The Killer Prawns have re-opened. I assume just for the season. I also understand that Casa de Galinha has changed hands as has de Oude Fabriek and Wu’s and I have finally found NumNum. Its the wholefoods deli and coffee shop which is just around the corner from Il de pain where I stopped for coffee this morning.

Whilst enagingly different, one thing I do dislike about Il de pain are their clients. Every time I go there some idiot gets nattering on their cellphone and its something that really gets under my skin. Today there were two of them. Totally oblivious to everyone else around them. Something I feel the owners should make a note of and put a stop to.

And whilst I am about it I might as well have a go the Oyster Catcher. Its a dump thats long past its sell by date. We went there a couple of weks ago and ordered the Goujons which were soggy and grey in the middle. We spoke to the waiter who did refer our complaint to the Manageress. She couldn’t have cared less. The venue looks grubby, the staff look grubby, the service is bad and we won’t be back.

The season is nearly upon us and we have “Darling of the Cape” opening on the Upper Deck at the Waterfront, next to Panarotti’s. I have also just seen an advert for Dairy Crest’s ice cream cafe in Auctionmart road……………

The no name Cafe and Takeaway in Main just after what used to be the Protea Hotel, has closed, the owners have relocated to Cape Town and I know of at least one person who swears that their bacon and egg sandwiches were the best you could get. St Elmo’s have opened their doors on the other side of town offerng yet another option for Pizza.

Spotted a new sign for Mark’s Restaurant at le Bistro on George Rex and it appears that Mark Nofal has left Canyan’s and opened up on his own. Bon Apetit built up a good reputation here years ago but its never really worked since and I don’t know why. Its a great place for a cosy fire in winter as well as being a magic setting for those hot summer days. One just hopes that this time its going to be different.  I have also discovered that you can in fact get a newspaper on Thesen’s. But you have to find Ingledews (turn left at the circle and its behind Lush ). Its a small convenience store that serves a hot cup of Illy coffee as well.

On the down side there is a lot of unhappiness down at Paquita’s and the new owners, Cornuti’s seem to be getting off on the wrong foot before even opening. I saw an advert in Action Ads stating that contrary to the rumours doing the rounds, the previous owners have settled all their creditors. One then hears the rumours and you are left wondering what the real story is?

The White House has opened its doors and it was busy when I stopped for coffee. They have a light, simple menu and although the cakes were on other side of the room, they looked good.  The waitress who served me was trying to get through her first day at work and the inevitable hic-coughs that come with a busy opening. That earned me a complimentary plunger and greek biscuit to go with the coffee. On top of this however, the potato and leek soup I tried was also far too salty. And that, even for my jaded and shell shocked taste buds. One hopes that the kitchen will settle down with time, as it is still a very pleasant venue.

The Knysna Fish Market next to Tait Marine and Boesmanland Biltong at the Mall have closed shop. But with winter all but over we should see the Gabriella’s, Chatters,  Pembrey’s and Ile de pain’s all firing up their stoves and getting ready for the season. The Whitehouse should also be opening in Thesen House where Mackintosh’s used to be. I understand its going to be lifestyle furnishings, fabrics and clothes with a “small coffee shop”.

Over the weekend we took off to Enrico’s in Keurbooms where one can always get a decent meal and there were two things that got me thinking. Firstly there was the beach and the rocks which have appeared after the last Spring tide. Besides the fact that there are a lot more of them and the fact that the sea must have moved an enormous volume of sand they are veined and flecked with what I assume is quartz. Such that I stopped to question how it all came about and to take pictures with a camera that no longer works. The other issue that got me going was the menu and the question of whether it was politically correct to order kabeljou from the menu or whether they are on the “being over fished” list. I just don’t know enough to be seen to be socially responsible about it and consequently ordered the Arrosto, like I always do.

Robert the previous owner, is back behind the till at the Coffee Connection. Ile de pain is closed till September as is Gabriella’s and Carmen’s Corner. I have also found another eatery at Uncle Pats Oysters. The business changed hands at the end of last year, moved next door and they are now offering a limited sit down and take away menu. Cruise Cafe should also be betwixt and between owners after the announcement that Featherbed has been sold.

A question I ask myself every time I do an early drive through to George is where to do breakfast. We generally end up at Rademachers because of kids play area and it gives Joy an opportunity to look at plants. Then there is House of Flavour and The Conservatory, but where else is there? What about Sedgefield and Wilderness? I know and enjoy Bungalo at Groenvlei but there must be others. And for that matter who does offer that unforgettable breakfast. They all dish up pretty much the same thing, some are just not as good than others.

Jimmy’s Killer Prawns have packed up and moved to Hermanus. Despite spending what must have been a small fortune on fitting the premise out it didn’t take them long to do the sums. And I wonder just how many other establishments have the fat that’s going to be needed to weather this shrinking market. Maureen’s have closed their restaurant for winter but the pie shop is still roaring. Paquita’s is also closed for a couple of months. It is being renovated after changing hands and its the same story at the Choo Choo cafe on the road to Buffalo Bay. On the upside we have Italia Piccolo around the corner from Muir’s (where Simple Simon used to be). They are a very small Italian deli offering both pies as well as frozen meals at a very reasonable price. These can also be eaten at a very small table in front of the premises. Next there are two new bistro’s at the other end of town. Jamie Blue and Lunar Cafe which can both be found on Thesen’s wharf and which opened just before the festival. Luna Cafe has an interesting menu. I would like to try their French Toast which is something that has failed to excite ever since Silver and Sage dropped it from their menu, sold the shop and stopped selling coffee, cake.

Crabs Creek has opened again and have put in a clamber frame, slide and swings for the kids. They have been open for two weeks Monday to Sunday when they lay on a buffet special. I also took the opportunity of stopping in at Madiba’s Tide which is now offering breakfast lunch and dinner Tuesday to Saturday and has been operating throughout winter. de Ou Fabriek recently changed hands as has Subz and the Island Coffee Shop.

Besides that I stopped at the Heath the other day to be confronted by the portly short gentleman I always assumed to be Enrico from Keurbooms. However apparently he is not Enrico, is joining Warren and they have a lot of ideas they want to try out. The Kitchen has closed doors and not much seems to happening with the St Elmo’s franchise which is still neither quite here nor there.