Around the World in 80 Meals: Troyeville Hotel Review

I have recently joined a Meetup Group called “Gauteng Expats”. One of the events that are organised regularly is called “Around the World the World in 80 Meals”. The aim is to meet new people and discover new restaurants that are not your run-of-the-mill places. I'm going to do monthly posting on the places we visit, that way you, dear reader, are also inspired to explore our lovely city.

Last saturday we went slumming in Troyeville and trotted to the Troyeville Hotel. It really is in a dodgy part of town. I came via Joe Slovo Drive but next time I will come via Bruma. It might be a bit longer but it’s less dodgy.  The area might not be salubrious but the restaurant and bar were packed. I guess all the locals from Kensington know about this little gem.

The restaurant at the hotel served really good Portuguese and Mozambican food. The menu was not extensive, but what was served was really good and very reasonably priced. I had the L.M. Prawns. Nice big ones. The manager was welcoming and came to give us the specials and his recommendations, the waiters were friendly and efficient, the food came fast and was excellent.

All in all we had a great night. I met some nice new people and I’m looking forward to more Meetups.

Troyeville Hotel Address

25 Bezuidenhout Street Troyeville Johannesburg 2094 South Africa

Telephone: +27 11 402 7709 Fax: 086 509 4584

 

Out and About

A while back (I'm not sure how long ago, but some time ago, in a galaxy far far away etc...), someone was whingeing that it is better to live in a big European city because there is more to do and more culture. I clearly suspect that that someone probably spent all their time on their couch watching DSTV, scared of stepping outside in case someone tried to mugg/hijack/rape/kill (insert appropriate fear here) them.

I can definitely tell that there are many things to do in and around Jozi, as well as Durbs and Cape Town. Okay, perhaps not as much in the smaller towns, but that's the same overseas my dears. (Put even sleepy PE has it's share of goodies to do. Mastertons would be a definite place to see). Small towns are small towns. Since I started my bucket list year, I have done quite a few things on the list. I have been to 3 stage shows (Nutcracker on ice. Phantom of the Opera and Cabaret), I went to Madame Zingara, discovered new restaurants through my supper club, gone on a canopy tour, been to a medieval festival... 

Do you realise how much there is to do around here? We have a lot of art galleries. Yes they don't show the "big" names (as it costs a fortune to bring anything here, insurance etc), although Standard Wank to something occasionally, but we have many good South African Artists. We have museums, We have a million "organic" food markets and other markets, we have shows on everywhere, open gardens (went with mom last week to check out an aloe collection which was stunning!), parks, botanical gardens and more. You could troll all the brick-a-brack and antique stores, go to 44 Stanley ave, Parkhurst, Rosebank, Cyrilldene's China market, the Irene Market...

Every week I get a newsletter from the Maboneng Precinct. It's part of the re-upgrading of the CBD. On Sundays there is a food market, there is the bioscope which plays weird and wonderful movies, there are restaurants, art galleries, theatres, comedy nights and more. And it's dynamic and vibrant and you will always find something to do. 

There are books on what to do in Joburg. So much. It just takes getting off your lazy backside, taking a big girl pill and getting out there!

Admittedly, Jozi is not a scenic/pretty city, but it has a vibe. So the next person who tells me there is nothing to do here I will personally smack them over the head with the GREAT BIG BOOK OF OBVIOUS LAZYNESS! Kapish? No go on, after you finish reading this, take a shower, get dressed and go explore!

We can't really explore biggest darkest Africa (unless you're a mining company), so explore your concrete jungle. I promise you will find gems. I have.