The Pepper Tree opens on Friday nights.

Friday night and living in Philadelphia used to mean that an evening's entertainment was a 25 to 30km drive to Durbanville, Big Bay or Table View (Melkbos or Malmesbury if you are really masochistic). The other option was to stay at home enjoying the peace and tranquillity of village life occasionally interrupted by the scream of a truck's diesel engine as it hauls grain or battery

chickens down the R304.

That's all over now though. The Pepper Tree is open on Friday nights with a dinner menu. This Friday there was an assortment of pasta dishes and a special of meatballs, sweet potato and vegetables. Prices are between R45 and R60 for a main course. There's also a selection of salads available. There is a compact wine list with a glass of the house red costing R12.

The courtyard and dining area has a soothing fountain and interesting sculptures of donkeys and windmills made of oil drums and old shovels standing around looking arty. After a hot and windy day in Philadelphia; sitting outdoors, just a walk away from home on a warm and still evening is a pretty good way to end the week. 

The Pepper Tree: Tel - 0219721916

 

Enchanted lanterns and luminescent crystals give off a subdued glow as diners relish the balmy evening. (What diners? Apologies for the amateurish photographs obviously taken by means of a cellular telephone. The Bugle's Staff Photographer has been severely reprimanded- The Editor)

 

The Ashley Coopers and a sofa on exhibit in the Pepper Tree Gallery. Paintings by Mr Ashley Cooper.