A Review: Happily Ever Laughter



The Deets:

So this is a regular hangout spot for me because a) the coffee is GOOD and b) it’s got a really great vibe.
Find it at 24A Riley Road, Bedfordview:           Open 8.00am – 5.00pm (Tues – Thurs)
                                                                                           8:00am – 8:00pm (Fri & Sat)
                                                                                           8.00am – 4.00pm (Sun)
Nestled on the busy road of Riley road, the black signage against the white washed walls make it pretty difficult to miss. Happily Ever Laughter boasts a playgroup (Little Owls), as well as some trinket shopping – both in terms of gifting, and of course children.


Happily Ever Laughter has a shaded outdoor restaurant section (stretching along the patio) as well as the indoor restaurant area. In addition to the restaurant area, they also have a separate venue section, complete with kitchen and jungle gym.
They also do themed cooking classes on a Wednesday evening from 6.00pm until 9.00pm (they recently finished up an Italian themed 3 week cooking class and they’re now busy with a Lebanese one).
And, they offer children’s cooking classes on a Wednesday and Thursday (time dependant on the child’s age) from 16 months (little tasters) to 7 years.  

The food:

The menu is a mixture of treats, allowing you to choose a full on sit-down meal, or finger food (which is wonderful when running after little ones). Breakfast, Lunch, Desserts (yay!) and a kids menu are what you can expect to find here. The kids meals arrive in colourful cardboard box sets, making their meal that much more awesome.


The Atmosphere:
You’ll either find groups of moms and their children or families here, making it a truly child friendly restaurant. The restaurant has a quintessential feel, with quotes along the wall, unique seating in the form of large marmite and peanut butter jars, tiny bird cages as décor, and a beautiful area displaying the cakes of the day.



Cost:
The cost per person can range anywhere from R50.00 to R250.00 depending on what you order. So it can be pretty reasonable depending on what you choose.
The toys, clothes and décor items on sale range in price, but generally aren’t crazily expensive.



Child Friendly Aspect:

The outdoor area is hugely child centred. With a large jungle gym boasting four slides, a little car track for push bikes, an array of children’s houses and a large gazebo with a mechanical horse (fed by coins), you simply cannot deny the child oriented aspect of this restaurant.
The waitrons are fantastic with the children, playing with them and encouraging them throughout the playground. However, as they have other duties (mainly serving patrons) you’ll still need to keep an eye on your little ones.
The restaurant has beautiful old-school wooden high chairs, that are white washed to fit the theme. The bathroom has a changing station AND they have children’s toilets as well.


My favourites:
My current favourite thing to order here is the Ferrero Rocher cake (whaaaat?!), because seriously – who doesn’t like cake? Their waffles are also pretty good. Plus caffeine. Always caffeine. Because mama is tired.  





NB: Images taken from the Happily Ever Laughter Social Media Pages and by me.

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