Cafe Paradiso

 

 

• Service 3/5
• Atmosphere 4/5
• Taste 3/5
• Menu choices 3/5
• Wheat free – Yes
• Vegetarian – Yes
• Coffee – 3/5
• Toilet condition 3/5
• Price $$$

FACT: Café Paradiso is one of my favourite restaurants in Cape Town.

We often frequent Café Paradiso for dinner or lunch and never hesitate in recommending this rustic, authentic treasure to visitors local and foreign.

Located on trendy Kloof street, Café Paradiso has had a wobbly history but since being taken over by the Madam Zingara group, this quirky eatery has the perfect balance of fun and finesse.

Although being a firm favourite it never occurred to me to have breakfast here.

I must first add that food service only starts at 10am on weekends so it is more of a brunch venue with food to match. It offers the classics such as homemade wheat free muesli with fruit and yoghurt, but their options have a breakfast flare with more an early meal variety.

But as suspected, the preparation, presentation and palatability was not to disappoint.

I opted for scrambled eggs on a spinach and potato rosti.

Well done eggs that weren’t too rich or stodgy together with a crispy rosti was a delicious marriage.

My partner, and fellow BBCT seeker, ordered the anchovy toast. Forget a humble anchovy spread on two pieces of triangle toast, this option was a meal to the eyes and a credit to the imaginative and creative chef. Layers of toast with whole anchovies, fresh tomatoes, pesto and rocket.

The meal was ample without being indulgent and the fresh ingredients lend to the fresh start to the day.

The position of Café Paradiso, with their Italian inspired architecture and sunny garden with plenty of seating and shade, this eatery continue to be a firm favourite.

A wonderful brunch option. Don’t go expecting eggs and soldiers or a greasy fry up to cure the festivities of the night before, but if you are looking for a reminder of why Cape Town is the best place to live, I would recommend Café Paradiso for any meal.

110 Kloof Street, Cape Town (map)

(021) 423 8653

Starlings

Starlings: The legs are pink and the bill is black in winter and yellow in summer; young birds have browner plumage than the adults. It is a noisy bird, especially in communal roosts and other gregarious situations, with an unmusical but varied song. Its gift for mimicry has been noted in literature including the works of William Shakespeare.

94 Belvedere Road, 7700 Claremont, Western Cape, South Africa

(021) 671 6875

• Service 4/5
• General atmosphere 3/5
• Taste 3/5
• Menu choices 3/5
• Wheat free – No (They do offer rye bread but only 70%)
• Vegetarian – Yes
• Toilet condition 4/5
• Price $$$

This place does not need any more promotion or publicity as it is buzzing with popularity.

Bookings cannot be made so it’s a case of arriving and hoping for the best. There is lots of space inside and outside but there is a reason Starlings is a top choice for people from all over Cape Town, and we were about to find out.

Despite being busy, we were welcomed at the door and seated immediately. We were brought glasses of water without asking and our coffee and breakfast orders were taken in good time. Despite being busy, it never felt chaotic and you were never neglected.

We didn’t wait longs for our food and we weren’t disappointed.

I going for old faithful of 2 soft poached egged on rye and my companion opted for their take on eggs Benedict.

The food was delicious. Perfectly done eggs and they weren’t shy with the servings. I savored every bite and took my time absorbing the warm atmosphere.

Inside can get a bit noisy with the coffee machine grinding away and the constant stream of hopefully customers but the outside area and garden are relaxing and a cosy seating area. You are seated quite close together so this is not a place to  spread yourself out and read the Sunday papers but I wouldn’t hesitate in recommending Starlings as a great place to grab and scrumptious breakfast.

Cape Grace

We may be setting the bar quite high but we are looking for the best!

Situated in the picturesque harbour of the V+A Waterfront, the Cape Grace Hotel was our first review in the search for the best breakfast in Cape Town.

• Service 5/5
• General atmosphere/ambiance 4/5 (posh but relaxed)
• Taste 3/5
• Choices 3/5
• Gluten free – Yes
• Vegetarian – Yes
• Toilet condition 4/5
• Price $$$$

The service was outstanding, friendly, polite and well timed.

With secure private parking and to opening the front door for us we were of to a good start. We were seated and seen to immediately. Menus were presented and coffee and tea was offered.

The menu offered an array of options; continental, hot breakfast, mini (kids) breakfast as well as gluten free options.

Despite being surrounded by wealthy visitors (aka foreigners) the atmosphere was relaxed and welcoming. We didn’t feel uncomfortable or out of place.

We both decided on the same dish – Rosti with truffle mushrooms with roasted vine tomatoes and 2 soft poached eggs.

The dish arrived in good time and the presentation was inviting.

The eggs were done perfectly! Firm on the outside (the white) with a soft, runny centre (the yolk).

My only comment is that, although delicious, it was quite decadent and the sauce was a little over powering not allowing for the flavours of the other items to come through.

It was very filling. A long walk was required after breakfast.

Next came the quintessential visit to the toilet (I did drink an entire pot of Rooibos). The toilets we clearly signed, clean and well stocked. They even offer real towels to dry your hands after.

All in all, a very delicious experience. I would definitely recommend the Cape Grace as a breakfast venue for a special occasion.