[Here is another post I found in my draft folder from 2015. Cape Town is one of my favorite cities on earth. Here are a few of my favorite places. The first in many city guides to come.]

For a fascinating excursion from the city, take the train south to St. James. Round trip train tickets are less than five dollars from many stops in CT. The views of False Bay are exquisite. There are many small eateries at Kalk Bay, one more stop south. There are also swimming beaches.

False Bay, South Africa, view from the train in 2015

Near the University of Cape Town, the Hussar Grill serves excellent steaks. The atmosphere is dark-Amsterdam-library. They even serve bitterballen. If you don't want to sit at the bar, make a reservation--even on Monday nights! In business since the early 1960s, this brasserie has a loyal clientele.

If you are downtown and hoping for lighter decor, have lunch at Giulio's [note:permanently closed], where exposed brick walls, large windows, white iron furniture and colorful salads rule the day.

Nearby, the coffee is up to your high standards at Yours Truly on Long Street. So is the decor. Also don't miss the Just Cruizin Corner boutique full of light, cotton clothes made in South Africa.

For magnificent views of the city, interesting entrees (such as Ostrich) and good espresso head to the Rhodes Memorial Restaurant.

Shady seats at Rhodes Memorial Restaurant

If you still haven’t had enough coffee, visit Bean There Coffee Co, a gorgeous spot in the middle of the city.

The interior of Bean There Coffee is perfect.

Barista aggressively suggested I get my photo taken with the sign… LOL

I don’t remember what this place is called but you should definitely go there. LOL. I had Calamari at the fancy restaurant across the street and gawked at all of the beautiful people.

Bonus: Cute cameo of Thurston at the end

For accommodations, I strongly recommend the Little Scotia Guest House near the University of Cape Town.

Every space at Little Scotia Guest House in Cape Town is divine

Little surprises around every bend at the Little Scotia Guest House

Conveniently, in Aix we live near this ridiculous mansion and its surrounding grounds and parks. I take Jack there every afternoon to get out of the house and give Alex some time to himself.

Every day is an adventure. Yesterday Jack found himself in the midst of a big kid's birthday party and squirt gun fight. Yesterday he was flirting with a young Portuguese girl clearly on a school field trip. Then he met another 19 month old whose dad gave him a little cake.

Sometimes there is something for me too. I noticed that there was a small lending library box in the corner of the children's area. Inside I found a book of poems, René Char's En trente-trois morceaux (In 33 morsels) with wonderful one liners like this one (It is necessary to tremble to grow):

I spend my mornings at a cute cafe with a charismatic employee who is constantly castigating rude customers, sneaking out front to smoke cigarettes, affectionately greeting those making drop offs, and in other ways just being full of life. They also have adorable plastic trays for serving espresso. Basically heaven.

City Guide: Cape Town in 2015

A day at the parque...