Coffee, food and photography what more could you need?

The Northcliff and Melville area is a hub of things artisanal and creative. With many top spots to enjoy in and around the area, one gem that is yet to be

discovered by the masses is the Richmond studio-café.

Inspired by all things photography it’s no surprise that the owner, Antoine de Ras, is a photojournalist himself. After more than 17 years in the madness of the newspaper business, De Ras implemented his exit strategy by way of the café in 2016.

An industrial look and feel with a touch of vintage class, the café is a project for De Ras to express himself. “It’s an interesting little bit of history if you go backwards. I lived in the building for about 15 years.

“I always enjoyed Melville and I came to love this little area and I was living upstairs. I knew the shop owner and this idea somehow started stirring in my head. It sort of happened like a movie.”

De Ras always wanted something which showcased his interests in the perfect way. “Before this all happened I had this vivid dream – it was about seven years ago – and I woke up with this very clear image of a coffee shop and with the studio upstairs and that’s exactly what’s happening now.

“I just started thinking away and just working on that idea. Bit by bit the whole puzzle came together. It took a year to get the place together, I mean it did cost a bit of money but I managed to sort out the finances and it started settling after a year.

“At the end of last year I introduced something new which is a studio upstairs. It was part of the whole idea, it’s a fully functional studio. You could say I’m living my dream – literally.”

So if you fancy a beautiful portrait of yourself after having a cup of java you can head on upstairs and book a shoot. For the foodies The Richmond is known for its delicious melts – you get the best of various comfort foods, from the signature spicy toasted chicken to sweet crunchies. Not forgetting the coffee side of things, it’s also known for its coffee.

“Coffee was what we started with which is the heart and soul of the shop. From the beginning we decided that. There are four important things to follow when it comes to coffee: Great equipment, a great barista, great beans and lastly, passion and consistency. All the ingredients to the perfect cup just the way it’s done here.”

In line with the culture of the area, The Richmond sticks to its original roots of being authentic and consistent. “You know I wanted to follow the dream and create like a mini-hub for media and creative types. Right now there is a strong focus on growing the business and growing the brand just doing more, hosting more events, keeping with the photography and just keeping it fun.”

Related Article:

https://www.citizen.co.za/northcliff-melville-times/300981/functional-foods-become-buzzwords/