Cobblestone - Crawl #11 Revisited

Last Thursday the Crawlers continued the Crawl Revisited Series with a visit to Cobblestone, 40 6th Ave. in Walmer.

Meet the Owner
Clarence van Rooyen

Love the color combo

Check out these specials!

A few changes have been made since our first visit to the shop in 2011.  In December 2012 Clarence van Rooyen took ownership of Cobblestone and set out to redecorate, get licensed, and change up the menu.  I love, love, love the new mauve/blue color scheme and the faux coffee warehouse flooring.  The new menu includes breakfast/lunch selections and hot/cold beverages for all tastes along with an incredible array of baked goods and the artisan breads for which Cobblestone has become famous.

Meet the Barista and our Waiter
Zola and Margus

Made with love.....my Caffe Molinari cappuccino

Clarence has retained Caffe Molinari as the shop's feature coffee brand.  The team of barista Zola and Caffe Molinari makes for a delicious cappuccino which I specifically ordered to get the pic.  With it being sooooo hot on Thursday for round two I opted for the Vietnamese Iced Coffee.......AMAZING does not even begin to describe it.  Plus the iced coffee was the perfect accompaniment for the pecan tart I ordered for breakfast.  Most of the other Crawlers chose cold, refreshing drinks from the extensive beverage menu to stave off the effects of the heat and humidity, though some die-hards stuck with their hot coffee favorites (Sylvia even ordered a hot chocolate!)

Vietnamese Iced Coffee
So refreshing!

Chocolate Croissant and Pecan Tart

Cobblestone's hours are Mon-Fri, 7-5: Sat, 7-4; Sunday, 7-2.  Owner Clarence van Rooyen will also open the shop for private functions for between 30 and 70 guests.  Call 041 581 0182 or email: info@cobblestonebakery.co.za  for private event buffet pricing or to make a booking.

This Week's Crawlers
Celeste, Stella, Lee,  Margaret Z., Gail, June, Sylvia, Colleen,
Beryl, Beth, Dale, Pierrette, Janny, Margaret M., Vicki,
Arthur, Nicolette
not pictured - Leanne

For the 18 Crawlers, Beth Vieira, Stella and Beryl Dawson, Margaret Zoetmulder, Margaret and Arthur Marshall, Gail Darne, Sylvia Mynhardt, Dale Mitchell, Nicolette, Hijmans, June Nash, Leanne Waller, Vicki Minnaar, Lee Rodwell, Celeste Hudson, Colleen LeRoux, Pierrette De Winne, and newcomer Janny Meierink, who joined me on Thursday talk at the table was all about forces of nature.....1) the polar vortex that continues to cause frigid temps in the U.S.,  2) the Red Tide that came to the shores around PE last week putting on an extraordinary nightly show of bioluminescence, and 3) Stella Dawson (aka Ace) hitting the tennis court as part of the fierce doubles team of Nkomo/Dawson that kicked Gail's and my butts earlier in the week.  Trying to justify to the Crawlers our humiliating loss Gail and I figured that our combined age (63+55) was way older than Nomusa and Stella's (27+76).  They weren't buying it.  Looks like Gail and I had better lay off the cappuccinos and tarts and get practicing!

My attempt at capturing the bioluminescence at Maitlands

~Thank you to Clarence and the Cobblestone staff
~Happy Groundhog Day to everyone in the States - Feb 2 ....Let's hope Phil doesn't see his shadow!
~Good luck to the Denver Broncos and the Seattle Seahawks in Sunday's Super Bowl XLVIII.  May the
  best team win....(GO BRONCOS!!!!!!!)

Until next week,

Ellen

Foong's - Crawl #9 Revisited

As I've mentioned in previous posts, and for the benefit of non-PE resident readers, Port Elizabeth is known as "The Friendly City."  Back in April, 2011 the Coffee Crawlers visited (for the first time) Foong's, located in the Emerald Square Shopping Centre, Mt Pleasant, and by far the Friendliest Place in this Friendly City!

Foong's has been a part of PE and, as the menu states, "Part of your family since 1930."  For over 80 years the Foong family has owned and operated this coffee shop the menu of which features breakfasts (served all day), lunches, platters and baked goods, all made by local chefs or on-site.  In keeping with their support of local businesses Foong's offers, what else but, Masterton's coffee.  There is also a take-out menu plus catering services for small to medium functions/events (up to 50 people).

NEIGH!!!!

Mint milkshake...looks so refreshing!

Foong's food philosophy..... "We do not do fast food, we 
                                               do good food as fast as we can."




Once monthly (last Saturday of every month) Foong's opens its doors for an after hours (7-11 pm) Gig Night.  For R180 per person, up to fifty patrons can enjoy a full meal including starter, soup, main, dessert, Masterton's coffee (BYOB) along with live entertainment provided by local bands/entertainers.  You must book in advance for this monthly event.

To order take-out, get info on catering services, or to book for Gig Night, call Foong's at 041 367 3064.  To check out all happenings at Foong's see (and Like) their FaceBook page: foongs@emeraldsquare,portelizabeth,southafrica
Better still, make Foong's a daily stop for coffee/baked goods/ cooked or packaged Asian specialties on your way home after a busy day.  You're sure to get a friendly smile along with your order.  Foong's hours are Tuesday-Saturday, 8 am - 7 pm; closed on Sunday and Monday.

Meet the Barista
Vuyo

Meet the Owner
Grant Foong

A selection of the Crawlers' coffees

Just as in our first Foong's Crawl, we were greeted on Thursday by the friendly and smiling faces of owner Grant Foong and barista Vuyo and seated at the Cherry Blossom table.  Though this time with twelve Crawlers we needed the Koi Fish table as well.  And, just like last time, the coffees were excellent, the baked goods, amazing.  For those of us who stayed late, the Asian lunch selections were awesome!  It's no wonder that Foong's is a PE institution!

This Week's Crawlers
Stella, June, Gail, Nomusa, Beryl, Beth,
Margaret, Celeste, Sylvia, Vicki
not pictured - Lee

As for talk at the table among Crawlers, Gail Darne, Nomusa Nkomo, Vicki Minnaar, Stella and Beryl Dawson, Beth Vieira, Celeste Hudson, Lee Rodwell, Sylvia Mynhardt, Margaret Zoetmulder, and June Nash......the cold snap continues in the northeastern quadrant of the U.S. where most of my family and friends live.  This week it was not enough for the Crawlers to know the Fahrenheit-Celsius conversions, they also wanted to know the mathematical formula to calculate the conversion.  Fortunately, I was able to pull the formula out of my head.....I've had lots of practice over the past few years.  As a matter of fact, I have a handy, calculated-myself Fahrenheit-Celsius conversion sheet taped to my kitchen counter for easy reference when I'm cooking.

Vicki and Nomusa 

Speaking of cooking, for our next topic of conversation we turned to favorite shows on the Food Network.  The "Iron Chef" series is always popular but I have recently become a fan of "Chopped."  After explaining the premise to the Crawlers I think I have turned some of them onto it!   Guess I'll find out next week when no one shows up at the Crawl because they're home watching all their recorded episodes of "Chopped!"

~Thank you to Grant, Vuyo and the Foong's Staff
~Belated Happy Birthday wishes to Grant Foong - January 17
~Happy Birthday to my sister, Elaine, in Erie, PA - January 23
~Happy Birthday to my father-in-law and still the President of the PE Coffee Crawl Fan Club, Sabie, in
  Binghamton, NY - January 24
~Happy Birthday to Crawler Angela Vieira - January 29

Until next week,

Ellen

Vovo Telo - Crawl #10 Revisited

I knew it was inevitable at some point in our Crawl "Revisits" and this is the week.  Our coffee shop #8 that we visited on March 31, 2011 (Angel Foods in the Perridgevale Shopping Centre) is no longer a coffee shop but rather a factory outlet store called Home and About.  After making this discovery I checked my notes for shop #9 then headed to Foong's to make a reservation for the Thursday, January 9 Crawl.  Well, when I arrived I found that yes, Foong's is still a coffee shop but would be closed for another week for the holidays.  We'll have to go back to them next week....on to #10.  Good news!....Vovo Telo, located at 16 Raleigh St. in Richmond Hill, is still a coffee shop and would be open for business on the 9th...YAY!

Since our first visit in April, 2011 Vovo Telo has changed management, staff and coffee brand but still remains one of the most popular bakery/cafes in town....and for good reason.  Vovo Telo's signature baked goods and artisan breads are to die for, and everything on the menu from delicious breakfasts to pizzas, salads, pasta and burgers is made fresh to order on-site.  For the many times that I've been to Vovo Telo in the past few years I have yet to leave disappointed, and last Thursday's Crawl was no exception.  Our waitress, Babalwa, was a bundle of smiles and energy during our entire visit, Vovo Telo's present manager, Vanessa Langner, checked in on us regularly to see that all was satisfactory, and baristas, Xolani and Sive, were on top of their game....the cappuccinos were incredible!

Meet the Manager and the Bakery Counterperson
Vanessa and Nolu

Meet the Baristas
Xolani and Sive

With Vovo Telo being a renovated house there is seating for patrons in various rooms and on the porch.  One of my favorite things about the shop is, regardless of how busy it is, it never feels crowded but always comfortable and homey.  The aroma of freshly baking bread just adds to the ambience.  Oh, and that's a "must-do" after coffee/breakfast/lunch....stop at the bakery counter on your way out and pick up a loaf or two of artisan bread or some other yummy goodie from the display case to take home....share the love!
Vovo Telo's hours are Mon-Fri, 7-3:15; Sat, 7-2:30; closed on Sunday.

Some of This Week's Crawlers
Gail, Vicki, Arthur, Babalwa, Lee, June,
Nicolette, Stella, Beth, Beryl, Nomusa

More of This Week's Crawlers
Arthur, Margaret M., Lee, Ellen, Colleen, Margaret Z., Elaine
foreground - Nicolette, Dale

There were seven Crawlers at Vovo Telo for our first visit in 2011.  On Thursday we more than doubled that with sixteen of us meeting for Ciro coffee, breakfast and cakes.  Crawlers, Vicki Minnaar, June Nash, Gail Darne, Margaret Zoetmulder, Margaret and Arthur Marshall, Dale Mitchell, Nomusa Nkomo, Colleen LeRoux, Nicolette Hijmans, Stella and Beryl Dawson, Lee Rodwell, Elaine Watson, Beth Vieira, arrived and were seated inside just in time before a horrific thunderstorm passed overhead.  I personally am a fan of thunderstorms though not all of the Crawlers share my feeling.  This storm, however, was child's play considering the outrageous weather my family and friends were experiencing.  Blizzard conditions, icy roadways, and -40 degree wind chills ( Fahrenheit and Celsius are equal at -40!) were plaguing most of the northern U.S. last week.  I happen to also be a fan of blizzards as well....I have to admit that I was a tiny bit jealous of those Stateside who were enjoying their coffee by a blazing fire.

The pastry display case

All this frigid weather and frozen precipitation talk baffled the Crawlers as most have never experienced such low temps or even seen snow!  I answered questions concerning outerwear, winter driving, home heating, shoveling, sledding, and skating on frozen lakes.  This conversation was the perfect segue into our talk about the upcoming Winter Olympic Games.  We're all looking forward to the change of pace that watching the Olympics brings....not to mention that warm fuzzy World Community feel.  I'm sure the Games will come up in our conversations again in the next few weeks.

~Thank you to Vanessa and the Vovo Telo staff

Until next week,

Ellen

Food Lovers - Crawl #7 (Sue-Anne's) Revisited

The sign to look for on Kragga Kamma Rd.

This, my first post of 2014, will feature the last Crawl of 2013.  On Thursday, December 19, the Crawlers met for the final Crawl of the year at Food Lovers located at the Garden Lovers Centre on Kragga Kamma Rd. in Theescombe.

Food Lovers is a revisit of our March 24, 2011 Crawl #7 when it was called Sue-Anne's.  (For those of you keeping track we did not revisit #6 because Keg and Swan is reserved only for our St. Patrick's Day celebrations.)  Since our first visit to this Kragga Kamma Rd. establishment, new owner, Robert Ferguson, has renamed and redecorated the place, revamped the menu and switched over to Masterton's coffee.

Meet the owner's wife
Ula Ferguson

Coffee-themed wall hanging

Inside seating

Food Lovers' new tables and chairs and the coffee-themed decor give the eatery an intimate coffee shop feel even though there is seating enough for up to 100 customers inside and on the patio.  The revamped menu includes five different breakfast options and light and main meals along with desserts, cakes, hot and cold beverages, kids' selections, platters, and a Sunday buffet.  In addition, Food Lovers is fully licensed, and offers day and nightime catering services for any type of occasion from corporate functions to family parties for up to 100 people.  For your next special event consider the beautiful country setting at Food Lovers....call 041 379 1695 or email: foodloversrestaurant@gmail.com

A very creamy cappuccino

Ho, Ho, Ho!
Meet the Assistant Chef and the Barista
Jake and Nadia

Excellent Carrot Cake

Food Lovers' hours are Tuesdays through Saturdays, 9-4, Sundays and Public Holidays, 9-3.  Booking is essential for the Sunday buffet.

Meet the Waitrons
Robyn and Arrmando

I want this wall hanging for my house!

Yummy Cheesecake

Owner Robert Ferguson's wife, Ula, Assistant Chef Jake, Barista Nadia, and Waitrons Armando and Robyn, greeted, served, and chatted with the 27 Crawlers who showed up for this end-of-the-year Crawl.  Margaret and Arthur Marshall, Colleen LeRoux, Margaret Zoetmulder, Prudie Brown, Stella and Beryl Dawson, June and Howard Nash, Gail Darne, Graham Wood, Lee Rodwell, Nomusa Nkomo, Dale Mitchell, Fran, Keith, Paul, Therreza and Mia de Beer, Nicolette Hijmans, Beth Vieira, Leanne, Lodie and Luke Waller, my husband, Lou, and first-time Crawler, Lee Rands, enjoyed Masterton's coffees, milkshakes, teas, soft drinks, and a variety of cakes, muffins and breakfasts.

On the patio - Some of This Week's Crawlers
Howard, Lodie, Luke, Leanne, Lee, Lou,
Nomusa, Beth

We had a really long table on the patio!
More of This Week's Crawlers
Colleen, Dale, Margaret Z., Stella, Gail, Arthur,
Nicolette, Graham, Lee, June, Prudie, Beryl, Margaret M.
not pictured - the de Beer family

Everyone was in a festive mood and we lingered over two additional rounds of beverages until about 1:00 p.m.  Kudos to the Food Lovers' staff members who were hospitable and efficient, especially considering that when I made the reservation it was for only 15 people for coffee!

And now for the segment of my post where I recap our "talk at the table."  Well, with 27 people over the course of three and a half hours I wouldn't even know where to begin.  Suffice it to say that there was plenty of chit-chat and catching up with "visiting Crawlers" who we haven't seen in a while, conversations with "new-ish Crawlers" who we're just getting to know, and general banter among "Crawl regulars."   It was confirmed at the December 19 Crawl that my husband and I would be hosting a Crawlers' New Year's Eve Party which, by the way, was a hell-raising, smashing success.  I'm still finding wine stains, sparkles, bits of balloons, and millions of pieces of confetti all over my house....way worth it!!!

Happy New Year to one and all.

~Thank you to Ula and the Food Lovers' staff
~A Belated Happy Birthday to my brother, Bob, in Erie, PA - January 4
~Happy Birthday to my brother-in-law, Joe, in Binghamton, NY - January 8

Until next week,

Ellen

More inside seating