Norma Jean's Coffee Shop

New coffee shops seem to be popping up all over PE.  Most of my recent posts are about those that have just opened in the past few months.  This week I figured it was about time I hit one of the more established places.

Norma Jean's Coffee Shop, conveniently located directly accross the street from Fruit and Veg at 18 Newton Street in Newton Park, has been in business for more years than manager Megan Smith can remember.  She just knows that her mother, owner Sheryl Smith, has operated the business for 5-6 years.  Prior to that, two shops, Norma Jean's and Marilyn's (see March, 2011 post), were owned and operated by the same person who obviously had a fascination with Norma Jean Mortenson Baker aka Marilyn Monroe.  Both places are decorated with famous photos of the legendary star and feature facts about her on their menus.  The businesses have both been sold to different owners but have retained the original shops' names.

I have heard a lot about Norma Jean's over the past two years and the shop has been on the "places to visit on the Crawl" list since the beginning.  For some reason or other is has always been usurped by another shop.  I guess I figured that since it's been around for so long it could wait.  (Let's face it... for as many new coffee shops that open in PE there are just as many that close down and we need to visit them before they do!)

So, just as with Marilyn Monroe's celebrity status, Norma Jean's has withstood the test of time... and for good reason.  It's a wonderful little coffee shop with a relaxed atmosphere, friendly staff and great menu which includes incredible cakes not to mention one of the best cappuccinos I've had to date.  As a matter of fact, the Masterton's secret Norma Jean's blend cappuccino, prepped by barista Precious, was so good that I had another for the second round instead of my usual filter coffee, no cream, no sugar.

Meet the Manager
Megan Smith



Meet Our Waitress
Zimkitha



Meet the Barista
Precious

 

Norma Jean's offers a daily Tea Time Special from 2:00-4:30 which includes Cake and Cappuccino for R18.95.  What a deal!  We were there too early for that but I went ahead and ordered probably the best Apple Crumble I've had in my life to go along with the cappuccinos.  Delicious!!!
The shop also has Wed-Fri Breakfast and Lunch Specials as well.  Norma Jean's is open Mon-Fri, 7:30-5, and Sat 8-2.  So, after picking up your fruits and veggies at Fruit and Veg, stop across the street and take advantage of one of Norma Jean's Specials.  No need to worry about running over on your parking time limit!!!

540 minutes?!?

Photo credited to Mandy de Beer

Okay, so at a recent Crawl, I saw a placemat with a pic of someone who I mistook for the actress who played Samantha Stephens on the TV show, "Bewitched."  I couldn't think of the actress' name at the time and put it out of my mind.... no use losing sleep over it.  Well, Crawler Gail Darne did.... lose sleep, that is!  The first thing she said to me on Thursday morning was that it had been driving her crazy and, finally, she was awakened at 3:00 am that Crawl night with the "Bewitched " theme running through her head along with the actress' name.... Elizabeth Montgomery.  So, that got Gail and me started on a discussion of 60s sitcoms, "The Lucy Show," "Mister Ed," "Gilligan's Island," "My Three Sons," "The Beverly Hillbillies," and on and on and on.  This led to a brief mention of the recent death of another legend, Andy Griffith of "The Andy Griffith Show" fame.

This Week's Crawlers
Nomusa, Mandy, Fran, Beryl, Marilyn,
Stella, Gail, June, Beth

The rest of Thursday's Crawlers, Nomusa Nkomo, Fran and Mandy de Beer, Stella and Beryl Dawson, June Nash, Beth Vieira, were mostly unfamiliar with the shows so on we went to another topic, that being pumping gas (petrol).  In the States we pump our own gas so when I arrived here in 2010 and tried to do the same the station attendants looked at me as if I had ten heads!  Needless to say, I haven't pumped my own gas in two years!  The South Africans and Zimbabweans at the table had humorous stories of when they traveled abroad and were confounded when they had to pump their own gas.  That was good for a few laughs.  We went on then to a lengthy debate over the terminology of "traffic light" vs. "robot."  Ah, and the cultural exchange continues..............

~Thank you to Norma Jean's manager, Megan Smith. Tthe place was running quite smoothly... your mother
   would be proud!
~Thank you to the Norman Jean's staff, especially to our waitress, Zimkitha, and the barista, Precious.
~A belated Happy 40th Anniversary to Fran and Keith (July 1)....married all those years...... and to the
  same person!

Until next week,

Ellen

Retro Pickers

Thursday's Crawl was one of those where we actually had to do some crawling around town before we ended up at the coffee shop of the week.  The first three shops we tried were either: 1) closed for renovations, 2) not open until the afternoon, or 3) not even a coffee shop (bad tip on that one).  After shop #2 was a bust and in our effort to find a place to rest our weary bones, we were tempted to take up an offer to stop by the garage near the Builders Express on Main Rd in Walmer for their Nescafe and Koeksister Special!  ... Maybe another time.

Finally, at about 10:00 we happened upon Retro Pickers, a Vintage and Coffee Shop that opened just a few months ago.  It's funny that when I got home after the Crawl on Thursday I read Firefly's new comment on the Fresco post suggesting that we try Retro Pickers!  Firefly, you must have been sending telepathic messages to us as we were seeking out a shop to visit.... thanks!

Retro Pickers, located at 152 Main Road in Walmer, is a cute little shop adjacent to the Scrapbook Nook... and it is way more than your average coffee shop.  Owner Tersia Muston also offers make-up parties and on-site photo shoots as well as a huge variety of vintage items for sale.  Tersia acts as cook, barista and waitron of the coffee shop while doing all the vintage shop buying/selling as well.  On top of all that responsibility she is also the make-up artist for the parties and the photographer at the photo shoots.  Wow... talk about the ultimate "Jill" of all trades!!!  Credit must be given, too, to Tersia's Guy Friday, Louis, who is there to assist  at the shop.
Well, the Crawlers weren't at Retro Pickers for a make-up party, a photo shoot, or to shop for vintage items, so on to more info about the coffee shop.

Meet the Owner
Tersia Muston

 

"Guy Friday"
Louis



The first thing that caught my attention was the sign at the entrance advertising Giant Cupcakes.  "Now," I thought, "this is my kind of place!"  Unfortunately, no one else was up for sharing what ended up being a "Monstrous" Cupcake.  I may return one day when I'm starving and just order one for myself.... and hit the gym later.  Besides the Giant Cupcake and the usual breakfast/lunch fare Tersia specializes in gluten-free, dairy-free and sugar-free items.  I know a lot of people who will be happy to hear about that!



Regular sized cupcake on the left!



As for the coffee, Tersia has come up with her own secret House of Coffees blend that she uses for all her coffee beverages.  Retro Pickers is a small shop that seats twelve inside and fourteen outside.  It's the perfect setting for a quiet cup of coffee right in the middle of Walmer.  The shop's hours are Mon-Fri, 9-5 and Sat, 9-3.

So, after our unplanned tour of PE, the Crawlers were way ready for some coffee and conversation.  This week's Crawlers included two first-timers.  Joining us on Thursday were Beth's granddaughter, Amy Crankshaw, and Fran's daughter, Mandy de Beer, both visiting PE on holiday.  Welcome Amy and Mandy!  Rounding out Thursday's group were Crawlers Stella and Beryl Dawson, Gail Darne, June Nash, Nomusa Nkomo, Colleen LeRoux, Fran de Beer, and Beth Vieira. 

This week's Crawlers
Amy, Beth, Colleen, June, Gail,
Beryl, Stella, Nomusa, Mandy, Fran

Our discussion at the table started with music and osteopathy?!?  Okay, a brief explanation... if you're a regular reader of this blog, you know we are a group of individuals with varying backgrounds and interests.  It happened that in our newcomer introductions we learned that Mandy is an osteopathic practitioner and Amy is a Cape Town University music student....hence, the unlikely conversation combo... only at the Crawl!

The discusison then moved on to the National Arts Festival being held in Grahamstown (June 28-July 8).  Colleen said she was planning to see the ballet, "Giselle," performed by the SA National Ballet at the Festival the next day.  (Colleen, Lou and I saw it on Saturday night... it was awesome... hope you enjoyed it as well!).

And, one more Coffee Crawl comes to an end.  Despite the shaky start we managed to pull off another success!  Thanks team!!!

~Thank you to Tersia and Louis for their hospitality
~Happy Birthday to my daughter, Lizzy - July 6.  Glad to hear your power has been restored after the big
  storm in D.C.
~Happy 4th of July to all my readers in the States!!!!  
~A note to Crawler Margaret Zoetmulder... we miss you at the Crawl... hope you're enjoying Wimbledon!

Until next week,

Ellen

 

Fresco

It's hard to believe that almost two months have passed since the last "official" Coffee Crawl.  I'd like to thank Leanne again for hosting the Crawlers at her home in mid-May when Liz, Jeff, Chris and I returned from the U.S.  We had a great time, Leanne, and the food was wonderful!

After our road trip to Cape Town Chris went back to the States.  Later that week Jeff, Liz and I had a quick cup of coffee with the Crawlers at the Donkin Reserve Green Leaf Cafe.  Quite a crowd "pitched" (my new favorite South Africanism) and we got to catch up with everyone before we set out for a two week trip to Namibia and Botswana.  The trip was fantastic and, despite one harrowing incident with two very angry black rhinos, a good time was had by all.

Last week, just before Jeff and Liz left for the U.S., they joined the Crawlers at Fresco for Coffee Crawl #63.  Fresco, located at The Acres, 20 Nile Road in Perridgevale, opened its doors for business on May 7.  The shop was recommended to me by an anonymous PE Coffee Crawl blog reader via a comment on the Starburst post.  Fresco's owner Tanya Erasmus told the Crawlers that she had been considering opening a coffee shop for some time so when the opportunity presented itself she went for it.  Well, word about this new shop must have spread around PE quickly as was evidenced by the steady stream of customers there this past Thursday morning.

Meet the Owner
Tanya Erasmus

Desperately in need of a caffeine fix, Jeff, Liz and I arrived at Fresco early on Crawl day.  We settled into a table upstairs because, when given an option, I will always choose loft or second level seating.  I imagine there is some psychology behind that.... feel free to enlighten me if you are so inclined.  Anyway, as we waited for the rest of the Crawlers to arrive we had a chance to admire Fresco's interesting decor.  Tanya has a real knack for interior design.  She has taken a mixed-bag (vintage, modern, distressed) of second-hand tables, chairs, and curios, and accented it with hand crocheted hanging light shades of varying sizes and a unique collection of clocks.  The awesome color scheme, along with the very cool Fresco Fresh Daily logo, ties everything together.  Tanya, your shop is beautiful.... my favorite decor of all the shops we've visited!

Fresco can accommodate 60+ patrons with upstairs, downstairs and outside seating available.  The shop's menu includes light breakfasts and lunches featuring freshly prepared baked goods and homemade jams.  The Saturday morning R38 Breakfast Special has become a favorite of customers since the shop's opening.  Fresco's hours are Mon-Fri, 7:30-4 and Sat, 8:30-1.

Meet the Barista
Addie



Meet the Fresco Staff
Di-anne, Synodia, Jane, Mandy



Enough talk about the decor and menu... let's get down to what really counts... the coffee.  Fresco is the only place in the Eastern Cape at the moment that carries Italian imported Chicco Doro coffee.  The shop's talented barista, Addie, prepared some excellent cappuccinos and Americanos for the Crawlers.  I am a real fan of the Chicco Doro/Addie combo!  It is definitely a "must try" for PE coffee lovers!

This week's Crawlers
Gail, Beryl, Nomusa, Stella, June, Fran, Liz, Jeff

So, on to the talk at the table.  Our first discussion topic on the June 21 Crawl was the Winter Solstice... "shortest day" of the year in the Sounthern Hemisphere / Summer Solstice... "longest day" of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.  Jeff and Liz found it interesting that they would be experiencing two Winter Solstices in 2012 as they will be in the States in December.  In honor of the celestial occasion, the Crawlers, June Nash, Stella and Beryl Dawson, Gail Darne, Nomusa Nkomo, Fran de Beer, and my son and daughter, Jeff and Liz, dubbed Thursday's Crawl as the "Solstice Crawl."  ....  Winter?    Summer?     It matters not.

With that out of the way we went on to discuss the funky dreams that Liz experienced as a result of taking malaria pills for too long.  The best was the one where she was being chased by a monstrous slice of pizza that had mushroom eyes and utensil appendages.  It would be fun to have a dream expert analyze that one!  The remainder of the Crawl was spent with Nomusa telling tales of her recent trip to the UK, and Jeff, Liz and I sharing stories of our trip to Namibia and Botswana.  After two months of traveling all I can say is that I need a vacaion from my vacation! 

It's good to be back in PE and Crawling again.

~Thank you to Tanya, Addie  and the Fresco staff.  Your new business is off to a great start... Best Wishes!
~Thank you yet again to Delta Airlines for getting Jeff and Liz back to the U.S. safely.
~Belated birthday wishes to:  my brother Chuck - June 17,  David - June 16,  Jackie- June 23,  and Chris -
  June 25.
~Chris, it was fun having you visit... glad you got to meet the Crawlers... they all send their regards!
~Kudos to all the June 21 Crawlers... it was the first Crawl of 2012 at which no one broke the No-Food-
  On-The-Crawl Rule!!!!!

Until next week (Ahhh.. music to my ears!),

Ellen

Leanne's Seaview Home

Many thanks to Leanne for hosting the Coffee Crawlers when Lou and I returned from the States with Jeff, Liz, and their friend, Chris. 

We arrived in PE on the night of May 16th with the Coffee Crawl being the first order of business early on the 17th.  Needless to say, the coffee and various cakes provided a much needed jump start to the jet-lagged day. 



Hostess Leanne and a very jet-lagged Chris




Jeff, Liz, and Chris enjoying the puddings







Keith, Jeff, and Chris male bonding

 

Gail, Keith, Colleen, Liz, Margaret, Jeff, Chris, Beth, Leanne,
Fran, June, and Beryl

Enjoying the ocean view from Leanne's back porch

Yummmmm

Still on vacation for the next few weeks, Coffee Crawls will continue in mid-June!

Until then,
Ellen





Brioche

The newest coffee shop in PE barely eked out three full business days before the Coffee Crawlers descended upon it for Thursday's Crawl.  Brioche, located at 181 Main Rd. in Walmer, opened its doors to the public late Monday morning, April 23.  By Tuesday the Crawlers ditched the original plan for Thursday's Crawl and decided, instead, to venture into Walmer to check out Brioche.
With the shop being brand new there were still supplies being delivered and stacked against the walls.  Once everything is in its place owner Ilse Cole wants Brioche to have a "fresh and  airy" atmosphere.  She is also planning to go all natural in her menu and baked goods.  Artisan breads will be the shop's specialty.

Meet the Owner
Ilse Cole

In my conversation with Ilse she said coffee is in her blood.  She was destined to own a coffee shop as she used to drink coffee from her bottle as a child, and has been mildly addicted ever since!  Ilse also provided me with some history on the house in which Brioche is situated.  It was built in 1884..... the original deed is framed and hanging on the wall in the shop.  I especially liked the original hardwood floor.... a beautiful contrast with the white furnishings. 

Brioche is much larger than it appears from the outside.  There is plenty of room for seating 70 people.  Most patrons will get a nice view of the house's lawn and garden in the back while they enjoy breakfast or lunch.  The shop's hours are Mon-Fri, 7:15-4:00 and Sat, 8-3.

This Week's Crawlers
Beryl, Margaret, Anne Marie, Nomusa, Leanne, Keith, Fran,
Beth, Pat, June, Stella, Amanda, Gail
not pictured: Colleen, Vicki

Nomusa and Leanne enjoying the chocolate croissants

 When the Coffee Crawl started over a year ago it was just a few of us taking a table for four or sometimes even six.  In the past six months we've been averaging twelve to fifteen Crawlers every week ... enough so that the coffee shop staff has to push numerous table together to accommodate us.  Thursday was no exception as fifteen Crawlers, Gail Darne, Amanda Visser, Stella and Beryl Dawson, June Nash, Beth Vieira, Pat Callaghan, Fran and Keith de Beer, Nomusa Nkomo, Anne Marie Rankin, Margaret Zoetmulder, Leanne Waller, Colleen Le Roux, and Vicki Minnaar, joined me for some Illy brand coffee. (A special welcome to first time Crawlers Pat and Anne)  A group of Crawlers at one end opf the table watched pastry chef Max as he whipped up a batch of chocolate croissants.  As soon as Max took them out of the oven the croissants were devoured by everyone at the table.  Baristas David and Innocent along with waitstaff members Celestine and Gerald kept the coffee coming as Max put in another batch of croissants.  For a brand new coffee shop the whole staff worked like a well oiled machine.  Kudos to all!

Meet the Baristas
David and Innocent

Meet the Pastry Chef
Max

Brioche staff members
Gerald and Celestine

So, as I sat enjoying my cappuccinos and croissants I picked up on a few conversations at the table.  PE is the site of Ironman South Africa which, this year, was held on April 22.  We talked about how horrific the winds were the day of the triathlon and how beautiful the weather was for Ironkids which was held the day before.  Leanne's son, Daniel, participated in the Ironkids event ... well done, Daniel!
Another topic of conversation was spurred on by some interesting artwork on the wall near our table.  After some discussion about drawing and painting the general belief among the Crawlers was that anyone can draw... they would quickly change their minds if they saw any of my artistic attempts.

A note to PE Coffee Crawl readers/followers... I will be traveling to the U.S. soon and will return to SA in a few weeks with Jeff, Liz, and their friend, Chris.  We will then be touring around SA, Namibia and Botswana for a few weeks.  Hence, I will be out of official Coffee Crawl mode for a while but plan to post some coffee pics occasionally when the spirit moves me.

~Thank You and Good Luck to Ilse
~Thank you to the Broiche staff
~Congrats to Jeff (GA Tech) and Liz (American Univ) who will be graduating soon!

Lots of Crawler birthdays coming up....
Happy Birthday to:
Gail Darne - May 15
Les Baldwin - May 22
Nomusa Nkomo - May 23
Keith de Beer - May 27
June Nash - June 20

Until next time,

Ellen

Starburst

Are there really that many coffee shops in PE?!?  I'm hearing this question from PE residents and coffee shop owners more and more as the number of shops we have visited continues to climb.  The PE Coffee Crawl hit #60 last Thursday with our trek to Starburst, located at 50 Westbourne Rd. in Mount Croix.  Suffice it to say that the Starburst Fan Club increased in membership by thirteen on Crawl Day.  We all just loved this coffee shop that opened for business only one year ago.

Meet the Owner
Werner Lourens

We started eating even before the pic was taken!

Starburst owner Werner Lourens started off a number of years ago as a wedding cake specialist and chocolatier.  Word on the street is that his cakes are the best in town.  Well, his business grew until, luckily for PE, he decided to open a full-fledged coffee shop/deli as well.  Let's see.... what can I say about Starburst? ......  Excellent, excellent, excellent Italian imported Pascucci coffee, outrageously delicious cakes/brownies/waffles, unique menu, fun art deco decor, and an engaging staff.  Does it sound like I am campaigning for President of the aforementioned Fan Club?



Meet the Barista
Roan



Along with being "Home of the Original Brussels Waffle," Starburst's chalkboard menu boasts a variety of breakfasts, lunches, cakes/desserts, and homemade ice cream and gelato.  Werner is a self-taught chef.  I sampled his brownies, hot custard danish, Greek Chocolate Cake, and the carmelized roasted nut ice cream (served in very cool ice bowls) and have to say that Werner is a very good teacher/student!  I'm looking forward to returning at some point to try the pizza baked on river pebbles.

Custard Danish

Check out these cool ice bowls!

An interesting item on Starburst's coffee menu is the "Josephine Baker" ... two shots of Pascucci espresso, a chocolate mousse nipple, and a floating Lindt flower.  Thursday's Crawlers, Margaret Zoetmulder, Leanne Waller, June Nash, Gail Darne, Sylvia Mynhardt, Stella and Beryl Dawson, Nomusa Nkomo, Beth Vieira, Fr. Dominic Griego, and Gail and Raymond Griego, enjoyed watching Werner pour this specialty coffee drink at the table, and hearing the story of Josephine Baker, the 1930s celebrity.  Five Crawlers ordered the Josephine Baker; the remaining Crawler's beverages were prepared by Barista Roan.  It was interesting that this week was the first Crawl where no one ordered a cappuccino.  Guess I'll have to order one with my pizza when I return.... what a combo!

Werner pouring the Josephine Bakers



Putting on the finishing touches



The Crawl usually starts around 9:30, with me arriving at around 9:00 to talk to the owner and take some pics.  Starburst's hours atr Mon-Sat, 10-6, so I, along with a few early Crawlers, had some time to kill before the shop opened.  We strolled down Westbourne Rd. to check out the Catwalk Cafe, now under new management since our Crawl visit in December.  The new owner is revamping the shop and is very excited to have the PE Coffee Crawlers re-visit soon to experience the new and improved Catwalk Cafe.  At 10:00 we all returned to Starburst.

This Week's Crawlers
Fr. Dominic, Margaret, Leanne, June, Gail D., Sylvia,
Beryl, Gail G., Stella, Raymond, Nomusa, Beth

In last week's post I mentioned that Isabella's Cafe (Crawl #59) was Fr. Dominic's last Crawl.  Well, I was wrong.  Fr. D, along with his parents who were visiting from Cape Town, decided to pop in for one more cup of coffee with the Crawlers.  Our final send-off conversation with Fr. Dominic wasn't sappy and tear-filled.  We didn't reminisce about good times at the Crawl.  Rather, we got onto the topic of snakes after Leanne regaled us with a story of a snake that her son, Daniel, encountered in their house.  Long story short.... there were some frighteningly tense moments with Daniel vs the snake by himself in the house, and Leanne, who happened to be outside, calling someone to come kill the snake.  In the end Leanne breathed a sigh of relief when she saw the carcass of what Daniel said was a huge snake but what Leanne described as "an earthworm on steroids."  Well, after that story it seemed like everyone had a snake tale of their own including Fr. D's about a puff adder he saw in the church hall recently.  I don't think I'll be staying for tea after Mass on Sunday.  Fr. D.... let's hope they're not showing "Snakes on a Plane" as you jet off to Rome this week!

~Thank you to Werner and Roan.... I'm not kidding about being Pres of your Fan Club!

Until next week,

Ellen

Artwork by Werner

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