#HighburyHearsYou … The campaign, the brainchild of Highbury CEO Kevin Ferguson, launched a month ago and Mark Keohane (head of creative content at Highbury Media) reflects on the initial phase – and also lets us into his paradise corners of Cape Town.
There has been such an overwhelming response from restaurants to be featured on Cape Town Etc. In the past month, 150 Cape-based establishments have been showcased, with the reach in excess of 500 000 on Facebook. There have been 200 Instagram stories and 80 000 website views.
As part of the awareness drive, Cape Town Etc is running a series in which Capetonians reveal their local treasures when it comes to eating, drinking and escaping the bustle of the city.
So, here’s Mark’s local delights:
Favourite breakfast – Importers, Newlands.
The scrambled eggs are a winner.
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Favourite lunch – Red Sofa Café, Vredehoek.
It has been my local for the past decade and it’s my ‘go-to’ for lunch or breakfast and, given they do an all-day breakfast, it often doubles as my lunch. The simplicity of the menu is part of the seduction, and the taste never disappoints.
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Favourite dinner – Carlyles on Derry, Vredehoek
When in doubt, my default is Carlyles on Derry in Vredehoek. They have a great menu and you can’t go wrong with the pizzas, pastas and, in the winter, the lamb shank. My favourite, though, is the burger. It’s the best burger in Cape Town.
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Favourite sweet spot – Lazari, Vredehoek
Lazari in Vredehoek. I do venture beyond the foot of the mountain but, having lived there mostly in the past 20 years, this spot speaks to any sweet tooth craving. My indulgence is the chocolate cheesecake.
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Favourite drinks place – La Parada, Bree Street
La Parada in Bree Street is where you would find me and my partner Gillian, settling in for that post-work drink. We’ve been scarce in recent months due to her pregnancy but when in need of a Jameson on the rocks and a shot of Jagermeister, it’s a 50 metre stroll from our apartment in Rose Street, Bo-Kaap. The staff are cool and the service is always five-star.
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The Big Escape(s)
The pregnancy has us more home-bound these days but when we have the chance, our favourite is a night or two at The Bay Hotel in Camps Bay. It’s a 10-minute drive over the Nek, the staff are wonderful and Caamil’s Bar, in which you will meet and be served by the iconic Caamil, is always a treat.
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And our escape outside of Cape Town…
The treasure is 15 on Pratt in Arniston. It is Gill’s home away from home and it has been in her family since 1911. It is her spiritual home, the place she connects with her late father, and it quickly became that home to me and my kids Oliver and Julia.
When in Arniston, you will find us at the Arniston Hotel (simply the best staff, service and accommodation) and no visit to Arniston can happen without a lunch at Willeens in Kassiesbaai.
Submissions for your eatery to be featured on Cape Town Etc are still open.
Mail [email protected] for your moment in the limelight.