Cafe Delicia

"Making your way in the world today takes everything you've got.  Taking a break from all your worries sure would help a lot.  .......  Sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name, and they're always glad you came. ......"  ("Cheers" theme lyrics.  Portnoy; Angelo)
If there was a South African coffee shop version of the 1982-93 hit television series, "Cheers," Cafe Delicia would get my vote for the setting!

Meet the Owner
Kewan Voysey

Cafe Delicia is situated in a quiet, out-of-the-way neighborhood at 16 Lutman St. in Richmond Hill.  Owner Kewan Voysey pretty much knows everyone who walks through the door of his shop by name.  His regular customers include businessmen and working people, coffee groups, writing and book clubs, along with many of the shop's neighbors.  Patrons (even the "not regulars") are all warmly welcomed into this cozy shop and are immediately made to feel like old friends.  Crawlers, Gail Darne, Beth Vieira, Stella and Beryl Dawson, Colleen, Ralph, Aiden and Maddy LeRoux, Margaret and Arthur Marshall, Nicolette Hijmans, Nomusa Nkomo. June Nash, Lee Rodwell, were certainly feeling the love on Crawl Day!

This Week's Crawlers
Maddy, Colleen, Margaret, Nicolette, June, Stella, Beryl,
Gail, Nomusa, Beth, Ralph, Aiden, Arthur
not pictured - Lee

Cafe Delicia, with its eclectic decor, accommodates about 45 people.  Seating is available in the downstairs main room or in the upstairs area which is set aside for meetings or for those who wish to have some quiet time for computing, reading, or relaxing.  The shop features LavAzza coffee and specialty drinks prepped by barista Jeffrey, as well as a variety of other hot and cold beverages.  Many of Thursday's Crawlers tried the Cafe Delicia Affocato (single espresso, honey, vanilla ice cream, chocolate powder, served with a double espresso shot on the side).  Delicious!!!!  Though that, along with the cappuccino I had earlier in the morning, contributed to intense caffeine jitters for the rest of the day...(I tore it up at the gym that afternoon!!!!)  The chalkboard menu also lists breakfast, lunch, and specialty sarmie selections.

Meet the Barista
Jeffrey

If you're not up for leaving the house on these cold winter days just give Kewan a call for a delivery order at 041 582 5202.  Cafe Delicia also offers on- and off-site catering for special events/weddings, small and large groups.  Call the same number given above for details.  Though the shop's regular hours are Mon-Fri, 7:30-4 (closed Sat, Sun) you can book the venue or order catering services for anytime including weekends. Plenty of parking is available on Landsdowne and Lutman Streets.....Cafe Delicia is right on the corner.  For some excellent coffee, warm and friendly service, and an at-home atmosphere join the regulars at Cafe Delicia!  CHEERS!!!

Coffee Crawl Day happened to fall on July 18, Nelson Mandela's 95th birthday.  Every year on "Mandela Day" people in South Africa and around the world are encouraged to spend 67 minutes doing something good for others.  This day has become a world-wide day of aiding humanitarian causes in commemoration of the 67 years that Nelson Mandela spent in public service.

Along with each of the Crawlers' individual responses to the call for 67 minutes of service, many also came to coffee on Thursday bearing donations of clothing, outerwear, and blankets which were donated to a local charitable organization.  Thanks to all of the Crawlers for their generosity, and a special thanks to Keith de Beer for delivering the donations.

In the spirit of making every day "Mandela Day" we got to talking about those who give of their time daily in an attempt to make the world a better place....a weighty topic over coffee.  I told everyone about a friend of my family, Fr. Symon Ntaiyia, who we met in NY but is originally from Kenya.  With monetary donations from private individuals and tons of effort on his part he started the Friends of Fr. Symon Jubilee School for Nomads situated just north of Nairobi, Kenya.  Check out the website: www.schoolfornomads.org   It's amazing what an ordinary individual can accomplish!

The conversation turned to a topic closer to home as we began to discuss the wonderful work that the volunteers at SAMREC (South Africa Marine Rehabilitation and Education Centre) do.  The Crawlers visited their coffee shop, The Flying Penguin, in March, 2012 (see March, 2012 post), and toured the facility. We, as well as future generations, not to mention the penguins, sincerely appreciate the work you do.

Gino Fabbri interviews a competitor

A quick note on the July 25 Coffee Crawl:  Fourteen Crawlers joined me for the opening day of the SCASA (Specialty Coffee Association of Southern Africa) Regional Barista Championship held at the Home Expo at the Moffet on Main Lifestyle Centre.  Enjoying beverages from local coffee shop stalls at the Expo, we were entertained by event emcee Gino Fabbri and awed by the talents of the best baristas of the Eastern Cape. We observed the early round of the competition in which each barista had fifteen minutes to serve espressos, cappuccinos, and their specialty coffee beverages to four judges, and all the while with three additional judges literally breathing down their backs.  Now there's some coffee stress!  Congrats to the top six baristas: Donovan from Urban Espress, Byron from Friendly Stranger, Joe from Urban Espress, Victor from InFoods, Zuko from Wimpy Boardwalk, Roberta from Lavenda Blu.  These six will go on to compete in Johannesburg in September.  Lou and I are planning to go to Joburg to cheer you on!

Judges testing the espressos

~Thank you to Kewan, Kewan's Mom, and Jeffrey
~Happy Birthday to Colleen LeRoux - Aug 1
~Happy Birthday to Nelson Mandela!

Until next week.....Cheers!

Ellen

Beyond Beans

When I started the PE Coffee Crawl nearly two and a half years ago we averaged about 4-7 Crawlers on any given Crawl.  I never bothered to make reservations since most coffee shops can easily accommodate that size group (especially on a Thursday morning) with no advance notice.  However, over the years of Crawling, our average group size has continued to increase and is now approximately 12-15.  With this in mind I have recently taken to stopping in at the next Crawl venue a few days ahead to make a booking. Such was the case two weeks ago.  Crawler Leanne Waller had suggested we visit Beyond Beans, a new coffee shop she had discovered in her meanderings around town.  So, on Monday, July 8, I made a quick trip to Beyond Beans to book a table for "12-ish people" for Thursday, the 11th.

On Crawl Day, much to my surprise, and even more to the surprise of Beyond Beans' Manager, Rolynda Prince, we ended up almost doubling the "12-ish" estimate with 23 Crawlers on July 11. Occasionally over the years we've gotten a spike in our numbers (St. Pat's Day, of course, or some other holiday) but I usually see it coming.  This one, though, totally blindsided me!  Rolynda and the Beyond Beans staff dealt beautifully with our increased number....we were all served our beverages and food in a timely manner and with outstanding hospitality.  Kudos to all of you!

Meet the Manager
Rolynda Prince

Meet the Barista
Khanya

Beyond Beans' owner Julie Rathbone opened the coffee shop on January 21, 2013, and just recently brought manager Rolynda on board.  Excellent decision, Julie!

Beyond Beans is located at the corner of 2nd Ave. and Cape Rd. in Newton Park, and is accessed from the DisChem Wellness Centre parking lot.  The shop, which seats 40-45 customers, is open Mon-Fri, 7:30-4, Sat, 7:30-1, closed on Sunday.

This Week's Crawlers
Heather, Aiden, Maddy, Ralph, Colleen, Leanne, June, Keith, Fran,
Nomusa, Margaret Z., Gail, Beryl, Stella, Margaret M., Arthur,
Kerry-Ann, Billi-Jean, Margie, Lee, Beth

This week's Crawlers, newcomers Ralph, Kerry-Ann, Aiden, and Maddy Le Roux, and Margie and Billi-Jean Parker, along with veteran Crawlers, Colleen Le Roux, Lee Rodwell, Beth Vieira, Gail Darne, Margaret Zoetmulder, Margaret and Arthur Marshall, June and Cayle Nash, Stella and Beryl Dawson, Fran and Keith de Beer, Nomusa Nkomo,  Leanne Waller, Heather Anderson, were treated to a variety of teas, shakes, and Sumatran Romano blend coffees all prepared by barista Khanya.  The kitchen staff served up breakfasts that were a feast for the senses.  A few of us stayed long enough into the afternoon that we witnessed the lunch time rush customers enjoying the menu's mid-day meal selections.  Beyond Beans has only been open for six months yet it appears that business is booming......not a surprise considering its convenient location, open, airy, contemporary country atmosphere, quick, friendly service, and delicious food and beverages.  Beyond Beans is a relatively new coffee shop in PE that is well worth checking out!

At Thursday's Crawl we were fortunate to have joining us Colleen's guests and first time Crawlers, the Le Roux/Parker contingent, visiting from the States and elsewhere in South Africa.  It was a pleasure to share the morning with you all.  A truly amazing thing occurred as a result of their visit with us.  It just so happens that a friend of Billi-Jean's from years ago, who she's been attempting (with no success) to "find" for quite some time, is related to Crawler Beth Vieira!  Beth provided Billi-Jean with her friend's contact info.....and long, lost friends have been reunited!  Awesome!

Having our visitor, Billi-Jean, with us prompted yet another conversation topic at the table, that being the 1973 tennis Battle of the Sexes between Billie Jean King and Bobby......Bobby.......Bobby...... Bobby Fischer.  Wrong... Fischer was the 1972-75 World Chess Champ.  After wracking our collective brains, finally Margie came up with Bobby Riggs who lost the Battle to Billie Jean King in three sets in a best of five match.  You go, girl!!!  We hear there are rumblings of a possible A. Murray/S. Williams Battle of the Sexes in the future.  I'd love to be courtside at that one!

So, after 100 plus Crawls, we're still welcoming newcomers, creating and re-creating friendships, discussing an endless list of topics, and enjoying amazing coffee along the way.  And the Crawl continues....

~Thank you to Rolynda, Khanya and the Beyond Beans staff!
~A special thank you to Aiden, Maddy and Cayle for bringing down the average age of the group on
  Thursday!
~Happy Anniversary to my handsome, loving, funny, intelligent husband, Lou - July 26
~Happy Birthday to Crawler Howard Nash - July 27

Until next week,

Ellen

Tod & Copper

After spending almost a month in the States visiting with family and friends I'm back in PE and Crawling/blogging again.  The first Crawl after my return to SA happened to fall on July 4, America's Independence Day.  Given that, I hardly could have planned Thursday's venue any better as Tod & Copper exudes a little bit of Americana right here in PE.

Tod & Copper owners, Denzel and Amy Heath, named their shop after two characters in The Fox and the Hound.  This 1967 novel by American author Daniel P. Mannix, and later the 1981 Disney movie by the same title, tell the story of how two unlikely characters become "forever friends."  Now, to this American novel/Disney film atmosphere add U.S. Prohibition Era (1920-1933) decor and the result is Tod & Copper Prohibition Bar!

Meet the Owners
Amy and Denzel Heath

The original Tod & Copper

Tod & Copper, located at 1 Stanley Street in Richmond Hill opened its doors for business on May 24, 2013.  As its name implies the Prohibition Bar serves strictly non-alcoholic beverages including soft drinks, unique sounding shakes (I may try the blood orange espresso shake the next time I visit!), outrageous specialty craft beverages, a variety of teas, and Urban Espress, Peacock, and Masterton's coffees. The menu includes breakfast selections served until noon, bar snacks, pizza and desserts, the names of which reflect the 1920s-30s theme.  To go with my excellent cappuccinos I ordered the Capone's Carrot Cake....just had to in memory of my grandmother's tale of waiting on Al Capone's table once!!!....Yeah, true story!

So, about halfway through the morning, our very personable barista, Lendl Maarman, delivered to me, in honor of the July 4th holiday, a red, white, and blue cold drink made from pomegranate juice, blueberry juice and an unidentified juice.  It was incredible.... I'm looking forward to trying more of the shop's specialty craft drinks.

Meet the Barista
Lendl Maarman

My Independence Day celebratory drink!



Tod & Copper seats about 40-50 people in a comfortable Prohibition Era dining room complete with comfy couches, antique-ish chairs, and very cool wall hangings.  The shop's hours are Wed-Sun, 9 a.m.-10 p.m., closed Mon-Tues.  Tod & Copper is available for private functions anytime.  To book your special event at this very special venue call Denzel or Amy at 073 787 9933 or email them: amy@todandcopper.co.za   Also, all you Coffee Crawl blog readers can like Tod & Copper Prohibition Bar on Facebook!

I arrived at Tod & Copper on July 4 decked out in red, white, and blue and sporting stars and stripes earrings only to find all the Crawlers, Gail Darne, Nomusa Nkomo, Margaret Zoetmulder, Stella and Beryl Dawson, Margaret and Arthur Marshall, Beth Vieira, June Nash, Leanne Waller, Colleen Le Roux, and newcomers Lee Rodwell and my American compatriot, Heather Anderson, donning the colors to help me celebrate the occasion.  Colleen even came in waving an American flag!  My SA friends are awesome! Thanks to all of you!!!

Ellen and Heather celebrating our nation's Independence Day

This Week's Crawlers
Colleen, Margaret Z., Gail, June, Arthur, Beth,
Margaret M., Leanne, Stella, Beryl, Nomusa
not pictured - Heather and Lee

Since I hadn't seen the Crawlers in quite some time it was nice catching up with everyone.  It seems that they all went about Crawling in my absence....still waiting on the pics they took!

Besides our typical chit-chat, talk at the table revolved around the impending birth of the future King or Queen of England.  Seems like only yesterday that the Crawlers were discussing the royal wedding.  We then went on to discuss the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown.... that time of year again.  Every year since  we've been here Lou and I have spent at least one day at the festival and have thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.  On the Saturday after the Tod & Copper Crawl Lou and I traveled to Grahamstown and caught three shows including the South African premiere of Morris Panych's drama, Vigil.....outstanding!

Overall, my first Crawl back after a month of vacationing was delightful.  During our time spent at Tod & Copper I remarked to everyone that I could easily see myself having coffee (or some other interesting beverage) there every day.  Very cool place....we all loved it!

~Thank you to Denzel and Amy for your hospitality!

~Happy 237th Birthday, America!!!
~A huge THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU to my awesome husband, Lou, and his amazing IT   Manager, Pierre, for getting this blog back up and running.  You guys saved the Crawl!!!!

Until next week,

Ellen