Pasta at Panama Jacks, Cape to Cuba cocktails and swimming in the not-so-deep blue sea

“Know where Charlize Theron eats seafood when she’s in Cape Town? Right here, at Panama Jacks,” our waitress whispered conspiratorially during our lipsmacking Saturday lunch. We could certainly see why. But of course, that’s not all we’ve done since my last update…

Thursday, 8 January 2015: Husband and parents lunch at Fat Cactus

On Thursday, my parents treated Husband to a ‘last day of leave’ lunch. Here is lovely Mum with her rib basket.

Dad and Husband tucking in on the other side of table.

I got home from work to this sight. Note mirror propped up in front of Husband and Bertie – that was so Husband could properly portray himself in his new cricket game

Saturday, 10 January 2015: Family lunch at Panama Jacks, a chilly dip in Blouberg

It’s not an obvious Cape Town must-visit as it’s in the harbour, so a little tricky to reach, but came highly recommended by a former colleague – we soon saw why!

Instead of ordering the ordinary lobster off the menu, Dad went the clever route by having this lobster Ritz starter, and lobster sushi (in case you’re wondering, t’was not raw sashimi-style – the lobster was cooked and indeed delicious, he said)

Husband had three oysters as a starter

Husband’s Fettuccini Marinara, chock-full of fishy things

Mom’s peri-peri prawns main – she had calamari starter

You can’t quite see it, but that there Fettuccini Verde, packed with pesto and parmesan, was among the best pasta I’ve ever had. EVER. And at just R50 a plate, I’ll definitely be back! (Yes yes, I know it’s a seafood place, but am allergic to most creatures from the sea, remember?)

And to end it off a whisky Dom Pedro, with 4 straws. So good we had another 🙂

Husband heading to his favourite swimming spot, once we’d been home for a nap so the food had time to digest

There he is, bobbing in the sea! The wind was so strong that while I was taking this photo, it decided to snatch his vest I was supposedly holding for safekeeping out of my hand. It tumbled into the sea, never to be seen again. Sob. Sea 2, Litchi 0, if you remember I lost our camera the same way soon after we moved down here. Sigh…

Sunday, 11 January 2015: Breakfast at Aunt Sysy’s, cocktails at Cape to Cuba, swimming in the warm Muizenberg sea

Having lived in the Table View area for over two year’s now, tis a little embarrassing to have only just visited Aunt Sysy’s coffee shop at the Sandown Nursery. A delightful breakfast we had, too – note my flat white and plate of African Frenzy french toast – complete with bacon, banana, cream cheese, a berry and sprinkling of cinnamon – a steal at R30!

Presenting… Cape to Cuba! Most folk stop at the Brass Bell or Kalkies when in Kalk Bay, but this spot is a true gem. It’s decorated with chandeliers, bright walls, swings and more inside, and outside tables are wedged into soft beach sand if that’s your fancy

Husband’s cocktail came with green feather and juicy pineapple slice. Was called ‘The Voodoo’, hence the dark purple colour. I had the most delicious Pina Colada – sadly no photo to show you.

We were still heading to Mum’s for lupper, so Husband elected the mussel tapas – lovely white wine sauce, he said

Perfect. beach. weather. Look at that sky! Look at that sea! And as this was in Muizenberg, Husband was able to pull me in with minimal complaints and lots of laughter once I was in. Waves weren’t good enough for proper boogie boarding but was lovely to be cool and wet!

That’s all, folks! I know, I know – no milkshake pics (though I did have a strawberry one at Panama Jacks), no photos of Bassie, and not a single shot of the sunset! Gasp! Will hopefully rectify the situation next time round… Click here to visit the Panama Jacks website.