The Happy Heart Cafe.

26 Richmond Road,
Olton SOLIHULL,
West Midlands.
Tel: 0121 706 8674
Nicolette’s lavishly illustrated website (www.happyheartcafe.co.uk) nearly
says it all, except that the warmth of her welcoming smile sets the atmosphere
of this home from home for many local people. Opened in 2014, people from across
east Birmingham and north Warwickshire are drawn to the huge variety of
activities for which the Happy Heart Café, Olton, is such a popular venue. This
is helped by a location on major bus routes (30 and 37), and just a few steps
from Olton train station (from and into Moor Street station in Central
Birmingham).
Breakfast and lunch dishes are prepared and presented with a
variety, love and beauty reflective of Nicolette’s firm philosophy that food is
to be respected rather than processed. Vegetarian and vegan options are readily,
though not exclusively, available. Her homemade cakes and biscuits are
irresistibly offered to her customers in a most attractive display. They are as
good as they look, as are her colourful and artistic salads, pastas, omelettes,
baguettes, paninis, sandwiches, toasties and wraps.
Solid, scrubbed 6-seat tables, and a variety of chairs and
squashy sofas, ensure comfortable capacity for casual visitors and participants
in special events. Wall decorations are varied and undeniably cheering. Many a
visitor for one purpose has found further fascinating events to attend on the
wall-posters, and the eclectic collection of books for browsing and buying
combines with good internet connectivity for ‘phone and laptop reading while
enjoying a huge variety of teas, coffee, soft drinks and satisfying
meals.
Regular,
activities include music, literary readings, explorations of spirituality,
well-being and mindfulness, and many forms of craftwork, during which casual
visitors for a cuppa or a meal are more than welcome.




Review by Robert Ferguson, a regular contributor to CafeLit.