Camp’s Bay has never really been my kind of place. If I’m honest I just feel a little out of my depth on Cape Town’s sunset strip. The girls are too beautiful and the guys are too rich. I’m more likely to walk down the beachfront side of Victoria Road exchanging greetings of ‘irie brother’ with hawkers on my way to Pick ‘n Pay, than to enjoy a cocktail in one of the slick bars and restaurants on the ‘business side’.
The strip is undeniably beautiful though, and with the launch of La Belle Bistro and Bakery, there might finally be reason for me to cross over.
A beautiful bar, an easy-going vibe and fresh home baked goods. La belle.
I can think of few more pleasant scenarios than sitting in La Belle’s outside area on a fresh sunny morning, eating Eggs Benedict and drinking fresh juice, watching the swell roll in and the tourists jumping on and off their big red buses. This, of course, after the mandatory minutes ogling the pastry case; there’s no getting around it, it’s all just that pretty and tasty looking. The menu isn’t exactly what we’d call cheap as chips, but it won’t make your palms sweat either, and if you’re the kind of person who appreciates a bit of thought and effort in presentation, this is right up your boulevard.
Cheesecake anyone?
But did I feel comfortable there? Well, yes. Sure it has an air of slight fanciness, but it’s also relaxed. Next to huge gold-framed mirrors, the cricket is on the TV. There are menus written chalk-board style on the walls. Numerous high-end magazines are spread across the bar, but they’ve also got the Cape Argus with Patricia De Lille on the cover looking more furious than glamorous.
Will I be back? It may only be on the occasional Saturday morning when I decide to treat myself, but yes, because it really does feel like a treat.
In case you lose track of time.
