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

This then got me to thinking about restaurants that are difficult to forget. I was having coffee with Tanya from Workshop Interiors who started up and ran Ouzeri (sp) in Joburg. I must have been one of her very first clients at the time and unfortunately the restaurant became so very successful I soon ran out of tables. However one thing led to another and this started me thinking about the trinchado and calamari stew at a Palahota in what I think was Claim St. Then there was Braai & Bake in Maritzburg the Pie Cart and a little coffee shop in a side road that did mushroom and bacon rolls. Cape Town for me is still wet misty nights at the Harbour Cafe on the docks, the little trattoria that did a bubbling lasagna and the Magic Sandwich in Sea Point which always had a sign outside saying “Gone to the beach” or “Gone fishing” and finally “Gone away”. Not forgetting the Brass Bell and Kalkies in the Kalk Bay harbour. There was the Greek in RockySt, the Mom and Pop Italian in Corlett Dive, the Fishmonger in Grayston, the Tent in Rivonia and Georges Chicken at the cafe at the Bryanston shops. The roast beef rolls on the mezzanine floor at Sandton City, crostinni at the Italian at the top of Rivonia, Tapas on Thesen island and the Unplugged Kitchen in Broederstroom. Finally there was the Hartford Hotel and an informal German country restaurant out at Lanseria where I learnt to enjoy spatzlie.

Does one still find those sort of restaurants today? Where can you get good honest food besides Cafe Francois?

The comfortable chairs at Mario’s are close enough to the water to allow the patrons to reach out and all but touch the yacht as it passes, makes a graceful turn, and comes to rest against the adjoining quay.

The Knysna Waterfront Shops, restaurants, and the Knysna Quays residential area, are relatively new additions to the attractions that draw thousands of visitors, from all corners of the globe, to Knysna.

The lazy, relaxed atmosphere is spiked by the aromas of fresh sea food and other culinary delights and there is no better place to find a seat than at Mario’s where you can slowly scrutinise the menu. The anticipation of tasting a delectably chilled, never before tasted white wine, or a red that hints at chocolate and nuts, gets the saliva working. Your nose is engaged in an intricate duet or quartet with the fragrances wafting from the kitchen. Fragrances that then mingle with the crisp sea air and entice other passing tourists.

You some how manage to make a choice, while your memory conjures up the nuances of taste, texture, and pleasure, associated with the descriptions of the dishes that are on offer.

The meal or dish is more than pleasing. All your senses jostle for position while the entire experience is being embedded in your memory, for reference in the conversations you will have once you are back home with friends or family.

You linger, sipping Irish coffee or some other exquisite extension to the pleasures that your palate has already experienced, and it is almost a sadness to rise and reluctantly bid farewell to the smiling owner and his courteous staff.

Like the tide, you will be back, to extend the pleasures experienced at Mario’s. Its more often the not the restaurant of choice for most locals and that in Knysna says a lot.

Our contributing author Peter Dijkstra runs a workshop offering services which include freelance copy writers and journalists as well as……..property for sale in the Garden Route

Lunar cafe’s menu has been chosen by the owner and the chef. You will find the food is an unusual fusion, with large portions of Fish-cake salad and Lamb-knuckle fettucini pasta being served at lunch, to name only two of my favourites, gourmet burgers also caught my eye. Their poached eggs laid on a bed of spinach topped with smoked salmon would get me up early to start my busy day. Also please try their quality brand coffee as there are no coffee restraints and coffee is something they pride in serving, so pop in for a cafe late if that’s all that tickles your fancy, they serve home-made biscotti on the side too and freshly baked cakes are adorned on the bar area in large glass holders for you to view – for all sweet tooth people : take note.

Lunar is open every week day from 8am til 6pm, the evenings by special request only, but open on a Friday and Saturday for dinner or after-work cocktails and drinks to begin your weekend and what a hip place to be seen on a Friday… See you there!

A beautiful, century-old Victorian setting with lagoon views is the theme for Knysna Backpackers and their many visitors, their warm, relaxed and friendly manner will help all travellers feel welcome on their stay in Knysna. Positioned in the centre of Knysna’s town, visitors are in walking distance to the waterfront and many other hot-spots.

Double, single or bunk-beds are available, communial lounge, balcony, kitchen and bathrooms are very clean and spacious, you feel like you have room to breathe, everyone is not in your face all the time, a very important characteristic, some furniture ideas are quite glamourous too. Even the Knysna locals visit the backpackers for drinks and enjoy the travellers that visit and stay to enjoy Knysna’s natural fabulousness.

(*edit*) Kai Coffee is no more. It was supposed to open in Grey St but never did
(*edit*) The owners of what was Kai Coffee are back at “agape”, 4 Grey street. Go check it out.
If you enjoy a freshly made cappacinno or “flat-white” coffee while you shop for your home furniture and decor or tiles, carpets, decking and flooring, one-stop shop style, then you should definitely visit Absolute Home Decor, in the Knysna Industrial area, on the corner of Vigilence & Waenhoud Rd.

Kai coffee shop is run by the owners of Inside Living, who are German-imported kitchen suppliers, found under the same roof as the Absolute Home Decor showroom. Choose their warm leather sofa or outdoor tables and benches by a water feature and large ferns, to sip your ordered chai tea or quality strong coffee and nibble on a freshly baked gourmet muffin or sandwhich and please try their absolutely delicious carrot cake topped with fruit and large seeds. And they are also famous for a so-called chocolate brownie, which in my baking opinion is more like a chocolate meringue brownie, which slowly melts in your mouth… different but gets both thumbs right perking up.

Lately the sun has been inviting for late morning and early afternoon tea & coffee breaks, you can certainly enjoy these & service at Kai and attain your quotes for your home interiors too – perfect combination to make your sometimes agonizing home specification a more laid-back experience, a very good idea and something new to the Knysna retail scene.

Kai Coffee shop has used the retail market to their advantage and once you have tried and tested their way of life you will certainly be back for more.

Breathtaking views of the vast blue lagoon, looking from the Kanonkop Hill down onto the perfect waters and famous Knysna Heads, is the focal feature from your bedroom or bathroom at Kanonkop Bed and Breakfast lodge, boasting also a beautiful pool and deck area too, each and every open area is a good reason to display a uniquely luxurious experience of art and life. These are only a few reasons why Kanonkop has been awarded a 5 star rating.

Breakfasts are made to the customers liking and the owners are acutely aware of the golfers early starting times as they are members of the 3 major courses in the area and offer special rates for clients. They make breakfast provision for the early birds and late waking holiday makers. The Conyers family open their home to their guests and assist to please their every whim, also offering a shuttle service to enable clients easy access to all of Knysna’s activities, if you are lucky enough they will invite you for a Moroccan prawn braai dinner and Opera singing – Mrs Conyers is a well known South African Opera singer and thus brings the drama into her every chosen home accent, such as the Blue Crane water featre in the entrance to their home – a true interior delight.

Sunbird, Sivuyile, No Matata and Paradise are the names of the suites at Kanonkop. Paradise has been named the “Best Room” to stay over in Knysna – by Frommer’s South Africa Travel Guide. Each room is sophisticated, romantic and did I mention – luxurious… clients become friends as they return every year to enjoy their stay with the Conyers family, while exploring Knysna.

RATES CHANGE PER YEAR : PLEASE CHECK WITH KANONKOP DIRECT
Rates are PPPNS
INCLUSIVE OF VAT
NO CHILDREN UNDER 12
THESE RATES ARE EXCLUSIVE OF ANY TOURS

Big Talk have grown with the local entertainment industry and irrespective of whether you are looking for swing bands in South Africa or Classical performing artists in South Africa they can not book the artists but they offer their years of experience as professional organisers and event coordinators. They specialise in Celebrity speakers in South Africa, can book Denim live for you or introduce you to Kwaito in South Africa .