Before you even look around the front room of Cafe D'Vine you feel eased into it by the smell of freshly ground coffee, and the sounds of tranquil music.
Before you even look around the front room of Cafe D'Vine you feel eased into it by the smell of freshly ground coffee, and the sounds of tranquil music.
When you open your eyes you then see well-planned colour coordination, beautiful chandeliers and black-and-white framed pictures that create a chic space to come for coffee, cakes, breakfast, or light meals.
No matter how busy this café might get, it always retains a sense of peace and never gets too noisy because it is divided into four semi-detached sections. Beyond the few tables on the front stoep, the large front room is where freshly made cakes and treats are displayed at the counter to tempt you in.
If you would like some fresh air and a view of the Spekboom nursery out back, then you can venture onto the deck outside with a canopy to shade you from the elements. In between these two sections is a small lounge containing long plush couches awaiting those who just want to sit back, relax and soak up the atmosphere with a smoothie, cup of coffee, or freshly-squeezed fruit juice in hand.
Cafe D'Vine opened its doors on Valentine's Day this year and despite starting out with a very extensive menu, it has not had to narrow down its options, says Marinda Stevens, who believes that this is a strength in her business. "I think customers enjoy the variety. They can come back and try something new every time."
The most popular items on the menu are the baked cheesecake, chocolate cake, quiches and wraps. The signature breakfasts are also winners, with the Ciabatta Pick-me-up and the Toast D'Vine being king.
Stevens has been in the catering business for a decade, and previously worked from home catering for functions, and ran a coffee shop in the Village Green during The National Arts Festival. During the Festival this year the café will also be open in the evenings, and Stevens is planning to organise live music too.
More than fresh and delicious cuisine, Cafe D'Vine also offers poetry evenings at 6pm on the last Friday of every month, hosted by Harry Owen, who is a retired teacher from the UK and now a full-time writer.
There are snacks and wine on offer at the evenings, and of course the sharing of poetry; whether it's something you've written, or just something you want to read to the group.
Owen says, "Whatever you like. People are also welcome to just sit and watch." The poetry sessions attract a wide variety of folk from all areas of Grahamstown – there are regulars, students, people and pupils from the township, academics from the university and even established poets.
