Alexander bar

Picture borrowed from Alexander Bar Facebook-page

 

Alexander bar transports you back into time where velvet furniture was the rage and jazz was the choice of music.

I have visited them a few times for drinks with friends and had the best time! The place is always packed and has a very happy and jovial vibe to it.

The bar has been designed in such a way that  socialising is the priority. Across the bar you will find old telephones. This can be used to phone the bar (when you dial 9) and place your order or why not befriend the table next to you! Just give them a call!

This is a great place to meet for drinks and snacks while chatting the night away with your friends. Wine, cocktails, beer, whiskey and more will be at you disposal. Sandwiches, salads and charcuterie boards are there for you to nibble on. They cater for all budgets! Come if you are a student or a CEO :)

 

Throughout the week the upstairs of Alexander bar will entertain you with live music acts or cabaret shows. Tickets for each show varies but they start from R40. For information about the shows check out their website.

Visit them at 76 Strand street , Cape Town
Contact them at 021 300 1088 or info@alexanderbar.co.za
Follow them on twitter @AlexanderbarCT
Open Monday-Saturday 11:00-01:00 (kitchen closes midnight)
Like them on Facebook
Visit their website for more information

Flocktober Festival in Stanford

If you are in the Hermanus/Stanford area early in October be sure to pay this festival a visit

 

 

For more information visit their Facebook-page

Boeresjeik

Boeresjeik is located in the industrial area of Brackenfell. Initially I did not have any expectation and when we stopped outside it looked like an ordinary office space. We then opened the door and were transported to a very French inspired sjeik space...

 

I was actually only there for some tea and cake but the beauty of the décor swept me away and first I had to browse around and admire all the art, jewellery, décor, clothing  and antiques. This is a great place to shop for a gift for a loved one. The price range of the items are also wide so it will fit most wallets :)

The space will keep you busy for a long time. So much to see!

Table fit for a high tea

Beautiful chandeliers

Coffee/tea and a slice of cake will cost you only R50. We enjoyed a slice of vanilla as well as carrot cake. You rarely see vanilla cake in coffee shops nowadays and the one at Boeresjeik was delicious. Other cakes to look forward to are red velvet, red velvet cheesecake, chocolate cake as well as a selection of different cupcakes. The savoury lovers can enjoy chicken&broccoli, mushroom&bacon, blue cheese&pear&cheese, butternut&feta or spinach&feta quiche for R28 a slice. A salad can be added to that for R17.

 

The also cater for functions with the following options

• R 65 for tea or coffee plus a choice of either 1 slice of cake or quiche
• R 90 for tea or coffee plus a choice of 2 slices of cake/quiche
• R 90 for tea or coffee plus a choice of 2 slices of cake/quiche

The only negative thing was that one of the ladies of the shop was very rude to us while we were taking pictures. I especially looked for a no-picture signs as they usually are present in décor shops. We were told that we can only take photos if we buy something. It  was said in a condescending tone and I felt a bit uncomfortable after that. I told her I wanted to feature them on my blog and she just smirked. That's why pictures are limited on this post.

 I usually only publish positive reviews and if I don't like the place I don't write about them but Boeresjeik was still a fantastic gem in Brackenfell that is a must visit!
 
The rest of the staff of Boersjeik were fantastic especially the ladies at the coffee shop.

Open Monday to Friday 09:00-17:00 and Saturday 09:00 - 14:00
Located at 12 Kiewet street, Okavango Park, Brackenfell
Contact them at 021 982 2023
Visit their website for more information

High tea at The One and Only

I am on a mission to do all the high teas in Cape Town. My recent quest was at the One and Only. I was privileged to be invited along with my boyfriends family. Nothing beats sweet treats and tea on a Saturday afternoon.



Catching up over delicious treats and tea

A large selection of sweet and savoury to choose from

 

Now I must say that I was not so impressed with the One and Only itself. Don't get me wrong it is a beautiful hotel but I did expect it to be more luxurious and grandiose from all the hype they always receive.



The lounge area

 

Anyway that was not why we were there. We were there for the sweet treat feasting :)

The great thing about the One and Only high tea is that they have a great selection of savoury as well. Most high teas only serve a few sandwiches and quiches and rest is sweet stuff. What they offer is also presented in a more modern way than the Mount Nelson for example.

The cost for the high tea is R165 pp. You can enjoy unlimited drinks like tea, coffee, hot chocolate, cappuccino, and ice tea and of course help yourself to the buffet as much as you want to.

The waitress comes along with a "tea board" that shows you all the tea in leaf-form and explains to you some of them on offer.


The waitress educating us about the different teas we can choose from

 



Loved these cups

 

I enjoyed a not so adventurous Earl Grey Blue and some of the others had the very smoky Lapsang Souzhong. The latter was not a favourite because of the smokiness so just keep that in mind if you consider it. There are more than 25 teas to choose from so you will find something you like!



Now let me show you everything they have to offer...



Puff pastry twirls, quiche and sandwiches

 

Koeksisters, macaroons, gold leaf chocolate éclairs, buttermilk scones...

 

Vanilla bean cheesecake, chocolate mouse cake, chocolate cupcakes...

 

Spring rolls, chicken pies...

 

Here are some close-ups

 

 

 

My favourites were the éclairs, chocolate cupcakes and macaroons. The high tea at the One and Only distinguishes itself from the others in Cape Town with the more modern twist they add to their offerings. It's great for a intimate or large group. They also serve a chocolate Lindt fondue pot that is R165 between two people sharing or add a glass of MCC sparkling wine to your high tea at an additional cost of R45 per glass.

 

 

Spring is here! Celebrate it with some tea and cake as an event without cake is only a meeting :)



 

Visit them daily from 14:30 - 17:30

Contact them at 021 431 5800

More information available at their website

 

For other high tea options in Cape Town check out one of my previous post here