My little dream
I don’t get it – maybe it is because I’m standing on the outside with only a dream, but don’t the privileged lot who owns beautiful stretches of country right in the middle of suburbia understand fully what potential their establishments have? Sigh… maybe it is just me… perhaps they run wonderfully successful businesses the way they want to… It’s just that at every one I’ve been, including today’s magnificent find, there just seems to be something-something missing. Not the same thing at each place mind you. I sometimes wish I can take what works at each of them and combine it into this … well… my dream…
So what will it look like? Assuming my ideals -
There is a large old thatched “farmhouse” type building, the main restaurant/coffee shop.
This is surrounded by rolling green lawns dotted by ancient large oak trees and other magical trees. There are spots of sun and dappled shade and full shade.
There could be a river running through it – or rather a stream, river sounds too harsh. Maybe there is a fountain in the gardens drawing the eye from the stream, but keeping with serenity of water. Possibly a duck pond/dam. But not a farm “maplotter” type thrown together hack job, a proper, pretty little span of water ringed on the one side with weeping willows. A few wild geese or ducks swim toward you when you near the edge because they’re looking for tidbits of bread.
It is immaculately clean -there are no pieces of broken glass, paper, plastic, cigarett butts, bottle tops or whatever else lying around.
Of course there will be herbs. All over. Everywhere. Because that is just who I am and I think herbs fit in most spectacularly with a country style restaurant and venue – the possibilities are endless and I’m not giving away my secrets. Yet.
The service is good. No. The service is great. SERVICE PLEASE, South Africa!!
The quality of the food is fantastic. There is nothing majorly chef-tacular on the menu, old favourites, but with a twist and a turn to make them just a bit different and a bit nicer – think ham sandwhich with a selection of herb-infused mustards, or a tuna salad with dillweed… blah blah blah. The bread is NOT Albany Spectacular that flattens to a paper-thin piece of tasteless crisp when toasted.
There is a playground, with tables around it, or at least in a semi-circel around it so parents can keep an eye on their littlies, right from their tables. The playground has a jungle gym with slides and swings, or two, maybe a safety trampoline, a see-saw, a sandpit with REAL SEA SAND, not this fake powdery building type sand they use everywhere else. The playground is clean and if it has rained, is dry. It is shade netted. There is a little “forrest” walkway for the kids to play in.
The kiddies’ menu does not only have fish fingers, chicken nuggets or viennas. Actually, I’m not sure it should have any of those at all. Maybe not even slap chips. It could have herb-encrusted chicken goujons with dips instead. Or homemade fishcake shapes.
There are picnic blankets.
There is an official working herb garden, actually a potager, with herbs and salads harvested and used in the kitchen. Organically grown. PLEASE touch and sniff and taste the herbs!
The bathrooms are clean. Tidy. The toilets work. The locks don’t lock you in. There is a baby changing station. Or two.
Sigh… my imagination… I wish I wish I wish…
Maybe one day.