como caffe - Crawl #50 Revisited

The Coffee Crawlers have become quite the recognizable bunch at the local coffee shops, especially with our ever growing numbers!  When I called Minas Mandis, owner of como caffe, to make a booking for our August 28 Crawl, he was more than happy to host the Crawlers yet again for our shop #50 Revisit.

We first visited como caffe, 86 Heugh Rd. in Walmer, in February, 2012 shortly after Minas and his brother, Ari, opened the shop for business. (see Feb, 2012 post)
como caffe is an authentic NY Italian style deli right here in PE.  If you've never been to NYC or never intend to travel the 8,146 miles (13,109 km) to get there, just stop in to como caffe....the decor and menu will take you right into the heart of The Big Apple!

The most significant change that Minas has made at como caffe since 2012 is the recent switch to the shop's own original coffee blend.  The Little Italy Blend, along with a single origin coffee of the day, both prepared by talented barista Alex, are now offered at the shop.  Packages of freshly roasted Little Italy Blend beans are also available for purchase.  Take some home and enjoy como caffe's new blend anytime.  I certainly have been loving it!

Meet the Barista
Alex

And, loving the "coffee and the caffe" is exactly what Crawlers Beth Vieira, Margaret Zoetmulder, Margaret Marshall, Nomusa Nkomo and her brother Ronald, June Nash, Lee Rodwell, Gail Darne, Colleen Le Roux, Nicolette Hijmans, Elize Pretorius did on Thursday's Crawl.  With two visits to the shop now under our belts it is unanimously agreed that como caffe is way at the top of the list of our favorite coffee shops in PE!

This Week's Crawlers
Nomusa, Ronald, Lee, Margaret M., June, Beth,
Nicolette, Gail, Elize, Colleen, Margaret Z.

como caffe's hours are Mon-Fri, 7:30-5; Sat-Sun, 8:30-2.  Call 041 581 2798 for a booking or to order a take-away.  Also, check out and like como caffe on Facebook!

Besides our discussion on the awesomeness of como caffe, our August 28 conversation got around to the ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) Ice Bucket Challenge fund raiser that has swept through social media like wildfire for the past few months.  It's amazing that in such a brief time over $100 million has been raised for this good cause!  I am glad to have been a part of it.
We then got to talking about artificial sweeteners, how horrible they are for you, and how real sugar is the only way to go......glad I take my coffee without cream or sugar....just as God intended!

~Thank you to Minas, Alex, and the como caffe staff.
~Happy Birthday to Crawler Beth Vieira - September 16
~Happy Birthday to Fr. Dominic Griego - September 17

Until next week,

Ellen

Sage - Crawl #39 Revisited

The Crawlers first visited Sage Coffee Shop in November, 2011.  At that time, after visiting a string of uninspiring shops, Sage proved to be a breath of fresh air.  We loved everything about it, from the decor and atmosphere to the service to, of course, the Masterton's coffee.  As a matter of fact, all those years ago we voted Sage to be in a tie for "The Best Coffee Deal in Town" prize!  Now, almost three years later for Crawl #147, our August 21 Crawlers, Margaret Zoetmulder, Margaret Marshall, Colleen Le Roux, Beth Vieira, Stella and Beryl Dawson, Gail Darne, Lee Rodwell, Vicki Minnaar, Nicolette Hijmans, June Nash, Elize Pretorius, loved Sage just as much as the first time!  And, as for "The Best Coffee Deal in Town" prize, Sage's previous co-winner has gone defunct, so Sage wins it, hands down!

The Best Coffee Deal in town!

This Week's Crawlers
Vicki, Gail, Colleen, Lee, Stella, June,
Margaret Z., Elize, Nicolette, Beth, Margaret M.
not pictured - Beryl

Sage is located at #3 Pickering Park in Newton Park.  Owner Lindy Walker opened the coffee shop in February, 2010, and business has been booming ever since.  With the original staff, barista, decor, hours and menu, Lindy has discovered the right recipe for "staying power" amidst the rash of coffee shop closings in PE.  

Meet the Owner
Lindy Walker

Meet the barista and our lovely waitron
Ntosh and Carol

Sage still boasts freshly made baked goods and home cooked quality meals.  Lunch and Coffee/Cake specials are offered daily.  Sage is available for private evening functions for groups of up to fifty guests.  Call 041 363 8438.
Sage Coffee Shop hours are Mon-Fri, 8-4; Sat, 8-2; closed on Sunday.  Stop in for the best coffee deal in town!

~Thank you to Lindy, Ntosh, Carol and the rest of the Sage staff
~Happy Labor Day to my family and friends Stateside!
~Happy Spring Day to S. Hemisphere readers!
~Happy Birthday to my nephew, Joey, in Binghamton, NY - September 2

Until next week,

Ellen