Coffee in Cape Town..welcome to THoM ...

Townspeople of the Mother City, here's another amazing place for you to score your caffeine fix: The House of Machines (THoM) founded at 84 Shortmarket Street for your pleasure. The coffee brand is Evil Twin, no reference to Paul van der Spuy intended. The barista is Xolile Malinda & working the bar area is Brian. The manager is Jonny Downtown.

Taken from www.eviltwincoffee.com: This is a story of two identical brothers, one a god of the sky, the other of the earth. They share a common passion, the soulful nectar extracted from a mythical bean found only in one place in the universe. Although born from the gods, one of their hearts was not pure. We wish this was our story, mythical, strange, compelling and startlingly beautiful in its ending, but this is a fairytale for other coffee brands. Evil Twin was born much simpler. A group of guys, the borough of Brooklyn, the naughtier of a set of twins, and a desire to pedal authentic, honest coffee grinds that embrace a time that we have since forgotten.A time when a smooth cup of coffee began our day, bringing us together to regale our stories, offering nothing more than comfort.

 

Brian (left) & Xolile (call him X)...

 

Above, meet Jonny Downtown...

Step inside already....you're very welcome...

 

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Tapas in Kalk Bay...

Yesterday was a perfect day in Cape Town & Kalk Bay called my name. What better place to have lunch, with a view overlooking the sea & the small Harbour, than at La Parada, the authentic Spanish tapas bar on the Main Road (next to Olympia Cafe). It was a first time visit for my brother Geoff Foat, a South African-American physio based in Sea Point (Point Physio). He was very impressed with his lamb main course, brava potatoes &, to finish it all off, Spanish chef Eva's fabulous rice pudding. The glass of Paradyskloof wine slipped down nicely as well. Another hot favourite was the smashed eggs & ham & oozy prawn croquettes. La Parada is one of the newest additions to the Harbour House Group and a new, bigger venue is due to open on Bree Street in September. Call 788 3992 for more information and to view the winter specials at the groups various other restaurants, visit www.harbourhouse.co.za.

The juicy lamb main course...

Smashed eggs & ham, a very late breakfast with personality...

Spot the prawn croquette balls far right...

Rice pud, amaze...

Take a stroll on the jetty & walk off that good food...

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Montagu, a small town with big heart...

Route 62 is one of the most stunning drives in the Western Cape, probably in the whole of South Africa actually, & one of my favorites. It leads to some of the most picturesque towns & villages in the province, like Montagu, a 2 hour journey from Cape Town & also known as the gateway to the Klein Karoo. I was there to co-adjudicate the dance section of the annual youth arts festival with Miz Fiona du Plooy.
The dramatic entrance to the town is via that famous 'gat innie berg' or hole in the mountain that was blasted into existence in 1899 by one Thomas Bain, to clear a passage through the rock face. Surrounded by the impressive low lying Langeberg mountains that are currently blanketed in snow, Montagu is overflowing with amazingness. Stroll down Long Street where there are no fewer than 14 national monuments; take beautiful walks, go quad- biking, or enjoy wonderful restaurants like Ye Olde Tavern, the Burgundy Gherkin, the Rambling Rose & Die Boord. Browse in fabulous gift shops like those at Church Corner (I picked up exquisite crystal wine glasses at the antique store & a wool coat at the Diva Dressing Room second hand outlet), or forget all that retail therapy & head for the soothing hot mineral springs to de-stress.
There are more than 50 wine cellars in the Montagu area - they say 62 has the longest wine route on the Planet. Montagu- produced 'takeaways', other than the nectar of the gods, include olives & olive oil, dried fruit & nuts, honey, home made rusks, rose geranium products & preserves.
Other than its scenic beauty & must-have wares, what impressed me was the friendliness, hospitality & amazing service I experienced (almost) everywhere I went, be it the Montagu Country Hotel, the local Shoprite, or waiters at the restaurants I mentioned earlier. Take, for example, my experience at Niël se Huiswinkel...walking past I spied a table in the winter sun & thinking I could, I asked for tea. Proprietor Niël Ackermann didn't bat an eyelid, but warmly obliged & as it turned out his store is a DIY enterprise, not a coffee shop, not even close; Niël was just being friendly, in the Montagu way...too fabulous & another reason I love the town.

On my way...flaming red disa flowers line the way on sections of Route 62...

The famous hole in the Kogelberg...blasted by Thoams Bain in 1899..

One of many national monuments on Long Street...

The NG Kerk...

Meet Niël Ackermann...the friendly man with the coffee shop that isn't ...

Die Boord...the outdoor area with a gorgeous view...try their bobotie...

Piet Antonie, seen on Long Street with his home made musical bicycle, a real gem..

For more about Montagu, www.montagu.org.za *

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Refresh with this...

It's called Mike's Jug & its exclusive to the Harbour House restaurants. A delicious blend of lemon juice, Appletiser, mint & soda...perfect for a slouch on the couch on the upper deck of the HH Waterfront venue on one of these stunning summer days we are having, mid Winter. Ah Cape Town...4 seasons in 1... how we love thee. www.harbourhouse.co.za

 

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