Light, fresh and delicious all the way
Healthy eating is easy when the food is delicious and you don’t have the same two or three dishes repeated on loop, which for anyone who prioritised a better diet this year is probably getting old right about now.
Just Desserts owner Andrew Clarke was no stranger to repetitive food options before opening his own cafe, which he designed specifically to give more variety to people who regularly eat out – himself included.
Now when he browses the Sydenham cafe’s cabinets, menus and blackboard specials he finds new fare each day, including a growing range catering to healthy living and special dietary needs.
Summer is a particularly good time to discover Just Desserts’ lighter dishes, with several new salads having joined the line-up in recent weeks.
Among them is a crispy Thai beef salad with coriander, lime and ginger; a Moroccan spiced chicken and carrot salad with orange and mint dressing; and a vegetarian delight of red quinoa, glazed beetroot, zucchini ribbons, feta cheese and freshly chopped basil. Gluten-free foods are also gaining prominence, before taking centre-stage on the weekly ‘‘Gluten Free Wednesday’’.
It has been 10 years since Just Desserts expanded from a bespoke cake-making business to include a cafe, and Andrew says in that time customers have become increasingly aware of ingredients and distinguishing between treats and daily staple.
He says because the cafe has so many regulars, there is a strong focus on producing greattasting food that for the most part is also healthy.
‘‘Our chef had some time off over Christmas and he’s come back with some fantastic salads and new recipes,’’ he says.
‘‘We’re well-known for our gluten-free food so we’re getting more and more people expecting to find something exciting and different, and that’s our challenge – to make sure we’re always creating new and tasty gluten-free food.’’
Just Desserts recently added to its gluten-free range with a Monte Cristo sandwich and nacho-style croquettes with a Tex-Mex flavour.
The heat of summer has also spurred demand for the cafe’s iced coffees and smoothies, which are made with fresh fruit and yoghurt.
The sheltered courtyard is a popular spot to enjoy them, and is a favoured hangout for many of the groups who visit Just Desserts. For more intimate meetings, a boardroom can be reserved upstairs.
Of course, it wouldn’t be Just Desserts if there wasn’t a prized selection of sweet treats and cakes on hand. Some of these feature in the cafe’s sought-after high tea.
The high tea is available every weekday with 24 hours’ notice, so if you haven’t yet planned your Valentine Day’s outing, now is the time to call.
Plenty of off-street parking is available right outside the door.
❚ Just Desserts is open Monday to Friday 7.30am-4.30pm at 33 Wordsworth St, Sydenham. Phone
03 379 3754 or visit them online at justdesserts.co.nz.