Rhubarb and Lime Cafe

It's always interesting to me to hear how owners come up with the names of their coffee shops.  I was especially intrigued by this week's shop's name... Rhubarb and Lime Cafe.  At our Coffee Crawl visit last Thursday, Rhubarb and Lime owner, Bergen Gill, told me that she's a real rhubarb fan and definitely wanted the word, "rhubarb," in the name of her coffee shop.  She tried a number of "Rhubarb and ?'s" until "Lime" came around and just seemed to work.... simple as that.

So, as another rhubarb lover, I arrived at this week's Crawl site with the expactation of breraking the No- Food-On-The-Crawl Rule with a scrumptious rhubarb "something."  Well, as Rhubarb and Lime, located at 7 Park Lane near St. George's Park, had only opened two weeks prior to our visit, Bergen was still working on what is to be the signature dessert at the shop... Rhubarb, Pear and Custard Tart.  I'm making plans for a return visit soon to sample Bergen's creation.

Meet the Owner
Bergen Gill

Bergen's background as a chef started out with her studies at Warwick's Chef School in Hermanus followed by a year of training with the Red Carnation Group in London.  Upon her return to South Africa she decided to open Rhubarb and Lime.  What a treat for PE coffee and food lovers!

First things first.... for the coffee lovers.... Rhubarb and Lime features Truth Coffee, which is roasted then shipped to the shop from Cape Town.  My usual order, a cappuccino then an Americano, was prepared by barista, Leeroy.  Both coffees were very nice and either would be excellent with the rhubarb tart that I'll be coming back for!  Now, for the food lovers.... as I had my heart set on breaking the No Food Rule, I perused the Rhubarb and Lime menu which includes breakfast (served all day), salads, pastas, sandwiches and quiches along with a variety of pastries and confections.  I decided on the bacon/mozzarella/spinach quiche which was outstanding.  Others in Thursday's Crawl group enjoyed apple pancakes, carrot cake, and the chilli/butternut/feta quiche, all of which got a thumbs-up from the rule-breaking Crawlers.  If the quiches and cakes are any indication of the quality of the rest of the menu then I can see Rhubarb and Lime quickly becoming a PE favorite!

Meet the Barista
Leeroy





Meet our Waiter
Trevor



Meet our Waitress
Ayabulela



For the philosophers among you.... Bergen has painted the walls with a chalkboard surface on which she has written random words, whimsical phrases and philosophical quotes.  She told me that these will change regularly just to keep things interesting.  Cool idea.

Okay, so what you need to know.... Rhubarb and Lime seats about fifty patrons inside and on the outside patios.  The shop's hours are Mon-Fri, 7:30-4 and Sat, 8:30-2.  Take aways are available and WiFi is free to all customers.  Parking is on street only.

After a toast to my son, Christopher's birthday, South African politics, Canadian politics and the upcoming U.S. elections dominated the conversation among Thursday's Crawlers, Colleen LeRoux, Leanne Waller, Kathy Roppel, June Nash, Beth Vieira, Stella and Beryl Dawson, Margaret Zoetmulder, Gail Darne, Fran de Beer.  Though I'm not much into the political scene I do make a concerted effort to be aware of politicians' platforms/idealogies in order to make an informed decision when voting.  I'm just glad that in this U.S. Presidential election year I'm not being inundated with political poster all about and the endless barrage of TV ads!  I'll vote by absentee ballot and just hope it reaches the U.S. in time.  May the best man win!

This Week's Crawlers
Colleen, Leanne, Kathy, June, Beth, Stella, Beryl, Trevor, Margaret, Gail, Fran

~Thank you and good luck to our hostess and Rhubarb and Lime's owner, Bergen Gill
~Thank you to our waitstaff, Trevor and Ayabulela, for the speedy service with a smile!
~Happy Birthday to Leanne Waller - Sept 28
~Happy Birthday to my nephew, Pete, in Edinboro, PA - Sept 30
~A belated Happy Birthday to Fr. Joslan - Sept 25

Until next week,

Ellen


Front Patio



Refresh Cafe

In looking back over the rough notes for all of my blog posts (you Crawlers have seen your share of those!), I noticed that almost one third of the coffee shops we've visited have been in the Walmer area.  This past Thursday's Crawl (#70 if you can believe it!) contributed to that statistic.... the Crawlers all met at Refresh Cafe, 90 Albert Rd. in Walmer.

Refresh is not visible from the road, rather it is tucked away off to the side and behind the Harvest Christian Church, and across the road from the Harvest Christian Academy.  A small sign points the way to the parking area for the cafe.  Refresh is actually run by the church as a community outreach project.  The coffee shop has been in existence for over four years, if Pastor Ed Walker's memory serves him correctly. 

Pastor Ed Walker

The Refresh Cafe Staff

Refresh is a nice little shop where up to forty patrons can sit back, get comfortable in the high-back upholstered chairs and spend a few hours over breakfast, lunch or just muffins and coffee.  That is exactly what this week's Crawlers, Vicki Minnaar, June Nash, Stella and Beryl Dawson, Gail Darne, Fran and Mandy de Beer, Colleen LeRoux, Kathy Roppel, Beth Vieira, did on Thursday.  It was chocolate or bran muffins all around, baked by cook/chef, Millicent, accompanied by Masterton's filter or Urban Espress cappuccinos/Americanos prepared by baristas, Melody and Priscilla.  My coffees (one cappuccino and one Americano) were perfect for my taste....hot and very strong.... loved it!  Melody, Priscilla and Millicent were all welcoming and pleasant.  Pastor Walker is fortunate to have the three of them running the shop.  So, the next time you are out and about town, stop by the cafe, have some "Refresh"ments and say hi to this wonderful group of ladies.  Refresh Cafe's hours are Mon-Fri, 7:30-3.

Meet the Barista
Melody

Meet the Chef
Millicent

 

Meet the Barista
Priscilla



 





Refresh supports up-and-coming local artists by displaying thier works at the shop.  One painting in particular caught the Crawlers' attention.  It happens to be a piece by a very talented PE resident, Banele Njadayi, whose works have been chosen to be exhibited at the Guichard Art Gallery in Chicago for the next two months.  Banele is in Chicago (his first trip to the U.S.) at the moment for the start of this exhibit and will return to PE in a few weeks.  Remember his name.... he could soon be taking the art world by storm!!!

This Week's Crawlers
Beryl, June, Beth, Fran, Vicki, Mandy, Gail, Stella, Kathy
not pictured - Colleen

Banele's artwork

After discussing the newest "pride of PE,"  our topic of conversation turned to the upcoming Christmas season... it will be upon us before we know it!  It seemed that most everyone at the table has already determined their plans for the holidays.  I better get moving on that.... suggestions from readers on cool African destinations for Christmas are more than welcome.  But hurry, time is running short.

~Thank you to Pastor Ed Walker and the Refresh staff, Melody, Priscilla and Millicent for making the
  Coffee Crawlers feel very much at home.
~Happy Birthday to my son, Christopher in Cleveland, Tennessee - Sept. 20
~Congrats to Banele on your art exhibit in Chicago

Until next week,

Ellen

Coffee Boutique and Deli

And yet another new coffee shop has opened for business in Walmer.  At this rate the PE Coffee Crawl will continue well into 2013!

Last Thursday's Crawl took Crawlers, Fran de Beer, June Nash, Beth Vieira, Leanne Waller, Stella and Beryl Dawson, Gail Darne, Colleen LeRoux, Nomusa Nkomo, Vicki Minnaar, Kathy Roppel, to Coffee Boutique and Deli, located at 178 Main Rd. in Walmer.  Coffee Boutique just opened last month and shares the retail space with O So Lovely, a boutique that features clothing, shoes and accessories.  Michelle Enslin, owner of Coffee Boutique, is just getting her business off the ground so, at this point, is multi-tasking as owner/manager, hostess, cook and barista.  The shop's other staff member, Lelwa, assists on the floor and behind the coffee machine.

Meet the Owner
Michelle Enslin

Meet Michelle's Assistant
Lelwa 

Vicki's Chai Latte

Coffee Boutique is a small shop with seating for about 26 inside and out.  A large grassy yard in the back provides the setting for a gazebo, a picnic table and a playground... the perfect place for moms to chill over a cup of tea or Sumatran brand coffee while the little ones have an opportunity to expend some of their boundless energy.

The shop's menu includes five breakfast dishes (served until noon), two types of fruit smoothies, a limited selection of baked goods, and a variety of hot and cold beverages.  High Tea is offered for R100 per person on Fridays and Saturdays.  Group booking for the High Tea is essential.  Coffee Boutique's hours are Mon-Fri, 9-4, and Sat, 9-1.  The shop has plenty of off street parking and is wheelchair accessible.

This Week's Crawlers
Colleen, Beryl, Leanne, Gail, June, Stella,
Vicki, Nomusa, Fran, Kathy
not pictured - Beth

On August 30, we missed having Nomusa at the Crawl.  She was on a vacation trip to the Wild Coast/Ingquza Hill/Mkambathi Nature Reserve.  We were glad to have her back for our visit to Coffee Boutique.  She brought with her some brochures from the areas she visited.  Lou and I have been meaning to get to the Wild Coast but as yet have not made a plan.  Well, after seeing the beautiful pics and reading about all there is to see and do, a road trip there is now creeping to the top of our travel priority list!

After hearing about Nomusa's holiday, it didn't take long for the Crawlers, surrounded by the handbags, shoes and accessories of the O So Lovely Boutique, to get some shopping in.... a tough job but someone's got to do it.

Lastly, we got to talking about Crawler birthdays.  I realized that I desperately need to update the birthday list that we generated a year ago during our very memorable Crawl #32 to Memory Lane.... so many new Crawlers to add!  And speaking of birthdays:
   ~Happy belated Birthday to David Nash - Sept 7
   ~Happy Birthday to Beth Vieira - Sept 16
   ~Happy Birthday to Fr. Dominic - Sept 17

A couple of other notes:
   ~Thank you to Coffee Boutique owner, Michelle, and her assistant, Lelwa
   ~A big Coffee Crawl welcome to first time Crawler and my fellow North American, Kathy Roppel

Until next week,

Ellen

Urban Espress Coffee Co.

"One sip.... Be changed Forever and come back for more."  (quote snippet from the Urban Espress Coffee Co. facebook page)  
A tall order from Urban Espress owners, Donovan McLagan and Warren Steele, but they certainly delivered at last Thursday's Crawl.  My single origin Brazilian Americano was, without question, THE BEST CUP OF COFFEE I'VE HAD IN PE!!!  I imagine that got your attention!!!

Urban Espress, located at the corner of Villiers Rd. and 6th Ave. in Walmer, opened for business on August 4.  In my conversation with Donovan and Warren they stated that they wanted the shop to be "all about the coffee."  Thus, they have limited the menu to six excellent sandwiches, made on-site, fresh to order, and an assortment of baked goods provided by Pastry Works, their business neighbor.  The remainder of the menu is an extensive list of Donovan's special Full City Roast Ethiopian/Guatemalan blend as well as some single origin coffee beverages along with a variety of teas.

Upon entering Urban Espress patrons are treated to an upbeat and casual coffee shop setting with vintage wooden plank tables, subtle wall hangings, and the wonderfully delicious aroma of freshly roasted coffee.  The monster coffee machine is definitely a showpiece, though not overwhelming as it blends in beautifully with the shop's logo and decor.  The logo, by the way, is genius.  I have to say, Donovan and Warren... you guys really did your homework!

The Urban Espress Coffee Co. owners, Donovan and Warren have an impressive list of credentials as baristas, barista trainers, and barista championship winners.  As a matter of fact, Donovan just participated in the World Cup Tasters Championship, 2012, held in Vienna, Austria this past June.  He came in fifth among coffee tasters from all over the world.  Check out the site at www.worldcuptasters.org

Meet the Owners
Warren Steele and Donovan McLagan

The rest of the staff that we met on Thursday included three very personable young men, our waiter, Lonwabo aka Lloyd, our talented barista (look for him soon at a barista competition near you!), Tichaona aka Joseph, and the main counter guy, Rhys.  You guys are all top notch!

Meet our Waiter
Lonwabo aka Lloyd





Meet the Counter Guy
Rhys



Meet the Barista
Tichaona aka Joseph



PE coffee lovers.... I'm sure that Urban Espress has already become one of your favorite haunts, but if you haven't experienced this new coffee shop in town yet, check it out Mon-Fri, 7:00-3:30, Sat, 7:30-2:30.  You will not be disappointed.

Rightly so, talk at the table centered mostly on how much we all loved Urban Espress and their amazing coffee.  I spent a good deal of time speaking with our very welcoming hosts, Donovan and Warren, and ended up missing some of the conversation with Thursday's Crawlers, Gail Darne, Stella and Beryl Dawson, Leanne Waller, June Nash, Fran de Beer, Colleen LeRoux, Beth Vieira, and Fr. Joslan Goji.  However, I did catch the very end of Colleen filling everyone in on her upcoming trip to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.  This led to a brief discussion of what vaccines and meds are necessary when visiting Zimbabwe and Zambia.  Well, there's definitely a need for malaria pills, plus both countries just got added to the yellow fever list.  That vaccine really did me in... glad I won't need a booster for another ten years.

This Week's Crawlers
Leanne, Gail, Beryl, Beth, Stella, Fran, Fr. Joslan, June
not pictured- Colleen

Thursday's Crawl visit to Urban Espress Coffee Co. started early, continued through a hectic mid-morning rush, and ended just short of noon.  On my way home I circled back around and returned to the shop to purchase a package of Donovan's special blend beans.,,, already "changed Forever and coming back for more."

~Thank you to Donovan, Warren and the Urban Espress staff... superb shop...I'll definitely be back!

~Happy birthday to my nephew, Joey - Sept 2

~Congratulations to Sandy and Ray on the birth of their new grandson, Oliver

Until next week,

Ellen