stops. And then suddenly my sweet colleague dropped a Kit-kat on my desk and things looked a little brighter 🙂

Tuesday, 20 March 2018: International Happiness Day

Part of the reason for my manic Monday was that I was completing an online masterclass in ‘happiness‘ through 42Courses, ahead of International Happiness Day on Tuesday. Click here for my overview!

Wednesday, 21 March 2018: Human Rights Day

We slept in late on Wednesday as it was Human Rights Day in SA. See my much-needed cappuccino at On the Rocks, where we breakfasted.

The rest of our breakfast – French toast with berry compote, kippers with scrambled eggs, and lots of mirrors and light. We sat inside as it was a tad windy.

Later that morning I had some quiet time napping, reading and dunking cinnamon biscuits in coffee with sweet Bassie.

Later that afternoon, we headed off to Jamaica Me Crazy for an afternoon treat. I had the Muddy Monkey shake, which is a blended banana and brownie, while Husband had the honey-ginger-whisky ‘penicillin’.

Loved the wall art, and we found a corner outside table that was semi-sheltered from the chilly wind.

Next stop, Forester’s Arms, AKA Forries. It looked particularly wintery that afternoon!

We shared the roast chilli poppers starter, the each had a burger – lamb for Husband, chicken for me.

I had to give the sign about females being allowed in pubs a big thumbs up!

That’s all, folks! Have a happy weekend 🙂

Table Mountain sunsets and how we celebrated my 34th birthday

Yay, last week was my birthday! If you’ve been waiting to find out how we celebrated it since then, rub your hands in glee and get scrolling below!

Thursday, 15 February 2018: Birthday breakfast at All in the Kitchen, dins at Saints

My parents treated me to breakfast at All in the Kitchen on Thursday morning. I love the ‘Chocolate doesn’t ask questions, chocolate understands’ sign!

See me with mum and dad and our lovely food at All in the Kitchen.

A close-up of that lovely food – Mum squeezing lemon for her avo croissant, Dad’s Omega breakfast with poached eggs and avo, with my nutty, fruity granola bowl bottom right. Love those berries!

All in the Kitchen owner Ally sweetly gifted me with a birthday cupcake! It was chocolate ganache-y delicious and even came with a lit candle.

My afternoon looked much like this – napping with the doggies, colouring in, reading and taking coffee breaks with my gorgeous new owlie mug. Birthday bliss!

Once Husband got home from work, we headed to Eden on the Bay in Big Bay for my birthday dinner. We decided on Saint’s where I had the Insomniac shake (the BEST ever, it’s a chocolate-espresso base topped with Kahlua and Amarula and it hardly kept me awake) – also see Husband’s glass of wine and our delicious burgers and sides. Happy birthday to me! 🙂

We stopped off for a photo of one of my favourite things – the lovely sunset over Table Mountain after dins.

We did a few of our standard ‘kiss on the cheek while wearing the birthday hat’ photos that evening. The doggies don’t look impressed.

Friday, 16 February 2018: Day off coffee at The Daily

One doesn’t take off a Thursday from work and then go in to the office on the Friday – no sir, catching up on all the work is Monday’s problem! One of the things I did on Friday was join my parents at The Daily Cafe in Seaside Village for a morning coffee.

See our coffees and laughs and breakfast plates.

Saturday, 17 February 2018: Solitary coffee at Peacocks, early dins at Bossa

Husband had to work on Saturday so we had a quick breakfast together at Mugg n Bean Bayside before he went to the office. See my iced mocha and croissant, with Husband’s decidedly larger farmer’s breakfast.

I stopped in at Peacocks at Bayside Mall for a quick coffee break following a spot of birthday retail therapy. This hazelnut latte was just what I needed!

Work done for the day, we had an early dins at Bossa in Burgundy Estate. See Husband’s Castle draught and ginormous Big Elvis chicken burger (with bacon, avo, hashbrown and melted cheddar) on the waiter’s recommendation, with my Feel Good pizza and Colada shake. All hit the spot!

Another beautiful sunset over Table Mountain, this time on the way home from Bossa.

Sunday, 18 February 2018: Family birthday breakfast at Cassia at Nitida

Sunday morning was time for the full family birthday breakfast. We’d chosen Cassia at Nitida as it’s not too far from all our homes and the breakfasts are delicious and affordable. See various family snaps outside.

Just look at the wonderful eats and drinks! See my cappuccino with the marscapone-bacon-blueberry flapjack stack ordered by Dad and me, as well as the salmon eggs benedict ordered by Husband and Mum-in-Law.

Delicious food = happy faces.

We had sausages and salads for lupper at Mum’s on Sunday evening, with an amazing nutty-bacon-broccoli salad, too. Yum!

Monday, 19 February 2018: Birthday cakes in the office

As I’d last been in the office the day before my birthday, I took in a selection of treats when I returned to my desk on Monday.

That’s all, folks! You can expect an update on the mind-blowing madness and mayhem of covering Design Indaba next time.

Melkbos’ best chocolate flapjacks & ice cream at Fish Hoek beach

T’was a long weekend for us here in sunny SA, with Heritage Day taking place on Sunday so all and sundry celebrated on Monday. Here’s what we’ve been up to since returning home from Zanzibar…

Wednesday, 20 September 2017: News Cafe breakfast

As we only got home around midnight on the Tuesday, we had thought ahead and taken the Wednesday off work, too. This meant we could sleep in and spend some quality time with the doglets, before answering our tummies’ call for breakfast, stat! It was still fairly early so we made our way to News Cafe at Marine Circle. This was my much-needed cappuccino (to wash down the malaria pill)…

And of course I went for the early bird breakfast special. Full English is just R35 if ordered before 10am. Well worth it!

We also treated the doggies to beach walkies. They had a wonderful time. See Bertie barking away in contentment here and Bassie’s various faces of bliss.

And later that day, after naps and some ‘back home but not yet at work’ admin, we stopped off for milkshakes at our nearest Wimpy. That’s my Milo shake and Husband went for the lumo yellow banana option.

Saturday, 23 September 2017: Melkbos Kitchen breakfast

Having survived a short but intense work week for us, we felt like a little road trip to start our weekend so travelled a whopping 15 minutes or so to Melkbos. This is the view of the mountain behind us.

We stopped in at Melkbosstrand’s latest foodie addition, Melkbos Kitchen (where Ritzi’s used to be, between the Hart and I ❤ Melkies). It’s a warm, welcoming setting with pretty lighting. Husband enjoyed the salmon benedict doused in Tabasco sauce…

Cappuccino with biscotti. Delicious!

You guys. Just look at this dark chocolate-banana-nut flapjack stack with side jug of cream.

It was my parents’ 39th wedding anniversary on the day, so we met them for a quick celebratory beer at the Driftwood once they had returned home from their night away in Wellington. Say cheese! 🙂

Later that evening we popped in at Jerry’s on the beachfront – we keep meaning to phone ahead to book one of the booths overlooking the mountain as you see here, next time! I had the Lust Lucy burger (they stuff cheese into the patty, mmm) while Husband tried the Asian chicken burger. As delicious as always, especially if you swap out the standard fries for sweet potato fries. Also see my wild berry shake. Yummers!

Sunday, 24 September 2017: Reload cappuccino and strawberry salad

Breakfast at Reload usually means bagels, omelettes or waffles. On Sunday it meant the first two options – a bacon-bockwurst open omelette with triple cappuccino for Husband and the Copenhagen bagel (grated cheese, ham, mayo as you can see) for me, with choc-mint latte. Close up of that amazing hot drink below…

Just gorgeous! No sugar needed as the peppermint-choc syrup is sweet enough.

Mum made a beautiful bright salad as part of lupper that evening.

Monday, 25 September 2017: Nicci + Lu’s and ice cream on Fish Hoek beach

We’d been meaning to pop into Nicci + Lu’s (in the same centre as Reload at the Parklands SuperSpar) for a while now, and finally got around to it first thing on Monday. Were we in for a treat! There are gifts aplenty to browse and the food is just what we were looking for. See our cappuccinos here, as well as Husband’s breakfast wrap and my toasted avo, feta and bacon. They have other light meals and daily baked goods to choose from, so I’m sure we’ll be back!

Following a quick visit to see brother-in-law Spec’s new place in Fish Hoek, we stopped off at the beach for an ice cream, despite the shivery weather. I was clearly delighted (and Husband had the camera far too close so I couldn’t help laughing nervously, teehee).

Here’s a better shot of the ice cream cone, plus see Husband trotting off into the sea in the distance.

That’s all, folks! Have a happy weekend 🙂

Stellenbosch conference views & Mother’s Day 2017

Greetings, loyal blog reader! 🙂

Husband worked last weekend so we weren’t out and about quite as much as normal but we still had a few delicious moments, as you’ll see below…

Wednesday, 10 May 2017: Good Food & Wine Show 2017 media launch

Loved this selection of pics the Good Food & Wine Show posted on Twitter (those are my pics of the non-Black Insomnia coffee at the start of the first row and the cake slices end of second row, eee). Really a lovely media experience, and you can read my event feedback here for more of what to expect from the show.

A handful of the prettiest moments I snapped at the Table Bay Hotel event, all linked to that amazing rainbow cake and world’s strongest Black Insomnia coffee.

Saturday, 13 May 2017: Reload latte and Saint’s burgers

On Saturday Husband left for work then I joined dad for a coffee at the nearest Reload as we were treating mum to a pre-Mother’s Day mani and pedi just down the road. Just look at his lovely mustard-y hot dog and the clever Table Mountain design in my choc-mint latte.

We set off for Saint’s in Eden on the Bay once Husband got home that eve. That’s my Pink Dragon cocktail and Husband’s TNT boozy shake (whisky and salted caramel, so good); as well as his ‘Free Bird’ chicken burger with onion rings and ‘green salad’; my ‘Smoke on the Water’ chorizo-and-pork burger with sweet potato fries and the beginning of the sunset. I still had a bit of work to do that evening so this was a welcome break.

That doesn’t mean we set off straight for home, though. Bellies full and smiles on faces as it was a gorgeous sunny afternoon.

Sunday, 14 May 2017: Mother’s Day breakfast at News Cafe, doggy TLC and beach walks

We had Mother’s Day breakfast bright and early on Sunday to beat the crowds at News Cafe (though Husband had already left for work, so it was just the three of us). Then later in the day we took pizzas along for lupper as moms shouldn’t cook on Mother’s Day.

Food and coffee down gullets we went for a quick ride along the beachfront before heading home. Love how peaceful it was!

Bertie was displaying his couch back-sitting skills on Sunday but also spent some quality time with his current bear, Tiger.

Bassie preferred to spend quality time with me as it was Mother’s Day. Aww, bless.

We went for a quick walk along the beach in Kleinbaai once Husband was done with work for the day.

Monday, 15 May 2017: Office cake and post-work half-price curry

Mmm. We had cake in the office this week as two birthdays were celebrated. This creamy choc cake with strawberry on top sure chased away the Monday blues!

While it doesn’t feel like it’s officially Winter yet in the Cape, winter specials have started popping up on all the menus again. This here is a forkful of the Monday half-price chicken curry special at Eden on the Bay’s Inside – I went for the butter chicken. We’ve been enjoying this special for years (click here for a reminder).

Wednesday 17 and Thursday 18 May 2017: Samra conference at Protea Hotel, Stellenbosch

I was lucky enough to attend the annual two-day Samra (South African Marketing Research Association) conference in Stellenbosch earlier this week. Such a pretty town.

View directly out the window of the Protea Hotel’s conference room – little wonder they drew the curtains during sessions!

Conference food is always a treat. Note some of the fresh morning pastries top left, Thursday creme brulee dessert top right, Wednesday brownies dessert bottom left and pretty table settings bottom right.

My Thursday morning pre-conference cuppa was delightful, especially as I got to gaze at this view.

That’s all, folks. We attended the funeral of Husband’s aunt Sybil earlier today and have his brother Spec staying with us this weekend, so expect a few family-themed pics in the next update. Cheerio!