&Union

Details: 110 Bree Street.

Contact: 021 422 2770 / website

Opening Times: Monday – Thursday: 7am-11pm / Friday & Saturday: 7am-12am

Price Range: R35-R90

It’s Thursday afternoon and I’m jonesing for a cold one. This week has been ‘one of those’ and I’m all about escapism. That and I could do with a snack. I call up a couple of people and we all decide to meet at 2 o clock. We get there and the place is packed, seems like the whole of Ogilvy also needed a bit of an escape. We decide on the Bucket of Love, three beers for R100. This is great, usually it is R40 per bottle. You can get a mix, say Steph Weiss, delicious wheat beer, Unfiltered lager, and Dark lager, great tones of caramel and coffee. We get Berne, amber lager. I love this stuff. After about three buckets and with my stomach aching from laughter I am ready to eat. I get a charcuterie board (R65) perfectly cut slithers of bresoala-, coppa- and prosciutto ham. This is served with home-made crisps and a delicately dressed baby salad accompanied by fresh ciabatta. The menu caters for all offering vegetarian options and smaller dishes for the not so hungry. ‘E’ gets a perfectly cooked pork prego with real bacon served on ciabatta with home made crisps and baby salad (R65), the prego is great and the portion is generous. ‘H’ gets a Hot-Diggedy-Dog (R40) German kaesegriller on soft roll served with ketchup, mustard and pickles on the side. Hot damn that dog is banging! We get another bucket and salute the sky. Thank you &Union as you, I also love real beer.

Suggested Dish: Workers Special – R95 for any meal plus an &Union beer.

Special Nights: Real Music Wednesday by Puma

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Rating: 7.8/10 (23 votes cast)

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Categories: breakfast, dinner, drinks, lunch.

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El Burro

Details: 81 Main Road, Green Point.

Contact: 021-4332364

Opening Times: Mon-Sat: 12:00 – 23:30

Price Range: R36-R100

So we decided to have a little mid week lunch party. After careful consideration and scrutinising it seems we are all in the mood for mexican. El Burro it is. We get a great table in the sun on the smoke friendly balcony, the atmosphere is relaxed and I feel a cocktail is in order. Margaritas all around (R35 each). The drinks are on the table before the conversation reaches its point. To our delight we realise there is a lunch special (Mon-Fri: 12-5pm). Half price gourmet mexican? Hells yeah! We get the line fish and short rib build you own tacos, usually R72 but the special price is R36. Awesome. When ordering your tacos you have a choice between flour or corn. We get both. Before the food is set on the table we are greeted by an array of condiments: guacamole, roasted tomato relish, fresh salsa, chopped chillies, sour cream and pickled red onion. And yes it is as delicious as it sounds. When the food is set I almost feel like I’m being transported back to kindergarten, everybody working with their hands constructing the perfect little morsel. At El Burro you get the real deal, authentic mexican not cheese ridden tex mex that we are all used to. To finish off a great meal a Paloma (grapefruit cocktail R35) and great conversation. El Burro makes you feel at home, the music is great and our waitress was friendly. Lunch is great and if you are in the mood for a great dinner party, do El Burro. Good food and copious amounts of tequila to fuel the fire. Hepa!!

Suggested Dish: Half price tacos lunch special (Mon-Fri: 12-5pm).

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Rating: 8.4/10 (18 votes cast)

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Categories: dinner, drinks, lunch.

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HAAS

Detail: 67 Rose Street, Bo-Kaap.

Contact: website

Opening Times: Mon-Fri: 7am-5pm. Sat-Sun: 7am-3pm

Off to breakfast. It is still way to early for my sleep loving self and I’ve not yet awoken my personality due to the fact that I am deprived of caffeine. Right. Lets do this. I promptly decide on breakfast, homemade muesli with fruit and yoghurt (R28). I am always a bit reluctant ordering muesli, but this was truly great. To accompany breakfast, whats better than coffee? And Haas does have a great selection of rare roasts. With my tendency to enjoy ‘gimmicky’ things I settle for a cup of Kopi Luwak (R80). You know, the coffee thats taken the world by storm being consumed by connoisseurs and hipsters alike. This is the process: the coffee berries are eaten by a cat like critter, digested and then secreted. Raw beans are scavenged by farmers and roasted to produce the worlds most expensive brew. It is good coffee, earthy and full bodied, but I just couldn’t shake the feeling of ridiculousness. The shop itself has a beautiful selection of art and curiosities. Do yourself a favour, have a cup of Kopi Luwak. The feeling of guilt is there, but needless to say, I got my personality back.

Suggested Coffee: ‘Kopi luwak’ the world’s most expensive cup of coffee.

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Rating: 6.6/10 (8 votes cast)

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Categories: breakfast, drinks, lunch.

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Hello Sailor

Details: 86 Lower Main, Observatory.

Contact: website

Opening Times: Mon-Fri: 8:30-23:00, Sat-Sun: 9 – 23:00

Price Range: R28-R75

After a long day and strenuous yoga session I am totally ravenous. Off to Hello Sailor. After an irritating long time we finally get parking, this is one of the reasons I avoid Observatory. I don’t have much expectations about Hello Sailor as I’m not a victim to hype. We get a great table and the place is packed. After ordering house wine that to my surprise was a lovely fruity albeit dry blend I order and pop out for a cigarette. After a long wait we finally get our starter. Disco Fries (R18) this stuff is amazing even though I can almost hear my heart screaming at me. Skinny fries topped with mushrooms and feta with a generous amount of mozzarella then baked in the oven. It’s good! As my main I get baked eggplant parmesan with lemony greens (R60), a homely and delicious tomato heaven. ‘Z’ gets Rack of loin ribs, perfectly cooked with dressed green and fries (R75). Whilst being tickled by the food my feet are happily tapping along to the rockabilly soundtrack. The walls are decorated with navy paraphernalia and contemporary art including a Hello Sailor themed Conrad Botes. The food at Hello Sailor is great although I feel they need to up the presentation. To finish off a great meal Malva Pudding with crème anglaise (R30). As it is set on the table I am, yet again, let down by the presentation. To my delight the malva is light and fluffy with a surprising crispy top. Off to bed after eating at a place that feels like a ship that’s somehow found itself beached in Observatory.

Suggested Dish: Rack Of Loin Ribs.

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Rating: 7.9/10 (21 votes cast)

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Categories: dinner, drinks, lunch.

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Cafe Mozart

Details: 37 Church Street, Cape Town.

Contact: +27214243774/website

Opening Times: Mon-Fri, 07:00-15:00, Sat, 08:00-13:00; Sun closed

Price Range: +-R70

So I woke up this morning, well actually afternoon, with a pounding headache. Thank you Black Ram. I’m ravenous. Watch out kitty cat! I call up my friend, who as I, is a bit heavy headed. After reminiscing on the night’s silliness we decide on Mozart. We get there at around two o clock. After we quench our thirst on Rock Shandies we are ready to order. She has a Roast Chicken Mayo with Cranberry and fries on the side, which ended up costing R20 extra, totally overpriced. The sandwich however is great, served on ‘Paradise Loaf’ and indeed it is a little taste of Paradise. Every time I’ve been to Mozart I have felt that there is something lacking with their mains. I order Bobotie billed as a Malay classic, this however, was not. The ratio of Bobotie to rice was dismal and what is supposed to be a juicy fragrant dish ended up tasting like nothing and left me with an even drier mouth. Famished I finished my food, but left feeling empty. I love the atmosphere at Mozart, but I seriously think their chef needs to shape up. I want to feel euphoric after a meal, not the need to go brush my teeth.

Suggested Dish: Chicken and Field Mushroom Pie with French Fries.

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Rating: 4.8/10 (8 votes cast)

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Categories: breakfast, lunch.

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The Power & The Glory/Black Ram

Details: Kloof Nek Road

Contact: 021 422 2108

Opening Times: Food: 8am – 10pm. Bar: 5pm till Late

Price Range: R28-R50

This is probably the most beautiful day I’ve seen in a while, being a bit of a winter body myself I’m usually totally content with rain and actual clothing. I’m loving the winter sun and I think this is a great day for a bit of an afternoon drink. P&G it is. We get a great table right by the window, thank god for the leniency towards smokers. I get a Darling Slow Brew half pint (R19). After a bit of a chat and a chain-smoke and being entertained by our lovely waiter I think it’s time to order food. ‘N’ gets a roast sirloin on sourdough served with horseradish crème fraiche (R48). Yes, it is as good as it sounds. I get a danish hotdog served on salted pretzel with gherkins and condiments (R30). After a not so long wait our food arrives, the bread is fresh and the meat is perfectly cooked. Another beer please! The music is delightful as the natural light streams in through the big windows. I’m content. To my surprise 2 more of my friends show up, seems like we had the same idea. This is what I love about P&G, the crowd is always great and you are more than likely to bump into someone you know. At 5pm BLACK RAM opens to all night owls delight. The atmosphere is great and even though the drinks are a little bit more expensive than usual I will happily fork out an extra buck for great music and surroundings. P&G and black ram is warm and inviting and some how seems to attract very good looking customers.

Suggested Dish: Danish Hotdog.

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Rating: 7.6/10 (16 votes cast)

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Categories: breakfast, dinner, drinks, lunch.

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Sidewalk Cafe

Details: 33 Derry Street, Vredehoek.

Contact: 0861623263/website

Opening Times: Mon-Sat: 8am-10pm. Sun: 9am-2pm

Price Range: R40-R130

My friend is leaving for Europe and Im sick, but screw it. I wont let this beautiful day go to waste. After laughing my ass off at Nazareth House, think ridiculous outfit montage a la Clueless, I’m ravenous and ready for a late afternoon drink. We head to Sidewalk. To get us started, a jug of Pimms (R70). The menu is is ok, but what grabs my attention is Red Curry (R60). I add chicken for an extra R20. She has a Caesar Salad (R55). The portions are perfect and the food is tasty and very affordable. The winter sun is lovely and from the inside I’m warmed by the homely curry. Also I’m loving our giggly jug of Pimms. Bliss. We light up our cigarettes and plan future lunches. Au revoir belle. Jug of Pimms when you get back.

Suggested Dish: Classic Fish and Chips.

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Rating: 6.6/10 (16 votes cast)

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Categories: breakfast, dinner, lunch.

Tags: Sidewalk Cafe

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Superette

Deatails: 218 Albert road, Woodstock

Contact: 021 802 5525/website

Opening Times: Open Monday to Friday from 9am till 4pm and Saturday from 9am till 2pm (Closed Public Holidays)

Price Range: R30-R60

I had a couple of errands to run in Woodstock, famished I decided to grab a bite at Superette. The place is filled with Woodstock locals, artists, writers, photographers. Great crowd. The music is perfect, adding to an already flawless relaxed atmosphere. I’m settled. After quenching my thirst with a delicious home made lemonade (R15) complete with pomegranate seeds and fresh mint I scan the menu. All the sandwiches sound great. I go for Roast Chicken & Bacon on sourdough (R50) and a Winter Salad plate (R60). To round this off &Union Berne. The food at Superette is always great, tasty and homely. Another thing I would like to add is the attention to detail, on the walls hang carefully selected works from What If The World Gallery, which is conveniently right next door if you need an after lunch/breakfast activity. I also love the plant holders on the wall by dokter & misses and the minimal furniture by Xandre Kriel add a beautiful and clean touch. In short, I love Superette.

Suggested Dish: Chicken Sandwich.

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Rating: 7.5/10 (15 votes cast)

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Categories: breakfast, drinks, lunch.

Tags: &Union, Liam Mooney, Superette, What If The World, Xandre Kriel

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YoursTruly

Details: 175 Long street.

Contact: 021 422 3788/website

Opening Times: 6am-4pm, Mon-Fri. 9am-2pm Sat.

Monday again, I hate Mondays. This past weekend was a tad too debaucherous for my out of practice self and I’m not entirely sure its a good idea for me to be out of bed today. Morbid feelings aside I decide to head to YoursTruly for my morning fix. I really love their coffee. I have a perfectly balanced latte (R17) the roast they serve is Deluxe’s house blend, hence the deliciousness factor. For the first time in a while I’m craving breakfast, usually coffee does the trick, but today I’m hungry! I get a brie, salami and avocado on ciabatta (R36). To my delight the sandwich is served beautifully on a minimal wooden board. YoursTruly has such a positive atmosphere, the barista’s are super friendly and I especially love the fact that owner, Daniel Holland, is an ever present fixture. They constantly have artists and illustrators exhibiting on their walls. What’s better than being warmed by a great coffee and being tickled by interesting art? Thank you mister Holland, my dreary Monday now seems to be a lot more optimistic.

Suggested Dish: Any sandwich will satisfy.

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Rating: 7.4/10 (14 votes cast)

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Categories: breakfast, drinks, lunch.

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Woodlands Eatery

Details: 2 Deerpark Drive, Vredehoek.

Contact: 021-8015799/ website

Opening Times: Tue-Thu 9am-10pm. Fri-Sun. 9am-10pm.

Price Range: +-R70

It’s Saturday, round 1-o-clock and all the nocturnal critters awake from their burrows to go out hunting. It’s freezing outside so I look like a bear, fur hat and all. I’m ready. Woodlands is nestled safely in Vredehoek with Deerpark as its beautiful backyard. The mountain view is entrancing. I’m being warmed by heaters and blankets as I study the menu.

The thing I love about Woodlands is the ever changing menu, every time you go it’s a culinary adventure. Seeing that its about 10 degrees outside I am in the mood for comfort food. Beer battered fish, seafood pasta, wonderfully tempting steak. Mmmmmm. Decisions, decisions. I turn the page and to my delight pizzas to satisfy everyone’s taste buds. I decide on splitting a pizza with my dearest, more space for dessert. Artichoke, goats cheese and cherry tomatoes, that’ll do. I substitute the mushrooms for avocado. (R58) a great thing about woodlands is the fact that they offer wheat-, gluten- and lactose free bases (R15) extra. Nothing goes better with pizza than beer, so I get a &Union Berne (R35). The pizza is amazing and the wheat free base is light and delicious. Time for dessert. Again it is time to share, we get poached guavas with crème anglaise (R35) and the fluffiest, most delectable chocolate fondant (R38). The fondant takes about 15 minutes, but it is totally worth the wait. As I sink my teeth into the indulgent dessert my ears are being tickled by classic blues.

Lazy Saturday perfection. I am totally content and all I want to do is curl up in my nest. Thank you Woodlands for subduing this beasts unruly appetite.

Suggested Dish: Lamb Pizza.

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Rating: 7.5/10 (23 votes cast)

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Categories: dinner, lunch.

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