Vovo Telo Bakery & Café — Restaurant in Foreshore

I really debated writing this review but I thought it would be unethical to have management unaware of my experience and especially for other customers who have experienced this service. Even though the atmosphere and the food is great I don’t think I would be back and that is a shame.

What transpired was that I ordered a BLT sandwich on my partners birthday lunch there (even more unfortunate timing). I was specific because I asked the waitress to choose so the order was even repeated back to me. I also ordered a single shot Americano and the waitress seeing I was pregnant suggested decaf (honestly, nothing more irritating and very out of line) but I laughed it off and repeated I wanted a single shot.

The order took very very long, over 30 mins with no explanation. The coffee took ages too and turned out to be a double shot (?). When I received the food I understood why- the waitress had ordered a CLUB sandwich. The most expensive sandwhich. I was confused because I hadn’t ordered that at all but when I put it to her, I said because I was so hungry I would eat it but I expect to pay for a BLT because it’s not what I ordered. By now a manager should have been contacted but no. My husband explained further that a club sandwich had cold meats in it which I was avoiding therefore I couldn’t even eat the whole sandwhich and she replied saying ‘oooh she’s being picky’. By now I was very irritated and offended. I fully expected a manager to come by but it was clear she didn’t tell anyone and had done this before. When the bill came she charged us fully for the Americano and sandwhich. My husband, wanting to preserve his day, ended up sharing his food with me and paying without a tip to avoid further agitation, so we both didn’t enjoy our meals.

There is a clear lack of management communication in this experience, as well as someone who should not be serving people without proper customer service training. I can only hope my experience is an anomaly but since waterfront is a tourist destination I have the feeling this sort of thing has happened multiple times (upselling without permission, not alerting the manager to issues and just forfeiting tips, snide comments). Not that I’m a tourist but perhaps I was also mistaken for one (being of Asian descent). Bottom line, I would unfortunately never come back after it and I hope it’s resolved, I’m sure the experience would’ve been...

Many people complain just for the sake of complaining. I will drive you up the wall if there is really good reason. However, this is just one of many visits here and, as usual, everything was going super smooth. Cape Town blessed us with a bit of a breeze, which keeps the heat away. A beautiful day in the Mother City.

Usually our SIN STOP, as I am diabetic and sneak here for a slice of cake with strong, aromatic coffee. Repeat. Ditto.

Today, we were a bit more health conscious and opted for two types of beef with veggies, not that we Bant, but we do buy into the #LCHF philosophy. We were not disappointed and were served a succulent, tasty Beef Pesto with olives and al dente veggies, as well as Beef Medallions accompanied by a lovely caulimash & mustard butter sauce.

Service was friendly as usual and we were attended to frequently, if only to check up on our well-being. Nitpickers would find it hard to fault Vovo Telo here ate the V&A Waterfront.

From a healthy eating perspective, we were pleased by the absence of starches and fillers. Just expertly prepared food made with top grade ingredients, served in a courteous, professional way without deducting from homely friendliness.

For the discerning traveller, my advice is to consider eating here. Portions are mid-sized, meaning that you won't leave hungry and neither will you overindulge. My Beef Pesto cost only R38 more than a badly executed burger at a regular restaurant. No potatoes or onions fried in lapsed oil, no dry bread rolls, no tribal birthday dancing but only solid, good food.

We chose to sit on the mezzanine floor below wooden rafters and I could glance toward the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway upper station. The interior decoration reminds of informal farmhouse kitchen fellowship over a hearty meal.

There is a selection of wines, cakes and other delicacies but I leave that toy you to come and discover. An adventurous travel awaits you - just follow the cryptic clues on the menu!

As you can see, I am a good food enthusiast. Trust me, this is...

Unfortunately I had a really bad experience here this morning. The food was lovely and the waiters were so helpful and attentive. However an older gentleman wasn't feeling well at a nearby table and another lady shouted for help as he said he felt faint. I am a nurse so I went over to help and the poor guy collapsed and became unconscious. I had to ask other diners for help to get him on the floor to check he was still breathing ect. He came around and I managed to call his wife from his phone who came immediately. Whilst the poor guy was lying on the floor, someone, who I presume to be the owner, an older guy in a cap came over to me and asked if I was a relative. I explained no I am a nurse and he said "well you need to go and sit back down, I have 6 tables to fill here and nobody will want to eat if everyone is crowding around this guy, this will loose me business". I was so shocked, I said that is a disgusting thing to say, this poor man was clearly unwell and all he was thinking about was his business. His wife came pretty much straight away and was trying to attend to her husband who was still on the floor at this point. She then was on the phone to his Dr trying to get help and the owner told her she needs to go and take her husband with him!!! He was not well enough to go anywhere! A few other tables heard the owner and were equally upset and angry at his comments. It's such a shame because the other staff were so lovely but unfortunately the owner ruined my experience here and I certainly wouldn't give him any...