Comfort food, anyone?

Out And About

Sadness prevails with the untimely passing of Mbira Queen  Chiwoniso Maraire. Warm and generous to everyone she met, Chi touched many hearts with her pure voice and profound music. ‘Gone too soon’ said one Facebook post — and there was an outpouring in the print and social media from her many friends and fans — but for some reason her time had come.  We celebrate her life now that she is laid to rest in her home village Chakohwa and hope that a spirit of peace presides to honour the rich legacy of her music.
Needing some comfort, decided to settle down with the weekend newspapers in the dappled sunshine of Veldemeers, set in the treed courtyard at Doon estate. Specialising in delicious handmade Belgian chocolates, Veldemeers opened the coffee shop some years ago and serves different coffees, teas, hot chocolate, a selection of luscious cakes and plain, almond and chocolate croissants. They also sell frozen croissants to cook at home — and I have bought these many times. Just defrost overnight and cook the next morning for a fresh European breakfast.
They are one of the participating outlets in the ZOL coffee tour running until end of September and featuring 12 coffee shops around the capital. Main incentive of this coffee tour is the chance to win an Illy M4 Coffee machine — a high end espresso/cappuccino maker which includes a frother and Illy coffee capsules. One picks up a loyalty card and gets it stamped each time you visit a participating coffee shop. Five coffees allows you to enter the competition.
We failed to pick up our loyalty card mainly because service was a challenge. Already busy soon after 9am, there were only two waitresses on duty and they seemed to have a lot of other stuff to get ready before they could attend to customers sitting at tables. We waited nearly 15 minutes for a waitress to notice us and take our order. Just as well it was Saturday and no rush.  She brought the neighbouring table almond cake instead of almond croissants and forgot our chocolate mousse cake and had to be reminded.
All the same coffee and cake were delicious. Chocolate mousse cake is layers of chocolate sponge and chocolate mousse topped with a ganache and signature chocolate button. No sacher torte unfortunately, but the almond cake, layers of almond sponge and vanilla cream was also perfect. Cake for breakfast feels decadent, but maybe it is the best time to eat it — while there is enough of the day left to burn off all those calories!
Slice of cake is US$3 and filter coffee and espressos US$2 so the $5 coffee tour price is no special saving. I thought it unfortunate that they couldn’t throw in cappuccino (normally US$2,50 — do they have change?) at the coffee tour price but maybe they don’t need the business. Certainly there were plenty of patrons on Saturday morning — many of them European judging by the different languages spoken. They offer a special of a slice of cake with either filter coffee or tea for US$4 and otherwise their lovely croissants — also available filled with ham and mozzarella or a vegetarian special with feta, tomato and pesto for a savoury snack.
Other coffee shops participating in the tour are Antique Rose?Cafe Xpresso,?Deli-cious,?Freshly Ground,?Jack Spratz,?The Meikles Lounge,?Millers Café,?Sorella’s,?St Elmo’s?, and the Village Caffe with coffee and cake menus ranging from US$3 to US$5.
I aim to try and visit one a week for the duration and will have to find ways to do extra exercise to keep it off the waistline!
Wishing us all a peaceful vote.
-g.jeke@yahoo.com