Return to the Cape 2016: Food, Glorious Food

We have been here for over three weeks now. In fact, we are on the slippery slope to returning home, although not quite as soon as Ann and Paul and certainly, aeons after Sarah, who is actually due to fly back on Wednesday! The general consensus is that nobody wants to return home just yet because this is such a wonderful place to enjoy.

We are deeply aware of the social problems that exist in the country but without the vast amounts of money that visitors bring into the economy, you can't help feeling that the place would be in a much worse state. There is a groundswell of opposition to the current President, Jacob Zuma, but one restaurant owner crystallised the real problem when she said, "people are still voting for Nelson Mandela and until they realise he is no longer with us, then it will be a long hard road to change"! Makes you think doesn't it?

Anyway, talking of restaurant owners I thought today I would spend time in this post writing about restaurants because during the course of our stay here, one of the major pleasures has been to sample quite a number of these establishments.

Linda and I are on our sixth visit to South Africa and in all those trips, we can only recall one disappointing meal and that was a lasagne that Linda had in an Italian restaurant of all places! I recall my meal in that same eatery being the line fish, fish caught that day, and it was totally delicious and unforgettable. She was just unlucky.

This trip has seen us dine at places we know well and at places totally new to us. Incredibly, we have not had a single disappointment to date and we are blown away by the quality and consistency of the food served. Add to that, attentive service and although Linda doesn't like me mentioning it, the price and you have the perfect recipe for great lunches and fantastic dinners. Of course there is one other ingredient in the mix and that is friends and family in the form of Ann, Paul and Sarah. Food and drink are always more enjoyable when shared with good company.

Tonight has been a typical experience with our choice of restaurant being La Pineta, an old favourite and one recommended to us by British Airways crew a few years ago. It's situated in the Winelands about twenty minutes from our house and has the most amazing views out towards Table Mountain. It's always busy and there was a great atmosphere tonight in a full restaurant.

We ate very well, four of us had mains of aged fillet steak and one of us lamb shank. All were perfect as were starters and desserts. Accompanying the food was a bottle of pink bubbly and a quality Merlot, plus bottles of sparkling and still water. The total bill? £65.00!! How is this possible?

We say it every time we head out for coffee and scones or a full meal. "How much"? "That can't be right" but it always is.

There is however a critical downside to this good living and was demonstrated on our return to the house just over one hour ago. The rush to respective bedrooms to divest oneself of tight fitting clothing and enjoy the comfort of elasticated jim jams. Yes, wastelines are expanding exponentially and the 5/2 diet or Slimmers World are starting to call!

Perhaps those calls can wait a touch longer yet?

All photos tonight taking in or outside La Pineta.