Shopping in Sandton – February 2015

Welcome to Megaplex's monthly newsletter alerting the up-market shopper to the new and interesting in Sandton and Bryanston.  Please feel free to support our advertisers!  To subscribe, see our subscription page.

Contents:
Welcome ~ New Shops
Restaurant Review ~ Closed
Green Tip ~ The Checkout

Practical Effective Self-Defence

KRAV MAGA Instructors:
Mike & Walter
SMS or phone 084 211 8888

Email: michael.kravmaga@gmail.com

Witkoppen Rd. Paulshof, above
Car Service City, near Cambridge Crossing.

Links to Other Pages:
Megaplex Home – Overview of Shops, Facilities, and Accommodation in Northern Sandton.

Shopping Centres in Sunninghill:
The Square
Sunninghill Village
Sunhill Shopping Centre
Chilli Lane Shopping Centre
The Core

Almost all of us will one day need a blood transfusion

– Yet only 1% of people donate blood!

Make a difference to society! Donate at The Colony,  cor Jan Smuts & Rothesay Avenues, Craighall.  Phone:
011 447-6665
011 880-4994

Shopping Centres in and near Bryanston:
Nicolway Shopping Centre
Coachman's Crossing
Grosvenor Crossing
Hobart Grove Centre
Bryanston Shopping Centre
Riverside Shopping Centre
Hurlingham Pick 'n Pay Centre
Bryanpark Shopping Centre

Shopping Centres in the Woodmead area:
Wendywood Centre
Woodmead Value Mart
Woodmead Super Value Centre
Woodmead Commercial Park
Woodmead Retail Park
Woodmead Square
Dunwoody Centre
Kelvin Village
The Bridge, Buccleuch
Other Shops and Shopping in Woodmead

Get Your Business Running Better!

The skills shortage is a big problem!  De-skill your business and preserve knowledge by putting your expertise into computer software, giving step-by-step processes for staff to follow.
Software Africa can help!
e-mail or call 011 802-2685

Shopping Centres in Central Sandton:
Atholl Square
Grayston Shopping Centre

Shopping in and around Rivonia:
Rivonia Central
Rivonia Village Centre
Rivonia Junction
Mutual Mews
Early Dawn Mall
Shops in Central Rivonia
Shops in Northern Rivonia
Cambridge Crossing
Petervale Shopping Centre

Shopping Centres in
Greater Morningside:

Morningside Shopping Centre
The Wedge, Morningside
Morning Glen Mall
90 Degrees on Rivonia
Morning View
Benmore Gardens
Shops in the Morningside Area

Speak Well at Your Next Presentation!

Transformers Toastmasters meets 2nd and 4th Monday of each month at Morningside Country Club, de la Rey Road, at 18:45.  Aspiring speakers are welcome!  Contact Judith Taylor on 082 389 3481 or speak@transformers.org.za

Restaurants:
Restaurants in Rivonia,
Codfather Village of Restaurants,
Restaurant reviews for Rivonia
Morningside Restaurant reviews

Other Places of Interest:
Sandspruit Hiking Trail,
Ernest Ullmann Park Recreation Centre,
Montrose Nursery Garden Centre and Gia's Coffee Shop

Pizza Perfect / Burger Perfect - Upper Level, Morning Glen Mall

The "Perfect" place for salads, subs, pasta, pizza, burgers, chips, soft drinks. Open 10:00-21:00 every day. Free delivery of orders R60 and up within 3 km. Nick: 011 656-0652, e-mail

Editorial

What with the month being shorter (a whole 2-3 days!) we have not visited as many shopping centres, and do not have as many changes to list. Nevertheless, we have changes in Rivonia, Morningside and Bryanston.  If you see a new or closed shop we haven't spotted, please feel free to e-mail us and help to keep others informed.

The national budget has just been released, and there is little cause for comfort.  If the economy is growing at around 2%, and the budget grows by 8%, it should be obvious that we are on the path to ruin.  A prudent government would rein in its expenditure.  Do we see a reduction in the size of the Cabinet, the largest this country has ever had? No.  How about less public money going to support the President's harem? Not a chance.  Well then, should we ask about the President repaying the public money spent on non-security upgrades at Nkandla? Not unless you want to be forcibly and illegally removed from parliament by armed police!

Your opinion on eTolls has been ignored. We have had a month of Eskom load-shedding.  Businesses cannot operate consistently. The economy is losing billions. The cause of this load shedding? Government incompetence. Since load-shedding began in 2008, Eskom's top officials have earned R63 Million in bonuses –for what? Government needs a wake-up call. They got a shock in the Provincial elections but have since back-tracked on eTolls, as we saw last week in the provincial legislature. A more powerful message is needed: The ANC needs to lose control of the metros. For this to happen, you need to take back your power: You need to vote against the ANC.

Imagine a city that works: With road markings, traffic lights that work, no potholes. This happens in Cape Town.  If you listen to Radio 702 when they have a combined broadcast with Cape Talk, you'll hear a typical traffic report with a long list of road problems in Johannesburg, followed by "no problems in Cape Town".  Which party runs Cape Town?

Give the government the wake-up call it so richly deserves: Vote Democratic Alliance in 2016!  Right now, volunteer to help the DA and start the ball rolling!

Even if you are a life-long ANC supporter, please vote tactically in 2016: You're not changing the National Government, just sending it a message.  And –without moving– you will get to live in a better-run city.

Odd Jobs

Is a "Child Psychologist" a precocious child, or a therapist for children?
 

DENTIST

Dr Riaz Wadvalla, Dr Nafeesah Wadvalla

The Bridge Shopping Centre, Gibson Drive, Buccleuch: 011 656-1090 dr_rwadvalla@hotmail.com Mon-Fri 9am-6pm, Sat 9am-2pm

New on the Block, Movers and Shakers  Back to top

  • The Raj Indian Restaurant, Shop LM52a, Mezzanine in Nicolway Bryanston – North Indian cuisine: Curries, tandoori, lamb, chicken, seafood, lassie, vegetarian dishes. See web site for full menu.
  • Absolute Pets, Shop L04/05, Lower Level in Nicolway Bryanston – veterinary-approved dog and cat foods, pet products and accessories, basic veterinary medicine. Shampoo, chews, pet baskets, leads, name tags, collars. Parrot accessories.
  • Typo, Shop L13, Lower Level in Nicolway Bryanston – Quirky interior design, homeware. Rugs, cushions, bags, clocks, boards, decorations, gifts.
  • Istanbul Kebab Shawarma, Ground in Mutual Mews – Turkish cuisine: Kebabs, Shwarma, wraps, salads, complimentary Turkish or apple tea, baklava, sutlac. Open Mon-Thu 11:30-21:00, Fri-Sun 11:30-22:30.
  • Key Boutique, Shop 6 in Mutual Mews – 24-hour locksmith. Key cutting, transponder keys, remotes. All types of vehicles opened anywhere, anytime. Second hand car keys wanted. Alarms overridden.
  • The Bread Basket, Shop L26, Lower Level in Morningside Shopping Centre – Bakery, bread, pastries, restaurant, deli, coffee shop with breakfasts, light meals, sandwiches, etc.
  • W Café, Shop U09, Upper Level in Morningside Shopping Centre – Extension of Woolworths. Tea, coffee, cakes, cappuccino, In the upper courtyard, northern end.
  • Satara Thai Massage, Shop 18 in Early Dawn Mall – Thai therapeutic massage - back, head, reflexology, hot stone, Thai oil, facials, body treatments, detox. Opening February 2015?
  • The Oasis Luxury Guesthouse has become Oasis Boutique Hotel, with prices to match. Listed in Rivonia Area Shops – 29 Homestead Road (off 10th Ave at the Road Lodge), Rivonia.

NOW OPEN at 16 Waterval Crescent, Woodmead!

Over 8000 items to choose from: Toys, gifts, stationery, kitchenware, houseware, plasticware, multimedia, car sound and much more! Open Mon-Fri: 09:00-17:00 (Fri closed 12:00-14:00), Sat: 9:00-17:00, Sun: 10:00 - 14:00. Tel: 011 656 6068, email: saIes@osmans.co.za Group web site

Restaurant Review by Judith Back to top

*** The Raj, Nicolway Shopping Centre, William Nicol Drive, Bryanston

As The Raj in Rivonia has recently closed, we decided to go further afield to Nicolway and try the one which has replaced it.  It is situated in the mezzanine level in the car park and next to Sweat 1000, which is a gym.  Ideal place to visit after an appetite stimulating workout!

We booked a table before going.  However this wasn't really necessary as it is a large restaurant and still getting known.  There is a large balcony overlooking William Nicol and the views to the north, which will be great for a lunchtime meal.  We chose to sit inside.  The decor is minimalist and generally white.  Service is friendly on arriving, but somewhat lax thereafter.  Unfortunately the extensive food and separate wine menus have no mention of non-alcoholic drinks.  This is a distinct drawback, as you have no idea of pricing or, in fact, of what is available on this side.

After much questioning, we settled for a Mango Lassi and a large bottle of sparkling water with ice on the side.  There is a good selection of wines.  The range of wine by the glass is limited and starts at around R46 per glass.  Wine by the bottle is priced very much around R140 upwards.

After going through the food menu extensively, we chose the Dahl Makhani with Basmati rice and the Chicken Tikka salad.  The Dahl proved to be very good, more than my partner could manage in one sitting.  It keeps well and proved equally enjoyable at home!  The Chicken Tikka salad had plenty of chicken, very beautifully spiced and cooked.  However, the large lumps of onion were overwhelming, whilst other ingredients were lacking.  Knorr salad dressing instead of the promised yoghurt was unacceptable.

At no time during the meal or even on asking for and receiving the bill, were we asked if we enjoyed the food.  In fact we were largely ignored.  As a result, we probably won't return.  The large number of other people who came in did not seem to receive any better treatment.  Customer attention is probably an area on which the management should focus if they wish to be successful when competing against some exceptional restaurants in this centre.

Contact Details for The Raj Indian Restaurant.

Funny Language, English...

Include is the opposite of exclude, so why is intend not the opposite of extend?

Commercial Fats-Oil-and-Grease Trap Cleaning and Installation

Commercial kitchens, restaurants, hospitals, clinics, offices, and residential complexes! Do you have a grease trap as required by the Municipal by-laws? Is your grease trap being maintained regularly?  We do installation, maintenance & cleaning. email: info@greasetrapcleaning.co.za, call Fabien 072 445 4560 / 087 802 6324. Web.

Late:  Back to top

  • The Raj Indian Restaurant in Rivonia Junction – technically, moved to Nicolway (see above).
  • Delawood Kitchens Nicolway, Shop LM52a in Nicolway Bryanston – custom-made kitchen design and fitting.
  • Bryanston Pet Boutique, Shop L05 in Nicolway Bryanston – Vet store for dogs, cats, birds, etc. Food and accessories.
  • Woolworths Studio-W Home, Shop U05a in Nicolway Bryanston – Homeware and décor.
  • Spar Tops Bottle Store in Wendywood Shopping Centre – All manner of liquor, soft drinks, etc.
  • The Fish & Chip Co, Shop 6 in Mutual Mews – Traditional English-style fish & chips.
  • Caffe Della Salute in Rivonia North Shops – Italian-themed restaurant, café and bar, replaced San Pablo Spur at 17 Autumn road Rivonia, off Rivonia Road - all closed up and a large "To Let" sign up again.
  • Infinite Beauty, Shop 16 in Early Dawn Mall – Beauty Salon & Nail Bar.
  • Savanna Wood Gallery, Shop 17 in Early Dawn Mall – Teak furniture.
  • Palapai, Shop 18 in Early Dawn Mall – Thai therapeutic massage.
  • Morningside Vet Shop, Shop L06a in Morningside Shopping Centre – Veterinary-quality Pet Food.

Pro Rascal?

When Julius heard that they were going to "prorogue" Parliament, he thought they would be biasing it in his favour.

Office Space Available in Dunwoody Shopping Centre, 147 Western Service Road, Woodmead. Contact Ben Fourie: 072 344 6416 or email.

Tip: Weather the Electricity Cuts   Back to top

Gas is a life-saver.  Whether you get a gas hob fitted by a gas installer, or just buy a cylinder with a cooking plate, at least you'll be able to cook or make a cup of tea.  Add a gas lamp and you can live a tolerable life when the electricity is down.  A gas heater is useful for winter.  Who needs TV or computers, anyway?  Never mind, South African ingenuity will soon be producing gas-powered versions!

Strictly speaking, this is not a "green" tip, since gas is a fossil fuel that contributes to pollution and climate change.  The ideal would be a house powered by renewables, if you can afford it.

Civic Corner

The annual CANSA Shavathon takes place at Malls and Shopping Centres this weekend, 28 February and 1 March 2015.  Get your head sprayed or shaved in solidarity with those affected by cancer, often cheaper than a regular haircut.  Woodmead Retail Park is participating, or you could go to Greenstone Mall or Killarney Mall.

Tell Eskom what you think of them!  Look out for DA tables carrying petitions demanding that Eskom's top officials return the bonuses they got since starting load-shedding.

The Favourite Accounting Program of Non-Accountants

QuickBooks uses everyday terms like "invoice a customer", "enter bills", "receive payments".  None of that technical "Debtors" and "Creditors" stuff!  Easy to install, easy to use.  Bank accounts, bills, invoices, customer and supplier lists, useful graphs, VAT, all in one place.  Premier version R3999, Pro R2999, from Software Africa: e-mail or call 011 802 2685.

Somewhere after the Checkout:

"This is disgusting!  Look at the road markings –they have completely worn off!"

"Sorry, but this is Joburg, where 'maintenance' is a foreign concept.  If you want to see white lines, you have to go to Timbavati."

Your name in print!  Would you like to contribute a shop- or restaurant review, a less obscure joke, or something else for this Newsletter?  Please e-mail us.  You will get full credit (unless you want anonymity).  Reach 6033 shoppers and shop-owners: Advertise in this newsletter!  Editor: Rick Raubenheimer.


Back to top – ©2015 Megaplex cc. Privacy Policy.  All rights reserved. Contents may be used for reference purposes, as long as credit is duly given.
Newsletter Issued 27 February 2015 – Page Last Updated: 22 December 2022. – Contact us.