Search for the Great South African Cup of Coffee: Vida e Caffe

by Fred Roed on 08/02/07 at 1:34 pm
20 comments

The brown mouse from Koeberg blazed a trail through Cape Town

This is the one everyone has been waiting for. I popped into the new-ish branch of Vida e Caffe in Gardens, Cape Town and ordered a Cappuccino ‘Solo’. It did not disappoint – It has a taste-bud-stroking, syrupy thickness, with lots of flavour. Afterwards it sits comfortably in the corners of your mouth, the flavour lingering like a warm winter fire in your lounge. The Lindt chocolate poised on the saucer is the ‘Free Prize Inside’, just to make the experience a little more intentional.

Vida is not for everyone. It’s brash and in-your-face, and I know some folk who’d prefer a nice quiet Mocha at the Mt Nelson bar. I love it though. The décor is clean and uncluttered; there is always unbelievably cool Portuguese / African music blaring out at patrons; and there is usually some quasi-famous celebrity-type sitting next to you. Be warned, however: the music is very loud, so this is not a spot for discussing the budget for your client’s next big order. Their staff is even louder, so if you don’t like being shouted at, rather go hang out at the library.

All in all, Vida rocks the house. You can’t go wrong with their cappuccino, and you just know that the Vida franchise will become the Starbucks of South Africa (currently there are around 10 branches).

Location: Wembley Square, Gardens, Cape Town
Phone: 021 465 8644
Internet: 95% iBurst, no wireless.
Plugpoints: nope – although if you’re nice they will let you plug into the point behind the till.
Price: R10.50

Meeting potential out of ten: 3 for a ‘deal-clincher’; 8 for a ‘get-to-know-you-better’
Coffee rating out of ten: 8

Fred Roed is the marketing guy in the Ideate crew. Fred is the CEO of web marketing company World Wide Creative and the co-founder of online learning portal Heavy Chef. Fred loves writing about people out there doing marketing right. Follow Fred on Twitter here. View more articles by Fred Roed.

20 Responses to “Search for the Great South African Cup of Coffee: Vida e Caffe”

Andrew

Feb 8th, 2007

So you don’t mind that they put 4 inches of foam on top of 2 inches of coffee?

Personally I quite like foam, but the way that Vida does it gives me the same feeling as when you open the cornflakes packet and there is 2 thirds air and 1 third flakes.
Fred

Feb 8th, 2007

Yep, but we’re looking for quality here, not quantity. If we wanted value for money, we’d go to the M&B for a bottomless cup.
Andrew

Feb 8th, 2007

Agreed, but even though I pay for 500g of cornflakes and receive 500g of cornflakes, I still feel a bit ripped off because of the presentation.

My point is that the foam is overdone, and for me detracts from the experience, partly because of a “what are they trying to hide?” question. If they intend to sell us less coffee (and use the “quality” excuse), then put it in a smaller mug and celebrate the supposed strength.
Grant Vida

Feb 17th, 2007

Ola Andrew, sorry we adding comment so late, but only just got the heads up. The Foam to Milk ratio on our Cappuccino (I am assuming that is what you order) is in no way linked to the costing of our caffe, but instead the way (as per Portuguese law!) it is supposed to be made. We put alot of time and effort to adhere to the barista rules we have been taught (from Manny Esteves – yes he is old school Porra!). Enough of that, the simple solution would be to ask for your Cappuccino ‘wet’; which means your barista will simply add less foam and more steamed milk (at no extra cost of course). I am sorry that this simple solution was not communicated to you instore and if we can help further please contact me on 0824184447.
Obrigado!
Grant
P.S. Fred, thanks for the support and if you have a loyalty card please mail me at grant@caffe.co.za so we can load a couple extra credits!
Wynandt

May 8th, 2007

Grant, I don’t know about what these guys said.

We have a Vida here in Greenside. And I’m a total addict!

Lovin’ it.

Infact, I love it so much, I’m actually considering a Vida franchise. Is Vida a franchise? Who can I talk to about it?
Nicola

May 10th, 2007

Since arriving in Cape Town 3 months ago, and reading this post I was desperate to try this coffee out.

On Saturday I decided I must, against Mikes will – as we were at the Waterfront and we didn’t really want to sit and have coffee in that passage way where Vida is located. But I ordered a cappuccino. I was expecting to taste an amazing coffee, although what came was incredibly strong – I like strong coffee but for a cappuccino this was way to over powering. It appeared to me that maybe they think the stronger the coffee the greater the coffee connoisseur they are.

Fred mentioned Origins today in the Waterkant – I can’t wait to test this out. And as for my Waterfront coffee spot, I will continue to go to Coffee and Bites, as they serve Illy – and that’’s my favourite so far.
Noodle

May 23rd, 2007

I can’t complain about the foam… it IS the most beautiful foam. I can’t wait for the durban branch to open. I may just quit my day job to sit around drinking coffee all day.
Porra

Jun 25th, 2007

Tip: If you don’t like foam / strong coffee, drink a latte or a ‘wet’ cappuccino.

A cappuccino by its very nature and definition is about a third foam…

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cappuccino

Cappuccino is an Italian coffee-based drink prepared with espresso, hot milk, and milk foam. A cappuccino differs from a caffè latte -which is also from the italian coffee menu- in that a latte is prepared with espresso and twice (or more) the amount of milk as a cappuccino -and little or no milk foam.
Bradley

Sep 7th, 2007

hello,

i would like 2 learn to make coffee like a pro. is there anywhere in sa that offers barista courses?

thanks
Fred

Sep 7th, 2007

Yebo – Origins in de Waterkant. Check out http://www.originroasting.co.za/
- Fred
Elana

Jan 22nd, 2008

Check out Switch at Lourensford wine etsate: http://www.coffeecompany.co.za/ Great coffee!
Martin

Jan 23rd, 2008

Hi There
I am looking for a coffee expert/connisseur to taste and evaluate a coffee or five for a business venture.
please email me at martin@diletto.co.za

Thanks a lot!
Me.
mellouk boumediene

Feb 19th, 2008

HELLO,,,

WE ARE A GROUPS LOCATES IN AFRICA IVORY COAST COUNTRY CAFE PRODUCER AND COCOA. WE ARE IN SEARCH OF CHOCOLATE CAMPANY ALGERIA AND MAGHREB COUNTRIES AND EUROPE FOR THE PURCHASE OF OUR PRODUCT OF OUR CAFE AND COCOA FOR MORE DETAILS PLEASE CONTACT.
mellouk boumediene
elvistl@yahoo.fr
Vanessa

Jul 13th, 2008

If you can’t get to a fantabulous coffee shop or want to make cafe style coffee at home you can order coffee online (YES – delivered straight to you!) from http://www.arabikaz.co.za – great for us out here in the Boland! They also offer a brilliant free e-book when you subscribe to their newsletter called “Brewing Coffee in the Home” – tips and tricks for ALL styles of coffee making.
Francis

Aug 15th, 2008

Hi all,

If you are looking for top quality coffee then go to http://www.diletto.co.za we deliver anywhere in the world and stock only the best. We also do roast to order so that you are ensured of getting your coffee fresh.
Regan

Oct 27th, 2008

I love the Vida brand and was wondering where i could get more information on buying a franchise as there is nothing on the vida e Cafe website pleae email me with any information availible.Before i forget the new store in Constantia really ads some character and appeal to an otherwise old and boring mall.thanks for that addition
shereen karolia

Apr 9th, 2009

hi i have been trying for twoweeks to gt aresponce on a franchise in jhb.the area of melrose arch.i have faxed ,email,nothing.still awaiting.i have addressed to mae farre.i would app an answer pls.thank you
Tonya

Apr 23rd, 2009

HI

Would like to find out about Vide E franchises?

Who do i contact?

Thanks
Tebs

May 19th, 2009

Anyone out there who can assist information on vida franchise in SA? Your feedback would be highlighly appreciated

Tebs
Andrew

Nov 3rd, 2010

I have just had a bad experience trying to get a franchise from Vida e Caffe. They were unprofessional and unpleasant to deal with but, worse, their franchise agreement is massively slanted against the franchisee. It is surprising that anyone would sign it. My attorney strongly recommended against doing so and observed that it had at least one term that was probably illegal. They refused to make any amendments.