Archive for Cape Town City Centre

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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San Marco’s, V & A Waterfront, Cape Town

January 28, 2011 · Filed under Cape Town City Centre · Tagged , , , , ,

Quiet morning breakfast in the V & A Waterfront, Cape Town

I have fallen in love with the Waterfront on Sunday mornings. Before 10am, there is loads of parking, no hussle and bussle of people and a quietness where one can actually hear the sea gulls and the movement of the harbour.

San Marco's Breakfast Wrap

The folks were in town, and I thought the Waterfront a great place to start a day of getting a few things done in one place. Of course, first off is a good breakfast!

As far as I am aware, they are one of the earliest opening places in the Waterfront, so if you want to beat the crowds, but fuel up beforehand – 8am and you have a table and an order in for breakfast.

Their outside area is great when the weather is on your side, with lots of umbrella coverage. Only downside is that it is a smoking area as well …

Apart from the usual muffins, health breakfast and croissant options, there are a a few interesting aspects to the menu:

  • picollo @ R35 – egg, bacon, tomato and parmesan with beans and toast
  • classico @ R69 – same as above with sausage and mushrooms added
  • grande @ R89 – same as classico, but with 125g of fillet and 150g beef patty!
  • italiano @ R79 – procuitto di parma, scrambled egg, basil mozzarella and cheese on grilled tomato


    • I indulged in a breakfast wrap, which was yummy, but quite rich – scrambled eggs, avo (paste), mushrooms, bacon, tomato and rocket. The mushrooms added that extra richness, but the rocket seemed to balance it all out. (@R65).

    Their cappuccinos are fantastic [albeit small] and at a whopper of R19 each! But I delighted in drinking 2!

    All in all a great experience, with average speed service (often looked around and no waiter available, or their eyes did not glance past me), but good, honest food and a lovely outdoors environment.

    Contact details:
    San Marco’s
    128 Lower Level
    Victoria Wharf
    V & A Waterfront
    Tel: 021 418 5434
    Email: sanmarco@telkomsa.net
    Web: none

    Opening times:
    Mon – Sun: 08h00 to 23h00

    Extra Details:
    Cuisine: Italian, Bistro
    Seating: Outside and Inside
    Dress code: Casual
    Ambiance: Relaxed
    Children friendly: Yes, but no high chair facility

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    Old Biscuit Mill, Woodstock

    December 8, 2010 · Filed under Cape Town City Centre, Southern Suburbs · Tagged , , , ,

    Breakfast in a Cape Town market: Old Biscuit Mill, Woodstock

    I love markets and I love food … the two are a match made in heaven!

    Friends of mine were shocked to hear recently that I had not been to the Old Biscuit Mill Saturday market in Woodstock / Salt River in Cape Town. So, an outing with 2 girl friends was planned … and after 3 hours of the place, I can definitely say, I will be going back for more!

    Our journey in the Old Biscuit Mill market started at 9:30am – perfect to stop for a gorgeous breakfast! We wandered around the food hall section which was completely BUZZING with people. I had to fight to get a glimpse of all the delicious goodies on display! And my oh my, what an awesome selection of goodies! And the wonderful wafting of fresh Origin coffee floating through the humming crowd was awesome!

    Choices, choices …
    Stands filled with tartlets, quiches, cakes, cupcakes, pancakes, cheeses, crispy breads, home-made pies, large muffins, wine tastings, yummy smoothies, home cured olives, farm produce, fresh veggies, mushrooms to die for and dips and … and … and … and the list could go on and on! The mix of choice was overwhelming and delightful!

    Eventually, I settled on a gourmet sandwhich from a stand right in the middle of it all. R45 got me a selection of goodies on a roll of my choice with 2 different types of pestos, salad and then I added avocado, gorgeous danish feta and aubergine! What a breakfast! They of course had various lovely meat options on display (pork sausages, smoked ham, chicken to name a few), but was feeling particularly veggie this morning.

    I tucked in and enjoyed every last bite! Perfect way to start my intense shopping day! I highly recommend!

    Contact details:
    373 – 375 Albert Road
    Salt River
    7915
    Tel: +27 21 448 1438 (Tue to Fri only)
    Email: info@neighbourgoodsmarket.co.za
    Web: http://www.neighbourgoodsmarket.co.za

    Market opening times:
    Sat: 09h00 – 14h000

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