Empire has had an excellent season – things got insane for a while for the first two weeks of January! It’s pretty cool to see the “annual locals” each year. Some return each year from Europe/UK bust most simply return from Over-Vaal :D. We’re in our tenth year...

Groundswell Surfboards ! Click here! :D Soon Empire will have it’s own wooden fish (and at a later date an “alaia” too). This one will be a quad 6’4″. MOST EXCELLENT! Click the link above and feel the glow...

Please visit this blog : http://southpolesolohowardfairbank.blogspot.com/   Go read his blog. Go support the man. He is incredible. Strong inside and out. Dominique le Roux, of  Moonshine Media  is his “anchor” , based in Kalk Bay. He is able to communicate with us, through...

Hiya. Jar Cafe has shot another video of Empire Cafe. As much as I hate being on camera (neckface!) I really love the look and feel they have created. It reinforces my work enjoyment as LOT. Click their link and see their other videos...

Every 4-6 weeks we host a movie night. These evenings include chicken wings, beer (sometimes a beer tasting) and a free movie. The goal is just to get the local crew together for a beer and a laugh. We have held two so far. Both have enjoyed excellent attendance and it seems we are on to a...

Please, please read this and give some facefeedback Clickkit

Did you all know that Cornersurfshop’s webcam is mounted on the wall above my balcony? Here’s the link. WEBCAM If it’s broken do NOT ask me about it :D

Here’s a video that Jurgen of Jar Cafe shot for a project he’s working on. I’m not too comfortable in front of cameras of any description but it does rock to have such a cool movie of my business...

Chilly! Good surf :) Soups are back on the menu, big hearty breakfasts. Red cheeks, Ug boots and beanies. It’s definitely winter in Muizenberg. We have been selling wild boar burgers with an apple and chili relish. Sooooo good! Our coffee continues to please; it’s getting tricky...

Fruit salad; a great way to stay healthy and happy in winter. Great colours, great flavours and reasonably priced in these lean times. The muesli is Empire’s own recipe. I have been making it for about 20 years now (gettin’ oooold). It’s really fine. x

Hello all. I am getting together an exhibition of sorts – mostly for fun. I will show photos from my Bali trip (not many surfing related) and sundry other sunrise/sunset shots that I have taken. The ocean is a strong component in my photography (people are not, with rare exceptions). The...

I am thinking of making filled pancakes for breakfast. I spent 3 weeks in Bali now and every morning it was banana pancakes with honey, sliced fruit and watermelon juice. I miss that breakfast! Of course Empire would make a range of fillings, not just bananas. Bolognaise, bacon, rocket and...

I enjoy the simple breakfasts more – good colours, clear flavours, reminiscent of home cooking… :).

We now serve Lady Bonin’s real teas. These are beautiful loose leaf teas, served in Nigiro glass teapots. That way you can see the leaves and appreciate proper tea :). Aromatic tea in elegant teapots We have a new range of high quality products on offer, not just excellent tea and...

http://www.oatshoes.com So cool – plant these takkies when they’re old and they’ll grow wildflowers :D

Took a few fun photos on Monday of trek fishing down near Sunrise beach. Interesting part is there was a chap, whom I’ve met before, throwing back White Steenbras and Leervis. Nice to meet someone who actually gives a damn about the fish populations/planet/environment. So enjoy the...

This is one of my favourite cakes of all time – right up there with a well made Kirschwassertorte.

It’s in the shaping bay. Sexy keel fin on the way. Going to be mounted on the wall quite soon. Just need the correct colour swatch and all will be well.

Epic evening last night. I skated to the far end of Lakeside, then all the way to St. James on the new roads :) took lots of shaky video and some fairly alright images. It felt great :D

Every morning now I’m chilling at work – getting all the latest and lamest while huddling over my 1st, 2nd, 3rd mocha. Ain’t life grand!

Seriously. Come and see – we’ve been painting, cleaning, cooking, serving great food and excellent coffee. Ha – if I was superstitious I’d say it’s like I’ve been born again :D

Yup. It’s true. We started buying beans from “Tribe” a.k.a.  Jake Easton. No pesticides, organic beans. 100% Arabica from Ethiopia (home of all coffee), Brazil, Indonesia and a secret mix from Central America :) We’ve been taking lessons on frothing and grinding....

So perps… erm, I mean peeps. Empire closed for 6 days (to the sound of much wailing and nashing of teeth). We have begun the paint job. I contracted Steve The Painter. He’s pretty amazing; contact me for his details once you’re impressed with the work :). We have new salads,...