When I was a kid, I used to love staying home from school. Not for all the usual reasons, but of because the different sounds (vacuum cleaner rather than TV) and the way the sun slanted into a new position (on the floor instead of on my bed, where it had pooled by the time I came home from school) - it all made my boringly familiar house feel like somewhere new and exciting. Almost like I had climbed the Magic Far Away Tree and, instead of finding the land I was expecting, stumbled across somewhere more interesting. Of course, what made it all the more intriguing was that nothing was really different - it was like looking at twins, with the same features just shifted ever so slightly to the left.
Sometimes, when I escape from my laptop, I get the same feeling. Here's the world that I'm part of in the afternoon, but somehow it all looks different in the morning. It's quieter, stiller - like a stage waiting for the actors.
I recently headed into Modderfontein to do some research for a story, and that feeling was stronger than ever before. I discovered this village a couple of months ago when I wrote about Oakes, a female-owned craft brewery, and I was instantly enchanted. I've had a thing about villagey places ever since my student years at Grahamstown, so Modderfontein, with its green tin roofs, pine trees and lakes, made me feel like I'd found my niche.
I also found the perfect coffice. Oakes Coffee Roastery is owned by the same women who own the brewery. It's tiny, with space for just a few tables, although there are a couple more on the pavement outside, where you get a soul-soothing view of the lake.
It's also cosy and quirky without trying too hard - it just has an easy, comfy atmosphere that lets you settle in and get on with things.
As a coffee roastery, it's not surprising the coffee is absolutely delicious. The food, to be honest, is just so-so. I had a tramezzini filled with bolognaise and cheese, which sounds completely wintery and comforting and tasty, but turned out to be rather ordinary. And strangely chewy.
My verdict: if an unmemorable lunch is the only thing wrong with this place, I'll take it.
The work files:
The people: It's not especially busy, but I actually liked the fact that there wasn't a crowd. It suited the gentle pace of the village.
Wi-Fi: Yes
Coffee: Moreish
The vibe: The perfect place to get absorbed in what you're doing (it is quite a trek out though if you're based in Sandton).
Oakes Coffee Roastery
Queen Street, Modderfontein
011 608 0612
hello@oakesbrewhouse.co.za
Sometimes, when I escape from my laptop, I get the same feeling. Here's the world that I'm part of in the afternoon, but somehow it all looks different in the morning. It's quieter, stiller - like a stage waiting for the actors.
I recently headed into Modderfontein to do some research for a story, and that feeling was stronger than ever before. I discovered this village a couple of months ago when I wrote about Oakes, a female-owned craft brewery, and I was instantly enchanted. I've had a thing about villagey places ever since my student years at Grahamstown, so Modderfontein, with its green tin roofs, pine trees and lakes, made me feel like I'd found my niche.
I also found the perfect coffice. Oakes Coffee Roastery is owned by the same women who own the brewery. It's tiny, with space for just a few tables, although there are a couple more on the pavement outside, where you get a soul-soothing view of the lake.
It's also cosy and quirky without trying too hard - it just has an easy, comfy atmosphere that lets you settle in and get on with things.
As a coffee roastery, it's not surprising the coffee is absolutely delicious. The food, to be honest, is just so-so. I had a tramezzini filled with bolognaise and cheese, which sounds completely wintery and comforting and tasty, but turned out to be rather ordinary. And strangely chewy.
My verdict: if an unmemorable lunch is the only thing wrong with this place, I'll take it.
The work files:
The people: It's not especially busy, but I actually liked the fact that there wasn't a crowd. It suited the gentle pace of the village.
Wi-Fi: Yes
Coffee: Moreish
The vibe: The perfect place to get absorbed in what you're doing (it is quite a trek out though if you're based in Sandton).
Oakes Coffee Roastery
Queen Street, Modderfontein
011 608 0612
hello@oakesbrewhouse.co.za
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