Snow in Johannesburg!

Despite Johannesburg's high altitude, snow is a rare occurence. The last snowfall was in June 2007 and prior to that, we had snow in September 1981. These are the instances I remember from childhood onwards.

Today it snowed good and proper in some parts of Johannesburg. But it didn't feel like one city - the weather changed every few kilometres that you drove.

I travelled from a sunny 8 degrees Celsius Bryanston into the eye of a snowstorm in Rosebank at only 2 degrees Celsius:

When I arrived in Blackheath, they had already had snow and it was just a typical dark wintry day.

Onward to Westdene and a blustry snowstorm later, I felt as though I was back in Europe. My Austrian relatives who have lived in Jo'burg are speechless at the photos I've emailed them.

Only minutes later the sun came out and melted the snow. With everything still wet it was as though the snowfall had just been a figment of imagination. And then, it all came down again!





After the final snow melted, the wind whipped the water into ice puddles and the mercury fell below zero. Now all that remains is to keep the Jetmaster going and pour the red wine.

 

Blissful Tapas

My first experience of tapas was way back when in Knysna on the jetty of Thesen Harbour at a rustic wooden bar/eatery called Tapas.

We (from the hospitality industry - Fancourt, Karos Wilderness and the Wilderness Holiday Inn) called it home for sundowners and all-nighters.

We indulged in many a tapas basket (and Mitchell's beer), which introduced us to authentic Spanish flavours and spices halfway across the world.

Having done a quick google, it seems there's a 34 Tapas there these days. Wonder if it's the same place/owners from the early 90s...? But I digress. Because I am actually writing about tapas food in Johannesburg...

44 Stanley's Bliss Lounge offers tapas with a twist. Unexpected flavour combos like fig and brie in parma ham, mushroom cups with goats cheese drizzled with honey, and what I like to call 'Blissful Cocktails', are unique to the establishment.

The decor is trendy and eclectic - paper flower light fittings, ghost chairs combined with velvet-backed chairs, a Swedish fireplace (I think) - you know, the one that looks like a bed of large white pebbles but is fuelled by gas.

In winter Bliss Lounge promotes really interesting soups like honey-roasted butternut &
orange and cream of mushroom & spinach or black pepper chick pea. Try the tapas experience - all about sharing your platters and indulging in something out of the ordinary. Friendly waitrons round it all off.



Contact:
Address: 44 Stanley Avenue Milpark Johannesburg South Africa
Telephone: 011 482 7691     
Email: info@blisslounge.co.za

A wonderland of confectionery

Previously in Rosebank, owner Vicci Urban has brought Victoria Bean to Emmarentia, to add to the eclectic eateries in this village-like hub. Enter this wonderland of confectionery with its butterfly theme, Art Deco and 80s touches, and feel like Alice down the rabbit hole!

Victoria Bean prides itself on family recipes collected from three generations and their cupcakes and cakes are sheer works of art. Pictured above is the Lemon Poppy Meringue Zest cupcake, but there are many more to choose from, offering interesting combinations of ingredients and fascinating names, making it really difficult to have just one favourite! Try the Decadent Dark Chocolate and Orange Cream Cheese Dream Side, the Dirty Turtle Peppermint Crisp, Snicker Doodle, Luscious Lemon Blueberry or Cappuccino Chocolate Irish Shortbread, amongst many others.

Victoria Bean also sells freshly baked bread, chocolates and pastries. There's a delicious breakfast/lunch/dessert/menu, while the melted chocolate hot chocolate is divine decadence, perfect for those girls' breakfasts and winter afternoon catch-ups.

The handmade sugar crafted cakes (above & below) are unique to

Victoria Bean and can be created for any occasion.



Display cabinets showcase a quirky collection of items from handbags to jams.

  

   
                                     

Address & contact details:

133a Greenhill Centre
Cnr Greenhill and Barry Hertzog
Emmarentia
Tel:  072 700 0087    
Email: victoriabeanbakery@gmail.com
www.victoriabeancafe.com

Mantra is all about charm

Mantra is all about charm

Ten years ago it was really difficult to find a good Indian restaurant in Jozi that had ambience and was relatively full. Red tablecloths, heavy draperies, dark wooden furniture and a sombre vibe prevailed. The trend seemed to be that takeaways did really well, but restaurants stood empty while having to pay hefty rents which inevitably led to closure.

Enter (thankfully) The Raj, Karma and Sahib - they made dining at Indian restaurants popular. Some fly by nights followed suit including one of my favourites which sadly didn't make it - Indigo in what is now known as the Verdi Centre on Beyers Naudé.

These days Jo'burgers have a choice of really good Indian restaurants including the above-mentioned and others like Sitar in the Cresta Centre (as a regular patron there, I feel another blog coming on...)

When Mantra opened in 2009, I was drawn to the quirky, colourful décor, patrons spilling onto the pavement and wondered what a Melville-like restaurant was doing in Parktown North.

I am a regular patron now, in winter lounging on the couches in the window booths, which are strewn with sequinned scatter cushions, enjoying the delicious Chilean red wine and the cosy atmosphere, or becoming one of the patrons that has spilled onto the pavement, watching twilight turn to evening and tucking into chicken madras.

I have always been enamoured by Mantra from the very friendly waiters who never make you feel rushed, to the management, always behind the scenes and very patient with patrons inevitably enjoying their dining so much that they stay longer than operating hours (that includes me and my crowd). The menu is really well priced, especially for Jozi with mains less than R100.

Last night I indulged in a really good paneer tikka masala, plain naan and the obligatory red wine from Chile, while my companion enjoyed the chicken version. The menu includes vegetarian, lamb, chicken, fish and prawn options.

It was a Monday night, and we arrived at 7pm anticipating that Mantra would close early - that's when the photo included in this post was taken. By 7.30pm there were several tables of patrons, including a few large tables, the Indian music was soothing in the background and the candlelit venue turned on its charm once more.


Address: No 17, 4th Avenue,
Parktown North,
Johannesburg,
2193.
Tel: 011 023 0632

Emmarentia - understated Jo'burg gem

Emmarentia Dam is an escape to the 'countryside' in the middle of Jozi. Dog lovers, families, watersport enthusiasts, oldies and young lovers alike frequent this beautiful park with its green expanses, forested walks, streams and of course, the dam. It is well maintained, patrolled and safe and often plays host to outdoor music concerts and performances.

Meanwhile the suburb of Emmarentia has quietly been reinventing itself. While a buzzing Greenside battles residents' complaints of noise and traffic congestion and a dishevelled-looking Melville awaits a long-promised rejuventaion, this unassuming neighbourhood boasts a charming little hub on Barry Hertzog that evokes a village feel where your local butcher, fishmonger, doctor and grocer can be found alongside Victoria Bean Café, Loads of Living and the Fresh Earth Food Store (read: health, wellness and foodie emporium).

And with a revamped Checkers around the corner, this modern-day market square offers busy Jo'burgers a one-stop-shop, followed by a welcome break over a chai latte or glass of vino, a bite of lunch or afternoon cappuccinos in the winter sun. Why battle the malls and the crowds when you are sure to find everything you need here on your Saturday errand run and more?

I'll be featuring some of my favourite, tried and tested Emmarentia spots on this blog.