MAX Derman posted a comment about my Good Deals blog on July 11. He writes: “A totally underrated restaurant which is run by David & Marlene in Sea Point is the Cedar Café (021) 433-2546 which serves Lebanese food, a refreshing meze platter which would suffice the needs of even the most critical Middle Eastern gourmet and their main courses could be described in the vernacular of the area in which it is in as - to die for doll.” Although I haven’t dined there since they moved farther down Sea Point Main Road into the Courtyard Centre, I remember a delicious meal there in their previous location in a warm family environment.  

I have yet to find a better deal than at a Chinese eatery (021-434-4214) in Sea Point, where the Cedar Café used to be, just off the corner of Rocklands and Main Roads opposite the Adelphi Centre. A group of 10 of us dined like kings and paid less than R65 a head. It is my favourite place to eat but I get the feeling they don’t especially want Westerners as customers. There is some confusion over the name – Hesheng on their business cards but Jing Jing on the wall and now there are no English words on the window and I heard the waiter suggesting to a diner that a dish may be “too Chinese” for him. This week three of us shared a seaweed salad, sizzling chicken with black beans, rolled pancakes with beef, pork and prawns fried dumplings and two portions of steamed rice with free-flow tea for R35 a head. Unlike other eateries like La Romantica in Durbanville where the good deal is at the expense of quality, the home-style cuisine here is exceptional even by Chinese standards.

For all the reports about there being more wealth in Durbanville per capita than elsewhere, locals throng to La Romantica (021 914-7063) in High Street on Monday's for the half-price pasta. I ordered the Tuscan (R28.50) but found that the chicken breast was tough-as-old-takkie, they used Vienna instead of chorizo sausage and while the shrimp was tasty the flavours didn't meld at all. I tasted the Bolognaise sauce which also failed.

Travel PR specialist Janie van der Spuy posted a comment On The Le Verger Of Places To Eat With Kids blog on July 3. See the blog for her full text but she writes that: “Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve & Retreat has solved this problem (of kids) by introducing Family Affair packages during the school holidays. On select dates, Bushmans Kloof opens the lodge to families with children of all ages during which special 4-day/3-night packages are offered and child-free guests are directed to alternative dates. www.bushmanskloof.co.za.” I had a spiritual experience there (a little like the recent one at the Cradle of Mankind that I wrote about in A Kinder Man). At Bushman’s Kloof the epiphany was aided by a combination of Martini’s and anxiolytics. Speaking of which, last weekend I tasted Kevin Grant’s Ataraxia Chardonnay 2005. The name means place of calm and the state followed shortly afterward until I saw that it costs a bunch more than many other Chardonnays and my palate isn’t sufficiently sophisticated to taste the increased cost.

David Rabie has a long food pedigree and I remember some years ago spending a brilliant weekend together with his family at Woodberry Jams which he used to own in Knysna. He posted a comment about his new Stellenbosch restaurant called Sosati. “During July/August SOSATI is offering a free bottle of house wine with every two main courses ordered per table. Sosati is best described as a romantic, African-Renaissance styled restaurant with great attention to detail. Live music adds charm and atmosphere making Sosati a must to experience,” he writes. I haven’t been there yet but it is on my list. You’ll find them in the Eikehof Centre, Church Street , and diagonally opposite Java Café. (021 883-2636.)

Cafe Alo (0861 22 33 25) recently opened in the inner city on the corners of Long and Shortmarket Street . When I arrived there was a "fishbowl" in the wall which, after a few minutes converted into a "fire grate with blazing logs". It's a fun use of technology and I think I began to feel warmer because of it - or perhaps it was the white hot chocolate with a shot of espresso (R15) to get the heart racing. The mostly white interior is a little bright but I loved the grand chandeliers and interesting effects on the walls. I also liked that toppings are available on ciabatta or on salad leaves. For R26 the chicken, mayo, bacon and feta is a good choice, but save yourself for sweet things - all made on site. Co-owner Alwyn Neethling has a Greek partner which is reflected in an outstanding Med pastry selection. With free wireless internet connection and 24-hour access over the weekends, it is destined to be an inner city haven for coffees and light nibbles. www.alo.co.za.

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