4th Unit. Let's grab a coffee
Michelle Phetlhe | Tuesday March 29, 2022 06:00
Rustic, chic and cosmopolitan are words that come to mind to best describe the layout of the coffee shop that is the 4th unit of the office block. How clever, enchanted and bespoke it is that the shop is named after its geographic beacon location.
We sat down with the young energetic owner who came in bringing with her freshly baked Cinnamon Rolls. She handed them over to the staff who continued to prep them for display. Her staff is young and hip, with a new age fashion sense.
She went on to share that her recruitment method is simple, everyone looking is given equal opportunity, but they must “fit in” with the shop. This further painted the picture of her vision for me.
It’s by the grace of God she believes, that she finds herself where she is. In 2020 during the first lockdown, she found that she was baking a little bit more than usual. What started as a “part time exploration” during her internship, was now taking on a life of its own and by May 2021 she opened up the doors to a coffee shop which allowed her business to expand comfortably.
She sought the assistance of a mobile coffee bar - Cups & Pups - to assist with the coffee catering. Given that there are few Cafes within the area,
She bakes and creates light meals that patrons can either take away and eat in the convenience of their office space and home or sit down with at the coffee shop. The fresh menu now changes daily and this reduces wastage and keeps creativity at an all time high.
However, there are a couple of staples which are available daily and these include the Pies, Carrot cake and big Cinnamon Buns which can not be found anywhere else in town. Heavier meals rotate between Thai Noodles(yum) Chicken Wraps (prepped with locally produced wraps) Quesadillas and Tacos. In actual fact the café supports local farmers as all their greens, edible flowers and vegetables are home grown. One other offering I have not been aware of in other establishments is the available milk alternatives. There is Hazlenut, Almond and Oat milk available. These are suitable for those who don’t take milk or are allergic to nuts. These also allow for the coffee flavour to really permeate in every cup because they are light in characteristic.
I substituted the milk in my 2nd cappuccino with Oat milk and I could immediately taste the difference as the coffee strength permeated more. It’s the first time I got to appreciate that regular milk might take away from a good cup of coffee. But I’m probably not a true coffee connoisseur if I am being honest.
The Thai Noodles, hit all the notes. I even asked if they have plans to sell the sauce along with the other products they have on the shelf and in their fridge. If that sauce hits the shelf, I really hope I will be one of the first to know about it.
The chicken wrap itself was full of flavour I would have preferred the bread to be a little lighter. What sets the carrot cake apart is the textures, every bite has texture, many carrot cakes are on the smooth side, the frosting was different, though I can’t put my finger on it, there was something astounding about it. More than anything, it’s a well-balanced cream cheese frosting. I believe they are also the only place if not one of the few establishments who make milk tart.
A traditional South African dessert, which I personally like, made using a very detailed process which ensures the authentic milk Tart flavours come through. They make it with a perfect filling and crust.
If you live and or work in Phakalane, this coffee shop caters to your coffee and bakes needs. Even if you reside elsewhere, this is definitely a spot worth a visit. Pass by and make sure to tell a friend about it. They open Mondays - Fridays 7:30am to 4:30pm, and Saturdays 8am to 2:30pm.
On select Public Holidays we open 8am to 2:30pm. Notifications on changes and updates to our operating schedule and menu are regularly posted up on their social media sites.