Vanilla Bean — not your regular restaurant
For perfect, home-style, cooked food, in a relaxed environment, look no further than the Vanilla Bean Coffee Shop and Confectionery.
The eatery also bakes professional cakes for all occasions.
Situated at the corner of Second Street and Eighth Avenue, in Northmead, the eatery is under new management of owner Andrew Thompson.
Thompson is a trained chef, who comes with a wealth of experience (25 years) in the catering business, some of which was gained at five-star hotels.
He started at Vanilla Bean on May 1, and has vowed to maintain the standard and introduce changes gradually.
On May 15, my colleague and I visited the restaurant and were welcomed by a friendly waitress, who immediately asked us if we would like to have anything to drink.
As the weather was a bit chilled, I went for a tasty hot chocolate, while my colleague settled for a cappuccino tall.
For the main course I had a steak, egg and chips meal, consisting of a well done 220g fillet steak, topped with mild, spicy tomato sauce and a fried egg, served with chips and fresh vegetables.
The food is beautifully presented.
The steak was prepared just the way I like it: it was delicious and succulent, while the chips were crispy and tasty.
My colleague enjoyed chicken and prawns, served with rice and pompadom.
Her chicken was cooked to perfection and the prawns were soft and fresh, and came in an edible size.
The curry, she said, was spicy.
Rice was served in a reasonable portion and the light and crispy pompadom melted in her mouth.
Owner Thompson described himself as nice person and added that he has plenty of bad jokes.
The restaurant does catering, can be booked for functions and has a conferences centre fitted with projectors and a white board.
It is open on Mondays to Fridays, from 7.30am to 2pm, and on Saturdays, from 8am to 2pm.
Fresh, home made platters are available for functions, and all snacks are handmade.
In the not so distance future, Thompson will be introducing Friday night meals and breakfast buffers on Saturday mornings.
“We have also applied for a liquor licence, to serve those who might need alcoholic drinks,” Thompson said.
There is also a Reward Card, which will see customers receiving R50 off their meals at the establishment.
I wholeheartedly recommend that people try this eatery, as there is everything, from starters to desserts.
It is quiet and diners have the option of sitting outside.
