Last weekend we lunched at Belthazar at the V&A Waterfront. We also celebrated little Bassie’s 12th birthday on Monday, as you’ll see from the pics below…
Saturday, 30 March 2019: Succulent steak lunch at Belthazar
Mmm. It was a Pulp Kitchen breakfast kind of morning on Saturday as we were in Willowbridge Centre. See our flat whites as well as my coffee-dipped French toast and Husband’s ‘Mexican standoff’ mince on toast, with a poached egg rather than the scrambled standard.Next stop, Belthazar at the V&A Waterfront for lunch. See Husband’s wine with a handy tag explaining exactly what he was imbibing, as this is the largest ‘by-the-glass’ wine bar in the world, offering 250 options. Also see the lovely view across to a cloud-covered Table Mountain.Husband opted for the Belthazar-style avocado Ritz starter. See the bright pops of colour. He said it tasted just as good as it looked.Husband starting on that starter. Also see the lovely ‘bread board’ complete with sausage in Napoletana sauce, Husband’s Madagascan green peppercorn-topped saucy flambeed steak, his side of baked potato and creamed spinach, and my steak roll with hand-cut chips. All lip-smackingly good!See Husband’s glass of red book-ended by my delicious Kahlua dom pedro. Highly recommended as a drink or dessert!A Waterfront view not often seen: Eye-catching staircase up to the castle-like Somerset Hospital.Cupcakes galore! We popped in at my Uncle Al’s house that evening, just up the road in West Beach, to celebrate his retirement. There were yummy cupcakes everywhere we looked!The full family contingent, celebrating Uncle Al’s retirement.Pretty skies when we left Uncle Al’s for our own home that evening.We celebrated little Bassie’s birthday with the cupcakes we took home from uncle Al’s, as well as a new box of baked goods from our local Spar during the week. Also see our pretty ‘housewarming sunflowers’.
Sunday, 31 March 2019: Cup & Cake breakfast and sunny skies
We started our Sunday with breakfast at Cup & Cake in Eden on the Bay. See my three cinnamon-sugar pancakes and butterscotch latte, as well as Husband’s Eggs-purtly done (bread with Marmite, avo spread and poached egg). Yum!View of clouds over the mountains while out and about that afternoon.Mum made pork steaks with various veggies for our Sunday lupper.
Monday, 1 April 2019: Bassie’s 12th birthday
Various stages of Bassie’s birthday celebration – snuggling under duvets and on blankets with her brother, and eyeing the cupcake I ate in her honour.The standard family birthday shot, with the birthday girl trying not to pose under the birthday hat. Happy 12th birthday, Bassie!
That’s all, folks! Click here for my full review of our lunch experience at Belthazar on Bizcommunity and tune in for my next update next week – same time, same place 🙂
*Disclaimer: Our meals and drinks at Belthazar were part of our review package. All else came from our own pockets. All enjoyed equally.
This past week has been wonderful as we’re over the ‘eat eat eat’ Christmas week of the annual December-January break, yet we still had lots of fun times before we start the new work year next week…
Thursday, 27 December 2018: Rocomama’s ribs and shakes
We started last Thursday at The Daily in Big Bay. Queues were long so we just had a coffee to start the day – the condensed milky ‘tin cup’ for me, with the now off-menu tasting tray for Husband.And so, next stop was Cup & Cake in Eden on the Bay for actual food – the three cinnamon-sugar pancakes at R20 for me, while Husband had the hashbrown-mushroom stack.Following a quiet day of rest, we met my parents at the new cashless Rocomama’s in Parklands for an early dins that afternoon. See the order sheets, chilli-cheese fries, BBQ pork ribs and current specials.Milkshake mouths! Mine was espresso, the boys each had a creme brulee, and Mum had a Sprite Zero instead.Dessert much, much later that evening – a fruit-mince pie and coffee in reindeer mug.Bassie thought the mince pie was for her. She had one of her Christmas biscuits instead.
Friday, 28 December 2018: Enormous burgers at the NOB, Tyger Falls waterfront
Various stages of home-cooked breakfast – French toast with bacon and coffee for me, full fry-up for Husband, and hopeful doglets as always.We saw on Facebook that The NOB (No Ordinary Burger) of food truck fame has opened a permanent eatery at the Tyger Falls waterfront, so headed that way for last Friday’s lunch. See the enormous burgers and views. Hand for size.We needed to walk off some of that food before making our way home. Luckily the Tyger Falls waterfront is beautiful and easy to walk all the way around. It’s also surrounded by birdies, like this duck on the pier.
Saturday, 29 December 2018: Breakfast toasties at Reload
Reload is a good breakfast choice as it’s close to home, surrounded by greenery and we enjoy their coffee.Our Saturday breakfast at Reload in Parklands comprised a ‘bacon-egg-cheese toasty’ on brown and flat white each. Coke Zero and Tabasco sauce for Husband.Bellies full, we spent quality time at home with the doglets last Saturday morning. Such cuties!We needed long, cool drinks after completing the Woodbridge Island-Lagoon Beach and back walk on Saturday afternoon. See Husband’s Bloody Mary and my Key Lime Pie shake at the Beach Tavern.Beautiful blue mountain and glassy sea rolling in, later that afternoon.
Sunday, 30 December 2018: Sea swims and summery lupper
Husband coming up for air during a rock pool explore after a home breakfast on Sunday morning.Mum put together delicious summery plates for our Sunday lupper.
Monday, 31 December 2018: New Year’s Eve in Langebaan
We so enjoyed our swim at Shark Bay in Langebaan last Christmas that we did so again with Husband’s family these holidays.Sea swimming! Shark Bay is a magical spot between the lagoon and the open sea, as you can walk out almost to the other end of the inlet before you’re beneath the ‘waves’. We had a wonderful morning splashing about.One of the best things I saw in Shark Bay – this doggie calmly going out for a paddle with his family.Swim done, we took a cool cruise through town in search of lunch.Pearly’s is a popular spot but they had a table for us, so that’s where we lunched. See Husband’s Thai fish curry top-right, the butter-chicken special bottom-left and my coffee shake bottom-right.Er’rybody eating at Pearly’s! See Husband with his Thai fish curry, Spec and Father-in-Law with the butter-chicken special, Mother-in-Law with her snoek quesidilla special and me with the toasted chicken, chips and coffee shake. Various beers and wines for the rest. We left for home soon after and had a quiet evening in, with the doggies.
Tuesday, 1 January 2019: Happy New Year!
Loved this on the wall of Seattle Coffee in Exclusive Books at Table Bay Mall, when we stopped in for Husband to have a New Year’s Day espresso con panna.We spent the day easing into the new year with a family braai at home with my parents, and more quality time with Bassie and Bertie. It was a scorcher, so they were happy to cool down under the fans.
Wednesday, 2 January 2019: Rocomama’s burgers and chilli-cheese fries
We had breakfast at Woolworth’s W Cafe in Table Bay Mall on Wednesday. See Husband’s flat white, Coke Zero and chorizo bowl, as well as my honey-nut latte and cakey coconut loaf with espresso cream.After some reading under the fan, we were ready for food again. We had so enjoyed our burgers at Rocomama’s the previous week that we were there again for an early dins on Wednesday, this week. Also see my Belgian chocolate shake and our shared portion of chilli-cheese fries. Yum!
That’s all, folks! We’ve had a lovely, lazy break and luckily there’s a full weekend to go before we hit the office. Here’s to a super successful 2019!
Last weekend was a different one for us, as we were invited to the launch of the Spier Light Art Festival on Sunday night, so we took a day’s leave on Monday so as to extend that weekend feeling…
Saturday, 8 December 2018: Cup & Cake’s pancakes
It felt like a ‘Cup & Cake’ kind of day, so that’s where we had breakfast on Saturday. See my 3 cinnamon-sugar pancakes for R20, caramel cappuccino and Husband’s mushroom benedict-style breakfast.After a few hours at Husband’s work, we treated ourselves to ‘Ralph breaks the internet’ at GrandWest Casino. See the pretty Christmas tree just in front of the skate rink.
Sunday, 9 December 2018: Spier Light Art Festival
We breakfasted at the Pink Olive in West Coast Village on Sunday. See Husband’s ‘meaty toast’ topped with egg, my fresh scone duo and our cappuccinos.On our way through Stellenbosch, Husband’s phone told us to detour through Vredenheim Wildlife. What a hidden gem, with lots to see, including antlered-reindeer – just the thing to get us into the festive spirit!Some of the lovely sights in and around the Spier entry. Yes, that is Husband taking one of the bicycles for a spin.The exploration continued inside on check-in. See the Christmas trees at reception, welcome drinks and more.Our suite was just right, with a view over two different pools, enormous bed, and in-room coffee-making kit. Yes, please.There are many, many pools at Spier, tucked between the walkways, but the main pool is where the icy, fruited waters were, so that’s where we swam. It was wonderful.There was lots of shade to sit in, once you’d had your fill of sun. Loved the bright, mosaic tables.Some of our post-swim explore included swinging around, spotting ducks in the river and crossing bridges. Wonderful way to spend a Sunday afternoon!Exploring out of the way, it was time for our pre-Festival packed picnic. A full basket awaited us, but you could also create your own from the items in the deli.This was our picnic: Crusty bread, melba toast, butter and hummus, cold meat charcuterie, gherkins and olives, camembert, spicy coronation chicken salad, smoked corn-green pepper salad, a bottle of Spier Signature Wine, gruyere-mushroom individual frittata-style quiches, and rich brownie bricks with a tart summer berry compote. This even got a thumbs up of approval from Husband, and he’s not much for picnics.Sipping wine through linked arms. It can be done!Picnic packed away, it was time for the Light Art Festival to begin. First up, large puppets that roamed the grounds, capturing everyone’s attention until the sun set.This is what we came for. It’s free entrance, every night until the end of January. If you’re in the area, I definitely recommend popping in! Click through to my official review for more info.There was so much to see and hear and do, as the festival took place all over the grounds of Spier. A really lovely way to spend a Summer evening.Teehee. We also made friends with the friendly kitty that was strolling the grounds of Spier.This the the Spier version of our standard ‘gownie night-away shot’. Tick.
Monday, 10 December 2018: Eagle Encounters, Pakalolo’s and Rocomama’s
The breakfast buffet at Spier was extensive and delicious. See a few of our courses here. Husband also had a filled omelette while I stuck with the crispy, streaky bacon and fresh baked goods after my mixed bowl of cereal (including muesli and Coco Pops), and topped with pitted dates and candy-coated sunflower seeds.We took a golf cart down to the Eagle Encounters area at the far side of Spier once we’d breakfasted, but they weren’t yet open. Luckily we still got to see lots of eagle owls, like this one peering back at us.Husband having his ‘weekend’ dip once we got back on our home ground that afternoon.Ahh. There’s nothing like a cocktail at Pakalolo on the beachfront to put you firmly in ‘holiday mode’, even if just for a day. See Husband’s Bloody Mary and my ‘Pakalolo Sunrise’.We finally had an early dins at the newly opened Rocomama’s in Parklands that evening. No better smash burgers and shakes in Cape Town, if you ask me! That’s the espresso shake and creme brulee shake, as well as a portion of chili-cheese fries and our enormous burgers you see here.
Wednesday, 12 December 2018: Wacky Wednesday and Steers’ chips
We were both exhausted when we got home from work on Wednesday, so opted for Wacky Wednesday from Steers for dins. Plus this large portion of chips, drenched in all the sauces. YUM.
That’s all, folks! Read my review on Biz for more on the Spier Light Art Festival. We were back at work on Tuesday already, but towards the end-of-year holidays we will go…
*Disclaimer: Our meals and accommodation at Spier were part of our review package. All else came from our own pockets. All enjoyed equally.
Apologies for the slightly delayed post, loyal readers. As you probably know, I’m in Durban this week covering the Loeries so making do when I have a spot of free time.
And you’ll see the past week and a bit has also been busier than usual as we had the the Women’s Day public holiday, as well as both my parents’ birthdays.
See how we celebrated this and more below…
Monday, 6 August 2018: Media networking at Expresso Studios
It was an odd feeling to see all the settings that are synonymous with the Expresso morning show. We also met the six new SABC3 presenters, so click here if you missed my interviews with them.Husband and I enjoying a flute of bubbly in front of the tropical wall at Expresso Studios.
Tuesday, 7 August 2018: Future Females’ women in leadership breakfast
I attended my first Future Females women in leadership breakfast session on Spin Street, all about better communication in the workplace. Click here for my coverage on Biz, if you missed it.
Thursday, 9 August 2018: Women’s Day breakfast at All in the Kitchen, Mexican dins at El Barrio
We started our Women’s Day on a delicious note, with breakfast at All in the Kitchen. See my bacon-egg croissant, the salmon-poached eggs-avo ‘omega breakfast; the others went for, and our flat whites. Also pretty roses, cakes and shots of Amaretto.We tried El Barrio in Eden on the Bay for dinner that night. See the lovely decor and Husband’s ‘Mexican Flag’ tequila shooter.The menu design is just gorgeous, and everything we ate and drank was delicious. See my Mexican chilli hot chocolate (you melt the chocolate into the hot, spiced milk); also our taco bowls – mine was pork, Husband had beef) – and also sunset.
Friday, 10 August 2018: Dad’s 68th birthday treats
Last Friday was my dad’s 68th birthday, so we popped in to wish him in person once we were done with work for the day. See some of the sweet treats Mum created, and the doggies loving all the attention.Such a bright, pretty sunset in the suburbs.
Saturday, 11 August 2018: Daily Cafe breakfast, Panama Jacks lunch
We breakfasted at the Daily Cafe in Seaside Village on Saturday. See Husband’s coffee tasting tray and breakfast wrap, as well as my condensed-milky tin cup and ‘waffle pop’, topped with caramel and bananas.The doggies had a heckin explore later that morning when we took them for a wander close to home. See Bertie in the water, curious Bassie and the mountain behind us.We stopped in at Panama Jacks near the harbour for lunch after Husband popped in at work for a quick half-hour. See some of the sights we saw.Lunch! Husband had the Thai fish curry with a glass of red, I had the duck starter and a ‘cookie’ shake. Yum.Sleepy sweeties on the couch.
Sunday, 12 August 2018: Rocomama’s burgers, dogs and shakes
I went for three cinnamon-sugar pancakes for R20 and a butterscotch latte for breakfast at Cup & Cake in Eden on the Bay last Sunday, while Husband had a flat white, Coke Zero and the salmon eggs benedict.We headed out to Rocomama’s Durbanville for a between-parents-birthdays treat. Their burgers and dogs are always a treat!See the beer- and cider-drinkers at one end of the table, the milkshakers on the other, and the ‘ plain half waffle’ we shared for dessert.Speaking of milkshake… I made my way through this fantastic freak shake – the ‘Surprise Me’ on the day was an Oreo cookies/peanut buttery-caramel concoction, dripping with dark and white chocolate. Delicious!My precious doglets. Probably wanting some of my coffee that evening. Or rather, the biscuit.
That’s all, folks! Watch for my Durban Loeries highlights in next week’s blog post. Wish me luck…
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.
I think every August blog post I’ve ever published has mentioned that it’s been a very birthday-filled month. Add my Loeries work coverage to the mix and it’s almost impossible to fit in everything we want or need to do. Despite the craziness we did still get to see both our moms for their birthdays in the past few days, as you’ll see below…
Sunday, 13 August 2017: Mum’s birthday lunch at Moyo
My mom usually cooks Sunday lupper for us, so we decided having her NOT cook would be one of her gifts, especially as her birthday fell on a Sunday this year. We went to Moyo for something different, and as we’d let them know it was Mum’s birthday, she was presented with a special dish of ice cream and berry sauce, was sung to, made to wear a hat AND fed the first spoonful.To eat, we went with the sweet potato soup (me), the flame-grilled chermoula fish (Husband), the Maputo peri-peri chicken (Mum) and the oxtail with dumplings (Dad). We were all licking our fingers afterwards, so delicious!We tried the ‘Independence’ shooters to end the meal in style. They’re yummy Pina Colada-y concoctions!We took a photo of our Moyo-painted faces when we got home before the paint started flaking off.Sunset from my parents’ house later that evening.
Tuesday, 15 August 2017: Velvet Cake Co sneak peek
I was lucky enough to get a sneak peek of some of the Velvet Cake Co’s new treats – my parents came along. Click here for all the words, this is just proof I was there in front of the lovely cake-painted walls.Aren’t these the most gorgeous cakes? Really special.Probably the prettiest slice of cake I’ve ever seen.Little bites of all sorts of niceness. An enormous strawberry, caramel-popcorn-meringue topped cupcake, and red velvet cupcake.
Wednesday, 16 August 2017: Opening of CEM Africa Summit
Scenes from the first day of the CEM Africa Summit – gin stands, a packed panel session, interesting art work in the Century City Conference Centre and proof I was there covering it.
Saturday, 19 August 2017: Mum-in-law’s birthday breakfast at Steenberg’s Bistro 1682
My mum-in-law decided she wanted to host her 65th birthday breakfast at Steenberg’s Bistro 1682 all the way back when we first took her there in November last year, before they had officially moved down here from Johannesburg. The weather played along beautifully on the day.If you’ve been to Bistro 1682 for breakfast you’ll know the wonder of this surprise – the warm, sweet rolls with toffee sauce to dip in that are served while waiting for your meals to arrive. Drool!“Happy birthday to you!” Oysters were shucked, pork belly-bacon benedicts devoured, bubbly toasts were made and a special birthday plate of treats was presented to the birthday girl. All in all a lovely birthday experience.The other side of the table – an almost-well-from-his-cold Husband, a just-starting-to-suffer-the-symptoms dad and a smiling-happily brother-in-law.Bellies full, we trotted outside for some family photos. First up, Husband with his clan.Then it was our turn.,, ❤Now one with everyone, minus my father-in-law as photographer. On taking this pic we realised we had all dressed to a blue/green theme without realising. Stylish!Husband whisked me away to our nearest Spur with a view of the sea much, much later for a quick Saturday afternoon treat between batches of work. We ended up with a Pina Colada, hazelnut latte and chicken-bacon-avo salad to share.
Sunday, 18 August 2017: Coffee tasting tray at The Daily
We popped in at Seaside Village’s Daily Cafe for a quick breakfast bite before more work rolled in. Here is Husband with his coffee, the new menus and my Nutella-banana pancakes. Always start your day with chocolate, where you can!Of course I went for the coffee tasting tray when I saw it on the menu. It’s three tiny cups of plain espresso, espresso con panna (with cream) and their famous ‘tin cup’ with condensed milk. A must for coffee lovers like me. I’m trying their hot chocolate tasting tray next!Apologies for the lack of doggy pics this week, kids – here’s a pic of our little angel Freckles to make up for it.
That’s all, folks! Have a happy, sunny weekend and click here for more of our Velvet Cake Co experience.
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.
We’ve had a wonderfully sunny week, with lots of time spent outdoors…
Saturday, 10 December 2016: Summer lunch review at Glenelly Estate
We started last weekend with a quick, shared breakfast at the closest Cafe Lacomia as we had a busy, food-filled day ahead. I love that I get two mini biscuits with the cappuccino there, and the Bulls Eye breakfast is just the right size for sharing. Plus, you’re encouraged to eat cupcakes (not that I did)…Glenelly Estate, our lunch spot for the day on the outskirts of Stellenbosch, has some of the prettiest vineyards and views.Nestled at the foot of the Simonsberg mountains, this is a truly lovely spot.The vine-covered pathway.The food at Glenelly’s the Vine Bistro! Heavens, it was good. You can see Husband’s cold red soup starter featuring octopus tentacles and chorizo, as well as his lemon-chive hake mains on the left, then my pork trotter starter and blueberry duck mains in the middle, and a bottle of the Glenelly Estate Chardonnay on the right. Click through to my official review for more words on these!Dessert is served… Top left is my ‘warm melting biscuit’ with poached pears and yoghurt chantilly, bottom left is Husband’s creme caramel, and on the right, my cappuccino.Tummies purring contentedly, we walked around the rest of the grounds. This is the view of the vineyards from the upstairs tasting room.More of the upstairs tasting room’s view. Such a picture-perfect spot.On the way home we passed a sign for Mountain View Piggery in Paarl and obviously had to turn in to have a look. The piggies were rather large and clean – not a surprise when we saw just how much the guy on the bottom was enjoying his shower.That evening involved lots of relaxing things. Here we are with the doggies in the lounge.
Sunday, 11 December 2016: Lagoon Beach breakfast, Woodbridge Island walk
On Sunday morning we headed to The Brasserie in the Lagoon Beach Hotel for breakfast. The buffet option was quite pricy so we were happy to order from the a la carte menu. Here is my cappuccino and Husband’s breakfast Cola.But what did we eat, I hear you ask? Husband opted for the salmony benedict you see on the left, while I went for the grilled banana-filled pancakes topped with strawberries and cream. Delicious!Next on the agenda was a beach walk to Woodbridge Island and back. We love these palm trees outside Woodbridge.We stopped a few times along the way to admire the view. Can just see the Woodbridge lighthouse in this shot.We stopped to examine the ‘wreck’ at Lagoon Beach – Husband says it’s actually from a movie set.Sunday afternoons are for milkshakes. Husband went for a Frankies’ Cinnamon Cola while I tried Bread & Butter’s ‘salted caramel’ shake. That’s a chewing-gum ball on top.
Tuesday, 13 December 2016: Pink sunsets and doggy TLC
Pink-streaked clouds like these are my favourite.The doggies got lots of TLC when their grandparents visited for dins that eve! Bassie’s expression on the right, while getting ear rubs from her grandpa, is very funny.
Wednesday, 14 December 2016: Rogue One screening at iMax
On Wednesday, we headed off the the Cape Gate iMax after a long day of work to watch the new Star Wars movie, Rogue One. We were surrounded by Star Wars heavies but fit right in as we’d worn Star Wars gear all day and even read the pre-movie book Catalyst so knew most of the characters on screen.
That’s all, folks! There’s lots of excitement in the air as we’ll finally be on holiday at the end of this week, and Father Christmas is coming (along with brother-in-law, Spec) 🙂
*Disclaimer: Obviously our meals at Glenelly Estate were part of our review package. All else came from our own pockets. All enjoyed equally.
We’re so close now that I can almost taste the holidays. Here’s what we’ve been getting up to while waiting…
Friday, 2 December 2016: Bizcommunity’s end-of-year lunch at Cape Point Vineyards, Noordhoek
We were so lucky with the weather last Friday, as our end-of-year office party was being held at Cape Point Vineyard in Noordhoek. What a gorgeous venue! The inside is simply beautiful but the outside area is a clear winner as you have views across to the Noordhoek beach.Look at that delicious food! The top shot is the snacky platters brought to the table for all to share, then you can see what I opted for from the choices per lunch course: my beef carpaccio starter, rib-eye mains with tomatoes still on the vine and a caramel-macadamia nut cheesecake dessert. So delicious.I spent lots of time laughing with my colleague Jess, who moved from Cape Town to Johannesburg earlier this year.Team shot! Lots of happy faces.
Saturday, 3 December 2016: Breakfast at Company’s Garden, weekend beach walkies and paella at Espana
Saturday was our last full day with Husband’s parents as they were making the long trek back to Joburg the next day, so we decided on breakfast at Company’s Garden in town. Three of us went for cappuccinos, one had a coke, and three went for the eggs benedict while one tried something new: the apple-berry crumble. So yummy, as you’ll see below.The before and mid. No picture of after as the bowl was clean.Bellies full, we wandered around the gardens looking at all the squirrels and pigeons and plants. I also tested out this egg chair, and a squirrel darted back and forth in front of me.Husband joined me for this shot.Next up, a beach visit. Good shot of how the doggies go in different directions at the beach. All the while scrambling over rocks and dipping feeties in the sea.Both looking happy, caught mid-scramble.The three males – Husband, his dad and Bertie in a calmer-than-usual moment.These are two very happy doggies after beach walkies.For our final dins with Husband’s parents we ate at a firm family favourite, Espana in Burgundy Estate. Here is Husband demonstrating the outside and almost blending in with the decor inside.To eat, we all went for the paella and all ate every morsel. My father-in-law also opted for their cinnamon-sugar pancakes. A lovely night.The sunset over Table Mountain and the sea from Burgundy Estate is always a treat.
Sunday, 4 December 2016: Greens breakfast and 2016 Christmas trees
Parents safely on the long road back home, we stopped in at Greens in Plattekloof Village for breakfast. I had the waffle with caramel, banana and icecream, while Husband had the mushroom-spinach benedict. That’s my cappuccino and his breakfast Cola.Amongst some weekend admin I also admired the pretty Christmas tree in a local nursery on the left, put up my own tree that evening and helped Mum decorate hers when we went for dins that eve.
Monday 5 to Thursday, 8 December 2016: Final team lunch at Fat Cactus
T’was the birthday of one of my colleagues on Friday and as she’d taken the day off we didn’t get to celebrate with her at our end-of-year. She brought in all sorts of deliciousness on Monday so we ‘cheers-ed’ her belatedly then.We took a break from our desks for a few minutes of sunshine and spotted a little green chameleon trotting along. See how very green he is!Thursday was our final team lunch of the year. We went across to the Fat Cactus and were back at our desks just over an our later. I went for the pulled-pork soft tacos and espresso shake.
It’s another two weeks of work, then Husband’s brother comes down to stay with us for a few weeks over the Christmas break. Exciting times! 🙂
Last weekend the weather turned all gloomy and grey on us so we went into hibernation mode for much of it, as you’ll see below…
Saturday, 8 October 2016: Breakfast at The Daily, gnocchi at The Italian Club
It was The Daily’s turn to host us for breakfast, so Husband went for their breakfast wrap, while I tried their Nutella-banana pancakes. Perfect with the Terbodore cappuccino and homemade shortbread star biscuit.It was good ‘stay indoors’ weather, so stay indoors we did. We alternated between reading, napping and watching series.The Italian Club in Milnerton is pumping all weekend long, so we were lucky to get a table last Saturday evening when we pitched up without first making a booking. The cold, rainy weather had me craving my favourite comfort food – gnocchi. See it topped with meaty bolognese sauce and lots of parmesan cheese top left, all the party balloons (from different parties) behind Husband, and my choc-dusted cappuccino.
Sunday, 9 October 2016: Breakfast at the Melkbos Farmstall
We felt like a brief road trip first thing on Sunday so ventured all the way to Melkbos 🙂 Here is the Farmstall from outside.The windmill is somewhat dilapidated.Farmstall from the front, complete with large pumpkins on the roof.Husband happily making his way through the ‘healthy starter’ served with most breakfasts at the Farmstall – a tiny juice and a piping hot bran muffin. Yummy.Husband opted for ‘The Rooster’ breakfast.I had the French toast breakfast.This little birdie got lucky when the family at this table got up to go meet the bunnies mid-meal.Of course we walked around looking at all the bunnies and birdies, too. I think this is the first time I realised ducklings are yellow from tip to toe. So cute!Cloudy with a few blue patches – weather conditions on the way home. We spent the day much like Saturday, only venturing out again for lupper at Mum’s that evening.The doggies trotted all around their granny’s garden after they’d digested their Sunday lupper.Bassie had a ‘Spring sniff’ all around her granny’s garden, stopping to admire all the blooms.
Monday, 10 October 2016: Solo doggy beach walk
Husband took the doggies for a beach walk on Monday. Love how their personalities are captured in this shot, with Bertie eagerly standing up to look out the window in the back seat, while Bassie sits and stares more calmly out of the front passenger side. 🙂The beach was deserted and there was minimal wind – Bassie’s best conditions, see how happy she is here.This is Bertie mid-shake post dip in the sea.Both merrily scrambling and exploring the rocks and tiring themselves out.
Thursday, 13 October 2016: Beyond Retail conference at The Rotunda at The Bay Hotel, Camps Bay
I’ve seen this ‘heart’ lit up at night all over Instagram when people dine across the road from it at Cafe Caprice and the like, but it’s just as pretty in the daytime. It’s the first thing I snapped before the Beyond Retail conference began at The Rotunda in The Bay Hotel across the road.Top left is the awe-inspiring light fitting and tent-like ceiling of The Rotunda, below was my breakfast table set-up and to the right was our tea table. You can read the first of my articles from Beyond Retail by clicking here.An inviting corner just outside The Tides restaurant in The Bay Hotel, where we lunched and networked.View of Camps Bay far below as I took the long bus trip home later that afternoon.
That’s all, folks! Here’s to another relaxing weekend all round…
Ramblings, rumblings and random ruminations, version ii. Also reviews, recommendations and alliteration. Based on living the good life in the fairest Cape. Eating is my favourite pastime. Updated weekly
Rambling Litchii 