Church rose

Roses outside the Montagu Museum housed in the old Mission Church built in 1907

Bain Street Grill - Port Elizabeth

Over the last couple of years the area around Stanley Street in Richmond Hill has developed into a hub of restaurants, side walk eateries and deli's and has become one of the best places to go for a meal in Port Elizabeth.  One of the restaurants I have heard a lot about but hadn't had a chance to visit is the Bain Street Grill (32 Bain Street, Richmond Hill) just around the corner from Stanley Street.  But this was about to change when I made a booking to visit it with a bunch of visiting journalists.  My first surprise of the evening came as soon as we walked in the front door.  The Bain Street Grill is a small cosy restaurant (for some reason I was expecting a big "Spur" like place) with only about 9 or 10 tables which means that there are far less noise and much better service.  On the night we were there there was one waitress handling the orders for all the tables (and doing a very good job) while a second made sure drinks were delivered and topped up without anybody going thirsty. 

My second surprise came when we weren't handed menu's but rather was told that everything on offer is up on the walls.  This meant that there was a lot more discussion between everybody on what to have rather than the usual hiding behind the menu and peeking around it wondering what the others are having.  Another thing I liked about the restaurant was the open plan kitchen in which you could see the chef preparing the food and, even though he was probably busy as hell, he looked as cool as a cucumber. 

My big surprise was the food.  Priced lower than it's competition, the food was excellent and the portions generous.  No fancy garnishes and things (In Afrikaans we would say "fieterjasies"), just plain good food.  I thought that the vegetable kebab was a brilliant touch so in between the calories, cholesterol and carbs you do get something healthy in as well.  Although there were a lot of stuff on the menu that looked good I was recommended the Ribs beforehand and I wasn't disappointed. F-I-N-G-E-R  L-I-C-K-I-N-G good and "fall off the bone" soft.

One of the ladies had fish, Cajun Kingklip if I remember correctly.  My first thought was why order fish as a grill restaurant is often associated with meat, but according to her she would order it again any day. She also opted for the healthier option and had it with veg.

I'm not a prawn man myself but I have to admit that the Surf and Turf option of steak and prawns looked divine.  Other than big smiles and thumbs up I didn't get a comment on this dish though cause the ones having it had their mouths full all the time.  All in all I have to say that we had a stunning evening of good food and good company in an excellent and recommendable restaurant and I am honestly looking forward to my next visit to Bain Street Grill. 

We visited Bain Street Grill on a recommendation and not on invitation and paid for the bill

"Moon light bulb"

Some of the regular visitors to the blog is probably starting to wonder why I haven't posted any pictures I took on our December holiday to beautiful Montagu and Cape Town yet.  Well, first my laptop didn't want to read my camera and after 4 days of struggle I took my old pc out of storage and got the pics downloaded.  I started going through them last night and as soon as I have done I will get them posted.

Late last year I was hosting a group of journalists to Port Elizabeth for the IRB Rugby 7's and we visited Anza's tavern in Motherwell for dinner one night.  I was sitting outside and the near full moon kept on peeking out from behind the clouds.  On top of this pipe it actually looked like a dim light bulb.

Cape Recife Lighthouse

The Cape Recife Lighthouse on the southern peninsula of Algoa Bay in Port Elizabeth was built in 1851.  The lighthouse is a 24 metre octagonal masonry tower painted with black and white bands and flash every every 30 seconds.

Sand waves

Sand ripples at Cape Recife in Port Elizabeth

Lighting the way

Arriving back at Camp Figtree in the Zuurberg after a late afternoon game drive in Addo Elephant National Park, you are welcomed by lanterns lighting the way to the lodge.

Stadium in lights

Good bye 2011, hello 2012.  I'm still struggling to figure out where 2011 went.  For some reason this year just flew by and even though it went quickly so much have happened.  But at the rate that time is flying there is no time to dwell in the past so lets rather look to the future.  I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a happy and prosperous New Year.  May 2012 bring joy and happiness and may all your wishes come true.  Not too much to ask, is it?

Today's picture is the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in lights photographed recently during the South African leg of the IRB 7's World Series hosted in Port Elizabeth.

Just in case why I haven't been posting as regularly as always, the end of the working year was hectic at work and we have been on holiday from the 17th of December.  So by now we have had (well hopefully cause I'm forward posting this and the holiday hadn't actually started when I did the post) had a stunning time in Montagu in the Klein Karoo and is hopefully lounging next to a pool in Cape Town today.  So as soon as I get back I will start to process all my Western Cape photos from the holiday and will start posting regularly again.  Happy New Year.