Editorial

In this month's shopping fix, we have a large crop of new businesses or, at least, ones that are new to us!  This includes a cafe and two Indian restaurants, one of which we review.  For knives, torches, paintball and other fun things, go to Hunting & Tactical Supplies in Mias Centre in Woodmead.  Visiting the little Woodmead Commercial Park, we discovered ChicShab Afro-Chic Warehouse in shop B3. The shop is worth visiting just for the wonderful smell of woven grass mats, not to mention the beautiful African-themed items.

Sadly, while there, we also found that Custom Hobbies, the amazing model shop, had closed.  If you don't want your start-up business to do likewise, read the Business Tip below for a free on-line course.  If you are concerned about our democracy –and we hope you are– come to the FMF talk mentioned below and find out what is happening to the Rule of Law.

If you thought Cindy got away with her remark at the checkout, read on... but first, a way that you can make an immediate difference:

Earthquake Appeal

Whole hills swept down over the beautiful and delicate rural villages of Nepal on Saturday. Thousands were crushed, more are missing and the country is crying out for water, food, and shelter. It’s devastating and in the middle of it all this one brave local organisation is using everything they have to put up tents in the hardest hit remote areas. We can make all the difference for this group, and many others across Nepal, literally multiplying their budgets by 10, empowering them to build for the long term and keeping their emergency work funded in hard to reach places. Click here to make a donation via Avaaz. (Avaaz.org is a 41-million-person global campaign network that works to ensure that the views and values of the world's people shape global decision-making.  "Avaaz" means "voice" or "song" in many languages.)

Odd Jobs

So you bought unfertilised eggs? Spare a thought for the person whose job it is to unfertilise them.
 

New on the Block, Movers and Shakers  Back to top

• On The Court... With Penny, Central in Rivonia Area Shops – Hand-selected, hand-made gifts, crafts and special things. Open Monday to Friday 9:00–15:00 and every 2nd & 3rd Saturday of the month at No. 8, 8th Avenue Rivonia.
• The Dance JunXion (Suite 5-5A), 1st Floor in Coachman's Crossing – Salsa classes and Ballroom Couple Dancing, sensual Argentine Tango, Fun Hip-hop, Contemporary, Kids classes - and many more dance genres. No partners required.
• Sorbet Drybar Hurlingham, Shop 09, Upper Level in Hurlingham Pick 'n Pay Centre – Hair Salon.
• Make-Up Designory (MUD), Shop 53, Upper Level in Morning Glen Mall – Make-up products and make-up education.
• Pick ‘n Pay Good Food Studio, Upper Level in Hurlingham Pick 'n Pay Centre – Vida Café, venues for cooking classes, auditorium for demonstrations, classrooms, wine room, formal dining area. Ideal space for breakfast clubs, book clubs, tea parties, product launches, directors' lunches, etc.
• Liège Café, Shop 30/32, Ground in Atholl Square – Breakfast, brunch, lunch, bakery, patisserie, pastries, fine dining.
• Tashas Kitchen, Shop 17, Ground in Atholl Square – Experimental and cutting-edge cookery that will, if successful, find its way into Tashas main menu.
• Taj Mahal Indian Restaurant, Ground in Atholl Square – North Indian cuisine: Eat in or take away. Starters, bunny chow, roti rolls, tandoori grills, breyani dishes, chicken, lamb, seafood, salads, vegetarian.
• Magnificent Health (Suite 5), First Floor in Atholl Square – Health store, vegan coffee & juice bar, nutritional blood analysis, other health services.
• Xtreme Nutrition, Ground in Grayston Shopping Centre – Sports supplements and other stuff to mess with your body, at remarkable prices.
• @Home, Ground in Grayston Shopping Centre – Homeware, tableware, crockery and cutlery, small appliances, linen, towels, candles.
• Medifam Family Medical Wellness Centre, Shop LG1 under the Pharmacy, Ground in Grayston Shopping Centre – ADD/ADHD Consultant, Baby Clinic, Biokineticist, Chiropractor, Psychologist, Massage, Dermatology, Dietician, General Practitioners, Laser Specialist, Paediatric Nurse, Physiotherapist, Podiatrist, Psychiatrist, Skin Care, Speech Therapy, Executive Medicals, Exorcist (just kidding!)
• New Look Hair & Beauty Salon, Shop 20 Waterval Crescent, Mia's Centre in Woodmead Area – Ladies' and Gents' hair cuts, face massage. Threading and waxing. Gents shave.
• Sealy Mattress Gallery, Shop AC, Building A in Woodmead Commercial Park – Try out the full range of Sealy mattresses and base-sets, in all sizes and comfort levels.
• On Tap, Shop AF, Building A in Woodmead Commercial Park – bathroom, kitchen and plumbware products, plumbing supplies and hardware.
• ChicShab Afro-Chic Warehouse, Shop B3, Building B in Woodmead Commercial Park – African food bowls, storage and laundry baskets sustainably woven from palm, bamboo and sisal; water cans made from tins; crochet raffia ottomans; benches and bean bags covered in recycled cotton, etc.
• Floors Direct, Shop C3, Building C in Woodmead Commercial Park – wood and laminated flooring, vinyl and carpets. Moved from Value Mart.
• Smeg Outlet Store, Shop G7, Building G in Woodmead Commercial Park – "Technology with style".
• Trellidor, Shop 2 Autumn Road, Cnr 12th Ave and Autumn Road in Rivonia North – The "Crime Barrier" people.
• Vintage India, Cnr 12th Ave and Autumn Road in Rivonia North – Cosy Indian restaurant. See Restaurant Review below.
• Hunting & Tactical Supplies, Mias Centre, 20 Waterval Crescent, in Woodmead Area Shops – Camouflage clothing, knives, lights, torches, crossbows, sights, scopes, paintball, pellet guns. BB guns, personal protection, reloading equipment, cleaning equipment, training equipment, bags, gloves, headgear, self defence.
• Blockhouse and Cookhouse, 18 Waterval Crescent, in Woodmead Area Shops – Interior furnishing, kitchen tools and cookware.

Restaurant Review by Judith Back to top

**** Vintage India, Autumn Road and Louise Terrace, off 12th Avenue , Rivonia

Hiding away, in a little park behind Bamboo, is this restaurant we spotted on our way to Soweto in the morning.  As that trip did not take as long as expected, we decided to investigate!  We slipped through between the wooden fence and the wall on the Autumn Street side and went into what appears to be a converted house.  The space is well filled with tables and unusual chairs which are quite heavy but comfortable.  The service was instantly attentive and we ordered a Tomato Cocktail and a glass of Red House Wine.  Then we went through the extensive menu.

This is laid out differently, in a table with the curry sauces on the left hand side and the choice of vegetable, cheese, meats or fish across the top.  The choices are extensive and priced between R59 and R89 with some dishes somewhat more expensive.  In the end I ordered a Chicken Tikka starter, and my partner Chicken Makhani.

The Chicken Tikka was good and spicy to hot.  It was served with lettuce and a generously juicy slice of lemon.  The Chicken Makhani, which came with Basmati rice, looked, smelt, and was pronounced good.  The red wine is worth drinking - very smooth and pleasant!

Altogether, good food and excellent service with the bonus of being excellent value for money!  We will call again..

Contact Details for Vintage India.

Funny Language, English...