Street food was one of the most popular foodie phenomena to hit CT in 2014, offering quick and easy gourmet food on the go. And the newly opened Como Cafe combines street food with Argentine flavour, in the somewhat underserved Foreshore district.
Como Cafe’s bright colour scheme is inviting and the smell of those freshly baked, artisanal empanadas wafts through the streets. An empanada, for those who haven’t happened upon them, is a stuffed pastry with Latin origins that is either baked or fried, usually filled with meat, vegetables and cheese.
I went with a butternut and blue cheese empanada – my first ever – and really enjoyed it. For the price of R12.50 it makes for a convenient and relatively cheap lunch on the go. Because everything else looked so good, I also chose a prosciutto, brie and rocket-filled croissant, a little steep for R30 but then I remembered how much a very popular, local Portuguese-style coffee franchise charges for their filled croissants and I came to the conclusion that this is the standard rate for a decent croissant. Other empanada varieties served at Como Cafe include chorizo and chicken, mozzarella and ham, and bacon and egg.
By chance I got to taste an incredibly good soup at Como Cafe – during my visit I was offered a taste of their Soup of the Day, which was watercress. In writing this probably doesn’t sound too appetising, but you have to believe me when I say that this was one of the most delicious cold soups (gazpacho) I have ever tasted. Aim to go on a Monday if you would like to try it. Aside from the awesome food offering, there is a barista with a wicked personality serving up all sorts of caffeinated goodness.
I felt that the cafe has the charm and character of a food truck, but perhaps a little tucked away. If you ever find yourself in one of those mundane SARS queues, step out for a bit around the corner and head over to Como Cafe on Jetty Street.