After an afternoon in front of the last home game at Bramall Lane (and the last home game in the Championship for at least a while) for Sheffield United, we headed into town for a pre-anniversary meal out.
Eighteen of your South African years. Incredible.
A night out in town can be a big adventure when you have become ensconced in the Southern Suburbs. And we were reminded early on of why we like to keep it local with a scary ride into the CBD in an Uber with no shock absorbers. Well, no working ones anyway. The driver also asked us what sort of music we’d like to listen to, and we said we weren’t really bothered – just not jazz. Sadly, something was lost in translation and we ended up with a Smooth Jazz mix which wouldn’t have been out of place in a 1980s elevator, the interesting percussion patterns augmented by the clanking of what was left of the rear axle each and every time we went over a bump in the road.
Thankfully, at the end of the journey was The Dark Horse, complete with beer, wine, rooftop seating and views over a chilly Cape Town. Jack Black Weiss? Don’t mind if I do. Heavenly stuff.
And then, after a bit of that, there was the place across the road.
The Black Sheep is always amazing. The vibe, the food, the wine and the service are all top notch. And last night was no exception. We were treated to tasting plates from several of the starters including their incredible chili squid before exceptional mains of kudu loin and coconut lentil curry. All washed down with some of Gabrielskloof’s Bordeaux Blend and a few glasses of Migliarina Chenin Blanc. So good.
No room for desserts, but there is always next time.
Sadly, we turn into pumpkins if we don’t get back to the safety of the ‘burbs around the mountain before midnight, so we headed home and this time I booked a ‘spensive moose Uber Black to avoid the dangers of a poorly serviced Toyota Corolla. The Beemer 3 series that turned up was lovely and comfy, but the driver had clearly never driven it before. Nor could he follow a map. A bizarre and wholly uncalled for left turn by the fire station in town. Weird acceleration and braking all over Philip Kgosana Drive. And then a couple of missed junctions nearer home meant that we went far further than we needed to. And then he didn’t end the trip on his phone.
A 2 star rating (you’re apparently only allowed to give 1 star if you died en route) and our money back following a complaint and a fare review this morning. But now I’m very open to Uber alternatives, please.
A late anniversary morning lie-in today, followed by a thorough workout in the gym, because I have loads and loads of calories to get rid of. And once this blog post is done – which it very nearly is (cue sighs of relief from both readers) – a quick wander in the Green Belt with the beagle.
Tomorrow. More food and wine. But more about that then.
