The Industry

THE INDUSTRY

82 Main Road, Three Anchor Bay, Cape Town

Dunno what industry is referenced here but it’s not an industrial sized space nor is it grimily industrial. The style is a mix of the charm of exposed, old, dark wooden ceiling beams and the contemporary chic of exposed brick, wood and dark grey paint. The basic look is not original or unique in Cape Town but is still stylish.

The open kitchen is on the right as on enters, barista counter in front of you, and an impressive (and impressively stocked) long bar to the left of the coffee station.  All the tables and chairs are high, as if the main order of business here would be customers gathering for casual drinks, snacks and a conversation rather than a meal. There are five small, round tables (two of them at the upholstered banquette against one wall), one large communal table, seating at the counter at the street facing window and bar stools at the bar counter.

The Industry is directly across the street from Coco Safar and the contrast in décor, style and ambience is stark, between Old World luxurious elegance and modernist minimalism. The other difference is that Coco Safar invites you to linger and my guess is that The Industry is geared towards hit, git and split.

The hungry breakfaster can choose between the big fry up, the small fry up, the health option, filled croissants, Benedict, French toast and omelettes.

I tried the Cape Benedict (R65) with an allegedly famous dill flavoured Hollandaise sauce, salmon and home-made bread.

The dish is served with a small, pointless green side salad. The two well poached eggs are placed on long slices of salmon on chunky, toasted, slices of brown bread and it looks, shall we say, rustic, which isn’t visually appealing to a slightly older guy who prefers an English muffin as base for his eggs.  The “famous” Hollandaise sauce was thin and quite bland, with zero tang of lemon and with an extremely subtle dill flavour. The portion is quite filling, but it’s not a cup winner.

The espresso was generous and the latté, in one of the most attractive. colourful take away containers I’ve seen in this town, was good.

The bill was R110, including coffee.

If you want to pop in for coffee or a drink, The Industry is your place, but I don’t see it as a destination for a lingering breakfast or brunch.