Last Saturday morning we headed for Tokai in the Southern Suburbs to the Porter’s Estate Market. The aroma of coffee combined with the scent of frying bacon welcomed us as we headed directly for the ‘foodhall’ area where a number of stands offer a range of delicious breakfasty meals. There are seating areas (very rustic – tree stump chairs and tables) for parents with little ones alongside a sandpit, for smokers and for non smokers.
No sooner had we found ourselves a seat and a cup of ‘moer’ coffee than we were greeted by a cheerful and friendly Gail Coetzee, Market Manager.
Gail recommended breakfast from the main brekkie stall, which is operated by chefs and staff moonlighting from Jonkershuis Restaurant at Groot Constantia Estate. I went with her suggestion of an eggs benedict roll without the egg – and it was delicious! My son had a chicken burger which was also yummy (admittedly he first removed all the ‘green stuff’). All fresh, all very tasty indeed!
Also available are freshly squeezed fruit juices and smoothies and hot-from-the-pan pancakes!
After breakfast we wandered around the rest of the market where take-home deli and artisan foods (olives, honeycomb, chutneys, biltong and cheeses just for starters) and hand made crafts (basket weaving by the blind, vintage clothing, wooden toys etc) are sold side by side in the picturesque setting.
Two stalls captured my attention on this visit.
1. "Rockaso" sells beautiful children’s clothing made from fabric with traditional Xhosa, Venda, Zulu and other ethnic prints, by Ndileka Biyo who lives and sews in Masiphumele township near Kommetjie. You can contact Ndileka on 0827315560
2. Brave Kids (a registered non-profit trust is based in the Bo Kaap) helps children who have been victims of trauma, through ayurvedic practices, meditation, remedial yoga and other alternative modalities. The Brave Kids stand raises funds for the project by selling various products such as aroma dough, printed scarves and ayurvedic oils. Contact bravekidsSA@gmail.com or call 082 822 5212
Portfolio definitely recommends that visitors and locals alike slot a visit to Porters Estate Market into their diaries. And be sure to go hungry!
(Images: Joy-Anne Goodenough. All rights reserved)
