Welcome to Jozi

After driving for 14 hours straight I saw before my tired eyes the metropolis of highways coaxing you to various parts of this vast city like yellow brick roads doused in hip hop. I had arrived. No sooner had I arrived than I took the wrong one (a cheeky Cape Townian presumption caused by the need to know the short cut) and ended up in Soweto first, Southgate next, Kyalami and finally, with the help of a petrol attendant (please remind me of the logic of why we do this), back onto the M1 and homeward bound.

2 things immediately came to light:
1. There is no mountain in Joburg - if you are lost, don't keep driving because if you do you are likely to land up in either Pretoria or at Lanseria airport: this is part of why Joburgers are so organised - they need to be.
2. Petrol attendants are amazing.

My first week in this vibrant place was spent mostly drinking and eating (so unlike me I know). After a week of 'farewells' in Cape Town it was logical to have a week of 'welcome backs' in Joburg. I was delighted to find some very cool spots around town; there's a new restaurant in Parkhurst where 'Fullstop' used to be. It's called 'Vovo Telo'.

It's pretty similar to 'Knead' in that it's a bakery/patisserie as well as a restuarant serving food focused around bread; everthing is served on lovely wooden boards, presented beautifully and the menu is a steal of a deal compared to other Parkhurst hot-spots with most pizzas, pastas and salads priced  between R35-R60.

I am not a restaurant critic and won't bore you with uninformed details but the service was great and so was the food. Try it.
011 447 5939

Next. I embarked upon the much spoken about 'Bryanston Organic Market'. U.d.e.r.w.h.e.l.m.e.d. Good selection of Organic veg, breads and cheeses but that was about it. Lot's of fuddy duddy overpriced linen clothing and uninspiring jewelry and a band...that was also uninspiring. If you aren't nearby I wouldn't bother making the journey.

Lastly, and in saving the best for last, was 'Arts on Main' and the 'Market on Main' in the city centre. YES PLEASE. Everything like the biscuit mill but with far fewer people (probably scared of venturing out of suburbia) and so many beautiful little galleries to pop into, a real treat!

Lovely outside area and upstairs balcony bar suitable for hipsters and non-hipsters alike. Food kiosks surround the square with lots of trinkets and treats inside. 

Home-made marshmellows, cookies, roasted nuts, raw chocolate and prettily wrapped nougats line the corridors with second-hand boutique clothing stores and retro revamped sunglass stands scattered amongst it all.

The only thing I miss that you get at Cape Town markets is champagne by the glass. Yes, that's it, oh and my lovely Cape Town chums.

Get on your bicycles and get down there on a sunday. There are car guards - it's probably safer than Sandton City on a weekend - well at least you won't get trampled by a kugle in high heals or a pimply teenager wanting to mug you.
http://marketonmain.co.za
http://www.artsonmain.co.za/