In the November issue of TASTE, we asked you for your favourite alfresco restaurants.

GRAND CAFE AND BEACH

“This place reminds me of the beach clubs in Europe,” says TASTE reader Marianne Engvall
of Cape Town. “It offers the best of both worlds – a fantastic restaurant and a picturesque beach setting. It’s the perfect view to enjoy with a glass of chilled wine.”

Marianne adds that the restaurant’s interior, a blend of boho chic and sassy cosmopolitanism, perfectly complements the menu, which is liberally peppered with classic bistro favourites – think retro avocado Ritz, mussels with frites and steak Béarnaise – but also stars a selection of sublime thin-crusted pizzas laden with fresh toppings.

Granger Bay Road, off Beach Road, Cape Town; tel: (021) 425-0551, www.thegrand.co.za

YOU ALSO LOVE
PAPACHINO'S

“As a mother of three little ones, I love dining here as there’s a dedicated play area with childminders on hand to help keep an eye,” says TASTE reader Daleen ter Wolbeek, adding that “the pizzas are amazing!”

40 Whisken Avenue, Midrand; tel: (011) 702-1234

LA CASA NOSTRA
Monique Labat describes Umdloti’s La Casa Nostra as a “laid-back, atmospheric trattoria”. “The food is unpretentious,” she adds, citing garlic and olive oil as perfect with the crisp foccacia. “The choice of South African white wines is superb, too.”

Whitesands Centre, Main Road, Umdloti; tel: (031) 568-1996, www.lacasanostra.net