Parents Flock to Cape Town

Since returning to Cape Town from break, there has been a huge influx of parents coming to visit my friends. With several different groups of parents coming in such a short time, I have been privileged to have multiple opportunities to meet many different parents and families and be spoiled with beautiful dinners and activities. So much so, in fact, that I have yet to go grocery shopping since returning from break because I have only had 2 dinners at home in over a week. This has led this past week to feel more like a vacation than a return from vacation. So here is how the week went after returning Monday night from what was supposed to be my break:

Tuesday
Allie turned 21 recently and we spent Monday night at Addis In The Cape Ethiopian Restaurant with a group of friends. A very interesting setting and food style, I was happy to have the opportunity to try more traditional African cuisine. 

Ethiopian 

The sponge bread pancake style in which Ethiopian food is served was a cool was to enjoy the meal with a group of people. They served us several different courses on huge pancakes split between 5 or 6 people. We had 3 or 4 tables worth of people who had gathered to celebrate Allie's big day. Demi's parents, who know Allie from home were there, though Allie's own parents had just left. The food was delicious and even more delicious was the dessert that was ordered for Allie that we all had a chance to enjoy.

Allie with her 21st Birthday cake at Addis

After the meal was finished, Dillon insisted that we would head to a rooftop bar he knew just around the corner. One of the many cool things about Dillon is that he will take you places you would never see otherwise. After walking through what seemed like dozens of doors, and elevators, we arrived at an incredible rooftop bar with a view of the whole city. It was a very cool spot and made for a special evening for Allie's 21st birthday.

Wednesday

I was lucky enough to be invited to join the Gagliardi family, as well as Allie, Natalie and Dillon to another evening at the Chef's Table. I last was at the Chef's Table about 2 months ago when Sally, Peter and Sarah were here. Needless to day, this was not just a meal, but really a special event that is hard to forget. With a stellar cast, once again this promised to be an amazing evening.

Me, Allie, Natalie, Mr. Gagliardi, Demi, Dillon and Mrs. Gagliardi from left to right

Highlights from the meal included the squid ink risotto and beetroot prepared 4 different ways on one plate. This time around the group was a bit more rambunctious and it turned into more of a party than just a meal. Mr. and Mrs. Gagliardi are young and full of energy and kept things loose and fun all night. They are very nice, friendly people and everyone was having a blast all night.  

Demi, Mrs. G and I

 After several hours at the table, we had finally made it through 9 of the 10 dishes for the evening (as well as many glasses of wine, beers and cocktails) and Mr. Gagliardi had a great idea, to enjoy our last meal (dessert) outside since it was such a nice evening. What we didn't know at that point, was that being inside was the only thi9ng containing this party from getting out of control. Once we were outside, Dillon, Mr. Gagliardi and I all picked a cigar to light up and we relaxed outside enjoying the company, food and drink.

Dillon and I enjoying some Cubans and Mangos

Dillon and I had gotten a bit rowdy at the Chef's Table and helped ourselves to move about the kitchen, and grab things that we liked. We grabbed a number of mangoes for whatever reason and brought them along with us outside. While we were busy running around the kitchen, the girls were ordering champagne which they opened with a sword that conveinently became available to us once we were outside.

The sword used to open the champagne and Alfonso, our waiter, joining us

The night went on from there, with tons of laughter and one of the more memorable nights I've had here in Cape Town. Mr. Gagliardi dipped out early, after finishing his cigar, he decided he needed to go to bed before things got out of hand. With the sword and seemingly endless supply of champagne and wine we carried on dinner until 1:30. We were left with memories and great pictures from this night that will help it live on forever.

To date, I'm not sure that life gets better than having a cigar in your mouth, glass of champagne in one hand and a sword in the other on the back deck at the Mount Nelson Hotel.

Friday


Saturday



Sunday

Monday