The Rex has gone. No surprises there but the Ocean Basket and Cafe Rossini have also followed suit and shut up shop. So too has the Sizzling Chicken which limped onto the stage shortly after the demise of Nando’s. And the question is Who is Next?

The World Cup passed us by without so much as a whisper and the intervening months have been dismal by anyone’s standards. So the question I would ask is whether the rumours are correct and are there are going to be another three restaurants and four coffee shops opening in the new mall? I know that Lunar Cafe was planning to relocate. But I just don’t understand how anyone could possibly contemplate opening in a market which is already saturated and severely over traded.

Where does one go when you are looking for something different, something a little special. 34 Tapas & Oysters? It’s almost different but it lacks the bohemian informality I would expect from a Tapas Bar. It caters more to the up country folk and Thesen Island set. So for lunch I inevitably end up at Cruise Cafe and order the Pork Neck roast or if not why not the Thai Kitchen? I generally go for the Penang Thai Beef Curry. But be warned if Ken is cooking you are going to have to add a bit more seasoning to get the authentic taste.

What else is there? Sedgefied, George, Wilderness and Plett are no problem. I know what I like and where to find it. But in Kynsna I am at a loss. I have however tried the Oats porrige at the Coffee Connection and that’s worth another look. Very creamy, very Scottish. I also regularly do the Eggs Hollanaise at East End Cafe, Mario’s Breakfast and On the Run at Cruise Cafe but besides that lot, it all appears to be much the same. Altough Deenie’s, Piccola Italia and Maureen’s Place are also worth a look see mre often than not.

How many times have we seen a restaurant open with fresh new ideas that slowly get trimmed down to the inevitable burger and toasted sarmie’s? This smartly followed by the inevitable Gone Fishing sign on the door.

[edit 22/11/10] I tried the chicken and mushroom pie a Harry B’s and had to wait while they topped it and baked it but the result was well worth it. Beats the famous Bell chicken pie hands down. It was good!