When you step into the stylish, spacious interior of Olivia’s Kitchen – wafts of whatever is cooking on its open range teasing something gourmet and glorious – you’ll be forgiven for thinking it’s named for Olivia Faulkner.
The bright-eyed young co-owner who has literally made it her business to source incredible, artisanal Namibian brands to create spaces that are at once a celebration and a delicious dive into some of the best gastronomy the country’s food producers have to offer.
The real story behind the name of this two-week-old eatery is that once upon a time, the site had olive trees. Rows of them planted astride the vineyard that gives Am Weinberg its name.
It was thus only fitting to have an Olivia’s within Am Weinberg, a historical homage to these oft and former agricultural fellows as well as a pleasant coincidence that has Faulkner blushing somewhat before directing my gaze to the young olive trees on the eatery’s counter.
On either side of them sparkling in a deli display is everything you can imagine.
Ridiculously delicious chocolate tartlets, salted caramel cupcakes, milk tarts, quiche, mouthwatering filled bagels, chicken pesto, vegan and pulled pork wraps, an assortment of Dörgoloh chocolates from Omaruru and a gorgeous confection dripping Macarons & More cake taking pride of place near the coffee machine spouting Two Beards Swakopmund Coffee Roasters’ signature Olivia’s Kitchen Special Blend.
And that’s only the feast for your eyes.
An aesthetic spread that includes Olivia’s Kitchen’s plush wine lounge where a woman sits pretty in front of the backdrop of a floor to ceiling wine wall. The Prop & Pan’s sleek Macadams ovens which supply the freshly baked New York bagels, spelt and sourdough bread on sale at the eatery and used in the sandwiches. And the establishment’s cold storage where you can find everything from organic vegetables to pineapples, kombucha, sunflower shoots, Italian cheese, Wonderveld pickles and pestos, Afra Schimming-Chase’s Sizzles, biltong, free range and quail eggs as well as fresh hunks of meat dry-ageing in a bid to introduce Namibians to a different way of eating meat.
The mind boggles and the belly laughs as I stumble upon Jou Ma Se bread mix, a cheeky just-add-water creation that is just one of plenty wonderful local brands on display.
If you actually get to the menu, expect exciting breakfast offerings with gluten-free options, a selection of salads, a creative daily special as well as chai, matcha, hazelnut, caramel and beetroot lattes, assorted smoothie bowls and fresh juices promising to boost your immune system or kick those cravings.
Overwhelming in its variety of eats while offering what my buddy Marina Tavolaro calls “a nice little hum” and free Wi-Fi, on a Monday afternoon, Olivia’s Kitchen is the haunt of two birthday parties, businessmen down from Am Weinberg Boutique Hotel, two cosy looking day dates and me.
The random millennial pounding away on her laptop at the solo bar thinking:
“Wine lounge, plug points, Wi-Fi, good coffee, awesome staff, incredible smoked salmon and cream cheese bagels. That settles it. I’m moving in.”
Olivia’s Kitchen is situated at Am Weinberg Estate. Opening hours are weekdaysfrom 06h30 to 18h30 and weekends from 08h00 to 16h00. Follow them on Instagram and Facebook for more information.
– martha@namibian.com.na; Martha Mukaiwa on Twitter and Instagram; marthamukaiwa.com
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