It was very much a dive into the Tapas (starter) menu. The liver pate and toast?(R16) tasted good but even with an extra slice?and thick smears, we only got through half of it. It’s a generous portion so i suggested to owner, Daniel, that he halve the paste and possibly add a small bowl of chopped tomato and onion as accompaniment. The Ailoli (R12) was simply what it stated, garlic mayonnaise on toast. Served with bruschetta, the creamy, oyster mushrooms were delicious but the Chicken Fricassee (R23) topped it to be the?highlight. Chicken strips covered in a wine and mushroom sauce definitely salivated the palate, demanding more even though my tummy threatened to explode.

Bottomless coffee was as superb and economical as usual.

The waitrons, who are normally top class, were slightly overbearing in that all, with good intentions, tried to tend to our needs so that i would be asked if my plate could be removed several times etc. Could have been irritating but it’s actually a good sign because half of them were new and in training. Chaplin’s has become a place to be so getting more staff in will undoubtedly keep the good times rolling smoothly.

Contributed by Mike Hampton aka Wicked Mike a freelance copywriter

Bottomless, flavoured coffee has landed in Knysna, it goes by the name of Mugg & Bean. The Franchise shop that offers larger than life assorted Muffins and quality breakfasts, as well as a lenghty menu for hungrier tummies at lunchtime and of course the variety of coffee flavours and preparation methods, such as macchiato, espresso, cafe late & cappacino.

This particular Mugg & Bean has it’s location in the Woodmill Lane shopping centre, which looks onto a stage that boasts some of Knysna’s local musical talent, I heard that the performer is an Idols contestant, although I am not sure how far he got. None the less if you want to sit indoors to escape the entertainment then you are welcomed as the larger part of the shop is indoors, but if you want to have a coffee and people-watch then the bussle can be found on Mugg & Beans verander under large umbrellas.

I have eaten there and have had no complaints to date, I was a regular at their shop at the V&A waterfront and I am glad to see they are open in Knysna too, as I am sure many fellow followers are, as the saying goes, people are creatures of habit and if the habit is feeding our faces and chatting with friends over many coffee cup varieties… then let the saying continue.

Fresh bread loaves are made and sold everyday, people que intime before the loaves are all sold out, yes the bread is that good, made in all styles and sizes. They sell many other items at the front of desk too, like choc chip biscuits, cook books, homemade jars of delictables, aprons, carrier cotton bags, you name it… most of which is their own brand. In Summer there is an ice-cream trailer outside their shop, under the tree, for the discerning ice-cream fan.

Il de pan is beautifully decorated and the food is consistently good. I have never had a bad meal and enjoy all the items off the menu, especially their warm chicken salad for lunch and poached eggs for breakfast. Something else to enjoy is the homemade lemonade served by the glass, refreshing!

When Il de pan is closed for 2 weeks in May or June, the Island is very quiet and the hussle and bussle disappears with the owners, but on their return, they find all their local patrons back as usual, ordering exactly what they did 2 weeks before, it is a clear indication that the locals cannot get enough of Il de pan’s offerings and also the special vibe you feel when you sit under the large tree and order a coffee, meal or bread and enjoy a chat with the owners.

The menu is straight forward and you will definitely go back because the coffee, she is goooood. I had a cappacinno that was perfect and was given a token card which is like an insentive to come back for more and after a few cups, take-away or stay, you are rewarded a free coffee of your choice, yummy.

The girls who own the shop make the coffee and run the show, they have taken the concept of coffee bars to a level of simple yet sophisticated creativity that reveals fresh food everyday, sweet tooth therapy and did i mention gooood coffee. The large coffee table is shared by all who visit and is graced with newspapers or just locals chit chatting, so you can take your pick…bon apetito!

Will miss you guys. It was a nice idea.

When last did you go to an establishment absolutely dieing for a specific dish and not found it on the menu? Happens a lot hu?

When I went to Fat Susi’s and saw that they didn’t have what I was craving. I notified them and they were willing to make the dish I wanted. After listing some of the main ingratiates the waitress whipped off and returned 20 odd minutes later with the dish I requested. What’s more, it was fabulously delicious!

Wouldn’t it be nice to get that sort of service more often from your favorite establishments?

My Mom & her friend visited me in Knysna for their ladies weekend & on their Sunday insisted they take me out for a lunch. When I asked them what kind of a vibe they were in the mood for my Mom immediately said a Cafe Mario vibe, at the Waterfront, because, she said, their food is consistently delicious and fresh, plus we could sit outside basking in the sunshine while watching the passing yachts in the canal, with a kinda Venice-feel to the afternoon.

My Mom loves Marios thin-based crispy Pizzas and so does the rest of Knysna and so her choice was a given. Catching up over a lovely long lunch with Mom as good as comfortable just as if we were in our own home – Thanks Mario, see you soon!