Endlessly inventive

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After four years in business, Hello in Hopefield is making a name for itself under the management of go-getter Ilze Mostert.

Here, every breakfast – served all day – is an occasion. Aside from the full English or Banting options, Ilze specialises in soufflé omelettes. But wait for this: the terrifyingly delicious mosbolletjie French toast is a decadent combination of bacon, chargrilled banana, cherry tomatoes and flash-fried mushrooms with a luscious secret sauce. If that doesn’t hit the spot, then try the thrill of banana bread French toast with brie, bacon, maple syrup, preserves and nuts. It’s rich and messy – but outrageously satisfying.

Proclaiming to do good food fast, the eatery also offers a classy take on soups: butternut with smoked mackerel; broccoli and blue cheese; plus butternut, apple and mango masala soup.

Taking simple ingredients, Ilze manages to make them sing in her crisp-crusted, thin-pastry crockpot pies. There’s rich-on-flavour chicken, mushroom and red pepper; pulled pork and coriander; bobotie; and fillet steak.

Another hit is her celebrated Italian home-made pasta (using only free-range eggs with organic spinach or beetroot flavours). This culminates in the menu item of grilled butternut, broccoli and feta enveloped in beetroot lasagne.

For afters? Oh my. There’s the pitch-perfect gooey mudcake brownie or the show-stopping chocolate-spread wrap with nuts, sliced preserves and ice cream. What’s not to like?

Open Mon – Fri 8 – 5 & Sat 8 – 3, Hello is at 42B Church Ext Street. Book: 079 8731526, hellohopefield@gmail.com.