Bocadillos Cafe

Deja vu... we've all experienced it... and when we do there's inevitably a need to make sure everyone around us knows it.  For some reason, I experienced deja vu more often when I was younger.  That seems odd since we have more experiences to "repeat"  as we age... whatever.  Anyway, Thursday morning, as I entered Bocadillos Cafe, a brief moment of deja vu swept over  me.  It quickly passed when Tristan, Bocadillos' manager, came over to greet me.  I certainly couldn't let him in on my deja vu (after all we'd just met!) so, instead, I gave him a quick rundown on the blog and he, in turn, gave me a tour of the shop.

Bocadillos has just recently relocated from 181 Main Rd. in Walmer to a much larger building and its present address at 54 6th Ave in Walmer.  This new shop has a large main dining room and a small side room leading out to a courtyard.  More seating is also available on the patio.  Now, most owners don't give much thought to the passageway that leads patrons to the rest rooms.  However, Bocadillos' owner, Kerry Repton-Smith, has stylishly decorated this area of the shop.  Along with a cute furnished space she has incorporated a curved wall covered in old sheet music.  It's a unique conversation piece.  As a matter of fact, Tristan and I "talked music " a bit when we got to this part of the tour.  It's very cool... check it out even it if you don't need to use the facilities while you're there!

Meet the Owners
Matt Repton and Kerry Repton-Smith

Now, if you're a regular reader of this blog you may recognize Kerry's surname, Repton, as also being that of VovoTelo's owner (Crawl #10, April 15 posting).  Well, it just so happens that Vovo Telo's owner, Matt Repton (who was not on site on crawl day at his shop) was at Bocadillos on Thursday visiting none other than his sister, and owner of Bocadillos!  Wow...what a great photo op!!!  Matt finally gets his pic on the blog!  So, there was something very familiar about the atmosphere of Bocadillos that I just couldn't identify... not a "deja vu familiar," but something......   Then it hit me...Bocadillos and Vovo Telo both have an energy that is palpable.  The staff at both shops is enthusiastic, fun, and all appear to totally love their jobs.  Matt and Kerry must have a family secret for how to run a successful business.  Kudos to both of you!!!

Bocadillos has an amazing bakery (I bought some croissants to take home!) and a taste-tempting menu.  Illy brand is used for all their coffee beverages.  The cappuccinos, prepared by baristas Kukie and Taba, were excellent, as were the designs in the froth!  Our waiter, Siya, and manager, Tristan, visited the table a few times to chat with this week's crawlers, Beth Vieira, Stella and Beryl Dawson, June Nash, and Fran and Keith de Beer, and to make sure we were all happy with our coffees and the service.  No complaints here!

Knowing we were meeting this week at Bocadillos, June didn't eat breakfast because she planned to break the "No Food On The Crawl" rule.  She opted for the oats with some stir-ins.... and looked like she had died and gone to heaven as she ate it!  Well, that kept her quiet as the rest of us discussed last weekend's  International Food Fest for which I made Sloppy Joes and Apple Pie.  Another topic at the table was the Grahamstown Arts Festival (June 30-July 10).  In the spirit of the festival, June, though unable to speak, busted out a ballet move that would put Barishnikov to shame!!!  June, you missed your calling!  So, after 21 "Crawls" you'd think we'd have run out of things to talk about... guess not, because recycling and how opposites attract were also discussion topics this week.  We then brainstormed names of more coffee shops to visit in the coming months.  Settle in, folks, ... believe me, we'll be doing this for a while!!!

Thank you's and special occasions:
*Thank you to Kerry Repton-Smith and Matt Repton for providing PE with two great coffee shops... BRAVO!
*Thank you to Tristan and the rest of Bocadillos' fun staff
*Happy Anniversary to Fran and Keith de Beer (July 1)
*Happy 4th of July to all my American readers...hope you have good weather for your celebrations, and enjoy the fireworks!

When I asked my daughter, Liz, what "deja vu" actually means in French she said, "already seen."  Lou, you were pretty close when you said it meant, "been there, done that."   Both work for me!

Until next week,

Ellen

This Week's Crawlers
Stella, Fran, Beth, June, Beryl, Keith

Meet the Baristas
Kukie and Taba

The Bocadillos' Staff