Yum – the homecomer’s “local”
Having been there more than thrice, I now like to think of Yum as “my local”. For those returning from London, “Local” perhaps conjures up images of beer-soaked pubs, smoky nights (in the days that this was still possible) and a good draught beer or ale for the more seasoned beer lover. There is some evidence of UK in the manager’s accent, with a generous South African hospitality (I feel very much the prodigal daughter – or sister – whenever I return).
Location: Yum Website. Address: 2 Deerpark Drive, Vredehoek: Cape Town Map
Ambience: Great for fireside cosiness. Separate restaurant for peace from the hub-bub on busy nights.
Seating: ”Romantic” table seating near the windows and walls. Outside seating popular on sunny days.
Menu: The meal portions (including starter) were hearty and tasty. Good Vegetarian options.
Wine list: There is a small selection of wines, albeit very drinkable choices.
Coffee: My table agreed that the coffees (I had a decaf) didn’t taste great. Not the Ultimate Caffeine Kick.
Screen Sports: Major sports events (including football) shown for big matches – visible from the lounge.
Bookings: Our confirmed email booking didn’t filter down to the waitress on the night.
The Ultimate Caffeine Kick
We know how it is to love coffee. Each London morning is seemingly hollow without the opportunity to queue for the barrista’s attention. To be handed a heat-resistant take-away coffee holder (a whole tray, if you’re doing the morning coffee run for your colleauges) brings mountains of joy and happiness.
It’s mandatory to talk about the coffee if it’s good and equally (worse!) if it’s bad. There is the Cafe Nero-lover (strong and rich), the Pret lover (must have Organic and Fair Trade), Starbucks (if you don’t mind being out-of-pocket) and Coffee Republic (you can’t be doing with a franchise on every corner!) to name a few.
The same tireless search for the greatest coffee experience exists in the heart of the South African, as it does in your average London pavement-treader. The joy is, you have to be a bit more adventurous here. No preset recipe. No guarantee of the same drink after your next meeting. The coffee Franchise doesn’t exist, or if there is one, it’s a bit more subtle about brand-dishing so you don’t know about it.
You’ll like this change, I promise. Each coffee brings with it a new experience. We do know that drinking an unpalatable coffee can really put a damper on your dining, so we’re hoping to save you that unbearable pain. When we find a good coffee spot, we’ll review it here on our Siteta Blog under “The Ultimate Caffeine Kick” and then post its location under the same heading on the 2010 Cape Town Map, where we’ve listed CBD hotels and restaurants.
If you’re feeling a bit mal-adjusted to your new environment, you know that coffee will perk you up, so after you’ve sent out those job applications (or even better, whilst sending them) go out and find your favourite. Spend a few pounds (pence!) on a daily coffee somewhere new. Eavesdrop on the “local vibe”…
We’d love to hear your own coffee views. Let us know if you’ve found somewhere that you think deserves to be on The Ultimate Caffeine Kick.
Keeping up to date with affairs back home…
I love the South Africa Info site. It’s a great read, with a really good overview of current affairs in South Africa. It gives a broad insight for the traveller or resident. Whilst pining for our sunny shores, I kept up-to-date on business happenings on their business pages and often referred my foreign friends planning their South African visits to SA Info’s Interactive map. Having recently arrived in South Africa, I realised that SA Info was also writing about South Africans Abroad. A handy way to connect to home and re-ignite that good ol’ homesick feeling!
We’re talking!
We wouldn’t like you to surmise from this blog that our London experience was a wasted one, so we’d like to thank the wonderful “Old Smoke” for her experiences.
She saw us arrive on her well-trodden pavements as penniless graduates with large rucksacks and naiveté to match. Departing her walkways – having shamelessly marketed South Africa’s marvels for 12 years – we’ve hopefully returned more useful human beings!
