After some tasteless and very cocky commentary it is ironic to see that our Nando’s look alike has closed its doors. For renovations? Or is it another that has crashed and burnt? We have tried both the Watermill as well as Marks famous peri-peri chicken. But contrary to what he would have us believe all my wife could say was that Nando’s was better and I will still opt for a steak and rock shandy at Joplin’s just outside Wilderness.

Monks look as if they have called it a day. Barut closed and has reopened as a Portuguese sidewalk bar. Ciao Amici didn’t make it through season and neither did Prime Cut Grill. Crabs Creek did change hands but it wasn’t Ron Pocock who took over. Quay Four is taking longer than expected to get started but to compensate we have a new dinning experience at the Premier Hotel at Ashmead and a new takeout in Gray St, In & Out I think. The little trattoria at the Spar parking area moved to Woodmill Lane offering busy shoppers a pleasant leafy alterative as well as some good coffee. Finally the Meeting Place has changed hands after being taken over by Liezl from Gold Leaf Catering

34 South have opened an Oyster and Tapas bar where Lush used to be.  Nothing like the Tapas of old which I used to know well and frequent all too regularly. But despite that they do offer an interesting menu. I believe the portions should be smaller. That customers be encouraged to share,  mix,  match and to sample different dishes. And maybe they could try it out by offering one a choice between a larger or smaller sized helping.

I ordered the trinchado and whilst it was tasty it did nothing to inspire the feeling of contented well being that was Beira, LM or the signature dish at the Hut. This was always accompanied by a Portuguese bun, lashings of peri-peri, beer and olives. Firstly tender cubes of prime beef are no substitute for strips of goat that is as tough as old boots and besides which there wasn’t an olive to be seen anywhere. That is not how you serve trinchado. And the menu should state clearly that they are serving prime cut beef cubes in an unusually tasty tomato and onion sauce with just a hint of chilli.

When does the humble toasted sarmie become something other than a humble toasted sarmie? And the answer is when you happily pay double at Mon petit pain. And what’s more, for a whole lot less than you get elsewhere. There is no side salad, no greasy french fries and tomato sauce, not even a salt and vinegar crisp or two. All you get is two slices of bread that stand proud on the plate covering whatever tasty stuff is tucked away inside.

And somewhere in all of this is an important lesson for all would be Knysna restaunteers. It is always busy. Yet despite this the coffee is always as good as you will get anywhere else.

Most breakfasts are predictable and as boring as a traditional breakfast can be. Eggs this, eggs that and black or white toast. But as far as boring breakfasts go, we are regulars at the Harkerville market where you get what I consider to be the very best of boring breakfasts. For R29 you get a Half Monty which comes with a sweet corn fritter, fried egg on a bun, pork or beef sausage, fried tomato and  generous helping of crispy bacon. Throw some chilli sauce onto the tin plate and then once armed with a knife and fork, you have it. The most boring breakfast on the Garden Route. And one that keeps us going back for more.

I also frequent

• East Head Cafe (Eggs Hollandaise)
• Cruise Cafe (On the Run)
• Mario’s
• Island Coffee Shop
• Gabriella’s
• Fat Susi’s

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East Head Cafe has opened with a bright fresh look and its still got the best view in Knysna.