Have you ‘bean’ to this lovely restaurant?

I recently paid them a visit and was impressed from the moment I entered the door.

Our waitress, Betty, greets me and my mother, and serves us with a smile on her face and speed in her efforts.

I like the surroundings and we chose to sit outside, so there’s that lovely sound and feel of nature, and yet, whenever I look inside, I’m reminded that this is a classy place and the décor is phenomenal.

With the large variety of choices on the menu, we don’t know where to begin.

We order some drinks while we decide what to eat.

My mom gets an ice tea, and I think I’ll take…a coffee, thanks, Betty.

Whilst enjoying the outside surroundings, I revel in my cappuccino, which costs R26.

Vanilla Bean’s theme and style is modern home-style cooking under the experienced hand of Andrew Thompson.

My mother decides to try the hake fillet with a salad on the side.

She is impressed by the cleanliness of the venue, though would like to see a larger selection of vegetarian meals on the menu.

I’m still trying to decide.

Hmm…okay, I’ll have the home-made chicken and mushroom pot pie.

The restaurant isn’t just a coffee shop, but also a confectionery, which in layman’s terms, means they specialise in designing, baking and delivering custom-made cakes (there have been rave revues of their carrot cake).

Ah, here comes the food.

It’s always my favourite moment at a restaurant when you see the waitron walking out with something and you can see it’s your order.

The hake fillet doesn’t last long and my mother’s plate is empty in no time.

Before I take a bite, let me just take this shot… no, maybe from this angle, that’s better, now, time to dive in.

A full portion of rich pie filling, covered in a golden-brown crust, tingles my taste buds, and the fries which come with it are are some of the best I’ve ever had.

How was this only R65?

The hake fillet and salad is even more surprising, at R48.

But we don’t stop there.

Betty, could you bring us the dessert menu?

Thanks, and on we go, ordering some ice cream.

While we wait, let me tell you more about Vanilla Bean.

Thompson, the owner, manager and head chef, bought Vanilla Bean in May last year.

He said they didn’t want to mess around with the already well established brand of Vanilla Bean, but as a professional chef, he believes they’ve improved ever so slightly on the quality.

Thompson also mentions the restaurant can be hired as a venue for a number of events.

Camera out again, I just have to get this mouth-watering shot of the ice cream with Bar-one sauce, for R26.

We have to force ourselves to slow down, lest we get brain freeze, ooh…too late.

All right, back on track, and there comes that feeling, when you take the last spoonful and you realise the whole meal is finished.

I get a last word in with Thompson and he said they’re currently running a special, the Early Bird Breakfast, which, for only R30, includes a filled fresh croissant, two egg frittatas, a slice of toast and coffee, and is served until 11am.

Next time I’m having breakfast.

Vanilla Bean Coffee Shop can be found on the corner of Eighth Avenue and Second Street, Northmead, and is open 8am till 4pm from Tuesday to Friday, 8am to 3pm on a Saturday, and 8am to 2pm on Sundays. EvD