Shelley’s Gourmet Cafe, Kloof Street, Cape Town

October 12, 2011 · Filed under Cape Town City Centre · Tagged , , ,

Breakfast delights up Kloof Street – Shelley’s Gourmet Cafe

I have been making my way up and down Kloof Street as there are so many lovely little restaurants as you head up towards the mountain from the city centre. Shelley’s Gourmet Cafe also seems to have been around for quite a while .. so along with two girlfriends, I popped in for a bite to eat.

It has a lovely front outside stoep area, set back far enough from the road so as not to be disturbed by the traffic and passers-by. Inside are separate rooms (obviously once a residential property), which helps to break the hustle and bustle of the cafe.

The decor keeps your eye wandering and gazing at the different techniques and textures used. I think they have recently updated the decor to a more Christmassy theme … but definitely not over the top!

The breakfast menu is relatively small with the following on offer:

  • Espresso french toast with fresh bananas, greek yoghurt and maple syrup @ R44
  • Croissant with scrambled egg @ R35 with a choice of: Mushrooms @ R38, Bacon @ R42 or Smoked Salmon @ R48
  • Buttermilk pancakes with fresh mixed berries, creamy yoghurt and maple syprup @ R47
  • Nutty granola with yoghurt and fresh seasonal fruit @ R42

Be sure to ask for specials of the day as we missed out on ordering the traditional breakfast which also looked really good.

Buttermilk pancakes

I tucked into the french toast which was a lovely portion of delicious sweet indulgence. One friend ordered the buttermilk pancakes which were also delightful. I couldn’t understand why a salad was served with the croissant with scrambled eggs.

Cappuccinos were served a little bit hot for my liking and they unfortunately don’t offer soya or non-dairy options at this stage. In fact, the owner looked quite taken aback when I asked about a non-dairy option.

The food was good, but for breakfast, the menu is a bit small. They have lovely cakes on offer and the lunch and dinner options look delicious (they are licensed) and I think I will try Shelley’s Gourmet Cafe again, but for a meal later in the day.

Contact details:
Shelley’s Gourmet Cafe
90 Kloof Street
Tamboerskloof / Gardens
Cape Town
Tel: 021 424 2740

Opening times:
Mon – Wed: 08h00 to 16h00
Thur – Fri: 08h00 to 22h00
Sat: 08h00 to 18h00
Sun: 08h00 to 15h00

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Lazari, Cape Quarter, Cape Town

September 19, 2011 · Filed under Cape Town City Centre · Tagged , , , ,

Breakfast at De Waterkant: Lazari, Cape Quarter

A cold, wet Sunday morning and I was totally up for a great breakfast! We had to keep in mind friends who had a large pram with them, so I scouted out 2 options in De Waterkant area and Lazari in The Cape Quarter had lots of floor space (without feeling like an island).

Cappuccinos, Cafe Latte and a Chai Tea Latte were ordered and without even asking, the waiter brought a large carafe of water with fresh mint and 4 glasses. Already I was impressed with the service and attention to detail!

The floor space of the restaurant is quite large and spacious with just enough tables and chairs to feel comfortable with the openness as well as not overcrowded. We found a corner table in a nook of the restaurant with a booth and did not even notice the rest of the restaurant around us. As part of the feature of the restaurant is the very open kitchen area. I love seeing things being prepared.

I was hesitant to order the eggs benedict as a previous experience at Lazari’s in Gardens was not that great. But, another member of the table ordered it with salmon @R52 and I was very impressed. It looked (and apparently tasted) delicious with a lovely ciabatta bread underneath, layers of salmon topped with poached eggs and just enough hollandaise sauce.

Others opted for fresh croissants with scrambled eggs @R35 and with bacon @R46 and the portion sizes were very generous. The scrambled eggs had been “looked after well” during their cooking process and were light and fluffy.

I chose a 3 egg omelette and from the list of goodies to fill it with, selected mozarella cheese (extra R12) and rocket (extra R10), and served with choice of rye, ciabatta or health bread. It was lovely! and kept me full til late in the afternoon!

Other breakfast items:

  • Health Breakfast with fresh fruit, low-fat bulgarian yoghurt, honey, muesli & nuts @ R48
  • Early Breakfast with eggs to your liking, bacon, tomato & crostini @ R39
  • Croissant French Toast with either berry compote & mascarpone OR bacon & maple syprup @ R45
  • Bircher’s Muesli @ R42
  • Croissants starting at R32 (cheese & preserves) through to R46 (ham, rocket, cheese & tomato)
  • 3-Egg Omelette (which can be ordered white) @ R28 which you then select from a variety of ingredients to fill as you wish
  • Eggs Benedict with salmon trout @R56, or ham/bacon @ R50 or spinach @ R40

Wonderful service, great food, comfortable chairs and fabulous company made for an awesome morning even with the Cape Town rain beating itself against the windows outside.

Contact details:
Lazari Cape Quarter
Cnr Napier & Jarvis Street
Cape Quarter
De Waterkant, Green Point
Cape Town
Tel: 021 419 9555
Email: lazari@lazari.co.za
Web: www.lazari.co.za

Opening times:
Mon – Tue: 07h30 to 17h00
Wed – Sun: 08h00 to 22h00

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Manna Epicure, Kloof Street, Cape Town

September 13, 2011 · Filed under Cape Town City Centre · Tagged , , ,

Manna Epicure: Breakfast in the City Suburbs

I have often driven passed Manna on a weekend morning and marveled at how packed the restaurant was. From the outside world, even with the buzz of people, Manna Epicure has a wonderful light, calming, sophisticated air to it and I aspired to one day going there. I finally decided on a quiet Sunday morning (when everyone else was watching the rugby) to indulge in their delights while accompanied by my Kindle.

I walked up Kloof Street and sat at one of the long benches facing the street, taking in the glorious end of winter blue skies. Ordered my cappuccino and a grabbed a glass of water from one of the jugs available (either orange or strawberry fresh fruit infused) and took in the menu.

A wonderfully generous fine bone china cup arrived housing a gorgeous creamy, frothy cappuccino. This made for such a nice change from the usual heavy, thick rimmed cups normally served.

It was a tough decision on the menu, and I finally opted for a wonderful dish of poached eggs (perfectly done), smoked salmon (and what a generous portion!), avocado and toasted coconut bread @ R85. The coconut bread was described to me as similar to banana bread – and it was, but it had this fabulous freshness of coconut permeating it. The bread is available to take home at R10 per slice or R150 per loaf.

am & brunch menu:

  • toasted croissants / fresh manna bread with butter and fruit preserve @ R35
  • toasted muesli & nuts served with seasonal fruits, natural yoghurt / soya milk @ R60

free range eggs menu:

  • scrambled / poached on manna rye toast @ R45
  • croissant & scrambled eggs @ R45
  • manna eggs benedict on toasted croissant, parmesan, chive hollandaise & bacon @ R65
  • french toast crouissant, cripsy streaky bacon & brie @ R65
  • boiled eggs & soldiers @ R45
  • croissant, scrambled eggs, cripsy bacon, mature cheddar @ R65

Extras are available should one wish to spice up a breakfast plate further.

The food was fabulous, the staff were very friendly and I am certainly going to be back to try some of their other dishes. I might not benefit from another calm, city cafe vibe at Manna again, but I am sure even a busy restaurant will make for another wonderful experience.

Contact details:
Manna Epicure
151 Kloof Street
Tamboerskloof
Cape Town
Tel: 021 426 2413
Email: info@mannaepicure.com
Web: www.mannaepicure.com

Opening times:
Tue – Sat: 09h00 to 18h00
Sun: 09h00 t0 15h00

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Starlings Restaurant, Belvedere Road, Claremont

July 9, 2011 · Filed under Southern Suburbs · Tagged , , ,

Breakfast and delicious coffee at Starlings in the Southern Suburbs

Saturday morning and a definitely booked table for 3 at Starlings in Belvedere Road. Heard some really great things about the place and finally made it through to try it out.

We were grateful that we did book as the place was bustling. Space was limited due to the bad weather and the beautiful outside area unable to be used for guests.

The restaurant is fantastically decorated in a restored Victorian cottage and the glass windows leading to the garden allows the outside to come in and the inside to go out. Looks like a great venue to visit with children in the summertime or on a good weather day.

An order for their fabulous cappuccinos was put in – Origin Coffee! They even stock soya milk, so one could opt for a non-dairy cappuccino, which I tried out and it was great.

The Saturday menu selection is small (to cope with the number of patrons) and offers standard breakfast fair.

Starlings Breakfast Menu:

  • Honey toasted muesli with yoghurt and seasonal fruits @ R45
  • Birchers Muesli @ R45
  • Scrambled eggs on toast @ R25
  • Morning scramble with bacon, tomato, mushrooms and toast @ R50
  • Scrambled eggs and salmon trout @ R65
  • Brioche French Toast served either with bacon or berries @ R40. Half portion @ R34
  • Avo, tomato toast @ R34 (add pesto R8)
  • Croissants @ R12 with a variety of choice fillings from jam / honey / marmalade @ R5 through to bacon & brie @ R40, salmon trout @ R33, scrambled eggs & bacon @ R33

What we chose for breakfast:
Their seemed to be an extra on the menu of oats served with honey, pumpkin seeds and bananas which my friend enjoyed thoroughly. It looked delicious and warming on such a cold, autumn day.

The scrambled egg and bacon on croissant looked like a wonderful breakfast plate with perfectly cooked scrambled eggs. However, I was a bit disappointed in the Brioche French Toast and would not necessarily order it again.

All in all a wonderful morning at Starlings Coffee Shopvwith fantastic service, great coffee and conversation with friends. Can’t wait for a gorgeous, sunny day to visit and sit in the garden and enjoy all over again.

Contact details:
Starlings Coffee Shop
94 Belvedere Road
Claremont
Cape Town
Tel: 021 671 6875

Opening times:
Mon – Sat: 7h30 to 17h00
Closed on a Sunday

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Azure Restaurant, 12 Apostles Hotel, Camps Bay

July 9, 2011 · Filed under Cape Town Coastal · Tagged , , ,

Buffet Breakfast at Azure Restaurant, Twelve Apostles Hotel & Spa

The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa has been one of my favourite Cape Town venues for quite a few years. I have been looking for a fabulous excuse on a special occassion to go there once again, but this time for their amazing buffet breakfast.

Breakfast is served at the Azure Restaurant til 10:30am every morning and at R155 per person the selection of delights is truly worth it. The service is always excellent and the quality of the fabulous array of dishes make use of fresh ingredients, with warm breakfast dishes made to order.

We started our buffet feast with a glass of sparkling wine and oysters. Not something I would have ever considered for breakfast, but one which was just a decadent beginning to a scrumptious meal.

With an order of tea in the brewing, we selected a variety of fresh fruits from the fruit buffet and followed it a few minutes later with my favourite part of a breakfast buffet – the cold meats and cheeses with fresh, “home-baked” breads. I waited a while and had to go back for seconds of the smoked salmon-trout and delicious seed loaf with cream cheese!

The Twelve Apostles Hotel warm breakfast menu consists of:

  • 12A Breakfast – traditional selection of eggs of choice, bacon, pork sausage, been sausage, saute mushrooms, grilled tomatoes and sauteed potatoes
  • Azure Waffle – fresh home-made waffle topped with glazed apple and banana, served with warm maple syrup, vanilla creme fraiche and fresh mint
  • Eggs Benedict – poached eggs on toasted English muffin with crispy smoked bacon and topped with hollandaise sauce
  • Breakfast Omelette – filled with your choice from variety of fantastic ingredients
  • Hot Porridge of the Day – served with butter, golden syrup and fresh cream

My Mom and I decided to share the eggs benedict seeing as it came with 2 eggs on 1/2 an English muffin each. It was just perfect as it was quite rich and delicious.

We left almost 2 hours after our arrival feeling delightfully full and happy to take a nice long, scenic drive back to the city bowl.

Contact details:
Azure Restaurant
12 Apostles Hotel and Spa
Victoria Road
Camps Bay
Cape Town
Tel: 021 437 9000
Web: www.12apostleshotel.com/

Opening times:
Mon – Sun: 8h30 to late

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