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Warm sunshine splashes over us as we take our seats in Harveys’ outdoor, courtyard. Our server greets us with two welcoming flutes of champagne, then briefly goes over the highlights of the brunch buffet.

We are free to go up and participate in the bounty, but first, we take a few moments to appreciate our surroundings.

The fountain directly in front of us emanates a soothing, trickling, sound. The bright, colorful flowers, climbing the courtyard walls, make me feel as if I’ve stepped into a fairy tale.

Hopeful, enthusiastic birds, bounce about, waiting for the chance to exploit a messy eater.

We are the first to enter the food wonderland that is Harveys’ brunch buffet. The layout of food is a work of art. Each morsel of deliciousness, carefully set in its place. I feel a twinge of guilt, as the tongs in my greedy hand, disrupt the carefully crafted platters.

Everything imaginable is on offer. If you fancy sushi and waffles; they are there, a slice of freshly carved roast beef, a piece of fruit, or pasta salad? Dig in.

I’ve recently developed an appreciation for mussels. I pile them on my plate. The sauce and accompaniments make the mussels sweet and tangy. I gobble them up like seafood candy.

Just as we tuck into our first round of food, the band begins to play. We are told that the trumpet player is a famous, South African, musician, who rarely plays at Harveys. His presences on stage, on this day, is a big deal.

The mellow jazz, washes over us in a wave of relaxation. This is what jazz brunch is all about, a perfect marriage between taste and sound.

After having my fill of savory, I go in search of sweet. I look and look, but cannot figure out the location of the buffet’s desserts. I shrug and sit back down to enjoy the music.

A little while later, I notice a woman walk past with a plate of sweet treats. I spring up from my seat, determined to figure out where I can obtain a cream puff.

Like one of the great feast scenes from Harry Potter, where meats, cheeses, and a tray of potatoes once sat, an abundance of cupcakes, tarts, and puffs, magically appear. The savory items are completely switched out for the sweet.

Then it hit me, this wasn’t a brunch like at home, where friendly, but harried wait staff, politely rush you along, because a crowd of people, clawing at the restaurant’s windows like hungry zombies, are waiting to occupy your seat.

Jazz brunch at Harveys’ is meant to be an experience. Harveys’ desires for you to stay and savor.

Knowing that we now have full permission to linger, we refill our coffee mugs, and tap our feet as the trumpet player moves a shaker up and down to the beat of the drums.

Every few minutes I steal glances at the flowers, I just can’t take my eyes off of them.

I have that old familiar feeling. I’m so astonished to be here, eating delicious food, listening to jazz, on a continent that is not my own. Travel really is a spectacular thing.

If you are a fan of jazz or brunch, or jazz and brunch, I highly recommend visiting Harveys in Cape Town for their Sunday Jazz Brunch. It is very popular so you must make a reservation, and reserve well in advance. It’s an experience for your taste buds and ears that will not disappoint.

Here’s a little taste of the vibe at Harveys during Jazz Brunch

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