CHERUBS COFFEE SHOP AND HOME INDUSTRIES
Some tribes you are born into. Some you choose. And the rest choose you. It has been about a year since I was diagnosed with diabetes, a disease sometimes associated with those who do not watch what they eat and drink, and don't exercise regularly. None apply to me as I cycle or walk briskly several times a week, do not drink and am a picky eater. Still, my maternal grandmother and my mother’s genes meant my pancreas is not functioning as well as I would like it to.
One of the first pieces of advice my nephrologist and dietitian gave was that I should try to minimise sugar in my diet. As a teetotaller lifestyle journalist who attends a number of media engagements, this meant I could no longer have as much juice and fruits as I used to. I also had to be aware of meal portions.
What became immediately clear is that there are not enough restaurants, hotels, office parks, takeaway joints, entertainment venues and other establishments that cater to those with health-related needs.
If you are allergic to gluten, lactose-intolerant, follow the Whole 30 diet (eating whole, unprocessed foods including animal protein, vegetables, fruits, nuts and healthy fats but avoiding grains, legumes, dairy, sugar, alcohol and certain additives) there are not too many choices, especially in the east of Johannesburg.
So imagine my delight when while cycling I stopped for breakfast at Cherubs Coffee Shop and Home Industries. Joey Rousseau, the manager, caught Covid in 2019 and, as a result, her sugar levels were elevated and she became gluten-intolerant. After struggling to find restaurants that catered to patrons with health conditions, she decided to grab the bull by the horns and ensure that Cherubs would be that haven.
Their Angel Special (R95) consists of wholewheat crumpets topped with asparagus or spinach, feta, mushrooms and tomato, served with bacon. It is truly angel’s food, as it is delicious and healthy.
For those whose diet must contain meat, the Banting (R85) is ideal, as it includes bacon, eggs, beef sausages and tomatoes. For those on the other side of the meat spectrum, the Vegetarian (R70) is a wonderful treat.
People hunting gluten-free food are also taken care of as baked goods such as biscuits, bread, rusks and cakes are made using almond, macadamia and coconut flour. Nut flour is not only great for those who are intolerant to gluten, but is recommended for all as it has less carbs than wheat flour.
For once, I could have more than just sugar-free soda or rooibos, as Cherubs’s drinks menu has a comprehensive sugar-free offering, including hot chocolate (R40), a selection of Footy’s cooldrinks (R25) and cordial for alcohol-free cocktails (R40).
What is even better is that you don't have to wait to be diagnosed with some or other condition for you to pay the coffee shop a visit. If your food tribe is low-carb, high protein, Paleo, Mediterranean, ketogenic or anything else, this is the place for you.
Even people who are part of the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet, which is low in salt and rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy and lean protein, will see their blood pressure levels decrease after a few visits to Cherubs. — Sbu Mkwanazi
• Cherubs Coffee Shop and Home Industries is in the Blue Crane Ridge Shopping Centre, corner of Nelson Mandela Avenue and Blue Crane Drive, Alberton. Open Monday to Sunday. Bookings can be made at 011-867-6160.
KAYLEE'S MARKET AND EATERY
Vegans in the East Rand and surrounds need no introduction to Kaylee’s Market and Eatery, the 100% vegan and dog-friendly restaurant in Bedfordview.
Opened by Kaylee Gottschalk in 2019, it was named the Best Vegetarian Restaurant at The Best of Ekurhuleni Readers' Choice Awards in the same year and continues to deliver plant-based, health-conscious food that doesn't require scrutinising of the menu if you’ve sworn off animal products.
I don't follow a vegan or vegetarian lifestyle but consider myself food curious: I’m willing to learn and try new things and maybe challenge my perceptions. And according to Kaylee’s website: “We are constantly experimenting and breaking the perception of what vegan food can be to encourage those that may not know just how fun and tasty a vegan diet can be. Inventive and playful, our dishes reflect the vibrancy and creativity of our founder.” Perfecto!
Interested to find out what their interpretation is of a “fun and tasty vegan diet”, I found myself sipping on a cappuccino (from the choice of vegan milks, I chose macadamia) and deciding on what I’d like to try from the menu.
It was trickier than I imagined. The menu is diverse, offering all-day breakfast with a number of sweet options, salads and bowls, burgers and sandwiches, hearty mains and pizzas. They also bake an assortment of vegan and gluten-free cakes, apple pie and malva pudding on top of the impressive menu of gourmet shakes and frappés. If you have a sweet tooth, you won’t be left behind to chew on a lettuce leaf. This also means that you’re not guaranteed that anything you order from the menu will be healthy: with many of the items not labelled sugar-free or diabetic friendly, the guarantee is simply that it’s vegan.
I settled on sharing a portion of buffalo mac and cheese I with my husband. Made with penne and cashew butternut cheese sauce, it’s topped with jalapeños, seitan bacon, cashew cheese and spicy buffalo cauliflower nuggets. The cashew butternut cheese sauce doesn’t taste like non-vegan cheese sauce but the dish is comforting and homey, as the “hearty mains” menu section suggests. A suitable vegan alternative, I’d say.
Where it was really at for me was in the straight-up fresh produce. What I loved about the mac and cheese were the cauliflower florets. Spicy, full of flavour and bursting with deliciousness, there’s a reason they’re available to order under “small bites” as well.
And the Mediterranean bowl was a winner. Constructed with tabbouleh salad made with quinoa, parsley, mint, cucumber, olives, red onion and tomato; green falafel balls; grilled pita; smoked beetroot hummus; and lettuce cups, it was tasty, filling and undoubtedly healthy.
For those who enjoy a stronger drink with their food, vegans aren’t necessarily averse to indulging and you’ll find a fully stocked bar serving a variety of alcohol. You can tempt me with a glass of wine any day but their freshly squeezed juices demand to be ordered, they’re that good. I can recommend the amber juice.
After your meal, shop for vegan and wellness products at the adjoining market and with the recent addition of Central Bark, a dog-friendly café and outdoor play area which serves treats to humans and their fur babies, animal lovers have all the more reason to enjoy the space.
My qualm with vegan food is that it often relies on deep frying to add a kick of flavour and incorporating highly processed foods that — in my opinion — shouldn’t form part of a health-and-environmentally conscious diet. That said, you’ll find plenty on the menu that does prescribe to these ideals without being boxed in or bored. — Sanet Oberholzer
• Kaylee’s Eatery is at 147 North Reef Road, Bedfordview. Open Wednesday to Saturday from 8am-5pm, and Sunday and public holidays from 8am to 3pm. Bookings can be made at 064-885-8107.
