Fat Cactus - Another Mexican gem in Cape Town

I can't believe that I've only discovered this year that Cape Town has so many Mexican restaurants. Nothing comes between me and a plate of chili poppers and cheesy nachos. The recent restaurant I visited was Fat Cactus.

To get the night rolling we ordered some jugs of margaritas. We opted for a mix of strawberry and lime. One jug will cost you R110 and you will get +- 8 individual glasses of margaritas. For starters the table shared the ORIGINAL chili poppers ( 3 for R38) and a plate of nachos (R35). If the nachos are cheesy and gooey you already impress me and Fat Cactus received my seal of approval early on.

Fat Cactus is ideal for a large group!

The restaurant is filled with corny Mexican memorabilia and waiters wearing sombreros on their back. It's an open-planned space with a nice patio at the front of the restaurant which I look forward to utilizing during the summer months with their margaritas special and their grande combo platter (R159) consisting of BBQ wings, nachos, guacamole, salsa, cheese, quesidilla, chili poppers, magic mushrooms and El pescitos.

Service wont receive a 10/10 but our waiters recommendations did deliver.

For mains the table favorite was chicken fajitas (R83). You assemble your own fajitas and they bring you a tray with all the fillings you need. Three grown men struggled to finish their portion. The newyork style meatball quesidilla I tried personally and loved. They serve the quesidilla in small bite size portions so you are not overwhelmed by two big tortillas overloaded with filling.

The chicken fajita with all its trimmings.

Quesidillas served in bitesize portion.

Henko with his first successful self made fajita .

Fat Cactus can be enjoyed with a group of friends or for a casual date. The atmosphere is very relaxed and a snack and cocktail is just as satisfying as a full on dinner here. You will definitely leave fat cactus in a very merry mood :)

Positive points

• Great for big groups
• Centrally located and easy accessible.You drive up Kloofstreet and turn right at the second road ( where Nando's is located). There is a parking garage nearby so you wont struggle finding parking.
• Big portions that can easily be shared.

Special : Margarita Happy hour from 12:00 - 18:00 daily

Address: 5 Park road, Gardens
When to visit: 11:00 - late Monday to Sunday

Having a nightcap at The Dubliner after a successful night!

Creation - Food and wine pairing expierence

Nestled 7km down the Hemel and Aarde Valley road in Hermanus you will find Creation. I have visited Creation numerous times for the wine tasting (that is free :) ) but with the dreary and rainy weather we experienced the past few weeks my boyfriend and I wanted to sit next to a fire, be comfy and enjoy some delicious wine and food. 

From the moment we entered Creation we were greeted warmly  and received excellent service from there on. You can be comfortable and sit in the lounging areas or at the classic decorated tables.

Our glasses were immediately filled with a lovely Savignon Blanc and they continued with their more than generous tatsing portions throughout the afternoon.

Beautifull interior at Creation.

We opted to do the food and wine pairing (R106 pp). You taste wines and with each one you receive 1/2 canapes.  Our hostess was a very warm and friendly women who explained each wine to us and how the wine and food complimented each other. This was an awesome learning expierence for me because most of the time you just take a bottle of wine thats open without thinking how it could influence your meal.

Delicious tasters

I really enjoyed the duck pie with cherry jam.

Complimentary pate before the start of the tasting.

Some of the tapas 

• Bobotie springrolls
• Blue cheese and cauliflower soup
• Prawn avacado ritz
• Duck and sour cherry pie
• Chorizo espanadita

Which was combined with some of these wines ( I'll let you expierence the pairing yourself) and more!

• Savignon Blanc
• Chardonnay ( My favourite wine)
• Pinot Noir
• Syrah

The surroudings are beautifull and if the weather permits it sit outside on the patio where you will gaze upon endless vineyards and a beautifull dam nearby.

Positive points

• Unique experience
• Beautiful surroundings
• Friendly and warm staff

Negative points

• Dont try the cheeseplatter. You wont receive what you pay for.

My tasting companion in front of the relaxing fireplace.

Directions

A scenic 75-minute drive from Cape Town International Airport brings you to Creation Wines. Take the N2 north to Somerset West and over Sir Lowry's Pass and the Houw Hoek Pass. Take the Kleinmond/Hermanus R43 turnoff to Hermanus. On reaching the Wine Village just before Hermanus, turn left onto the Hemel-en-Aarde Road(the R320). Drive a further 18 kilometres up the dirt road to find Creation Wines on your left. 

GPS co-ordinates: S34 19'861, E19 19'584

Telephone number: +27 28 212 1107 

E-mail: info@creationwines.com

Woodlands eatery

 

On a cold Saturday night we arrived at The Woodlands Eatery. Immediately we were enchanted by the lovely fairy lights and green shutters that decorated the restaurant from outside.

Quirky decor at The Woodlands Eatery

Look at all those lampshades!

After a bit of  uncertainty with our booking we enjoyed a glass of wine at the bar while we waited for our table to be ready. The staff were very apologetic but that gave us time to consume the quirky yet interesting decor. At the one side of the place multiple lampshades hang at different lengths contrasted with a picture of a little deer on the other side of the room. Mismatched chairs hugged different sized tables and vintage mirrors covers the walls.The color pallet was of pastel lime and blues. I was totally in love!




Cant get this picture to turn the right way around haha! But the food still looks delicious sideways :)

Their menu is relatively small but just as quirky as the surroundings we were dining in. I enjoyed the chickpea, lentil and butternut burger(R40) served on a soft fresh bun with beetroot slices  and a yogurt dressing. My mother had the pork and mango pizza. The portions are generous and the food arrived promptly. We ended off the night by spoiling ourselves with their famous chocolate fondant (R38).  A hot chocolaty treat I now regularly crave :) You are not allowed to leave Woodlands eatery if you did not try this delicious dessert. I wish I did not share the portion.

The chocolate fondant!

Goooooye center :) :) :)

Average spend for 2 people : R220
Telephone number:  021 801 5799
Email: thewoodlandseatery@gmail.com
Address: 2 Deer Park Ave West, Deer Park, Vredehoek
Lunch: 12:00 -  close Friday-Sunday
Dinner: 17:00 - close Tuesday-Sunday

Bay Harbour Market - Its not just another market

At last a market where you can relax, spend a day without paying a fortune and move around easily.

I visited this market on a Saturday afternoon with a few friends. I had no expectations because how can any market be as nice as the ever popular Biscuitmill market. Boy was I wrong.  This is a fabulous diverse market. You feel a true sense of community as you wander through stalls ranging from vintage clothing to jewellery, decor, food and refreshments. What makes it even cooler is the different live bands that plays and that the market is open on a Friday night. So go and start your weekend for  a change with some delicious food and drinks, a group of friends and live entertainment.

We had some very tasty sandwiches from this stall above. One sandwich could have fed a village in Ethiopia! So come prepared with an empty stomach.

The market bustling at night.

Food choices includes pizza, chinese, seafood, gourmet sandwiches, brownies and much more. Quench your thirst with wine, juice, beer or a cocktail. You can invite the most fussier eater because they will find something to love here.

Beer on tap! Try some of the microbrewery alternatives as well

One of the many non-alcoholic choices.

Caramel mmm...

Yummy pizza!

Come and say no to these!

Delicious seafood

Shopping at the market is also an experience on its own. You can buy art, jewellery, clothes, lights, puppets:) and lots more! Once again everyone will find something that interests them!

Vintage clothing

Look at these awesome lights! I'm definitely going back to purchase one!

Spoil yourself or a loved one.

Colourfull words! Nice change from the boring grey and white ones seen all over department stores.

Address: 31 Harbour road, Hout Bay
When to go: 

• Friday 17:00 - 21:00
• Saturday and Sunday 09:30 - 16:00

Average spend: R100

Positive points:

• Open the whole weekend
• Diverse
• Affordable
• Entertainment
• Not pretentious

Negative points:

• Not close to the city centre so make a day of it!

Facebookpage: http://www.facebook.com/bayharbour

Website: http://www.bayharbour.co.za/

Let me know how your experience was once you have visited!

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