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Darlings, let me tell you something … Melrose Arch is a delight for a former Cape Town resident like myself. I think it’s got a lot to do with the lovely leafy setting and the comfortable open-air restaurants. Needless to say, it’s my shopping destination of choice. The only issue I’ve had with Melrose Arch is their lack of quality coffee shops … don’t you agree? Luckily, that issue of mine is now a thing of the past … Roast Café, the newest kid on the block, is the perfect place to perk up with caffeine and cake!
After attending the opening of Roast Café earlier this year, which was a wonderful success, I decided to revisit the fabulous spot last week for lunch. I arrived late on a Thursday afternoon to a surprisingly very busy restaurant. My warm and welcoming waiter quickly arranged me a table outside in a cosy, shady spot and handed me the menu.
While I had a quick peruse, I admired the trendy décor of the café that boasts cute and quirky touches. Think modern printed tiles, deep red wallpaper, twinkling light fixtures and, of course, the most decadent display of cakes, cake jars, doughnuts and other sweet treats. All of these elements really make for the most divine, relaxing ambiance!
To drink, I ordered something that had caught my eye immediately … the Coconut Hot Fudge milkshake. Darlings, it was love at first sip! The dreamy delight managed to be rich and creamy without being too sweet, and the crunchy coconut biscuits enrobed in white chocolate that were used to decorate the shake were simply to-die-for.
Then, to eat, I ordered their well-loved Chicken Burger & Chips … a grilled chicken patty topped with avocado, Peppadew pesto, feta and rocket, served on a homemade brioche bun. My burger came out quickly, and boy, was it a treat! The chicken was juicy and succulent, and the bun was as fresh as can be. Overall, it was amazingly tasty, and the hand-cut potato chips on the side were equally impressive.
Although I was pretty full after scoffing down my rather generously sized burger, I decided that I had to end my lunch off on a sweet note. Darlings, let me just warn you that choosing which cake to order at Roast Café is the hardest decision you’ll ever have to make … with drool-worthy options like roasted coconut, cashew cream, salted peanut butter, red velvet, red velvet and meringue, Bar One Cheesecake, Smarties and rainbow, is it even possible to pick just one?!
After much contemplation, I ordered a slice of rainbow cake, which had caught my attention the minute that I arrived, with a flat white. My flat white arrived first, with a mini red velvet cupcake on the side, which I thought was the cutest touch! The coffee itself was sublime … on of the best cups I’ve had here in Jozi.
Then, my slice of cake arrived … and that’s when I went straight to foodie heaven! Darlings, you’ve never tasted cake like this before. Not only does each one look like an absolute work of art, they taste just as incredible as they look. Plus, the slices are huge! Can you say doggy bag? Let’s just say that my leftovers made for a great evening snack later that day.
Overall, I must say that I just love Roast Café. Darlings, with its stylish setting, breezy venue, enthusiastic staff and downright delicious food and drinks, it’s simply a must-visit. Whether you pop in for a cup of coffee before work, for tea and cake at lunchtime, or for a fabulous girls’ lunch or dinner, just be sure to arrive hungry!
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