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Category Archives: Restaurant Reviews

La Cuccina

By | Cape Town, Restaurant Reviews | No Comments

Victoria Mall, Cnr Victoria & Empire Roads, Hout Bay. Cape Town
tel: 021 790 8008

Kiddo’s Declare… It’s Love
Parentals Take… Firm favourite
Overall Rating… 8/10 **********

What’s to do?
This could quite easily be described as the Hout Bay locals ‘go-to’ spot. There is a deck area outside but no garden or play area for children however. This is more of an adult spot and caters to the meeting population of Hout Bay during the week. If your kids are able to sit at a table and eat then you wont have a problem, but if they need to run around I wouldn’t recommend this restaurant as a sit down spot for you (unless you can distract them with iPads and phones). Rather pop in for a take out coffee (which is great) and get one of their delicious muffins or cakes to go.

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To eat?
It is perfect for breakfast, brunch and lunch, (closes at 5) and they have a fantastic selection of cakes and muffins for tea. They cater to vegans, wheat intolerances, banting diets and most peculiarities. Their cooked meals are mouth watering and I have yet to be disappointed with what I order.

Discerning Lola – opted for a gluten free bran muffin. She gobbled up the whole thing and then ordered scrambled egg on gluten free bread, which she then declared was the best bread she’s ever eaten. Even better than mine.

Less-fussy Lincoln – he too had scrambled egg on gluten free toast with extra bacon. The bacon didn’t survive more than a minute on his plate but the egg and toast was consumed at a more medium pace. Big thumbs up from both mini critics.

The Parentals – Shaun wolfed down a croissant with egg and bacon. He has yet to complain about anything he puts in his mouth from La Cuccina. I tried something new, getting the poached eggs with roasted tomatoes and bacon on corn-fritters. They were incredible, as is every other morsel in the restaurant.

The Coffee?! – Delicious, every time!

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Overall experience?
The attention to detail is evident in each cup of coffee, complete with a freshly baked biscuit. Every staff member greets you and your water glass is never empty, this is a rare treat in South Africa.
Our experience has been one of friendliness and fantastic food, both with and without the kids.
La Cuccina comes highly recommended.
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Ta Da Creperie - Hout Bay

Ta Da Creperie and Coffee Bar

By | Restaurant Reviews | No Comments

37 Victoria Ave, Hout Bay. Cape Town
tel: 021 790 8132

Kiddo’s Declare… Ok
Parentals Take… A win!
Overall Rating… 7/10 **********

What’s to do?
This is a cute little restaurant along one of the main roads in Hout Bay. There is a cosy fire-place inside and a gravel parking area out front. The kids spend most of their time in the gravel drive, so we need to sit close by to keep an eye on them as it leads straight onto the main road. They climb the two small trees out front or play to the side of the restaurant, but it’s not designed for playing, it’s designed for parking, so I wouldn’t recommend it specifically as a younger kids location.
It is a lovely spot for a morning breakfast or lunch however. The sun streams in as it’s east facing, and it has a charming, warm atmosphere.

Coffee for the adults. Climbing for the kids.

Coffee for the adults. Climbing for the kids.

To eat?
A great menu that includes primarily crepes and omelettes.

Given that our kids are both gluten intolerant, they chose the gluten free crepes. They both opted for sugar and cinnamon with a scoop of vanilla ice-cream.

Discerning Lola – complained that they were too sticky and hard to cut. (They did look a tad too gluey for my liking).

Less-fussy Lincoln ate his happily.

The Parentals – After a late night out, and in need of something substantial, Shaun and I shared a delicious Farmhouse Crepe. It was super tasty after the addition of a little salt (but that could have just been my need).
We then shared an Alice In Wonderland sweet crepe with ice cream, fudge sauce, toasted almonds and berries. It was something to write home about. I will definitely have it again; in fact, I have, more than a few times.

The Coffee?! – the answer to this is not easy. I have had both the best and worst cups of coffee from this restaurant, on different occasions. The best was simply incredible. The worst was on a day when I feel they were too busy and understaffed, so understandable, but not enjoyable. It wasn’t enough to put me off going again however.

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‘Less-fussy Lincoln’ all smiles for the ice-cream.

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‘Discerning Lola’ diving in.

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Farmhouse Crepe… yummy.

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Alice in Wonderland Crepe… extra yummy.

Overall experience?
We enjoyed it and now go fairly frequently. It’s an easy, pleasant local hangout.