I had a super time in Durban last week catching up on what's new.

One of the first stops was a most amazing breakfast at Bellevue Café in Kloof. I had one of those moments where I wanted to eat the entire breakfast menu, but alas I had one morning only.

I couldn't resist the oats with toasted almonds, followed by a black pan filled with homemade tomatoey baked beans, soft pieces of ham hock, and two perfect eggs (carefully swirled by a poaching master) nestled on top. This was served with thin slices of toasted sourdough on the side to mop it all. Sitting right under the pass, I eyed the creamy mushrooms on toast and the pile of chicken livers. The eggs Benedict looked gorgeous, too.

I got to the midlands in time for lunch at Swissland Cheese just off Nottingham Road. It is a bit of country heaven and honestly produces the best goat’s cheese that I have ever eaten. (In fact, it was the Eat In Produce Awards winner in the dairy category in 2011.)

We chose a log of smoked ash chevin and a roll of the ooziest St Maude to go with some garlic crostini and a bottle of Allesverloren Port. Here we oohed and aahed over the sensational view while planning our afternoon tea spot.

After I had been chomping on the bit to get to one of my favourite places, Café Bloom, we headed there for a sweet treat. I ordered a perfect almond friand, dusted with icing sugar and garnished with a garden-picked pansy.

The owner Michael Haig is a celebrated local ceramist and, between him icing a chocolate cake and me deciding on my new pasta bowls, we chatted about his veggie garden, a new palette of colours for his international consignment, and simple country living.

I left refreshed, inspired and happy.

Have a great week.
Abigail