40 London Road, previously home to Deli Lavelle, is currently undergoing a refurbishment and due to reopen as the Village Cafe on February 16th.
The new cafe is a joint venture between Firat Altindag, a familiar face from Gusto, and Ali Isit the owner of village favourite Konak. Ali is obviously kept busy at his restaurant so Firat will be running the Village Cafe, whilst still working a couple of nights a week at Gusto.
Like his business partner Ali, Firat is from Turkey but has been living in Heald Green for the past 4 years, with his wife Laura and their three sons. He has been working at Gusto for the past two years, and served us on many occasions.
Firat told me “I wanted to open a village cafe because this is my passion, I used to have a restaurant in Turkey which I sold 3 years ago.”
Firat promises a warm welcome and affordable prices and in addition to homemade soup, sandwiches, paninis and cakes there will be plenty of healthy options such as fresh salads and smoothies. A take away menu will also be available.
The Village Cafe will have an alcohol license so they will be serving liquor coffees, alongside the usual coffee selection, wines and beers. Firat told us "We are creating an outside seating area so people can sit outside and enjoy a glass of wine or a beer in the summer.”
Initially the Village Cafe will be open from 7.30am until 5pm, 7 days a week, then in May they will consider opening longer hours.
Whilst the idea of sitting outside in the sunshine enjoying a glass of wine, or two, sounds wonderful I suspect I’m more likely to be inside with my laptop and a large Latte.
Click here to view the Village Cafe menu.
Comments
Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.