Interviewing international award winning chef, Chantel Dartnell is slightly overwhelming. This petite, soft spoken chef has some of the worlds top accolades hanging on her walls, and visiting her restaurant is beyond an incredible experience. In fact, we are still battling to find the words to best describe our visit… Arriving at The Orient is like arriving in a magical kingdom. Although a mere 45 minute drive from both Johannesburg and Pretoria, once you have entered the Moorish themed gates you may forget the hustle and bustle of the city and revel in the beautiful gardens, and the view out over the Francolin Conservancy which is an oasis of green and beautiful bird life too. The best description for both The Orient and Restaurant Mosaic itself is a ‘destination’. You would not wind up here by accident, but when you do arrive, your mind will be subsequently blown from arrival…
Although Liezel is technically not from Joburg, we kind of feel like she could be, she spends so much time here with us. What an amazing opportunity to catch up with the former MNet Idols Presenter, MC, Voice Over artist and television presenter, Liezel van der Westhuizen and find out more about this incredibly tall Capetonian beauty… Liezel, you have been in the public eye for a long time now – how did all of this come about for you? I started out as an announcer on the floor of a big retail store, and was approached by the progamming manager of Jacaranda to come for an audition. He happened to be shopping that day. What was your ‘big break’ – and in what way did it shape your future? As only the second woman in the world to present Idols, it launched my career, and showing young women in…
One of our fave Rosebank hotels, 54 on Bath have taken their fine-dining experience at Level Four restaurant (aptly named as it is on the 4th level of the hotel) to new heights with a fresh new summer inspired menu, thanks to Executive Chef, Matthew Foxon. We love that the team at Level Four give credit where credit is due, and share the names of the individual young chefs who have created the dishes as well. Delish starters on offer include a tasty Seared ‘Yellow Fin’ tuna, fresh raw peas, avocado mousse, wasabi powder, and pickles, which GM Jacques Heath says features “very cool plating”; the ‘Black Angus’ carpaccio, quail egg, pomegranate, truffle mayonnaise, and parmesan, which has a lovely combination of flavours with tartness of the pomegranate, the rich quail egg, and the umami of the truffle, which work extremely well together and was created by Maria Letsoalo, whose…
Welcome to The Marabi Club where superb food and drink blend together with the best in live jazz performances. Inspired by the penny-whistle Marabi clubs of the 1920’s which were formed in the wake of one of the world’s richest gold rushes, in Johannesburg. It was a lifestyle prompted by the need to escape the hardships of the working week and was defined by illegal shebeens, where fierce talk of politics was accompanied by the equally disruptive soundtrack of jazz. Today The Marabi Club is tucked into the basement of Hallmark House in Maboneng, under a hotel and is characterised literally by a hole in the wall, through which one steps in to a world of magic. Marabi is only open Wednesday to Saturday evenings until the early morning, and the experience is like nothing you have ever seen or experienced before. Order an incredibly potent ‘Skillachi” house cocktail and…
Moitheri Pheto arrives for our cover shoot with a presence, and it’s clear to see why this award-winning actress is so prolific, her passion and desire for projects that not only share a story but allow others a chance to shine is something that is critical to her. Terry first arrived on our screens in 2005 as the lead female role in the acclaimed Oscar-winning feature film Tsotsi and has since then worked tirelessly on a number of projects that share not only great stories, but also inspirational messages – with the promise of many more to come. We caught up with Terry to find out more about her… SM: Terry, what are you currently working on? TP: I am currently in production for my next feature film. I am really excited to share this with audiences as it is a co-production with a very talented local actor and producer…
Epicure is the restaurant name that is on everyone’s lips, and it’s no secret as to why. The Belgian-Burundian Chef has made a name for himself in the restaurant industry, and we were excited to pay him a visit. Located in Central Square in Morningside, Épicure is a unique blend of Pan-African chic and the unique menu features some creatively named dishes such as Taste of Tangier, Perfect Pepe, Hunters Reward, and the Rolex (a tasty beef curry wrap with a Ugandan twist.) Épicure in itself is an adventure from a décor perspective. Beautifully appointed booth’s and tables with low hanging woven grass lamps, beautiful blue suede fabric, and dark wood with leather chairs – its an interesting mix, but together the entire collection works so well together that to remove anything would be a travesty to the look and feel. The Afri-tapas menu (or Share-Share as it is called)…
It’s all about life in the city – as we know, so we caught up with uber talented actress, model, DJ and presenter, Thuli Phongolo to find out more about her favourite spots around the city… What is your favourite restaurant in Joburg? The Terrace at the Saxon Hotel… it’s absolutely stunning! Every time I go there I forget that I’m in Joburg. It has a sense of calm that you don’t usually gather from the city. I also love the fact that its private. It makes it easier to engage with your guests and relax. What is your favourite coffee spot in Joburg? I’ve recently fallen in love with Naked at Morningside. They have quite a variety of coffee with an exquisite taste. Its unlike any other coffee I’ve ever tasted, coffee is no longer the same without that Naked touch! What is your favourite hotel in Joburg? The Four Seasons, Westcliff… the view is to die for! It’s tranquil and…
As our beautiful Miss South Africa, Tamaryn Green, prepares to compete internationally in the Miss Universe competition (and hopefully follow in Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters footsteps), she took some time out to collaborate with the designers at Soviet Denim and create her very own denim jeans, also incorporating the 60th Miss SA jubilee celebrations feel to the denims, as well. Since 2015, our Miss South Africa ladies have been partnering with Soviet Denim to create their very own denims – Liesl, Ntando, Demi-Leigh and now Tamaryn get to wear their very own jeans with pride, and Tamaryn has personalised her denims with a stunning diamond shaped pocket plate on the back pocket of the jeans as well as a few other key elements. Tamaryn has kept that in mind the 60th Diamond Jubilee celebrations and together with the denim designers has brought the diamond element as well as the Miss South Africa…
After an incredible 30 years in the local decor industry, Lynn McAdam, and her company Block & Chisel has established a significant brand at the top end of South African retail and interior design. Her daughter Sue, and son Paul, are now sharing the reigns in this family owned and run business, Paul operationally runs it day to day and Sue heads up the look and feel of the shops. Block & Chisel have featured in many magazines, at trade shows and are a house hold name in South Africa. They have also opened up a flagship store in Illovo, and we caught up with Sue to find out more about this thriving decor business… Tell us about the idea behind Block and Chisel and how it developed in to the well known brand that it is today? My mum had been collecting antiques and hiding them under her bed…
The Lou Harvey brand has become synonymous with high quality, unique design & vibrant colors and has been selling like hotcakes for over 10 years now. Now selling around the globe (most recently in the USA), this sophisticated range is the realization of Lou’s desire to balance style and functionality for every woman at any lifestyle juncture: whether you are a new mom in need of a nappy/diaper bag, taking a trip to the beach, headed to the golf course or the gym or even catching a plane, Lou’s creations are designed to support your journey in the most practical and fashionable way. A mom herself, Lou keeps innovating with cool designs and colours that she loves. We recently caught up with Lou to find out more about this Durban-based entrepreneur… A stunning wallpaper collection, Lou, well done! Tell us about the inspiration behind the collection and the patterns? Thank…