The Bean Green Coffee Company

Coffee @ The Bean Green Coffee Company

 

They describe it as a “Time Warp” and this trip in their time machine is worth the adventure. The Bean Green Coffee Company is an authentic coffee lovers experience, taking you back in time to the good old days of Vinyl records, newspapers and a nostalgic feeling of coming home.

When I walked into Bean Green I was amazed initially at how small it actually was. The aroma of coffee wafted up my nostrils and the sound of music crackling on an old vinyl was music to my coffee loving soul. The place was buzzing with patrons filling up every available seat, and I was fortunate enough to be able to find a table close to the old fashioned cash register.

 

I ordered two cappuccinos for my husband and me and took my place at the table, soaking up the sights and sounds of this tiny gem. The patrons sat happily reading the newspaper and chatting away as they enjoyed the finest coffee beans Ethiopia had to offer.

Bean Green is truly a family affair, started by Peter Winter and his daughter Mel. They serve the finest quality Ethiopian beans, and their House Blend won the Café Society Durban Award in 2009 and 2010.

 

Our cappuccinos arrived with our jam-filled heart-shaped biscuits, and I was overwhelmingly delighted that their reputation for fine coffee did not disappoint. We sat there enjoying not just the coffee but the unique experience this place has to offer, with its worn down couches and mismatched chairs covered in the hessian cloth that their beans are imported in.

 

Feeling one cappuccino would not suffice, we indulged in another cup, and this time I bought some dark chocolate to have with it. I was a little disappointed that their cake selection only consisted of Carrot Cake, Lemon Meringue, and Cheese Cake, as I am a chocolate lover by nature and would have loved to perhaps have a Chocolate Caramel Tart with my coffee. However, I settled for their individually wrapped and branded dark chocolate bars to satisfy my chocolate needs.

 

As the afternoon drew to a close we had to tear ourselves off our seats and go on our merry way to our next appointment, however that was only after getting my newly found Bean Green Loyalty Card stamped for four cups of coffee, and a knowing that we would surely be back here to relax in their time warp listening to 1970’s music, reading the newspaper, doing the crossword puzzles and sipping on the finest flavors Ethiopia had to offer.

 

Bean Green Coffee Company contact details:

Tel:           031 201 8122

Address: 147 Davenport Road

                 Durban

                South Africa

The Cosmopolitan Restaurant at Urban Park Hotel

The Cosmopolitan Restaurant at Urban Park Hotel

Umhlanga has slowly become the hub of luxurious Hotels, fine dining and exquisite stores to shop in. I love dining in Durban’s best-kept secrets and when I first heard about the Cosmopolitan Restaurant in the Urban Park Hotel, I decided I must go and see what new and exciting experiences they have to offer.

I decided to take along a couple of friends of mine who like me, appreciate Fine Dining and experimenting with new foods and flavors. Who wouldn’t want to enjoy a new restaurant experience with people who share such an appreciation?
 

 

The four-star Cosmopolitan Restaurant is located on the ground floor of the Hotel and is a fusion of contemporary fine dining sophistication. As you enter the Hotel lobby you are graced with the beauty of an exquisite chandelier that hangs at the entrance, and at the back of the restaurant you have the view of a state of the art indoor swimming pool.

 

The restaurant boasts a Vida-e kiosk which ensures that guests have superior coffee every day and they definitely do not disappoint on the coffee. The restaurant buzzed with excited energy and was comfortably full with most of the patrons enjoying the selection at the bar.

 

We started our meals with Wesley and I ordering their Urban Burger which is served on a ciabatta bun, topped with melted mozzarella, rocket, bacon and onion marmalade. Lucinda opted for their Chicken Pollo Pesto, which is chicken simmered in a white wine, garlic and basil pesto cream sauce served on a bed of pasta.

 

When our food arrived I must say the presentation of my burger was beautifully executed, with each of the bright colours of the ingredients peeking through each other on my plate. The taste though was vastly disappointing with the burger having no flavor except for a pungent distinct taste of meat and pepper, which did no justice to the way it was presented, and was in fact so ghastly that I was unable to finish the meal. Wesley on the other hand had to cover his burger in Tabasco Sauce in order to mask the taste of the meat.

 

The pasta looked pleasing to the eye, however when Lucinda tried to eat it, it was ice cold and had to be returned, which was rather surprising, as the food had not taken that long to prepare that it should be served cold. The sauce lacked flavor and their acclaim to garlic being present in the sauce seemed to be a myth, as we could not taste any traces of garlic.

 

With such a misguided main meal I was rather apprehensive to try a dessert, however the friendly waiter seemed to beckon me on and I decided to try their chocolate brownie and ice-cream. I opted for cream rather than ice-cream and was informed they were “out of stock” of cream, so I settled for the ice-cream, hoping that this dessert would not disappoint.

 
If ever I experienced the redemptive power of a mouthwatering dessert it was that Saturday evening as I took my first mouthful of the chocolate brownie. To describe it as a chocolate lovers dream would barely suffice the decadence I experienced with each mouthful. The ice-cream was rather disappointing as it tasted rather cheap and was by far not smooth and creamy, however I was too busy enjoying the delight of the brownie that the memory of the disappointing main meal, or the cheap ice-cream faded away, as we allowed this sweet sensation to be the perfect ending to a wonderful evening of insightful conversation in a beautiful setting.

Urban Park Hotel contact details :

Phone :    031 566 1814

Address: 60 Meridian Drive
                Umhlanaga Ridge Town Centre
                Umhlanga
                  Durban, South Africa

Freedom Cafe

Freedom Cafe

I must say, Freedom café is a breath of fresh air, nestled away just a few streets from Florida road, Durban and part of the Concierge Boutique Bungalows Hotel, this vibrant restaurant brings nothing but joy to the eye of the beholder.

A bright red mirrored shipping container, oversized ceramic sausage dogs and amazing attention to detail, sets Freedom Café apart from its competitors.

On my visit there I opted to sit outside under the trees and take in the morning fresh air. Every part of the restaurant from your table napkin to the menu, reminds you that you are in no ordinary space.

Whilst there, I enjoyed a delicious cappuccino, and decided to have the Yogurt Parfait for breakfast. Although there are your traditional bacon and egg options on the menu, in that environment it would almost be sinful to stick to the ordinary.

The Yogurt Parfait did not disappoint at all, with its roasted pears layered amongst Greek yogurt, a raspberry compote and roasted almond shavings, it was the perfect way to start my morning.

The atmosphere is very laid back, there is no need to rush into your day. I spent most of the morning breathing in the fresh air, enjoying the sunshine on my face, and relaxing whilst reading a magazine.

The staff are friendly, and they too seem to be in no hurry to have you leave, giving you space to enjoy the food and atmosphere, this is a place I can definitely become a regular in.

Freedom Café contact details:

Address:                                             37 – 43 St Mary’s Avenue, Greyville, Durban

Phone number:                                031 309 4453