Manna Epicure is on Kloof Street near Cafe Paradiso. The theme of the restaurants are totally different however. Manna Epicure is trendy, the interior of the restaurant is all white with lots of glass and a chandelier (Stark-ish?).
Denise from Freshly Found has more photos of Manna Epicure to give you a sense of the place.
Manna Epicure claims to serve tapas though it was not really what I expected. It was more of a variety of dips (hummus, eggplant, olives etc.) that go with bread and some main courses like sandwiches. I liked that they had a variety of fruit juices and teas that was very refreshing!
Here's my orange avocado soup that was quite yummy!
They also serve great juices and refreshing ice teas.
Chomp Meter: This the place to be seen, and a wonderful place for a light lunch. Decor is trendy and the food is creative.
Manna Epicure
151 Kloof Street
Cape Town
27-21/426-2413
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Manna Epicure - Chic design
Jimmy's Killer Prawns - Killah!
After a couple nights of blah food, I was really excited to find Jimmy's Killer Prawns! Prawns / shrimp, especially large ones aren't as common in the U.S. and Jimmy's specializes in this. The shrimp are grilled to perfection with a special seasoning which makes it all the more yummy. The prices are also really reasonable. Approximately 20 Shrimp for US$12.
You can sit outside with Table Mountain in the backdrop at Jimmy's on Kloof street:
We went there twice while I was in Cape Town. *Gasp* What? To a chain restaurant and twice! Another confession, I ordered the same thing again because it was so good. I proceeded to finishing my 20 or so prawns and then sucked on the heads. Yes I know that is unladylike but soo yummy!
In case you are wondering, the dish is Jimmyz's Prawn Promise. Here it is below! This place was also a hit with my fellow diners. 
Jimmy's Killer Prawns Locations
Kloof Street
1 Upper Union Street
Corner Kloof and Union
Tel: 021 426 0327
Hout Bay
1st Floor Jamaica Beach
1 Beach Crescent
Tel: (021) 790 2441
Table view
1st Floor Portico Building
Beach Boulevard
Next to KFC
Tel: (021) 557 7449
Chomp Meter: So anyway if you haven't figured this out from the rest of the post, I highly recommend stopping by during the trip. Get your fill of grilled prawns here!
Fun fact: Jimmyz has a branch in Dubai and France!
Cafe Paradiso
This is a great place to dine al fresco in sunny Cape Town weather. We kind of stumbled upon this place. I was meaning to take the SO to Manna Epicure instead but it's closed on Mondays! Boo. 
(Photo courtesy of SouthAfricaLogue.com)
Anyway Cafe Paradiso was a great find. Definitely a favorite among locals as well because we ran into the owner of the B&B where we stayed here! Purely coincidental, she hadn't recommended this place to us previously.
Cafe Paradiso is on Kloof street (on the slopes of Table Mountain). A short walk way from lots of restaurants and shops. This is where the office workers head for a relaxing lunch. I highly going to HeartWorks a few doors down for handmade African souveneirs. Not the kitschy stuff but nice high quality carvings, ceramics, etc. Very designer looking but at great prices. We chatted for a bit with the owner who travels around Africa sourcing the nicest items from local craftsman.
But back to Cafe Paradiso. Here's the butternut, fig and rice pilaf I got. It was fresh, yummy, and light. Just what I was looking for: 
If you are looking for something heavier, they also have a variety of meats, including ostrich and rabbit. There's also a large selection of wines and beers. The style is South African with a French twist. I highly recommend this restaurant for lunch on a nice sunny day. There's seating in a garden setting and just in case you get too hot, large umbrellas.
Cafe Paradiso
110 Kloof Street
Gardens
8001
(Neighbourhood: Gardens / Kloof Street)
Chomp Meter: 
Great place for lunch as you tour the Kloof Street area! This was one of my favorite meals of the trip, maybe because it was unexpected and unpretentious. Simple food yet creative and done well. I loved it.
Oh and don't forget to stop by Vida E Caffe for coffee after walking around!
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Vida e Caffe - South Africa's Starbucks?
I was surprised to find that there is no Starbucks in Cape Town but who needs mediocre Starbucks coffee when there are a ton of cafes serving awesome coffee!
My favorite South African "chain" is Vida e Caffe.
Vida e Caffe = Coffee and Life in Portuguese. I love everything about it, from the clean design of the store, chill music, to the coffee, the simple menu, pastries and the Portuguese theme.
Very trendy eh?
Vida Caffe serves a variety of coffee drinks including lattes, capuccinos, espressos, frozen coffees, all served with their signature, a small piece of Lindt dark chocolate.
You HAVE to stop by and grab a cup of coffee and a cream filled croissant(carnetti) or egg tart (pasteis de nata).
Chomp Meter: Highly recommended. Definitely stop by at least once!
Their Cape Town locations include:
Camps Bay
Shop 1 Isaacs Corner
55-61 Victoria Road
Camps Bay
Phone: 021 424 5829
Canal Walk
Shop 404 & 406
Upper Level, Canal Walk Shopping Center
Century City, Milerton 7441
Phone: 021 552 3560
Green Point
Corner Portswood and Somerset/Main Rd
Green Point
Cape Town
Phone: 021 434 7266
Kloof Street
Shop 1 Mooikloof
34 Kloof Street
Gardens, Cape Town
Phone: 021 426 0627
Sea Point
Shop 11
Da Luz Mall
Sea Point Main Road
Cape Town
Phone: 021 424 5730
V&A Waterfront
Shop 6100
Victoria and Albert
Waterfront
Phone: 021 425 9440
Wembley Square
McKenzie Street
Gardens 8001
Phone: 021 465 8644
(Lots of touristy locations so you have no excuse not to go!)
See complete list of locations.
