Janus Bakkerij
We’d heard... It does exceptional food and good coffee.
The vibe... Relaxed, metro-style lunching in the heart of the suburbs.
We ordered... A lesson in good manners. It’s not often your lunch comes with a moral, but reader, this one did.
Janus’ menu is loaded with delights, but the hash stack ($19) immediately caught my eye. When my companion said that was what she wanted too, I demanded first dibs on account of being the boss of this review. So, my companion ordered the chicken curry with roti ($21) instead. When the dishes came – swiftly, despite being busy – it turned out I not only had egg on my plate, but also on my face.
The chicken curry looked magnificent and I was left with the worst ever case of food envy. That only added to my companion’s enjoyment of the meal.
Don’t get me wrong, the hash stack is everything you could want from a stack of golden hash browns and perfectly poached eggs, with lashings of hollandaise sauce and tangy pesto. But it was not Janus Bakkerij’s sensational chicken curry.
A wide bowl of warm, spicy curry smothering chunks of potato, eggplant, and melty gujons of chicken, it comes with fragrant basmati rice and a generously sized buttery roti.
In a jealous sulk, I ordered an iced coffee ($6), which was so good it almost made up for it.
We picked up an afghan ($4) and a slice of lemon madeira cake ($4.50) for afternoon tea, because the bakery cabinets are too enticing to walk past.
If you go… Get the chicken curry. It’s astounding value and quality for money. You’ll be glad you did.
Food: There are so many solid options you’ll be hard pressed not to find one that works for you.
Service: Efficient, even when it’s jumping, friendly and accommodating – without being too in-your-face. Sets just the right tone.
Coffee: It’s roasted in-house. Called Bravo, it’s a blend of two beans, which makes for a complex, yet smooth flavour. Expertly made, too.
Overall: You can’t go wrong at Janus, which is why it’s always so busy. Great atmosphere for a family lunch. Kids are welcome, but will need to be kept on a short leash as the cafe is on a busy main road.