Celebrating parents’ 40th anniversary: ruby chocolate & 12 Apostles’ breakfast

Last weekend we celebrated my parents’ 40th wedding anniversary – luckily it was a long weekend, as there were many parts to the celebrations!

Saturday, 22 September 2018: Ruby anniversary breakfast at 12 Apostles, dins at NinetyOne in Sea Point

The long weekend started off on a very special note, as we had booked for the buffet breakfast at Azure restaurant at the 12 Apostles Hotel. It was such a beautiful sunny day!

T’was a bit chilly so no-one sat outside, but just look at that view! Heart-eyed emojis everywhere.

Ching ching! We had flutes of bubbly, cappuccinos, oysters, pastries, fruits, yoghurts, cold meats and cheese – and that’s before the hot breakfast.

Mum and Husband went for the eggs benedict-style breakfast, while Dad and I ordered the waffles. They come with sliced syrupy banana, diced apple and creme fraiche but I topped mine with marshmallows, nuts and mini M&Ms instead.

The beautiful roses on each table, jars of sweeties to take home with you and the dry-ice anniversary surprise that arrived at the table once we were all full-to-bursting. Beautiful!

My Sugar in Sea Point is one of few specialist chocolate shops that offers ruby chocolate – the ‘fourth chocolate’ after milk, white and dark, it’s the first official ‘new chocolate’ in 80 years. It’s made from a specific cocoa bean that gives it that fruity pink flavour and colour you can see top right. As it was my parents’ ruby anniversary, ruby chocolate seemed fitting, so we stopped in to make the purchase.

As we were in the area, we stopped at NinetyOne on Main Road, Sea Point for an early dins before making the long trip back to Table View. See me with my cup of masala chai, the pretty decor inside, and our curries – the butter chicken and chicken korma are divine, especially with a side of paratha naan (with a sweet, desiccated coconut filling.)

Teehee. Bertie rested his head on my shoulder when we watched some telly that evening. So cute. Bassie was just out of the shot.

Sunday, 23 September 2018: Trecastelli breakfast, ruby anniversary tea

We treated Spec to breakfast at Trecastelli on the beachfront on Sunday morning, as he’d slept over at ours. See some of the decor, the cooked breakfast (not yet on the menu) that the boys enjoyed, and some berry tarts cooling in the fridge.

The rarely-spotted Husband-ordering-dessert – he went up to the deli counter before our breakfasts arrived, ordered a cannoli, and promptly topped it with chili sauce. He declared it delicious. Also see my R40 ‘latte and Nutella cornetto’ breakfast, yum.

Teehee. The doglets both looked embarrassed to be caught sitting so close together on the couch that morning. So cute.

As it was the actual day of my parents’ anniversary on Sunday, the whole family was invited over for afternoon tea. Mum put on a delicious spread of mini sandwiches, crackers, cheese, spreads, homemade scones with jam and cream and an amazing peppermint-crisp tart. Drooling at the memory!

Toasting the lovely couple with assorted flutes of bubbly, wine and even cups of coffee.

Monday, 24 September 2018: Heritage Day breakfast, Cosy Bay swim, Jamaica Me Crazy cocktails

Bertie and his Father-dad had a nice lie-in to kick off their public holiday.

We started our Heritage Day activities with a home-cooked breakfast at Husband’s parents’ house. See various stages of the fry-up, flowers and Bertie grinning.

Later that morning, we made our way through town – fitting for Heritage Day, the SA flag was still beautifully displayed on the side of the infamous building at the end of Long Street.

Next stop – Cosy Bay, where I soaked up some sun while Husband had a swim in the sea – you can just see him in his wetsuit in the pic on the bottom right.

Later that afternoon, we drove out to Jamaica Me Crazy – Husband had a Fokkof Lager (hence his pose), and I had a Volcano cocktail, which is a blend of strawberry daquiri and pina colada. I tucked the cocktail umbrella behind my ear, as you do.

For our last stop of the day, we went on to Barristers in Newlands. Husband had their bangers-and-mash pub lunch, while I tried the nacho skins (potato skins with typical nacho toppings). So good, especially with a large mug of coffee shake!

That’s all, folks! It’s set to finally feel summery towards the end of this coming weekend, we can’t wait. 🙂

Farewell curries at Ninety One and CTICC conferencing

Can you believe we’re already in August! This past week has been busy on all fronts as usual, as you’ll see from the pics below…

Friday, 27 July 2018: Birthday cakes at work and Petiscos dins

Almost as soon as I’d sat down at my desk on Friday, it was time to leave for the monthly Creative Mornings Cape Town talk, held at Friends of Design on Bree Street. The talk was on the theme of ‘intention’ – watch for my coverage on Biz this coming Monday.

When I got back to the office there was a selelction of cakes and sweet treats to celebrate my colleague Gail’s birthday. T’was lovely!

It had been a long, hard work week so we treated ourselves to dins at Petiscos last Friday night, as we had so enjoyed the chicken fillet xai xai the previous weekend. It was delicious and came fast! Husband had his with a glass of red again, I went for the wild berry shake.

Saturday, 28 July 2018: Small dogs and Sea Point curries

We had weekend admin to tick off our lists at Table Bay Mall on Saturday, so we started off with a quick breakfast at Mugg & Bean. See Husband’s bacon-egg-tomato toast and my triple-choc muffin, That’s a flat white for me and a serious cappuccino for him.

My sweet girl enjoying the sunshine outside on Saturday morning.

Sometimes Bertie sits in a way that makes him look tiny (he’s a hefty 10kg ‘medium’ according to doggie food charts). Bless.

The doglets on the couch together that afternoon. Little Miss Bassie looks concerned, Bertie not so much.

On Saturday evening we made the long trek past town, to combine a colleague of mine’s farewell dinner with my brother-in-law Spec’s birthday. We went to Ninety One in Sea Point and had the most delicious curries – the butter chicken with peshwari (desiccated coconut and raisin) naan bread as amazing!

The girls! Some have since left the team, but we’re always good for a curry dinner catch-up.

Sunday, 29 July 2018: Baconville breakfast, Moyo sunset dins

We treated Spec to breakfast at Baconville on Sunday morning. See my large Flake-topped chocolate latte catching some sun.

It was sunny and there was coffee and bacon, so we were happy.

Choc-chip birthday queen cakes Mum whipped up for Spec, eaten at my in-laws’ house on Sunday afternoon.

Bertie was a sleepy sweetheart that afternoon and slept on his dad’s lap, almost on top of his sister and spreadeagled on the sun-warmed carpet.

We decided on a shared bowl of the lamb-shank linguine at Moyo in Eden on the Bay for our early Sunday dins. Also see my hazelnut latte and lots of heaters and interesting pink lights.

We had the full Moyo experience with gas heaters and drumming music and my face-painted, and were lucky enough to catch the sun setting over the sea just as we were leaving.

Tuesday, 31 July 2018: Farewell cakes at work

Such beautiful cakes! These were in honour of Ilse’s formal farewell lunch at work on Tuesday.

Wednesday, 1 August 2018: CEM Africa conference day one

Wednesday was the first day of the annual customer experience management or CEM Africa Summit. I’d not been to the CTICC for a while so enjoyed taking in the scenery before the conference sessions kicked off.

The food during tea breaks and lunch was as good as always at the CTICC, with fresh pastries and mini muffins, as well as sticky doughnuts, assorted desserts, and lots of small round foods easy to eat with the hands. I approve!

Thursday, 2 August 2018: CEM Africa conference day two

The food choices on day two did not disappoint!

Some of my favourite keynote presentations included these slides. You can read more about them here, here and here.

Of course I stopped for a photo at the BrandLove booth, they’re my favourite CX team!

That’s all, folks! Here’s to a relaxing weekend all round. 🙂

Mother’s Day treats, Terra del Capo antipasti and sunset jacuzzis at The Peninsula

Last Friday’s weather was just the wintery perfection required to review the new winter menu at Anthonij Rupert Wyne’s Terra del Capo, and we had the most wonderful night away at the Peninsula All-Suite Hotel in Sea Point…

Friday, 11 May 2018: Winter antipasti menu at Terra del Capo

After a quick few hours in the office it was time to Uber to the Radisson Blu Hotel at the Waterfront to meet the shuttle taking us to Anthonij Rupert Wyne in Franschhoek. We sipped flutes of bubbly amongst all the blue and green shades.

The hour-plus trip out of the CBD into the winelands soothed us into a relaxed state of excitement, if there’s such a thing, and before we knew it, we were making our way down the driveway and into the tasting room area…

Look at that loveliness! View of the wintery outside, bread board with porcini truffle butter, carrot arancini, and grapefruit salad.

Just look at the way those colours sing – each bite was bursting with flavour, too. This is just a small sample of the four antipasti courses. Crisp veggies, creamy dips, salty meat and warm cheesy bites. Yum!

And then, dessert. See various stages of devouring the chocolate cream tart with tiramisu macaron and capuccino, as well as bowl of citrus and the potent, fruity L’Ormarins digestif.

Presented with bottles of the Pinot Grigiot and the Sangiovese wines we’d enjoyed over lunch, we happily posed outside the impressive doors before heading back onto the shuttle. Most of us were lulled to sleep by the slow rain that fell as we made our way back through the traffic. “Magies vol, ogies toe!”

Saturday, 12 May 2018: Pre-Mother’s Day breakfast and checking in to Sea Point’s Peninsula Hotel

We decided on a pre-Mother’s Day breakfast at News Cafe with both sets of parents. See all parties present and accounted for, as well as various forms of eggy breakfast.

I also had some pre-Mother’s Day snuggles with the doglets as would only see them again the following day. Such cuties!

Next stop, Sea Point! The Peninsula All-Suite Hotel towers above the Queens Beach corner of Sea Point, and is impressive from any angle.

A quick explore of The Peninsula’s grounds revealed a pool out back, this one ‘slightly heated’; as well as classy navy decor; views of Lion’s Head; and the poolside dining options.

Various snaps shot between the foyer and our room – see Husband attempting the ‘Star Wars mirror finger-click’ move, also the striped awning and Pacman-walled games room.

And then! Our suite! The colour scheme was bright and just screamed ‘holiday’, while the complimentary bottle of MCC and view of the sea and the private jacuzzi instantly reset our buttons.

We’re both Aquarian water babies, so after an intense sport massage carried out in our suite, we spent absolute hours in the jacuzzi – we had a dip at sunset, another after dinner, and one more before checkout the next morning. Bliss!

Is there anything prettier than the sun setting over the sea? (No, there’s not.)

View from our room of the sea-facing main (cold) pool below.

Next stop, dins! This is the stylishly renovated Sunset Restaurant, warmly situated in the belly of the Peninsula Hotel. See the moreish farm-style bread, my ultra-chocolatey milkshake, Husband’s pan-seared Norwegian salmon mains and my chicken ballantine. This really hit the spot after all that soaking in the jacuzzi!

Dessert! See my strong cappuccino and ‘death by chocolate’ ganache-y mousse bomb with espresso-creamy centre; as well as Husband’s lemon tart and Irish coffee. Perfect end to the meal.

See the craft gin and brandy trolleys rolled out at dins, and the Faces Bar and Strolla restaurant outside areas, popular with walk-ins from the beach front. We took a quick stroll outside but it was cold and dark, so the warmth of our suite beckoned.

This time, we posed the ‘hotel gown photo’ in the lounge. That carpet was so fluffy!

Sunday, 13 May 2018: Oreo sugarcones from the Dairy Den

The next morning, I opened the curtains and saw just what I’d been hoping for – a pastel pink, cloud-streaked sky over softly crashing waves. Insert heart-eyes emoji!

View from our balcony after we’d woken enough to wish our moms happy Mother’s Day over the phone, then a quick coffee in room… and another at the jacuzzi. Best!

And then, breakfast! We saw the buffet winding all around the extremities of the Sunset Restaurant and found ourselves drawn in again. See the sheet of honeycomb hiding various cold meats, cheese and fruits, as well as waffles with strawberries in syrup and super crispy bacon.

More breakfast! Assorted juices; cold meats, fruits and cheeses; the egg and omelette station; and Husband’s plate, including kipper.

And just like that, our time at the Peninsula was over. Keen to extend the ‘holiday’ feel of the weekend, you can just see Husband almost out at sea here on the right, exploring the rocks at the Sea Point Contact after our speedy check out.

Then it was just a hop, skip and a jump to the Dairy Den on Main Road, where I’d heard about the wonderful ice cream specials and ‘Doh!’nuts. Still full from breakfast I didn’t have space to try a doh!nut too (sob), so will have to return! See various stages of eating my ice cream on the Sea Point promenade.

The ice cream is worth the distance! After much deliberation I decided on the half-and-half – chocolate swirled with strawberry, served with a chocolatey biscuit in the hundreds-and-thousands-dipped Oreo sugarcone.

Husband decided on fish and chips from Snoekies at Eden on the Bay for Mother’s Day lupper at my mum’s, all enjoyed (especially me with my vinegar-soaked chip roll).

Mum and I had both just read the ‘Me Before You’ trilogy by Jojo Moyes, so we watched the movie with assorted snacks for Mother’s Day. Such a good idea!

Tuesday, 15 May 2018: 2OceansVibeRadio segment recording, family wors rolls

On Tuesday afternoon, my colleague Angie and I recorded our first-ever live monthly radio show segment on 2OceansVibeRadio.com, with host Nadia Hearn. Will add a link to the podcast of the show soon! Look at the cosy co-working office space they record from in Cartel House in Loop Street.

Radio show bits done, we stopped in at the Cafe du Cap coffee shop downstairs in the Cartel House building for a quick treat while waiting out the traffic. The iced latte isn’t on the menu, but they will whip one up for you if you ask. T’was just what we needed!

Our friend Gords was down from Joburg on business for a few days so we hosted the whole family for a wors-roll dins once all were done with work. Spec drove up from Fish Hoek, slept over and left before 6am the next morning for work. Lots of laughs were had!

Precious doglets spent some quality time with their granny and grampa on the couch that evening.

That’s all, folks! Click here for my full wordy review of the Terra del Capo experience on Bizcommunity, and keep an eye out for the Peninsula All-Suite Hotel review, coming soon. Here’s to another relaxing weekend ahead…

*Disclaimer: Our meals and accommodation at Anthonij Rupert’s Terra del Capo and The Peninsula were part of our review package. All else came from our own pockets. All enjoyed equally.

Autumn 2017 and Husband’s parents arrive in Cape Town

It’s been another longgg week with Husband playing the role of Marvin (click here if you’re not sure what that means).

We’ve finally had a fair sprinkling of rain though, and the weather’s definitely nippier than usual so I think it’s fair to say that Autumn 2017 has arrived in Cape Town. If you click through to my blog post from this week last year I said the exact same thing, so at least I’m consistent)…

Friday, 17 March 2017: Work farewell at Fat Cactus

We tend to hold any work farewells or special functions at the Fat Cactus as it’s walking distance from our office, so that’s just where we went last Friday for our editorial assistant’s farewell. I had the espresso milkshake you see here.

Saturday, 18 March 2017: Autumnal Chocolat breakfast, doggy beach walk and local rugby supporting

This is what the weather was like when we set off for breakfast on Saturday morning. Cloudy, cold and in need of coffee.

Luckily that’s just what we had at Chocolat in Durbanville – we were headed somewhere else when we saw it’s facade and decided to pop in. I’m so glad we did.

Look at the pretty gold-framed bunny art inside, the proteas in silver teapots, Husband’s Tabasco sauce-drenched eggs benedict and my strawberry-topped Nutella-peanut butter French toast. Delicious!

Later that morning it was time for walkies at the beach, which was surprisingly empty. Note Husband, happy doggies and sea birds.

Lots of happy moments during the walkies, including Bassie being off leash and Bertie swimming in the sea. Both were tired and happy to get back home.

Much later than evening, after a few weekend adminny chores, we went to Theo Marais Park to support Union Milnerton Rugby Club (Millies) against Brackenfell (Brakkies). It was cold enough for coffee and Husband had to go retrieve the ball when it veered towards the cricket side of the field.

Sunday, 19 March 2017: Pineapple-y Sunday

We wanted to break our fast at the Woollies Cafe in Canal Walk first thing on Sunday but got there before they open at 9am, so had a quick pre-coffee at Limnos while ogling their droolworthy cakes. Also seen here: The fritaffle Husband ate, my frosted caramel latte and the healthy orange, carrot and pineapple-y juice Husband braved. That wasn’t the last pineapple of the day…

We decided on a shared pina colada for our Sunday afternoon treat, at Moyo as you can tell from my face-paintings here.

You can see my face-painting better in this shot out of the light (and the icy water our feet were dangling in as we bravely sat at the surfboard tables outside.)

What a coincidence, Mum had made a pineapple pudding for after lupper that evening.

Monday, 20 and Tuesday, 21 March 2017: Husband’s parents arrive

Husband’s parents arrived at our house on Monday evening, and the truck with all their worldly goods arrived at their new house first thing on Tuesday morning – luckily it was a public holiday so we could go along to help out, though Husband was being Marvin this week so only had two hours of sleep from Monday night’s shift.

Unfortunately Husband’s dad had a bad kidney stone attack during the night so was booked into hospital. The rest of us did a bit of unpacking then decamped to Eden Cafe for a much needed foot-dip in the ocean and tummy top-up. I had a passion-fruit shake, Husband a draught, mother-in-law a glass of wine. She ate the chicken mayo on pumpkin-seed roll while we shared a chicken prego roll that really hit the spot!

Thursday, 23 March 2017: Sea Point event, annual staff meet and Fat Cactus lunch

First thing on Thursday I hopped on the bus to Sea Point to cover the Mediamark In the Know Now media event at the La Vendome Radisson Blue hotel. It was sunny when I arrived but the weather quickly changed and became cloudy cool.

After catching up on emails in the office it was time to walk a block down to the Woodstock Exchange as we’d booked to hold our end of year staff meeting there. I opted for a hot cross bun latte – or a ‘cross burn’, as you can see here.

Then it was time to eat – at the Fat Cactus again, lol. The nachos grande with side of chilli con carne on the right was all mine, a truly huge portion that we’re still polishing off this evening!

That’s all, folks. We’ll be helping the parents unpack and also having a few days off work before my next update, so expect happier, more relaxed faces then. 🙂

Spec in the Sea Point specs and New Year’s Day 2017

Welcome to 2017! My first post of the year is ready for you to view below, filled with moments from brother-in-law Spec’s last week with us. We’re back to work next week ourselves so will be wringing every moment of fun and relaxation out of the coming weekend…

Friday, 30 December 2016: Golf morning, Italian Kitchen lunch and Sea Point afternoon

While the boys went off for a round of golf at Burgundy Estate, I read magazines and mum baked little coconut cookies. Delicious!

The golfers in action at Burgundy Estate. Note Dad’s hat on his head in the photo on the left, and you can just see it scurrying away on the wind in the photo on the right. Lol!

We had 2-for-1 Entertainer vouchers to use before the end of 2016 at the Italian Kitchen so we had lunch at the branch in Newlands last Friday. Husband opted for the crumbed chicken salad, dad and I had huge square pizzas while mum and Spec went for spaghetti bolognaise. All delightful.

Dom Pedros, white wine and coffee shakes at the Italian Kitchen.

We’d been planning this photo of ‘Spec in the specs’ that look out at Robben Island from Sea Point for quite some time. Teehee.

Table Mountain looked beautiful from Blouberg side that afternoon.

The beach was full of holidaymakers as it was so hot.

So hot that Husband had a quick dip in the sea on our way home.

Saturday, 31 December 2016: Lacomia breakfast, New Year’s Eve braai

We went to Cafe Lacomia for our last breakfast of the year. I felt for a cafe latte (love pouring the espresso shot into the frothed milk) and couldn’t resist a slice of their soft chocolate cheesecake.

Our friends Chris and Diane had invited us to a New Year’s Eve braai on their farm near Philadelphia. Their brindle boerboel Zeplin has grown a huge amount in his 7 months (click here for a reminder of how tiny he was a few months ago) and the Whites have made constant additions to their little house.

Final sunset of the year, as seen from the farm.

Sunday 1 January 2017: New Year’s Day ’round lunch’ at Mum’s

New Year’s Day! Eating ’round things’ on the first day of the year is said to bring you wealth throughout the year. We had lunch at Mum’s, starting with some dry Prosecco filled with round bubbles, then round tomato-filled salad, paella with round pork bits as well as round fruit on a flan with round balls of ice cream on round plates around a round table. Lots of round.

The doggies had quality time with their grampa that afternoon – Bassie sat on his lap while Bertie was very interested to hear ‘How much is that doggy in the window’, especially when there was barking in the song. Teehee.

Monday, 2 January 2017: Seeing Hout Bay like tourists and Rogue One in 4DX

For our last full day with Spec we started off at Blue Route Mall and breakfasted at Joe’s Diner. Husband had a hot dog, Spec a typical breakfast and me waffles with chocolate syrup. Yes, dessert for breakfast.

We paid a brief visit to Hout Bay to ‘sightsee’ like tourists…

Where we noticed this sunken ship. Not saying the brothers were responsible, but who knows 😉

We’d booked our 4DX tickets for Star Wars: Rogue One back when Spec first arrived in Cape Town and finally went to watch at the Waterfront on Monday afternoon. The moving seats, splashes of water and rushes of air at appropriate times really add a level of fun to the movie.

We held a final braai for Spec on his last evening with us. He’ll be down again soon as Husband’s parents will be moving into their new house in a few months.

Tuesday, 3 January 2017: I Love Melkies breakfast, bunny chow lupper

We decided on a short roadtrip to Melkbos for Spec’s last morning with us. For breakfast we stopped in at I Love Melkies. Close-ups of our food to follow…

That’s my cappuccino top left; then my single waffle with bacon, marscapone and strawberry; and Spec’s rosti topped with bacon and scrambled eggs all on the left, with Husband’s ‘Mexican breakfast’ on the right.

After dropping off Spec at the airport we were intrigued to notice a sign for Glowing Rooms’ ‘3D blacklight mini golf’ so popped in for a look around. Adding it to our to-do list for later in the year!

We decided on a shared chicken bunny chow from Yeh Dosti for our lupper. T’was delicious.

Wednesday, 4 January 2017: Ice-cream iced coffee

Wednesday afternoon was piping hot so I made myself an ice-cream iced coffee. Husband made a chicken curry that eve as seen in my bowl top right, and he lay on the couch with Bertie.

Husband has also been very busy with a vegetable corner of the garden, which I’ll reveal soon. That’s all for now, folks! Hope you’ve enjoyed the first week of 2017.

Eggy Galliova meals, not-so-wild horses and slushy pink drinks

We’re in the final stretch to year end and you can feel it. Summer is here, the heat is on and this week really seemed to fly by! Here are our a few of our favourite things since my last update…

Friday, 21 October 2016: Galliova Food Eggcellence Awards at Youngblood Africa

I fell in love with the decor at the Galliova Awards held at Youngblood Africa in the CBD last Friday. Click here for my overview article on Biz.

Another exceptionally (Make that ‘eggceptionally’) well-decorated corner.

I sat myself at the green table (there was also a red and a yellow option). See the sweet little coloured pencil set at each place?

The cappuccino was delicious, and we got to test our artistic skills by colouring in (all egg-themed, of course, as Galliova means ‘chicken and ‘egg’).

The food was equally delicious. This was the Nicoise salad starter (I avoided the tuna but loved the creamy sauce in the phyllo shell).

The main course was a feast for the eyes and tastebuds. You’re looking at ‘trussed black pepper-crusted fillet’ on potato dauphinoise, along with scorched asparagus, perfectly poached egg and salsa verde. The finishing touch was the smoked truffle salt appealingly served in a cracked eggshell, and that bright Nasturtium making you smile.

The delectable egg custard dessert, accompanied by tart grapefruit segments and tangy sticks of rhubarb. My mouth is watering just remembering it!

Saturday, 22 October 2016: Primi breakfast, horse-y visits and Jamaica Me Crazy lunch

It had been a drizzly start to the morning, so we wanted breakfast with a view on Saturday. Husband went for the ‘crispy bacon and chunky salsa’ breakfast tortillas at Primi on Marine Circle.

I went for a plain croissant (they’re baked fresh on the premises at Primi so you don’t really need any fillings or toppings), and also finally tried the Mocha Forte – it’s an espresso drink with dark chocolate, micro-textured milk and coconut oil, very yummy.

Bellies full, we set off for Sea Point side. See the sky clearing behind Husband.

The birdies were also out and about, admiring the view.

Look at those beautiful colours! The waves were crashing wildly over the rocks so we didn’t venture in.

Instead, we visited the police horses’ corral close to the stadium in Sea Point. You can just see the stadium looming large back left here.

Husband greeted the horsies.

He encouraged me to do so, too. This white horsie looked like a unicorn missing his horn, or a pegasus without wings. And note the shy twin horsie behind – looks like his nose is touching mine.

Next on the agenda was lunch at Jamaica Me Crazy. Here is Husband with his Jack Black draught.

This is not a strawberry daquiri, it’s a ‘volcano’, which is half-daquiri half-pina colada. Unfortunately the slush machine wasn’t ready for me and I was too impatient to wait so instead of the swirled drink I was imagining, (click here for a reminder), it all melted into one. Still tasted amazing, though.

Proof of just how strawberry daquiri-like it looked. Yes, I did wear the drink umbrella in my hair later.

To eat, I went for the nachos with beef.

Husband went for the chicken burger with ‘Ziggy’ sauce – refried beans, peppers and a chilli popper. That’s his hand sneaking a Tempura-style onion ring before I had finished snapping away.

This ‘cat’ always catches me off guard when going up the stairs to sit on the outside deck at Jamaica Me Crazy.

Sunday, 23 October 2016: Ons Huisie breakfast and paddle in the sea

On Sunday we didn’t just want breakfast with a view, we wanted to eat outdoors. Eventually we decided on Ons Huisie, and were lucky to get a table as all the locals woke with the same idea.

Husband made his way through the Farmer’s Choice breakfast, complete with wors and rump steak.

I was happy with the waffle, served with maple syrup and ice cream.

Husband couldn’t resist a brief paddle in the shallow waves.

Much later that afternoon, we had Mum’s peach fridge tart – note the peach-scented candle appropriately setting the scene in the background, which Husband bought for the parents on his solo trip to Joburg in August.

That’s all, folks! Here’s to another happy, sunny weekend for all. 😉

Ninth anniversary celebrations at Homespun and Catharina’s

We were spoilt with two ‘anniversary’ reviews in the past week – on the actual day we dined at Homespun by Matt, and last Saturday we had lunch at Catharina’s at Steenberg Estate. Click here for my official review of Catharina’s on Biz and watch for the review of Homespun, going live early next week.

Since then we’ve both been quite poorly – blame it on the change of season, I guess. Despite this, we still have lots of recent highlights to share via the following images…

Thursday, 25 August 2016: Anniversary dinner at Homespun by Matt

Gorgeous butterflies above the bar were all added by the wait staff, said Matt.

We didn’t plan our matchy matchy blue outfits, we’ve just been together so long that we think alike. Scenes from our private booth at Homespun.

Our starters at Homespun – Husband’s beef tataki on the left, my deep-fried goat’s cheese with balsamic ice cream. Yes, balsamic as in vinegar. It was the most delicious thing.

Husband’s mains – the lamb shank.

My mains – the sticky pork belly.

I had the coconut blossom cheesecake, Husband had the blonde fondant, which oozed the most amazing caramelly liquid.

Homespun drinks – top left shows my ‘Lovespun’ being poured into stemless cocktail glass, was a refreshing strawberry concoction with sprig of rosemary. Husband’s espresso martini on ice is on the top  right with my cappuccino bottom right.

Saturday, 27 August 2016: The tasting menu at Catharina’s

Presenting… Catharina’s, at Steenberg Estate, on the very edge of the Constantia Wine Route.

Very tall oak trees, in which an owl family lives. They often swoop down to participate in Summer breakfasts, we hear.

The delicate papery designs inside Catherina’s tell the story of the restaurant’s namesake, Catherina Ras. Read more about her here in my official review.

My delightful chocolate shake adorned with fresh mint leaf while we perused the menu at Catharina’s.

A selection of Husband’s starters from the eight-course tasting menu. That’s his salmon starter top left, tuna and quail egg bottom left and beetroot with parmesan gnocchi on the right.

Howzat, Obelix?! My plate of wild boar and baby carrots at Catharina’s.

Husband’s almost-too-pretty-to-eat plate of crocodile – his first main course of the lunch. He did eat.

Husband’s second main course of the lunch – grilled zebra with aubergine maize meal and spicy chakalaka.

Husband’s savoury dessert – the Lankbaken sunset or cheese and crackers with goji berry. Mmm.

And then, sweet dessert for all. Top left is ‘the Coffee’, top right is ‘the Chocolate’, and bottom is a selection of the other dessert item friandises.

Magies vol, Husband wanted a quick dip in the ‘warmer ocean’ so we headed out towards Fish Hoek. I was starting to feel a bit chilly and ill by now.

Solitary Husband in the greeny grey sea. T’was a very misty day.

Just look at that bank of misty cloud on our way home.

Sunday, 28 August 2016: Blisters for Bread 5km walk

Faces of sweet little dogs who were not coming all the way to Mouille Point for Sunday morning beach walkies with sick mommy and grumpy-to-be-up-so-early-on-a-Sunday daddy.

Most of the Biz team that took part in Sunday’s Blisters for Bread or ‘Bizters for Bread’, as we called it, charity walk in aid of the Peninsula School Feeding Association. This was pre-walk, outside the Sea Point Stadium.

And we’re off! Taken just before we started the 5km walk, look at all the people behind us. Apparently they cut off at 13,000 participants.

The brightly striped Mouille Point lighthouse was one of the key sights along the way as it was quite the gloomy day.

You can just view the lighthouse behind Husband here.

Me at the lighthouse on our return trip to the Sea Point stadium.

Success! Medals of completion awarded, we trotted back to the car and spent rest of day relaxing and/or recovering.

That’s just the tip of the ice berg, kids. Click here for my much more flowery review of Catharina’s and watch this space for my full review of Homespun by Matt, due to be published on Monday. Until then, have a relaxing weekend!

*Disclaimer: Obviously our meals at Catharina’s and Homespun by Matt were part of our review package. All else came from our own pockets. All enjoyed equally.