Friday, February 18, 2011

Coffee Crusades - part two


It has been a while and during the time, we have been to three other coffee shops (I have been getting lazy to write again, much to Dot’s dismay). Already our focus has increased to bakeries and cafes that aren’t coffee shops per se but serve coffee, due to the invisible coffee shop policy that states that all coffee shops in Pretoria must close at 5pm on weekdays. So going back to three weeks ago, it was my turn to choose, and after much ‘googling’ and reading (not during work time, I promise), I decided that it was about time that I visit the Harrie's Pancakes in Pretoria. I say I and not WE because Dot had not heard of Harrie's before, and I was beginning to wonder how far their popularity really went.


To me, the name Harrie's Pancakes immediately brings back wonderful childhood and recent memories of our holidays to the lovely region of Mpumalanga, South Africa. Memories of God’s Window, the Potholes, Pilgrim’s Rest and the hundred thousand waterfalls that are too many to name here. Whereas to Dot, it just meant a place that specialises in selling pancakes, which is a unique concept.

So getting there on a weekday during peak hour traffic, was not a joke, we had to endure the hustle and bustle of Church Street and it felt like an eternity before we turned into Eastwood street and arrived at our destination. The setting is a mix of indoor and outdoor seating and we had the pleasure for enjoying the late afternoon outdoors, while we waited to order.


The service was poor, there was only one waiter serving about 8 tables, and the poor guy was running around like a crazy banshee to ensure that we were all served. In addition to that our order took so long that Dot was ready to eat her plate. So naturally, our agitation showed, and after we were served the ‘Manager’ came only to our table to apologise for the service, explaining that it was not the norm, and on that particular day they were short staffed. ‘Did he know about our blog,’ we wondered and giggled to ourselves?

I ordered a sweet pancake and a cappuccino and Dot ordered a savoury pancake and a mocha chino. I guess it was my lucky day in ordering, in terms of pancakes, the sweet cinnamon and sugar pancake was delicious, the pancake was light and fluffy and they got the balance of cinnamon to sugar perfect (it came very close to my husband’s). Dot’s savoury one, however was not that great and she can be quoted saying ‘some things must be left the way they were meant to be, savoury pancakes just don’t cut it’.
The overall rating of Harrie's Pancakes and their cappuccino:
• Good head of foam
• Flavour – weak and milky (unfortunately BICCC’s set very high standards
• Cup size – average, but I didn’t mind this time
• Ambiance – it had relaxing, yet vibey atmosphere for 5pm
• Sweet pancakes, are great and up to the original harries standards,
• Service: Poor but improved outlook after the manager apologised
• Overall score : 3/5 – will go there again for the pancakes, but I will make sure I do not order a cappuccino, having water will suffice.


5 comments:

  1. Zar, finally and i see you managed to get the photo right. Glad you got over the writer's block

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  2. Hey guys, that doesn't sound like too great of an experience. The short-staffing must have had a huge impact since I have never had a bad service experience at Harrie's before. I usually visit Harrie's on a Sunday morning for breakfast and order a savoury pancake (haddock and spinach) which has always been delicious. The sweet potato and butternut one is not to my liking. The spinach one is tasty. I have also tried the milk tart pancake which is definitely worth a taste if you would like sweet pancakes with Pretoria's famed flavours. If you do return, try the Rooibos cappuccino: delicious and something different!

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  3. @Zakkiya. Yeah it was not such a good experience but i would like to go back and actually have a sweet pancake. I am now of the opinion that things must be eaten as they were meant to originally so no savory pancakes or strawberry and cream pizza for me... I tried the Rooibos cappuccino and did not really like. It tasted like sand water but i think Zar may appreciate it.

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  4. Yah this coffee journey is quite entertaining and I like the way Zar writes these stories. Even though I'm neither a coffee nor tea drinker, I'm always fascinated about people that do. For them it's like a small 'religion' coz they'll say 'if i don't get a cup before 10am i get a headache' (NOTE: it's IN your head!) and they will specifically tell you how they like it to be made and what makes a bad cuppa (which turns up to be good cuppa for another person!!)....so fascinating!!! Please take me with you next time ONLY for the pancake experience!

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  5. Haha, Phakamile, you are hilarious! I am exactly like those people. It is really fascinating, but when you really sit down and think about it, it is the coffee that people love or it is the coffee culture?

    We will definitely take you, it will be tonnes of fun... and you must consider writing a guest blog :).

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