23 minute read

The best coffee shops in the city to score your next cup

BLOOM COFFEE

Our go-to order: Cappuccino (R25) with an extra shot (R5) One of Joburg’s most buzz-worthy coffee shops, Bloom Coffee has been doing ripper coffees in cute turquoise takeaway cups since it opened last year. Components are seasonal, so the coffee here evolves constantly, but it always has great flavour, body and balance. Whether you order an espresso or a caffe latte, you can look forward to a sip that’s smooth and full of flavour with no bitterness – think berries on the front, a syrupy body, hints of nut and a finish of dark chocolate. Plus, the service is ultra-friendly and never snobby, and the takeaway brekkies are ace – try the generously topped avo and poached egg on toast. PS: Bloom Coffee has just opened an already thriving drive-thru coffee shop! Simply preorder via WhatsApp to skip the wait and collect your coffee and pastry curbside.

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34 4th Avenue, Parkhurst 079 319 5385 www.bloomcoffee.co.za

FATHER COFFEE

Our go-to order: Single cortado (R22) This place is a well-oiled machine: Slick interiors and fast-paced service is the name of the game at Father Coffee. It’s more of a stop-and-hop sort of joint, but there’s seating space should you fancy some quiet time with your cup and a book. There’s a counter heaving with tasty treats – the muchphotographed Snickers Cruffin piped full of caramel peanut butter créme and topped with a chunk of Snickers, is a heavenly, gooey mess to eat – but, most importantly, the coffee makes a near-perfect ristretto. For breakfast, order the eggs and soldiers with a sweet and fruity Cold Brew Bottle.

The Zone, 177 Oxford Road, Rosebank 082 513 4258 www.father.coffee

4TH AVENUE COFFEE ROASTERS Our go-to order:

Café au lait (R35) Serving high-quality, hand-roasted Arabica coffee from a pleasingly simple menu, the team at 4th Avenue Coffee Roasters also sell beans for at-home coffee making on those weekends when you just can’t drag yourself out of bed for one of their freshly-brewed cups. The light, laidback interior in addition to the complex, full-bodied coffee makes this coffee shop, on the popular Parkhurst stretch from which it takes its name, easily one of the best in Joburg. Order a red cappuccino whilst you enjoy the creamy mushrooms and Parmesan on toast (trust us, it’s scrumptious).

Shop 3, The Cobbles, corner of 4th Avenue & 11th Street, Parkhurst 087 378 0078 www.4thavenuecoffee.co.za

SÉSAME CAFÉ Our go-to order: Double shot flat white (R29) with almond milk (R9) The sunny courtyard is beautiful, but Sésame Café is about more than Instagrammable interiors – these guys pump out rich, gentle and very well-made coffee. Those who work in Rosebank CBD know this too, so there’s usually a small line snaking out around the curbside hatch. Go classic with a cappuccino or macchiato, or opt for a flavoured Espresso Iceberg – a cold coffee that makes for a classic summer treat. The café also makes mind-blowing chocolate croissants that are extra flaky and buttery filled with rich chocolate and drizzled with more chocolate. For a snack attack, there are extra cheesy classic toasties.

CRAFT COFFEE HELLO LOVE

Our go-to order: Our go-to order:

Mocha (R35) Nutty Butter Cappuccino (R30)

Real coffee aficionados will love Craft Less a coffee shop, more full-blown Coffee: It offers artisan coffee made coffee institution, indie coffee haunt with beans that are ethically and Hello Love is rarely without a queue, and traceably sourced. A tiny and quiet gem for a good reason. Knowledgeable staff where you’re immediately transported pull some of the best dirty chai lattes in away from the hustle of Joburg, at the city – not just a pretty face, then, but this minimalistic coffee shop you can a brilliant place for a caffeine hit. The relax with your specialty brew with the house blend is super-smooth and rich, morning paper. And did we mention the but there’s also a charcoal latte, which selection of milks? tastes like a very delicious vanilla almond

Yay for dairy-free diners! While you’re milk latte, and a super latte – made with here, start your morning off on the right beetroot, chuga cocoa, matcha, rooibos, foot with a perfect plate of eggs benedict sweet potato and turmeric. To eat, get the – toasted ciabatta topped with poached The Talibabes bagel; a collision of smoked eggs, crispy bacon and a drizzle of salmon, cream cheese and pickles. hollandaise sauce. Zappion Court, 62 Knox Street, 15 on 7th Avenue, Parktown North Waverley 060 969 6334 065 652 1418 www.craftcoffee.co.za 19 | www.sceneinthecity.co.za | October/November 2020

YOUR TAKEAWAY ultimate guide Staying home? Dining in has never tasted so good

There’s an unexpected upside to be found in the aftermath of lockdown: Joburg now has a better takeaway scene than ever before. So, just because you’re staying indoors right now doesn’t mean you have to miss out on some of chart toppers for breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert. Feeling a little peckish? We’ve rounded up the best spots that have launched a delivery and takeaway service.

BROOKLYN BROTHERS

As American as American eating gets, hip urban diner Brooklyn Brothers fulfills a very urgent need, providing craveable comfort food. Their first-ever virtual kitchen in Melrose Arch boasts an enormously talented kitchen staff – the food here is fresh, hot and on-point. Choice is the name of the game: On offer is a wide range of fryer and grill-top classics such as burgers, buffalo style chicken wings and hand-crafted shakes. Hits from the massive menu include the deep-fried cauli-wings tossed in cajun spice, indulgent jalapeño poppers filled with a cheesy mixture and the aptly named The Firehouse burger: A 100% pure beef patty snuggled between two buns and crowned with green chilli relish, pickled jalapeños and sour cream. Of the top-notch burgers, another standout is The Mobster; a moist chicken breast piled with grilled mushroom, caramelised red onion and a slice of emmental cheese for good measure. The list of specialty shakes appeals to the sweet tooth in all of us. We’re partial to the Zoo Biscuit blended with Zoo Biscuits, berry compote and ice cream, topped with whipped cream – it’s creamy, rich and enough for two people to split.

Various locations around Joburg www.brooklynbrothers.co.za

MANNA FOOD CO

Are you choking down on overpriced excuses for weekday lunches just in an effort to save time? Well, sad #WFH desk lunch no more! Manna Food Co delivers ‘clean indulgence’ designed to be healthy, accessible and easy to eat to the fashion flock and an eager audience of The Parks residents. It’s a happy, joyful, ‘free-from’ kind of menu featuring top-quality local and seasonal produce. Expect to find fruit, vegetables and leaves – kept in their original form where possible – loaded into almost everything, from the daisy-fresh salads to the vegetarian sandwiches that are pure, plant-based heaven. Fill up on the decadent The Truffle Sandwich layered with portobello and white mushrooms sautéed in truffle oil, pickled onion, ricotta and rocket or the out-there Spicy Peanut Salad – misoroasted sweet potato, brown rice, sriracha-roasted tofu and roasted coconut and peanuts tossed in the most amazing creamy peanut vinaigrette with a foodie-worthy presentation. Even the most virtuous dishes like the spicy Cape Malay Butternut Soup taste luxurious. But trust that it’s the enticingly sweet, smoky and sticky Bacon Jam Sandwich that you’ll keep going back for!

Service road between Newport Road and Jan Smuts Avenue, Parkwood 076 367 9080 www.mannafood.co.za

PIZA E VINO

With amazing delis, classic red sauce joints and highend purveyors of pasta, Joburg is no slacker when it comes to Italian food. But it’s Piza e Vino’s pizza game that shines the brightest. However you slice it, these pizzas are the upper crust – the bases here have just enough structural integrity to get the food to your mouth without dropping in your lap. The Melrose Arch is your mouth’s new best friend: A thin, charred base all covered in melted mozzarella and big puddles of feta and spiced up with chicken, cherry tomatoes, avocado, coriander and honey. It’s soft and rich and runny and crunchy and salty and sweet, and if you’re anything like us, you’ll fight a fiend over the last piece … and then you’ll order a second serve! The Porky the Pig – topped with salami, pepperconi, bacon, caramelised onion, feta and fresh basil – also hits all the right flavour zones on your tongue (we swear you won’t even miss the mozzarella). There’s no denying meat-free dining doesn’t get much better than a classic margherita, but here they add marinated zucchini ribbons, mushrooms, green peppers, onion, Parmesan and balsamic reduction on the Valentino to boost both the vitamin and flavour factor.

Various locations around Joburg www.pizaevino.co.za

WILD ONE GRAZING

The grazing box trend is as gorgeous as it is genius. Cold cuts and cheese, what else do you even need in life? For your next get-together or wine and cheese night, skip the cheese plate and order a visually stunning grazing box from Wild One Grazing instead. There’s just something about one of this local business’s grazing boxes that are filled to the brim and decorated with edible flowers and fresh lavender. A feast to the eyes and the taste buds, the curated – and seriously Instagrammable – platters can instantly spruce up any celebration. We mean, who can say no to fresh fruit and berries, an assortment of cheese (including tangy, thick and creamy labneh), hummus, crackers, carrots, salami, droëwors, koeksisters and chewy chocolate chip cookies with a gooey centre?

What’s more, all of the ingredients are locally sourced, from the fresh produce and gourmet cheeses to the cured meats and homemade dips. Whether it’s a picnic party, bridal shower, wedding party, weekend getaway or business meeting, owner Ami can put together a grazing box to suit your needs. To set the mood, just add some flowers, an ice bucket and a bottle (or two) of champagne!

071 210 8054

SOUL SOUVLAKI

Enjoying the tastes of the Cyclades from the comfort of your couch may be easier than you thought. Wealthy in aromas, flavours and influences, the Greek street food at Soul Souvlaki ranges from meze and main meals to souvlaki and gyros. The kitchen serves up traditional Hellenic sunshine in the shape of mixed olives and house-made tzatziki dip served with warm pita bread, rocket salad made with pure technique, succulent chicken sticks, skinny lamb chops … all ready to enjoy alongside a dry rosé or ouzo-based cocktail. The flavours may be reassuringly authentic, but the presentation is progressive. The menu is stuffed with luxurious flavour combos, but nothing beats the ‘in the hand’ souvlaki rolled in a warm pita – we can’t get enough of the classic, juicy bifteki in pita (beef patty with feta, chilli and herbs) and the insanely good grilled giant mushroom in pita with a generous layer of tzatziki. You can also enjoy a Greek coffee before enjoying delicious, great-value meze combos like the vegetarian option consisting of grilled giant mushrooms, grilled halloumi, grilled chilli feta, dolmades, potato wedges, aegean slaw, mixed olives, pita breads and your choice of two dips.

Various locations around Joburg www.soulsouvlaki.co.za

LOVE AT FIRST BURGER Ribs & Burgers – the beloved Aussie chain in South Africa

Creative burgers, eight-hour slow-cooked ribs and a unique basting sauce – is it any wonder Ribs & Burgers’ new Linksfield outpost is its fourth in South Africa? Beyond its obviously mouthwatering namesakes, they sling fresh wraps and bowls and shake up creative ‘thickshakes’ like a Milo and salted caramel milkshake. Ernesto Ferreira, partner of Ribs & Burgers South Africa, tells us more.

In brief, tell us about Ribs & Burgers’ roots. The first restaurant opened in Neutral Bay, Sydney. It was conceptualised by Bradley Michaels and Chad Rhame, both South African expats who saw a gap in the Aussie market to bring a true South African basted ribs and burgers offering into the market in 2011. Since then, they’ve grown in every major city in Australia. Ribs & Burgers opened in South Africa at Menlyn Maine in 2016 through another partnership arrangement.

What made you bring this well-loved Australian brand to South Africa? Bradley and I had worked together very closely together on brands such as Planet Hollywood and Meat & Wine Company. He contacted me after learning that I’d taken a sabbatical, after growing Nando’s in 15 different countries over a period of 14 years, to ask if I’d like to work together again as he believed in the Ribs & Burgers brand. I then travelled to Australia and the brand presented a huge opportunity to the South African market for several reasons, including fresh food made in a casual service environment, a large focus on meat both on and off the bone, open kitchens to provide the theatre and engagement with consumers as well as value through great pricing.

Currently, how many Ribs & Burgers stores are there in South Africa? There are currently four stores – Menlyn Maine in Menlyn, The MARC in Sandton, Nicolway in Bryanston and the newly opened Neighbourhood Square in Linksfield.

Are there plans in the pipeline to open any more stores in the near future? Absolutely. We’d would like to get to 12 Gauteng based restaurants in the next 24 months.

Explain how Ribs & Burgers fills a gap in the market on Joburg’s restaurant scene. We believe that from a consumer facing point of view, you rarely find a restaurant so focused on high-quality ingredients made fast, fresh and in front of you.

Linksfield is your newest store. What would you say gives this store an edge? Investec built a fantastic property from an aesthetic point of view, with ease of access and a great mix of tenants.

How would you describe the Ribs & Burgers offering in three words? Fresh, variety, comfort.

What’s your best-selling item on the menu? Burgers are our most popular item, but our ribs have a large following too. In our opinion, we make the best wraps in South Africa! Overall, our menu is broad and each of its segments have started generating their own following, which we find very encouraging.

Your personal favourite meal? Baby back ribs and a side of apple, cabbage and walnut slaw, with a cookies and cream milkshake.

Tell us about your latest menu item launch. We’ve just launched a knife and fork section with a small selection of steaks. We want to ensure that we capture the market with up-to-date offerings.

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What’s new on our editor’s beauty desk

A new season calls for a fresh set of beauty products, especially when that season is spring. From mix and match scents to a moisturiser that’s a non-invasive alternative to Botox, these are the brand-spanking-new products that are bringing us pure joy right now. We can’t and won’t shut up about them – grab them before they sell out this month!

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While some beauty brands’ claims about being natural or organic is arguably getting more opaque, there’s zero ambiguity about what it takes to bear our editor’s ‘best of clean beauty’ seal. The NUXE BIO Organic range walks the walk when it comes to transparency, offering highly efficacious, plant-based products that take sustainability seriously. The range has all the ingredients you want – and none of the ones you don’t. On average, the products contain 99% natural-origin ingredients and over 52% organic ingredients, such as botanical oils and natural-origin scents. What’s more, the socially responsible aspect of the range is considered at each step of the life cycle, from formula to packaging to recycling. So, not only will these products improve your complexion, but your carbon footprint too.

The range includes a serum, face care, eye care, a night oil, a cleanser, masks and a body oil. Our top pick is the Ultimate Night Recovery Oil.

What’s in the bottle is nearly as pure as it gets: Rice oil extract combined with organic botanical oils (avocado, sesame, jojoba and macadamia). Plus, a little goes a long way with this bottle, so it will last you a long time too. We’re also huge fans of the Radiance Detox Mask – thanks to sesame seed oil and citrus extract, skin will be left looking and feeling smooth post-rinse and beyond. To get the rest of your body in on the hydrating action, try the Replenishing Nourishing Body Oil; an iridescent oil with hazelnut, sesame, safflower and sunflower oils that melts into the skin within 30 seconds and has a delicate orange flower scent that makes you smell fresh-out-the-shower, all day long. The best part about the range is that it eliminates gender stereotypes, so couples can adopt an ecological attitude by sharing their skincare. It’s guaranteed to save space in the bathroom! R795, R495 and R650 respectively from select Woolworths, Truworths and Foschini stores

CLAIRE HILL S8-28 ANTI-AGEING MOISTURISER This nourishing moisturiser from Claire Hill, a science-based skincare company from Australia, is a non-invasive alternative to Botox (and in chic packaging no less). We love the freeradical fighter for its texture – satiny and neither too thick nor too matte – which plays nice under makeup. Luxurious and rich in natural oils, this moisturiser keeps it simple yet effective, assuming you’re looking to smooth away fine lines by naturally relaxing your facial muscles in a light, smoothing lotion. It feels fabulous going on and your skin will feel fabulous hours later too, as it feeds the skin with radiance-reviving nutrients. Use it for several weeks and you’ll start getting compliments on your radiant skin. R1,475 from www.clairehill.co.za BEAUCIENCE BOTANICALS EYE RESQUE GEL When it comes to ageing, prevention is better than cure, which is why it’s imperative you start caring for those eyes ASAP. Packed with eye-opening ingredients like organic green tea, this non-sticky, quickly absorbed gel helps you perk up those peepers and fake a full night’s rest. Rather than dropping a hefty load of cash on a super-luxe eye cream, cop this blend of natural ingredients, organic oils and all-natural peptide and essential oils that gently moisturises without leaving the skin greasy or overloaded. Not only does it re-energise tired eyes and protect them against future damage, it also helps neutralise blue and purple tones under your eyes, making it a great pick for dark circles too. R144.99 from www.beaucience.co.za, www.absoluteskin.co.za, www.takealot.com and Wellness Warehouse BERDOUES COLLECTION GRANDS CRUS MIX & MATCH - SUNRISE BEACH & BONDI BEACH Wearing just one perfume can be boring. Thankfully, French perfume house Berdoues has launched a summer collection of mix and match fragrances inspired by the most beautiful beaches in the world, which can be worn individually or combined. The Sunrise Beach and Bondi Beach perfumes are both energised scents that bottle up the season for a much-needed seasonal refresh. Sunrise Beach could only be described as sunny and exotic with notes of tangerine, davana and coconut, while Bondi Beach is salty and sunny made indefinitely more interesting with notes of bergamot, lemon, neroli and vanilla. The packaging of both perfumes is aptly colourful, conveying the truly vibrant fragrances within. R595 each from select Truworths and Foschini stores 30 | www.sceneinthecity.co.za | October/November 2020 Beauty 2 3 4

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MINK POT OF GLOW LUMINIZING PUDDING

Glowy skin, we’re coming for ya! Lock in all your hard work before blending your foundation into airbrushed perfection with this natural-based, cruelty-free glowenhancing product. It can be used as a daily moisturiser, mixed into foundation, as a highlight for a soft, natural dew or – our favourite – as a treat to create the silkysmooth canvas your skin needs for flawless foundation application. If you want to hide pores, soak up oil and refine your skin texture, this multi-purpose product has got your back. A pea-sized amount is enough to prep your whole face for foundation and the scent is addictive – think a minty, chocolatey Mint Frappuccino that will have you feeling all types of nostalgia. R495 from www.uniqbrows.com

UNIQBROWS GROWTH SERUM

Eyebrows speak louder than words. Lash and brow serums can really get up there in terms of price, but this one by brow queen Unaiza Suliman works better than serums twice as expensive in our opinion. It’s packed with potent ingredients like vitamins B5 and B7 and amino acids that stimulate the hair follicles while feeding them with all the nutrients they need to grow thicker, longer hair. Swipe this product on the base of your lashes (like you would liquid eyeliner) and your brows twice a day, and the lightweight formula dries down and gets to work ASAP. The formula helps to hydrate even the most brittle of lashes and, best of all, you don’t have to worry about it irritating your eyes. Falsies, who? R550 from www.uniqbrows.com

AZANA SPA MICELLAR WATER - COCONUT & HYALURONIC ACID

Just call it the minimalist’s skin cure-all. Like actual water, this micellar water by The Cape Town Toiletry Company can do it all. Enriched with coconut extract for hydration and radiance as well as hyaluronic acid to cleanse, it’s a great makeup remover – even liquid lipstick and waterproof mascara that doesn’t budget for anything. Our favourite way to use it is by squirting some on a cotton pad in the morning and using it to refresh our skin. We also love using it as a second cleanser in the evening on days that we wear foundation, just to catch anything we missed. Your face will feel oh-so-soft, all of the day’s makeup and buildup will be gone and you’ll be left with the tropical fragrance of fresh coconuts. R89.95 from Dis-Chem

YVES SAINT LAURENT Y LIVE EAU DE TOILETTE

Yves Saint Laurent knows how to bottle elegance. Treat the man in your life with this stimulating, punchy and passionate fragrance that you’ll want to steal. Its charm is built on subtlety – sparkling notes are present in the form of grapefruit, pear, juniper and absolute orange blossom, but the scent isn’t heavy. Packed with intrigue, in the background amber woods have been given life with delectable inflections of intense cocoa and vanilla for a modern scent that’s far from one-dimensional. This exceptional summer scent designed for the perfectly groomed gentleman is set to be a signature of many, and is perfect paired with the latest luxe sportswear. R1,970 for 100ml from Woolworths, Edgars, Foschini and Truworths

JOHN FRIEDA DETOX & REPAIR RANGE

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The reality of living a modern life is daily exposure to pollution, UV rays and other aggressors that leave our hair feeling stressed and dull. When you’ve overtaxed your tresses, check them into rehab with John Frieda’s Detox & Repair collection, including a Shampoo, Conditioner, Masque, and Care & Protect Spray. Made with avocado oil, antioxidant-rich green tea and vitamins B and E, these hair saviours really get to the root of the problem. Together, they give you a solid foundation for amazing-looking hair and bring your hair back to its healthiest state. Our numberone product is the miracle-working mask with nourishing ingredients, which gives hair its energy back and makes it feel soft and silky. R119.99 each from Clicks

INOAR HYDRATING SANITISER GEL

No, this isn’t a normal, boring hand sanitiser.

This is a cool sanitiser. Seriously. If you’re all about hydrating formulas, this is a luxurious cream-gel derived from the Inoar’s star ingredient, argan oil. Every pump will make you feel like you’re spending a day at the spa, thanks to the slightly nutty scent. And to make sure it destroys any bacteria in its way, it’s flanked by 70% alcohol, ensuring that 99.9% of bacteria, viruses and germs are eliminated immediately. Hate the sticky feeling after using hand sanitiser? You’ll be happy to know that this one dries almost instantly and keeps hands moisturised, even after 10 the 25th cleanse of the day. Like all the brand’s products, it’s vegan and cruelty-free. R150 from www.inoar.co.za

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NEW

DETOX ENERGIE ™ . Treat your skin to a burst of energy.

SYNERGETIC PROGRAMME

PROFESSIONAL TREATMENTS

HOME TREATMENTS

EFFICIENCY CONFIRMED BY CLINICAL EXPERTS. RADIANCE **

+27%

AFTER 1 TREATMENT

+62%

AFTER 3 TREATMENTS

*IN VITRO TESTING OF KERATINOCYTES EXPOSED TO URBAN POLLUTION. ** CLINICAL ASSESSMENTS PERFORMED ON 28 PEOPLE (21 WOMEN + 7 MEN). AVERAGE RESULTS AFTER ONE DETOX ENERGIE™ INTENSIVE TREATMENT AND ONE WEEK USING THE ENERGIZING SERUM IN THE MORNING AND EVENING OR AFTER A SERIES OF 3 DETOX ENERGIE™ INTENSIVE TREATMENTS AND 3 WEEKS USING THE ENERGIZING SERUM IN THE MORNING AND EVENING.

w w w . s o t h y s . c o m

A D V A N C E D

RESEARCH O R G A N I C ELDERBERRY EXTRACT PATENT PENDING FR18 53898 A N T I - P O L L U T I O N PROTECTION 92% *

PHOTOS : JF VERGANTI · MÉLINA VERNANT · 08/19 · SOTHYS PARIS, SASU AU CAPITAL DE 2 500 000 EUROS, SIÈGE SOCIAL, 128 RUE DU FAUBOURG SAINT HONORÉ, F 75008 PARIS - SIREN 451 170 807 RCS PARIS · NON CONTRACTUAL PICTURES · MODEL PHOTO RETOUCHED.

e x c l u s i v e l y i n b e a u t y i n s t i t u t e s s p a s

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