Brunch not lunch...the best way to ease into a weekend...

If you're up for a new spot to have brunch, look no further than Mondiall Kitchen and Bar in the V&A Waterfront, a perfectly positioned restaurant that was once the Green Dolphin though thankfully looks nothing like it any longer. A joint venture between Patrick Symington, formerly of Cafe Dharma and Asoka, and Relais and Chateaux Grand Chef Peter Templehoff, Mondiall has been gorgeously transformed into an elegant, airy space - upmarket without being stuffy (we all hate over-posh) - and kudos go to architect Ali Kemali and interior designer Simon Fraser for the makeover. I love some of the quirky decor elements ~ the eclectic tentacle crystal chandelier and Argentinian shutter doors in the private dining area on the mezzanine floor, and the sensual sculptures dotted about the venue are  fabulous additions to the stylish look and feel.
But enough of the waxing lyrical about matters interior and moving on to the brunch, which is, as Wikipedia puts it, 'a combination of breakfast and lunch eaten usually during the late morning but it can extend to as late as 3PM on Sundays. The word is a portmanteau of breakfast and lunch and the practice originated in England in the late 1800s'. Well bravo Britain because brunching is now my new best thing to do over a weekend and Mondiall is the place I plan to do the indulging. 
Yesterday I had the opportunity to partake in their new autumn weekend brunch menu, that - and I quote from the press release here - 'features a selection of classic and unpretentious dishes, ranging from breakfast smoothies and freshly squeezed fruit and vegetable juices, to traditional egg-centred breakfasts and decadent pastries accompanied by speciality coffees, a glass of bubbly, or hand-crafted iced teas'.  Voila, there you have it in a nutshell. Head Chef Oliver Cattermole, take a bow. 
Take a visual wander with me...

The entrance which is opposite the Hildebrand of olde.... (By the way, all the captions are above the images)

As you enter...

The view from inside across the harbour towards Table Mountain is breathtaking...do I not live in the most beautiful of cities?

Bubbly always offers the warmest of welcomes...

A mouth watering pastry selection...

I had about 3 of these iced teas, obvs because they were completely more'ish and I was lacking in self control. Made fresh sur place with rooibos, ginger, honey and mint...so refreshing....

The egg white omelette with goats cheese, capers (those lovely grande ones) and a side salad was my choice. Apparently, as per what I read on the menu, I have Napoleon to thank for this dish ~ merci Monsieur...

This smoothie was a perfect blend of papaya, cashew nuts, rice milk and honey...a glass of uber goodness right there...

Looking through a sculpture at our brunch table...

The marvellous tentacle chandelier with Namibian amethyst crystals and a citron in the middle...

And ending with a latte ~ the coffee is by Truth...

Follow Mondiall on twitter @Mondiall_SA | reservations@mondiall.co.za | www.mondiall.co.za | Tel: 021 418 3003

Mondiall Kitchen and Bar is open seven days a week, offering breakfast and brunch, lunch, tapas, cocktails, sundowners and dinner, as well as a hip and happening after-dinner social scene for dessert, coffee and drinks after a night on the town. Breakfast can be enjoyed inside or on the patio from 09:00 to 11:30, from Monday to Friday; the weekend brunch menu is available every Saturday and Sunday between 10:00 and 15:00; while lunch is served from 11:30 to 15:00; and dinner from 18:30 to 22:00.
Thanks to head chef Oliver Cattermole and his team, our wonderful waitress Helen, and the fabulous Janie van der Spuy from Five Star PR for the invitation *
All pics taken on a Canon 600D, copyright DIVA PR. Twitter: @allisonfoat ;
Instagram: @allisonfoat_capetowndiva

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#Stellenblog ~ my digital meander....

Cape Town is saturated with events and make no mistake many are great but every now and then one comes along that is uber amazing, well organised and tons of fun. Such was the #Stellenblog tweet up I joined last week (5 May) in the Western Cape's foremost student town and oldest wine route, Stellenbosch. Invited by the dynamic Mariette du Toit Hembold from Destinate, I joined other bloggers, Instagrammers and tweeters on a leisurely walkabout, stopping at various bars, restaurants, a bookshop, a Gallery and a boutique hotel to capture the Amazingness. The grand finale of our day was at Dornier wine estate for the big launch party where superb wine flowed and amazing food just kept coming. All this and great live music too...this uber events team thought of everything.

As the invite so aptly put it, 'Stellenbosch is not just about pretty vines'. Established in 1679, Stellies is the 2nd oldest town in South Africa and it oozes character I tell you. Aside from being very good looking with its gorgeous Dutch gabled architecture, streets lined with ancient oaks and stunning vineyards in every direction, Stellenbosch has a fantastic chilled vibe from morning till night. Come wine o'clock, you'll find people from all walks of life hanging out at sidewalk cafés and the social scene buzzes.

Our first stop where we were met with a warm welcome & delish tapas was Bartinney's Wine & Champagne Bar - I loved the handcrafted wire name tags...a fab touch..

 

Doodle while you dora ... sip on fine wines at the Brampton Wine Studio..

 

SMAC gallery....

 

There we go...a cool troop of blogging tweeters, doing a Stellenbosch meander armed to the teeth with gadgets...

 

The quirky Quagga bookshop...worthy olde leather-bound books lurk there....go have a browse...

 

And of course, one must pause at Wijnhuijs, where vino is accompanied by popcorn...

 

Kom Sit (come sit).... street art...that's me being a tad ridic...

 

The lovely people at the 5* Coopmanhuijs laid it out for us so beautifully....

...and take a look at one of their suites...

 

In the shuttle en route to Dornier...thanks to Thrifty's for carting us to and from Cape Town and all over the Stellenbosch show....

 

This was also a great idea...having 250Gram print everyone's Instagram posts, provided they used the right hashtag of course..

 

Some of the top brands associated....there were many more...

 

Thanks to everyone who made #Stellenblog such an incredible experience...what a privilege to have been part of it and bravo to ALL the teams and muchos gracias for the AMAZING goody box (see pic below)! I hope I crack the nod in 2015! Viva Stellenbosch, viva.

For more info on #Stellenblog http://blog.wineroute.co.za

All my pics were taken on an iPhone 5 ~ on IG I'm @allisonfoat_capetowndiva & on Twitter, @AllisonFoat

 

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