Cape Point Vineyard market

 

Feel like a glass of wine...or two, as well as a yummy selection of eats on a Thursday evening? 

Cape Point Vineyard Market in Noordhoek - We visited a few weeks back, coming over the mountain a little after 6 pm, it was already bursting with happy people.

I headed straight for The foodbarn's stall and couldn't help but start with dessert- the churros with chocolate sauce....*insert 3 minutes of pure melting enjoyment*...I actually couldn't eat anything else after that.

Now turn around, look at that view, take a sip of wine and know what it feels like to be living in Cape Town.

A few of the lovely stallholders with their treats

Drive home- drive by

Earth Fair Food Market

In search of oysters we visited the Earth Fair Food Market  in Retreat on a Wednesday evening, I hadn't been for about a year and it was all grown up.

Free hugs were offered at the door- having gladly accepted mine, I was propelled towards the bar, where I gratefully accepted a large glass of Chenin Blanc at a very good price....so far so good.

We found our Saldanha oysters- freshly shucked and tasting of the sea- yum!

Lots more places to sit and enjoy the food, both inside and out.

We'll be back soon, there are some Portugese chicken livers calling my name.

New Hout Bay Market revisited

It's almost a year since the Bay Harbour Market opened its doors and I peeked in on that first Saturday.

Friday evening was perfect for a revisit, the cars were still parked most of the way up the road and throngs of happy families were strolling towards the light and the warmth.

The warmth is quite literal, a huge hearth to warm the benches with an equally large stack of tree stumps to feed it and if the fire isn't enough to warm you, there is plenty to drink from the bar.

Lots more stalls to splurge on, clothes, antique jewellery, curios and home ware, not forgetting the food- glorious food- loved the look of the bunny chow, the Tunisian's schwarma and lamb curry looked and smelt scrumptious, but thought the oysters at R20 each were a bit pricey, so sadly declined.

A hypnotic reggae beat in the background, smiling friendly faces, tinkling of glasses, appetizing smells and little people safely whizzing around on wooden scooters- it's a bit like a home party.

Waldorf Constantia evening market

Sultry summer evenings on last Friday of every month, there's only one place to be - Constantia Waldorf Evening Market.

Grab the kids, a picnic blanket and some wine, actually grab a few bottles extra as the market doesn't sell and you're sure to make plenty of new friends with a bottle to share.

Don't worry about food, you can smell the curries as you approach and there is just about anything else you can imagine, from sushi to stir-fries.

 

I've got a soft spot for the desserts, so we settled on these scrumptious lemon meringue pies and some rocky road chocolate brownies with melted marshmallows..I know.......YUM!

My school friend Susan, has a fabulously successful stall, Pink Pincushion unique designer handbags, she makes these beautiful handbags, special fabrics, attention to detail and her equally talented daughter makes the gorgeous little creatures you see below- so perfect for little hands.......I need a baby to buy one for?

More cuddly creatures from another stall.......irresistible..

As the sunsets, your tummy full, you can lie back and listen to the live music....or get up and dance, nobody will mind- only nice people here.

Rondebosch potters market

For more years than I can remember, I've been going to the bi-annual potters market in Rondebosch, usually on the 3rd weekend of March and then again 3rd weekend of November.

In those days it involved prams and babies, most importantly balancing the baby and the purchases attached to the pram and then with a certain skill, loosing neither over the rough terrain.

We would arrive early to purchase 2nds (with imperfections), those were the days of Lovell Friedman's exquisite green platters and Diane Retief's vibrant colourful painted ones- lately I've purchased a few precious small bowls from John Bauer, but this year nothing new, except for one lady, her work below..

Gorgeous bowls- Miro inspired?

John Bauer's latest work

Set the alarm and arrive well before 8 am to get those bargains, see you next year March..... a little bit later, closer to 9 am, outside the coffee stand.

New Hout Bay Harbour Market

The new Hout Bay Harbour Market was buzzing on Saturday morning, I parked far away and followed the masses- never has the harbour been this busy.
Opp the popular Fish and Chips on the rocks in an old warehouse, great for the winter, lovely cosy atmosphere.

A smithy from  Iron & Roses has set up shop, he has a constant audience. The traders are in the front - I found a gorgeous red farmed coral ring at Mint.
The food section with communal tables near the big fireplace at the back, loved the overall design, interesting lighting on ancient tree stumps and drum lights hang from the ceilings,  Zebra 'skin' on the floor.

Toured the food area twice, but apart from the Crayfish and fish braai I was disappointed, a quick look around and most of the people were eating the stir-fry, very yummy looking.
Other than that, the choices were limited -ciabatta rolls with sirloin, very expensive pancakes, sushi, quiches...just didn't cut it for me.

The market will be open on Friday evenings as well as Sundays- excited about Sundays.  Its still very new and I'm sure it'll grow quickly attracting some great additional stalls.

Climbed the dunes with the kids for a pretty beach pic.

City Bowl Market on Hope

Beautiful eye catching facade

Town has a new Saturday market, City Bowl Market on Hope, popped along for a quick peek....silly me- two trips back to the car to offload my shopping.

Beautiful old doors as trestle tables,  stuffed coffee bean bags as seats, candles on the tables...make a great night market as well?

First in the door, is the fresh fruit and veggie stall, I naively through I didn't need any, but spotted bags of limes and Naartjies for ZAR10, long stem Broccoli, and Quinces, 3 for ZAR10!..first trip back to the car.

Immediately to the right a sign 'oysters, champagne and books upstairs' well,  you know me....2nd trip to the car- fresh Mossel Bay oysters.

Finally, I do my rounds of the hall, delicious bacon from Cure Charcuterie- this skilled young man's mission statement- ' I'm out to cure the world, one succulent free range porker at a time'.

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Couldn't resist these honey roasted chicken dumplings- Char Siu Bao,  from the lovely men at the South China Noodle Factory- seriously delicious.

I left to find a bottle of bubbly to go with those oysters- Saturday nights supper was in the bag!