Pajamas and Jam Eatery
I cannot believe that after living in the Western Cape for four years, I had not heard of the charming treasure that is The Pajamas and Jam Eatery. Tucked away in the industrial area of Somerset West is a warehouse of brunch goodness. It is owned and run by the de Villiers family, and the warehouse is filled from the floor to the rafters with vintage paraphernalia, breakfast, brunch and lunch fare, as well as baked delights. Had a good friend not emphatically recommended it to me, and promised an abundance of cakes and a particularly good brownie, I would be living the half life I had unknowingly been living before visiting this depositary of all my brunch dreams come true.
The agglomeration of vintage decorations in the space could err on the side of kitsch, yet is balanced by the sleek, minimalist decor of the entrance hall and tables. In fact the vintage trinkets on display add character to the space, which would otherwise typify the modern, spare places which have become commonplace for brunch spots. The only complaint would be the fact that the warehouse unfortunately doesn’t allow for many windows, resulting in minimal air flow and a very hot eatery. But the staff at Pajamas and Jam eatery do try to combat this with fans and very luxurious cold refreshing towels.
The eatery has a large breakfast menu and despite my proclivity for eggs Benedict, I decided to order the classic two eggs and toast. It comprised of two poached eggs, bacon, toast, cherry tomatoes and jam. I liked the simplicity of the meal and all aspects were done perfectly and were complimented by a delicious frothy cappuccino. My dad had the same and opted for their home baked ginger bread, which was delicious but perhaps a bit too sweet with other traditional breakfast foods. Unfortunately they don’t serve brunch all day, but that’s okay because there is a whole lunch menu to explore. I would highly recommend taking a few of their brownies home with you; as all of their baked goods are strategically displayed on a wooden table near the door, insisting you take them home with you in abundance. If you live near Somerset West, or even if you don’t, I seriously recommend making a trip to Pajamas and Jam Eatery. It is now one of my favourite brunch venues, and that's just after one visit.
Check out Pajamas and Jam Eatery's Website here: https://www.pajamasandjam.com/eat/