eating out

first heard of The Victorian Secret in Benoni referred to as Victoria’s Secret. While it is a genteel and respectable establishment, the indulgence feels just a little naughty. When Mum visits from Durbs, I like to take her out for a treat. Previously we have been to The Margaret Roberts Herbal centre and Arum Symphony. This time we chose The …

After mooching around the house in a brain melting heatwave, discovering Stellenbosch University Botanical Garden was a real winner.  Botanical Gardens have timeless appeal to us (we married at Walter Sisulu Botanical Garden in Jo’burg) and our favourite places to eat or drink are those with outdoor seating. Despite visiting the Western Cape annually for about 10 years, this was a special …

The road from home to the Eastern Cape baffled expectations, a winter landscape in mid summer. Lacking lush green the eyes took in only drought painted patterns of brown and black. Most rivers crossed bereft of water, we looked down on sand and stone. Out of sync seasons, left me feeling that I was watching a faulty movie, lips speaking …

Stepping way out of family character we left for our trip to Ndumo and Kosi Bay at 5 am.  Half asleep children were bundled into the car in their pj’s and off we set.  After a few hours on the road we started looking for a place to have breakfast.  Travelling food stops are a hit and miss affair, but …

Long ago I had a vivid recurring dream, in it I discovered a previously unknown room, filled with dazzling treasure in my Grandmother’s house.  Last night had the same feel as that dream. A few times a year I visit family in Durban and Umdloti.  Much loved favourites like the Bush Tavern in Umdloti are experienced with ritual comfort and satisfaction.  On a previous …

Sampling the top 3 roadhouses in Boksburg, was a good dose of fun and adventure. Retro is in, but in Boksburg (not a fashion capital of the world) for many it never went out. Not when it comes to roadhouses anyway. Boksburgians have a point here.  The Fireplace, Kota Joe and Orama were all better than, or equal to take …

Whilst inarguably genteel and refined, Her Majesteas Salon in Heidelberg presents gracious hospitality, with a tongue firmly placed in the cheek.  I like that.  HMS has the feel of a smile not a stiff upper lip.  Royally wallpapered walls host Tretchikoff prints and wire chandeliers are adorned with tea cups , champagne corks and other bits and bobs.  Tannie Evita …

When you enter the Garden of Eden, you need to remember the golden rule.  Don’t invite the serpents in.  At the gate, leave your worries, the mental conversation with your mother-in-law or the children’s fight in the car.  Enter the place with an uncluttered mind and try not to play with your cell phone which may rob you of true …

Kota Joe Roadhouse, is a fresh fun take on the roadhouse concept.  A vehicle to take roadhouses into the future.  After running a “best roadhouse” poll on a local community Facebook group, The Fireplace was most popular (51 votes), and Kota Joe second (13 votes).  In fairness The Fireplace has been around for almost 60 years and some may not …

If nostalgia were a musical instrument it would be an oboe.  Conveying weighty, beautiful music tinged with sadness.  Certain places and memories bring a smile pared with an ache somewhere near my solar plexus.  I have oboe memories of The Gremlin Drive in roadhouse, when visiting my grandparents in Salisbury as a child.  My mother remembers going there with school …