Reconstruction News

If a cat's motto is "when in doubt, wash", then it seems that the motto of many shopping centres is, "when in doubt, rebuild"!  If at all possible, rebuild while still trying to run the shopping centre too!

Fourways Mall (not listed on the Megaplex website) was a forest of cranes the last time we visited, and seemed to have been converted into a skyscraper parking garage.  The shops still claimed to be in there somewhere, but we couldn't find them and finally beat an ignominious retreat!

Cambridge Crossing in Paulshof continues to operate with 75% of its shops. Finding them behind the shuttering is an interesting exercise, though not quite as arduous as in Fourways.  The majority of the car park has been excavated and rebuilt as basement parking, with an upper level that will become shops and parking.  The relocated ramp goes up to the remaining upper level parking, surrounded by construction site, behind which cower the shops!

The Wedge, Morningside is doing much the same thing on a grander scale. The upper level parking has been excavated down to approximately street level and rebuilt as basement parking, on top of which the former upper parking will probably be restored.  In the meanwhile, shops have been relocated to the eastern end of the centre, clustered around the lower parking nearest to Rivonia Road, while the centre is being rebuilt around their ears.  Clicks seems to be in its final --larger-- location, while most of the others are probably yet to make their final moves.

On the left-hand side of Petervale Shopping Centre, Doornspruit Cellars and the late lamented Berliner Grill & Deli / Sandton Butchery have been replaced by Pick ‘n Pay Liquor and a "Pick ‘n Pay Local" --a "Woolworthsy" take on a small supermarket, butchery and bakery:

Benmore Gardens is gradually nearing completion.  The ground floor alterations are almost done and most of the shops have survived, though it is not a place to eat out at present.  The new exclusive second floor banking level is complete and operating, you just have to find it!  In between, the upper level (first floor) is currently in reconstruction, with Toys 'R' Us the sole survivor.

Little Sandton Court (behind the Shell garage on Rivonia Road opposite South Road) Morningside is also in on the act, with the southern end, where the car dealers were, now an excavation.  The Land Rover dealership has fled further south on Rivonia Road.  A find in the near vicinity is Metro Restaurant (see review below).

Odd Jobs

When cross-dressers hold a fête, do they have drag races?

New on the Block, Movers and Shakers  Back to top

• Maps and Travel, Flight Centre, and Absolute Pets, in Rivonia Village have moved to the south end between Clicks and Checkers Liquor, where Minuteman Press and Wingate Computers were before moving up a level.
• 7th Avenue Medical Centre has moved and is now Rivonia Medical, Sports & Therapy Centre in Rivonia Boulevard corner 10th Ave – large variety of medical services.
• Pick ‘n Pay Liquor, Shop 15, Ground in Petervale Shopping Centre – Replaced Doornspruit Cellars.
• Pick ‘n Pay Local, Shop 14, Ground in Petervale Shopping Centre – Compact upmarket department store with butchery and bakery. Groceries, snacks, soft drinks, household cleaners and washing material, small appliances, pool care.
• Classic Hair & Beauty, Shop 48, Upper Level in Morning Glen Mall – Hairdressers; beauty care, skin care and nails under one roof.
• The Crazy Store, Lower Level in Morning Glen Mall – Now open: Halloween and Christmas items. Specialized gifts. Reading glasses, Sunglasses, novels, birthday cards. Party things, bathroom, sewing, picture frames, baby range, candles. Dog and cat toys, gardening, braai, hardware, kitchen. Plastic ware, sweets, glassware, clocks, boys' & girls' toys.
• Rivonia Auto Parts, Building B in Rivonia Crossing 2 – Castrol, NGK spark plugs, Ferodo brakes, Hella, GUD filters, LuK, Gabriel shock absorbers.
• The Little Field Mouse Market Pop Up Shop, Lower Level in Bryanston Shopping Centre – Ladies boutique. Gifts. Crafts.
• Mirror Me, Shop 37, Upper Level in Bryanston Shopping Centre – Makeup, lipstick, ear piercing, nail bar.
• Madison Avenue Night Club – 19 Wessels Road, Rivonia: Upmarket Night Club, Tuesday (students), Friday & Saturday.
• Capitec Bank, Shop 04, Lower Level in Bryanston Shopping Centre – The bank with the lowest fees and the longest hours (for individuals only). Also the massively over-officious attitude to FICA.
• Roark Gyms - Johannesburg Women’s Gym, North Wing in Parkmore Mews – Functional training gym for women.
• Minuteman Press Parkmore, Shop 17, South Wing in Parkmore Mews – Business communications services.
• Fingers & Toes, Shop G09, Ground in Coachman's Crossing – Nail Studio, Health & Beauty. Nails, Hands & Feet.
• WashokuKYO Japanese Restaurant, Shop G19, Ground in Coachman's Crossing – Japanese Noodles, Chinese food, starters, soups, sushi.
• Biltong-R-Us, Ground in Coachman's Crossing – a large variety of different flavours of biltong, chilli bites, dry wors and cabanossi.
• Ladies & Gents Suits Specialist, Shop 10B in The Bridge Shopping Centre.
• Zip Boutique, Ground in Kelvin Village Shopping Centre – Mostly ladies' clothing.
• Kelvin Pharmacy in Kelvin Village Shopping Centre – All your pharmaceutical requirements.
• Rods & Rides at the Shell Garage under Bryanston Shopping Centre – Buy and sell Classic Cars, Hotrods, Harley-Davidsons, man-cave items and motor memorabilia.

Restaurant Reviews by Judith Back to top

**** Metro Restaurant Morningside, Hill Road opposite Morningside Mediclinic

We arrived here to find ourselves the only diners for the evening. This was following an excursion intended to take us to the Codfather, but parking there was inappropriate for me, so we left and visited Benmore Gardens, which only had a Thai Restaurant for sit-down. Benmore Gardens is currently a building site. So we backtracked to Metro.

We were made very welcome by everyone and impressed by the sweeping staircase, which is built for New Year's Eve as you can go up one side and come down on the other! They have a breakfast menu as well as one for later meals. Worth going to, if only to look through the wide range of dishes available, including specifically local flavoured ones. Some dishes have truly creative names!

Drinks were Appletiser and Laborie Sauvignon Blanc. We ordered Alfredo without pasta for me and Mascarpone Chicken with fettuccine for me partner. Both were excellent and we took what we couldn't manage home with us.

Wellington was an enthusiastic waiter who followed up our queries effectively/

Contact Details for Metro Restaurant Morningside.

**** Monkey Bluz, Rivonia Boulevard

This has replaced Rocket, which has moved to Hobart Grove and become Rockets! It has followed a growing trend to invest in really heavy chairs! Thobani was our waiter and proved very attentive. The atmosphere is definitely helped by good but not overloud music. However the smoking section leaks somewhat.

We ordered Appletiser and Porcupine Sauvignon Blanc. The latter is one of my favourites. My partner ordered the Blue Basket for one, which was not entirely successful as they did not have boerewors and replaced it with an unpleasant chilli cheesegriller. However the rest was enjoyed.

I ordered Tempura, which was a disaster. I simply could not eat it. After a discussion with the manager, it was replaced with the most heavenly and delicious grilled prawns in lemon butter sauce. I would thoroughly recommend this dish.

For attention to customer needs, they cannot be faulted. Definitely an adult restaurant for that special night out.

Contact Details for Monkey Bluz Restaurant and Cocktail Bar.

Funny Language, English.....

If something once considered "preposterous" comes true (e.g. Brexit, Trump as President), is it now "postposterous"?

Expired:  Back to top

• Piza e Vino Restaurant in The Wedge, Morningside – Large Italian restaurant with an outside seating area.
• Mannelis Italian Restaurant in The Bridge Shopping Centre – Pizza and Pasta of all kinds, Prego roll, chips, salads, toasted sandwiches, hot drinks.
• Tsunami Seafood Emporium at 4 Hill Road, opposite MediClinic Morningside – Fish restaurant, sushi, teppanyaki, and mediocre service.
• Genki Japanese Restaurant, Shop G19 in Coachman's Crossing
• Health WakeUp in Morning Glen Mall – "Health" products, "detox and cleansing", dubious health advice.
• Just Biltong kiosk in Bryanston Shopping Centre – in the atrium outside Red Square, Lower Level.
• Perfect 10 in Coachman's Crossing – Nail and Body Studio.
• Casa Dell'uomo in Benmore Gardens Shopping Centre – "House of Man" was a luxury mens' clothing store.
• Doornspruit Cellars in Petervale Shopping Centre – Comprehensive liquor store.
• NJA WorldNet Internet Café, Shop 03B in The Bridge Shopping Centre – Internet cafe and computer spares.
• NEB - Nezo Elegant Boutique, Shop U01 in Kelvin Village Shopping Centre – Ladies' clothing.
• Dr Bob's Pet Deli in Rivonia Village has been taken over by Absolute Pets.

Location Rules!   Back to top

Julius asks, "If the cardinal rule when buying property is 'location, location, location', how come nobody wants to buy a house in a Location?"

Civic News: Billing Day on 11 November has been CANCELLED

From Cllr Vincent Earp, Ward Cllr for Sandton: The Billing and Revenue Day scheduled to be held at the Field and Study Centre on Saturday 11 November has been cancelled. The Mayor is moving billing problem-solving back to the City Regions for resolution. When this happens (soon, I hope) residents should visit their City Regional Offices (Region B is at cnr Jan Smuts and Bram Fischer Aves, Randburg; Region E is at 137 Daisy St, Sandton) to log their query and get a reference number. The Mayor said the Billing and Revenue Days should be every day. The Regional Walk-in Centres must be the first point of call and Revenue Staff will be moved back there.

Road Closure Warning!  94.7 Cycle Challenge on Sunday 19 November

This event takes place every year and every year there are residents and businesses that get caught out.  Jan Smuts / Braam Fischer / Homestead will be completely closed for 21 km from Braamfontein to William Nicol from about 5am to 3pm. This effectively cuts the city in two and the only way to get across Jan Smuts via vehicle is at Smit St in Braamfontein in the south and the N1 in Fourways in the North. Pedestrians are allowed across --you could drive to Jan Smuts, then park and walk (maybe).

Cllr Tim Truluck's advice is to plan your day around the closure and don't fight it. Pop up to Jan Smuts and cheer the cyclists. You can even sponsor a team who are riding for charity.

Visit www.cyclechallenge.co.za to view the route map to avoid the road closures. The map includes spectator and support location points along the route: The organisers encourage you to go to one of these points to enjoy the spirit of the event. There is a Call Centre at 011 017 2700. You can download the 947 app, and follow #CCTraffic on Twitter to get live updates.

Imported Books at Bargain Prices in Bryanston

Albizia Book Bargains will have a stall in the main court (Checkers level) at Bryanston Shopping Centre, William Nicol & Ballyclare until 9 November and again 9 to 19 December. They are there until about 2 pm on Saturdays and Sundays, weekdays until about 5 pm.

Overheard at the Checkout:

"How was the visit to the doctor?"
"He told me I had a textbook case of xenophobia!"
"And...?"
"I said, 'I don’t know what that is, but I’ll bet I caught it from one of those damned foreigners!'"