Delicious new gourmet offerings at Cherrylane

When my colleague Kevin and I recently had lunch at Cherrylane Gourmet Café, everything, from the cosy, relaxing ambiance to the excellent service was fantastic and, most important, our meals were divine.

The café recently introduced a new menu, that tailored its identity from a cake and tea café to that of a gourmet bistro.

We each decided to try some of the new dishes on offer.

I chose the chicken schnitzel and Kevin tried the new fillet Rossini.

I enjoyed a perfectly cooked chicken breast fillet that was juicy and warm, with a golden crumbed outside and mushroom sauce, served with a side-salad and chips.

His dish consisted of a succulent beef fillet steak, topped with chicken livers in a creamy red wine and mild peri-peri sauce, accompanied by a side of rice and salad.

Kevin said his food was very tasty.

His steak was prepared the way he wanted it and complemented well by the creamy sauce.

He added that his salad was fresh and appetising.

Being an indecisive person, I was impressed with the side-option choices of either chips, salad or half chips and half salad, to enjoy the best of both worlds.

We were seated in the garden area, situated in a private and calm atmosphere, complemented by the surrounding trees and fresh air.

To satisfy his sweet tooth, Kevin decided to have ice-cream with chocolate sauce for dessert.

It was hard to choose from the range of other sweet delights on the menu, but I picked the strawberry cheesecake, which was a decision I definitely did not regret.

This mouth-watering dessert was very tasty, with a tangy sweetness and topped with delicious, fresh strawberries.

Kevin enjoyed his ice-cream and loved the rich and sweet chocolate in which it was doused.

The café is owned by Tracey van Gessel and her business partner, David Wright.

Tracey said her aim with Cherrylane is to create a place where people can relax.

The idea with the new menu is to provide more substantial meals, by including dishes such as steaks, lamb shanks and chicken breasts.

Other interesting new offerings introduced to the menu included the chicken platter, spicy wings and prawn tails.

David’s wife and Tracey’s sister, Chantel Wright, is responsible for all the freshly-baked goods out of the café’s ovens.

There is also an in-door area and a fireplace, and cushions and blankets will be on offer to keep the experience satisfying in the winter-time.

Cherry-lane succeeded in providing the perfect experience, where I could enjoy the company of a friend in a beautiful, light atmosphere, and its cheesecake will definitely see me again.

The café also caters for special occasions, such as bridal and baby showers, corporate functions and other celebrations.

Cherrylane Gourmet Café is situated in the Lifestyle Terrace Shopping Centre, on the corner of Fourteenth Avenue and Fifth Street, Northmead, and is open from 8am to 4.30pm on Mondays to Fridays, and from 8am to 3.30pm on Saturdays and Sundays. TB