Weird and wonderful – but very much loved – scones are proving to be a popular hit at a new High Street café, which has opened up in the heart of Ryde.
Sarakasi’s menu features a tempting variety of café staples, including sausage rolls, cream teas on Saturdays, and their very own house-blend coffee.
But it’s the imaginative range of scones that are stealing the show — from curried scones with cream and mango chutney, to ginger with lemon curd, and even a chocolate orange Halloween special.
Keith Jones, a former branch cook at Waitrose and a Ryde local, started the café with his partner, Zoë Chambers, as the pair were keen to create something unique and give Islanders the opportunity to support local businesses.
Bravely, Sarakasi is located directly opposite Costa on Ryde’s High Street.
When asked about the risk of opening a cafe opposite a national chain, Keith said:
“We came round to look at the place, looked out the window and Zoë said no absolutely not, but I said you know, 400 or 500 people a day walk into that place and want to drink coffee, why not give them an option? Why not give an independent?”
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The name ‘Sarakasi’ is Swahili for ‘circus’, so it was only fitting that when Jay Miller’s was in town earlier this year, Pepe and crew enjoyed a special brew.
Keith, Zoe and their shop dog Lily are ready to warmly welcome you between 07:00 -16:00 Monday to Friday, and 8:00-16:00 on Saturdays.
Sounds very interesting. I’ll pop in next time I’m in Ryde. Curried scone with cream and mango chutney – yummy!
Good luck but to be honest there are too many
coffee shops.
So many do not open on Mondays, it makes me wonder
if some did, they would do well whilst the others are
closed.
The only day this new venue is closed is on Sundays. It shows that it is open from 07:00 to 16:00 on Mondays.
I prefer to support local businesses over Costa Packet. Costa Packet is a franchise which those who work on the front line don’t benefit from Costa’s profits; only the shareholders do.
Costa Packet’s coffee is no match for many local businesses, either.
I know many who work for Waitrose and perform the same role as Keith Jones used to: branch cook.
It’s not a matter of slapping a pre-prepared, partly cooked, overpriced sandwich into a pre-timed microwave, which makes you a cook, but rather those who prepare the ingredients from scratch and add something personal, unique, not available elsewhere.
I really hope Keith’s venture works out for him. Ryde needs something different. What an ideal place to visit either before or after visiting the Co-Op. Or, after popping into WH Smiths for a magazine or a book to read while enjoying one of Keith’s tasty scones.
Went there with friends for quick lunch today. Good food freshly prepared, reasonable price and excellent service. We will definitely be going back