Spencer Williams, Contributor

Caf What's On, located in the courtyard at Devon House on Waterloo Road, not only serves the best French-press coffee in town, but also provides wireless Internet to all its customers.

You can use one of their computers to surf the net, or bring your own laptop and catch up on your personal emails. When the traffic's a little too tedious for you, and a late start at work is an option, stop off for a bite for breakfast. The tranquil garden provides the serenity you will need to deal with the rest of your day. Attractive wrought-iron tables, comfy chairs, and large umbrellas to keep the morning sun off your face, are tastefully positioned right outside the small caf's glass doors and windows.

Nothing glamorous

There is nothing glamorous about the food here - toasted baguette sandwiches, wraps, burgers and simple salads, to name a few. Don't get me wrong though, the servings are generous, appetising and affordable, but it's the relaxation I go for, and the possibility of bumping into familiar faces. You never know who you may come across, and frankly if you go anywhere, there is no more suitable place to be seen than at one of Jamaica's heritage houses.

The surrounding lawns, the rustic look, and the sheer beauty of the old colonial architecture are a breathtaking relief from the concrete jungle of Kingston. A pleasant way to spend a Saturday afternoon is to lie on a rug under one of the old trees, reading that novel you've been trying to get through for the last couple of months.

I'll often head over to Caf What's On at lunch time for a breeze-out. After a morning in an air-conditioned office, it's nice to sit outside in the cool wind with my newspaper, or watch the steady flow of locals and tourists stream in for pastries or superb chicken patties at Brick Oven and Devon House ice cream (try the coffee or the coconut). If the rain does start coming down, you can eat at the bar inside and listen to the trendy tunes on the radio. Staff members are friendly enough, but you might want to articulate your order to the waitress a couple of times to ensure you get the right type of bread! And then there's a chance you will have to hurry them along with your order if time is an issue.

Service aside, the laid-back and relaxed atmosphere of this quaint setting makes the perfect venue for an informal meeting with colleagues, especially if they're out-of-towners here on business. After eating, I would suggest pointing them in the direction of Star Fish Oils and Rum, Roast & Royals to pick up presents for family back home. And there are a few other gift shops selling Jamaican art, T-shirts and a selection of 'cheesy' memorabilia if that's their fancy.

Location is superb

For those of you ladies who like to lunch, the location is superb. It's central, and convenient to get to from home, work, shopping, or your children's schools. There'll be no stress with parking and you'll come away feeling refreshed from the stresses of your life. All in all, this caf is the corner in which to be serene and to be seen.

'The servings are generous, appetising and affordable, but it's the relaxation I go for.'

Cafe What's On

Location: Devon House, 26 Hope Road (entrance on Waterloo Road), St. Andrew.

Telephone: 876-929-4490

Opening hours: Mondays-Fridays: 8:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m.

Saturdays 9:00 a.m. -10:00 p.m., Sundays: 10:00 a.m -10:00 p.m.

Look to spend: $500- $600 for a meal and a drink.