Review of Cocoa Wah Wah and Cocoa Expresso

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Apart from melt-in-the-mouth, homemade, super-size cookies, a buzzing ambience and friendly, efficient service, what more could you want in a coffee shop. Oh yes, a fast and free wi-fi connection. No wonder the Foreshore branch, Cocoa Expresso, was awarded the title "Cape Town’s hottest coffee shop of 2006" (Central City Improvement District).

Shaded by a brollie from summer sunshine, sitting outside Cocoa Expresso with squawking seagulls gliding overhead, it’s hard to believe that I’m in a busy metropolis. In the two years since Cocoa Expresso opened, it has built up a regular clientele of customers from the area, with most of them being on first name terms with the staff.

“They’re also our quality check,” says co-owner Jason.

The surprisingly peaceful location is ideally situated near to the Convention Centre, a gym and the nearby leafy square where whale sculptures circulate in the breeze.

A second branch, Cocoa Wah Wah, came to Rondebosch in August, 2006 and since it opened the place has gone from strength to mega-strength.

“The emphasis is on quality and consistency at a competitive price,” says the other owner, Jacqui, of the coffee shops success.

Everything is freshly baked onsite, including muffins R12, cakes R16.50 for chocolate, quiches R29 with potato wedges & grilled mediterranean veggies, pies only R19 and the enormous cookies at only r11. Jacqui and Jason come from a corporate world, and from Johannesburg nogal, but they are living the coffee shop dream.

“It’s been trial and error,” says Jacqui of the recipes, saying that it took six months to perfect the carrot cake recipe.

In Rondebosch, clientele is diverse, ranging from pensioners to students, business people and shoppers.

“The response has been positive, with many people coming via word-of-mouth,” says Jason, going on to add that lunch-times are particularly hectic.

Apart from baked goods and breakfast, which include fresh fruit, muesli and yoghurt R26, omelettes R29-R36 and the usual English breakfast R14.50, there are wraps R32.50-R36.50, open ciabatta and potato wedges RR27-R34, penne pasta and parmesan with a choice of three sauces R29.50-R32.50, salads R26-R32 and tramezzini’s served with Mediterranean vegetables and potato wedges R29.50-R34.50. The small crostini pizzas come with a Greek side salad and a choice of three toppings at R29.50. For something less exotic try a toasted sandwich on a choice of whole grain or white bread, R14.50-R18.50.

A unique idea is the Create Your Own Muffin offer. Cocoa Wah Wah bakes the muffin especially for you with whatever flavour you desire, just select the ingredients from seven options, pay for your muffin and pick it up the next morning at 8.30am. The pumpkin or cocoa base costs R9 and ingredients are between R2 and R3 each - white and brown choc, coffee, banana, pecan, raisins and roasted seeds.

But it’s not only the food that’s excellent, the coffee is freshly ground and brewed and comes complete with créma. The trained barrista is able to create a range of espresso based coffee concoctions, such as long black R9.50, flat white R10, latte’s in a variety of flavours, R14.50 and choccochino R14.50, to a number of interesting chocolate drinks – cocoa Aztec sounds interesting, R14.50. If you aren’t a coffee drinker, try the variety of teas or iced crush and iced fruit crush options, R14.50. I tried a refreshing concoction of mango and mint, other options include granadilla and ginger and lychee and lime.

And don’t despair if you can’t get there during the week. Cocoa Wah Wah is open on Sunday’s, and according to Jason, freshly baked scones are proving to be a hit at only R12, served with butter, jam and cheese.

Sit outside under the trees or inside with its warm, homey atmosphere. Relax on the sofa with a magazine or newspaper or play a board game, but come.

And as for the future, “we plan to open a third store later this year, on the back of the positive success of this one.” Fingers crossed it’s near to you.

Contact Cocoa Expresso on 021 421 7000 in the Vodacom Building on Pier Place, Foreshore. Cocoa Wah Wah on 021 686 3639 next to the BP garage on Main Road, Rondebosch. Opening hours: Mon-Sat 7am-7pm, Sun 9h30am to 5pm.