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Return to The Cape... & gastronomical delights of le Quartier Francais

The road we ran along... Camps Bay in the distance with Lions Head (L) & Table Mountain (R)

Mum and Dad were shipped to Cape Town on Wednesday, whilst we followed on Friday evening. We stayed at The Glen apartments again- how could we not! Nice, spacious & modern 2 bedroom apartment in Camps Bay with views of the ocean, Table Mountain & the Twelve Apostles. We were greeted with cheese & wine which set the tone for the weekend.
On Saturday we visited the Waterfront for some mandatory shopping time. Lunch was at the Kirstenbosch Gardens with stunning views of Table Mountain and the suburbs of Cape Town. The weather was perfect for roaming amongst the protea garden beds and the avenue of established camphor trees. Then to Constantia which is the oldest wine growing region in South Africa & on the eastern slopes of Table Mountain. We tasted 5 of the red wines (true to Smith/Rounsevell tradition!) at Groot Constantia and bought a few bottles to compliment dinner that night.
After a run along the coast on Sunday morning (ahhh... so nice to be able to run on a flat road and not at altitude) we explored the nearby wine regions of Franschoek and Stellenbosch. You feel so removed from South Africa when visiting these regions. The architecture style is European influenced (Cape Dutch) and all of the paddocks are full of vineyards or wineries. We ate at Le Quartier Francais in Franschoek for lunch. The food was outstanding and a true culinary treat. It is ranked as 'One of the Worlds Top 50 Restaurants' by a UK magazine in 2005, 2006 & 2007 and certainly did not disappoint. All courses were equally delicious and it would definitely be one of the best restaurants that we have eaten at.
During lunch we were sitting at a table next to an elderly black couple & an elderly white couple. The black man's presence was surrounded by an aura and couldn't help but draw your attention. When they were leaving lunch they said goodbye to us (Pete had taken a photo for them) and introduced themselves. He is the ex-president of Nigeria!

A lovely place and Le Quartier Francais is a restaurant all Foodie Doodies must visit!

Protea at Kirstenbosch Gardens- the national flower of South Africa

Avenue of established camphor trees

The enormous oysters (from West Coast of Sth. Africa) we had with drinks on the Camps Bay foreshore at sunset.

Jen at Grande Provence winery

Franschoek winery region

Jackie & Stu enjoying lunch at Le Quartier Francais, Franschoek

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