Back to the taste facet of this experience, I make my way to the counter and order a short moccachino and a mini chocolate mousse. Other interesting drinks that catch my attention are things like the “Mocha Freeze”, the “Iced Latte”, the “Mocha Milkshake” and the “Lemon Ginger Freeze”. Apart from the usual cappuccino and Americano, the menu (a metal board stuck up above the counter), is filled with other experimental options. My barista, Nyasha, tells me what I already guess, that the cappuccino is the most popular drink ordered, and the chocolate and almond croissant is the most popular food order. Nyasha also tells me that the diverse range of coffee and drinks helps Freshly Ground attempt to cater to customers of all ages.
The small selection of food, but large selection of coffees and other beverages, further points to the fact that Freshly Ground is a true coffee oriented coffee shop. Another metal board stuck up alongside the counter provides a list of the coffee “lingo”. With phrases like “grande”, “with wings”, “harmless” and “skinny”, it’s a funny and entertaining read.
A barista calls out my order and I go to the counter to collect it. The mini chocolate mousse looks and tastes like the phrase “death by chocolate”, but in a good way. Nyasha did warn me when I ordered, that it was “very chocolaty”. The mousse has a thin, chocolate casing and is stacked with alternate layers of mousse and cake. It is topped with a thick chocolate sauce and two decorative chocolate pieces. The taste is amazing, but I think next time I’ll get this treat to share.
The short moccachino is topped with a thick layer of heart-shaped foam. You have the option of putting your own sugar in, and topping it with a choice of cinnamon or chocolate. The taste is rich, nutty and creamy – it’s a comfortable, soothing flavour. Also, I find I only need one sugar, where I usually take two.
When I finish, I make my way down to the customers sitting next to me, Mandy and her granddaughter Cassandra. They’ve ordered the chocolate muffin and the chocolate brownie, which both look divine. I ask them why they’ve chosen Freshly Ground out of the rest of the coffee shops in Borrowdale, and Cassandra says it’s because it’s out of the way from the craziness that is Sam Levy’s Village. Mandy says she enjoys the option of either sitting inside or outside, and also likes that you don’t have to rely on waiters or waitresses for your order. Their conversation is useful for me and clearly mirrors Tunga’s ideas about the ordering system.
Freshly Ground can be found at the back end of Sam Levy’s Village, Borrowdale, Harare. They are open from Monday to Friday from 7.00am to 6.00pm, 7.00am to 2.00pm on Saturdays and 7.00am to 1.00pm on Sundays. Visit The Coffee Shop Tour at www.eatout.co.zw/coffeetour to find out more about the menu.
