Dining chairs need to be comfy

Many restaurants traditionally remain closed on the second day of the week, but last Monday, George and I found Wild Cherry not only open for business, but welcoming a steady stream of lunchtime patrons.
We had not made a booking, and all the tables were taken when we arrived. Luckily, a friend, Glenn, who was just finishing his lunch, invited us to join his table.
At Glenn’s recommendation I ordered rosemary flavoured roast chicken, special of the day, for US$8. It was served with roast potato wedges, beans and carrots and a crisp salad, and was quite delicious.
George asked for chicken lasagne, also served with salad and vegetables. Now, George is a lover of salt, so when he found his meal too salty to eat, it was obvious that the chief taster in the kitchen had taken a day off. The waiter swiftly brought a replacement dish — this time a bacon and onion quiche with salad, costing US$6.
Home-made lemonade was off the menu, so we both drank Coke, served in tall glasses with lots of ice, for US$1. We munched steadily, while Glenn regaled us with tales of his recent holiday in New Zealand.
While the atmosphere at Wild Cherry is peaceful and the service friendly and efficient, the dining chairs are designed in the “sit up and beg” style and are distinctly uncomfortable.
Hard and upright, these chairs do not encourage patrons to relax. I felt obliged to pay attention, to eat up and to get back to work, when all I really wanted to do was to sit back in a comfortable chair, gaze at the palm trees and smooth green lawns and enjoy a tasty meal.
The menu at Wild Cherry is varied and well priced, and includes lasagne, hamburgers, quiches, steak rolls and toasted sandwiches. All of these are served with fresh vegetables and delicious salads.
Sea salt and black pepper grinders are on every table, and instead of run-of-the-mill paper napkins, large linen table napkins are provided.
Cappuccino, US$1, is hot and frothy, and served in state-of-the-art coffee cups. George and I shared a slice of large, freshly made carrot cake (US$2).
Many restaurants these days encourage patrons to bring their laptops with them, so that they can send e-mails, write reports or simply surf the net while they eat muffins and drink cups of coffee.
Wild Cherry is no exception and at least five individuals were hard at work on their computers over their lunch hour. Either the Zimbo work ethic is asserting itself, or it is just uncool to eat lunch without remaining connected to the internet.
Glenn says the Wild Cherry is his favourite lunchtime destination, and if he ever needs to meet with business associates, he will invite them to Rowland Square.
I would like to try a hamburger or a toasted sandwich on another occasion, but not before the dining chairs are exchanged for something more comfortable.
Wild Cherry Coffee Shop
1 Rowland Square
Milton Park
Open Mon – Fri : 8am – 4pm
Sat: 9am – 12 noon
Tel: 761038
Cell: 011 600 380
– cmalakoff@gmail.com