The Garden Cafe - Crawl #36 Revisited

It's been a rough couple of weeks for many of the Crawl regulars, including yours truly, as we fight off the cough/cold/flu bugs that have plagued PE during July.  Our last Crawl took place on Thursday, July 10 at The Garden Cafe at the Sherwood Garden Centre, 16 Walker Drive in Sherwood.  Since I was well in the throes of sickness, my intent was to go to the cafe early, take a few pics, get some quick info then leave before the rest of the Crawlers arrived.  My best laid plans were not to be though.  The Garden Cafe's owners, Carmel Wolf and Sean Merrick were so enthusiastic about hearing about the Crawl/blog that before I knew it all the Crawlers had arrived and were seated around the table that the cafe staff had so beautifully set for us.  So, I stayed, but sat far away from everyone so as not to spread too many germs. : )

Meet the Owner
Carmel Wolf

The next Revisit on our docket was to be Tiffany's, shop #35 (see Oct, 2011 post).  Word is that the shop has closed but that renovations are in the works there.  We will check it out sometime in the the future.  On to Shop #36....

We first visited The Garden Cafe in October, 2011.  At that time the coffee shop was located in the large conference venue on the Sherwood Garden Centre property.  When new owners Carmel and Sean took over in July, 2013, they moved the coffee shop to the nursery building where it is now "tastefully" incorporated into the garden shop area.

The Garden Cafe offers a menu of light breakfasts, lunches and cakes as well as a variety of cold drinks and Pavin coffee beverages.  All staff members are trained as chefs, baristas and waitrons......quite the talented bunch!  Nono happened to be on barista duty on Crawl Day....superb job with my cappuccinos!  And to whoever did the baking that morning, the scones were outstanding....enough to give the Lake Farm baking crew a little competition!

Meet Thursday's Barista
Nono

The Garden Cafe seats a total of 48 customers at inside and outside tables.  The shop's hours are 9-4, seven days a week.  With Spring just around the corner, many of you will be out shopping for all your gardening needs.  Stop in at Sherwood Nursery, pick up a few things to spruce up your garden, then have a quick bite to eat at The Garden Cafe!

This Week's Crawlers
Elize, Dale,Sylvia, Beth, Nomusa, June,
Stella, Beryl, Margaret, Arthur,
not pictured - Leanne, Luke

So, with all my coughing and sneezing I couldn't participate much in the conversation at the table with Crawlers Nomusa Nkomo, June Nash, Leanne and Luke Waller, Stella and Beryl Dawson, Beth Vieira, Dale Mitchell, Elize Pretorius, Sylvia Mynhardt, Margaret and Arthur Marshall on Thursday.  I did catch some discussion about the Knysna Half Marathon that June's son was training for.  Along those same lines, the Crawlers asked how my daughter and husband are faring in their marathon training.  Liz and Lou (both of whom have joined us on many Crawls) are planning to run a marathon together in NY State in October.  Unfortunately, Lou has been suffering from the same cold/flu that I have, so his training has taken a bit of a back seat the past few weeks.  As I write this post, though, it looks like he is on the mend.  Many of you local readers may see him running around the streets of PE!   As for Liz, she is right on track, training in Washington, DC, and will be raring to go in October!

A note to the PECC blog readers.... I have visitors from the States arriving soon.  The Crawlers will continue to visit our favorite coffee shops around town but I may not get to post until mid-August.  For those who would like to join us we will be at Capellini's, King's Court on July 24 and Sacramento on July 31.  Hope to see some new faces there!

~Thank you to Carmel and Sean....love that you have moved the coffee shop into the nursery!
~Happy Anniversary to my wonderful husband, Louis! - July 26
~Happy Birthday to Crawler Colleen LeRoux - August 1

Until next time,

Ellen

Eden Nursery and Coffee Shop

A few months ago Crawler Margaret Zoetmulder discovered a coffee shop in PE that we had yet to visit....a true rarity!  By the beginning of July the Crawlers were ready to take a break from our revisits, so we took Margaret's recommendation and headed to Eden Coffee Shop, 69 Erasmus Dr. in Summerstrand.  Eden's patrons must actually use the Avonmouth Crescent entrance to the shop; the signs to Eden from Erasmus are clearly marked.

Eden Nursery and Coffee Shop opened for business in October, 2013.  Owners Pat Cullen and Penny Els combined their passions for food and gardening, and the result is their little piece of paradise right here in PE!  At Eden customers can sit and enjoy sweet and savory treats, cold drinks and Masterton's coffees.  Seating is available for 30 in the beautiful garden area and under the gazebo or, if the weather's not so great, the two inside rooms, stunningly decorated by local artist Vicky Bowles, can accommodate approximately 22 people.  Either way you'll experience the peaceful, relaxed atmosphere that the shop's name evokes.  If you're pressed for time, everything on the menu is available for take-away.  Pat and Penny are also happy to open their lovely venue and cater for your next special event.  Call 083 697 2065 or 073 683 8802.  Eden's hours are Mon-Fri, 9-3.

Meet the Owners/Baristas
Pat and Penny

Thursday, July 3, was a gorgeous day.  Crawlers Beth Vieira, Sylvia Mynhardt, Stella and Beryl Dawson, Margaret Zoetmulder, Colleen Le Roux, Margaret and Arthur Marshall, Fran de Beer, June Nash, Pierrette De Winne, Nicolette Hijmans sat in the gazebo for the morning's Crawl.  Pat and Penny offered an impressive selection of freshly baked cakes and quiches.....I can vouch for the baked cheesecake....it was to die for!

After the coffee and cakes were served our hostesses came out to spend some time with the Crawlers.  We all felt so much at home and welcome that the morning quickly wore into the early afternoon before everyone decided to get on with the rest of their day.  Overall, our Thursday Crawl was quite pleasant and the Crawlers agreed that Eden  is now one of our favorite coffee shop venues!

This Week's Crawlers
Pierrette, Sylvia, Fran, June, Beth,
Stella, Beryl, Arthur, Colleen, Margaret Z., Margaret M.
not pictured - Nicolette

~Thank you to Pat and Penny...the Crawlers had a wonderful, truly refreshing time at your shop!
~Thank you to Margaret Z. for your Eden recommendation!

Until next week,

Ellen

Dessie's - Crawl #34 Revisited

As the Crawlers continue our Revisits we're never sure what to expect from the next shop on the list.  We've seen shops that have undergone some major changes, some that have closed, and some tried-and-true shops that have withstood the test of time.  Last week's post featured shop #31, Valley Harvest, a shop that has seen some huge changes in the past three years.  As for shop #32, Memory Lane in Richmond Hill, it is closed and the building appears to be vacant.  Shop #33, Pixi Hollow in Mount Pleasant, is now the men's clothing store in the Emerald Square Shopping Centre.
It is no surprise, though, that shop #34 is still a vibrant coffee shop, busy every day.  Our Revisit to shop #34 took us to Dessie's, located at 145 Main Rd., Walmer in the Bloomingdale's Lifestyle Village.  Dessie's is a mainstay in the PE "coffee circuit," serving PE residents since 2004.

Meet the Barista
Stanley

We first visited Dessie's in September, 2011 (see Oct 2, 2011 post).  At that time baristas Patricia and Stanley prepared LavAzza and Masterton's coffees for us.  Last Thursday the same two baristas served up delicious Pavin coffee beverages to Crawlers Beth Vieira, June Nash, Margaret Zoetmulder, Colleen Le Roux, Margaret and Arthur Marshall, Nomusa Nkomo, Leanne Waller, Nicolette Hijmans, Lee Rodwell, Stella and Beryl Dawson, Gail Darne, Sylvia Mynhardt.   Aside from the coffee brand change, Dessie's has remained the same, with an extensive breakfast and lunch menu, a special Sunday roast, and after hours catering for private functions.  There is enough seating inside and outside for approximately 90 people.  WiFi and plenty of off-street parking is available for all customers.

This Week's Crawlers
Beryl, Margaret Z., Gail, Stella,
 Beth, June, Sylvia

More of Thursday's Crawlers
Nomusa, Arthur, Leanne, Margaret M., Nicolette, Colleen, Lee

Stop in to Dessie's and you'll receive consistently excellent service along with really great food and coffee.  No wonder they've been in business for 10 years....and counting!
Dessie's hours are Mon-Fri, 8-4:30; Sat, 8-2:30; Sun, 8-2.  Call owner Dessie Price at 041 581 3113 for Sunday brunch reservations or to inquire about her catering services.

Pastry display......YUM!

Three years ago during our first visit to Dessie's the Rugby World Cup was in full swing in New Zealand.  With a table full of rugby fans the conversation never strayed far from the events down under.   On Dessie's Crawl Revisit day, June 26, 2014, the Soccer World Cup and Wimbledon were just getting underway....no soccer fans at the table on Thursday so tennis was the topic of choice for the Crawlers.
At this posting all that's left at Wimbledon is the finals.  I know that the sports fans among the Crawlers will all be glued to their televisions watching the final matches this weekend.  Sit back with your strawberries, cream and coffee, and enjoy!    

~Thank you to the Dessie's staff.....so nice to see familiar faces!
~Happy 4th of July to my family and friends in the States.  Enjoy your long weekend!  Hope you all have
  great weather for your celebrations.
~Happy Birthday to my beautiful daughter, Liz, in Washington, DC - July 6

Until next week,

Ellen