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Jaffa's Cafe Restaurant Review
© June 2005 issue
Jaffa's Cafe, Fitzwilliam Court, 11b Dyer Street, Drogheda
041 9802804
The occasion of our visit was a Saturday afternoon at 3pm. Just in time for
lunch, at least if you go by Icelandic time, as most things seem to do in our
house. The family including two young children, a nine month old baby and the
boss were with me so Jaffa’s Café was in for a full scale sampling. Immediately
we walked into the bustling and humming restaurant, a waitress approached us,
surveyed the crowded scene and expertly spotted a suitable location.
Two tables were joined together and we were all seated with the least of hassle.
Mum soon found a high chair. They were plentiful, clean and in good working
order unlike so many other establishments. Full points so far for family
friendliness. The tables had ample room at one end for the high chair and for
the buggy at the other end. The only drawback was that we were seated near the
door to the terrace and the Gods had deemed it to be a windy day. They had also
deemed it to be a showery and sunny day. Typical Irish May-time weather.
 Menus
appeared equally swiftly and the first born, now acquiring Senior Infant reading
skills quickly picked out Sausages, beans and chips from his section of the
menu. Yes please said his Junior Infants sister. Chicken Nuggets, beans and
chips for himself. The children’s menu was not too imaginative but they were
content. I can recommend adding lasagne and pizza to that section.
Meanwhile the boss was keenly perusing the grown-up menu. This time the
descriptions were more mouth watering. By 3pm of course, hunger had definitely
set in. All the main meals were priced at €7.30 and came with a choice of Fries,
Wedges or salad garnish. Beside the main meal choices were light options at
€6.95 and Baked Potatoes at €6.95. She decided on a Cajun Chicken Wrap.
By now another waitress had come to see if we were ready. Another minute we
asked as the choice was not easy. A minute later, the orders were completed, a
brie and bacon panini for monsieur. This gave us time to look up and around. The
restaurant is finished to a contemporary design, minimalist tendencies, a little
stark she suggested. I liked it. The colour scheme was entirely white and
silver. All the staff wore black trousers and polo shirts. The floor was a grey
slate-style tiles in the seating area with a paler path past the open plan
kitchen clearly visible to the diners. The path led out to one of the main
attractions of the café, the wide river-side terrace. Almost continental
atmosphere. The large windows looking out gave a light and spacious feel to the
place. Outside people risked the elements and were clearly seen to be eating.
The views overlooked the Boyne and the cranes of Drogheda while the Millmount
splendidly overlooked the café.
The children’s food arrived promptly before the adults. It was in oval bowls
that made it easier to prevent spillage. The portion size was just right.
Excellent marks again for children, their faces were happy. Then came the
adults’ soft drinks, large amounts in large glasses.
The adult food arrived soon after, again sensible portions on large white
plates, well
presented and garnished. The panini bread was grilled to perfection and was
stuffed with bacon but a little light on the brie. The bacon was a little too
salty for someone who never adds extra salt. Then the children’s soft drinks
arrived, apple juice in the smaller cartons with straws.
The family happily munched away. As the children’s bowls disappeared, my first
born who had recently seen The Simpson’s episode where Homer had become a food
critic suggested that after I’d finished eating up everything on my plate, I
should write on it with tomato sauce “very tasty”. His opinion was clear. The
chicken nuggets were delicious. The little lady agreed.
Madame’s opinion was slightly more disappointing. The Cajun chicken lacked the
expected spices and was a little “bland”. She had remembered better fare during
her previous visit. My wedges were good, not too overdone.
The baby sat up comfortably in his high chair, constantly amused by the hustle
and bustle and he voiced no complaints whatsoever. Around us, people of all ages
enjoyed their meals. The teenage girls at the table next to us texted away,
finished their light options quickly and left. Their table was soon full again.
Outside a shower poured down sending the smokers on the terrace fleeing back
inside. Somehow they were all accommodated with little fuss. Occasionally the
background music could just be heard. The too salty bacon meant that even the
large drinks were soon finished. I noticed that all the plates were cleaned
around me despite previous commentary.
I regret to say that the biggest disappointment of an otherwise very pleasant
visit was that perennial trap, a visit to the toilets. The men’s toilets
consisted of one cubicle. It was not clean nor were there any towels to dry your
hands. Wet hands on door handles…..
Coffees and dessert were ordered. For the children a novelty ice-cream menu
arrived. These were costly at €3.50 but children know no costs and they were
again delighted. Their choice, remembered from last year’s holiday in Portugal,
included a chocolate egg on top which had a toy inside, vanilla ice-cream in a
cup which hid chocolate ice-cream at the bottom. They were uniformly delighted.
The chocolate fudge cake met with approval. It was rich and dark, delicious with
the cappuccino which was nicely milky, frothy and sweet on top from the
chocolate sprinkle. It came in a large generous sized cup. Full marks. The
espresso for Monsieur was small even by espresso standards. Madame disagreed and
said it was just right for a good espresso.
There is something calming, almost akin to lake-side or sea-shore dining when
you sit beside a large window, watching the rain water bouncing up from the
terrace. The shower didn’t last long and the sun soon came back.
We paid, using chip and pin. The bill came to €39.65. The children were happy,
and if the adults were eating out in Drogheda again, they would give Jaffa’s
Café another shout. §
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The
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