Join the Curry Club
Join the Curry ClubFinally... an unpretentious, yet upmarket curry house without the usual illusions of grandeur - no in-your-face silver service, no burgundy overlays and definitely not a tikka masala in sight. Instead, the Plantation Curry Club in Sandton`s Rivonia Road is a wonderful synthesis of African and Indian, and is in fact a tribute to the heritage and culture of South African Indians - whose forefathers were brought to Natal in 1860 to work on the sugar and tea plantations.The place is so authentic it boasts a homemade Durban masala, "imported" Durban chefs, and chicken and mutton sent up from Natal on a daily basis. (Apparently you don`t get mutton in Jo`burg, which, according to the very smooth and accommodating Sanjay Naidoo - owner of the restaurant - makes a far superior curry to lamb. The mutton curry is, he says, definitely the speciality.)The décor is a comfortable mix of trendy and African, with an emphasis on quality and style, and an enchanting atmosphere created by candles, lamps and water-features, which soothe the mind while senses are stimulated by a tempting array of local Indian dishes. "They are the kind of meals you will find in any South African Indian home," says Sanjay.The menu is intriguing - traditional favourites such as the acclaimed mutton curry, briyani, kebabs and samoosas; as well as a few "fresh from the Natal coast" fish curries, for example a prawn or crab offering. For the more adventurous, there is a Durban trotters curry; and of course a welcome variety of vegetarian dishes, from vegetable kebabs to bean curry. We ordered a tantalising thali, which allowed us to taste of a variety of different dishes and accompaniments.So, for an exotic, yet somewhat familiar taste experience, discover the Plantation Curry Club and enjoy a fresh African-Indian fusion of atmosphere and a good hearty plate of curry! Tel: 011 807 9306 Skinny Dip - Just the thing for summerPopular author Carl Hiaasen`s latest offering is the perfect lightweight summer read. Fast-paced and funny, Skinny Dip takes the reader to South Florida, where Joey Perrone`s no-good husband, Chaz, throws her overboard during a romantic cruise. She manages to survive, and while the police scour the ocean for her body, she holes up on an island plotting revenge. With the help of a former cop, some good friends and a motley crew of Chaz`s partners in fraud, Joey messes with Chaz`s mind, leading to a very satisfying conclusion. Carl Hiaasen at his inimitable best.Speaking freelyBy Arabella GlassSpeaking at the launch of his new book, The Free Diary of Albie Sachs, Sachs commented that he was unsure of his ability to write about happiness.His previous works, The Jail Diary of Albie Sachs and Soft Vengeance of a Freedom Fighter, have been the stark testaments of an anti-apartheid activist`s struggle in South Africa, and eventual exile.His new book outlines his travels in Europe with his partner, Vanessa September, and contains occasional lovely insights from her. The book is a charming window on the personalities of Sachs, September and friends and associates they encounter on their travels.Sachs need not fear, The Free Diary proves that, not only is he capable of writing about happiness, but that he does so very well.De Bernieres returnS to formBy Tim JonesBirds Without Wings begins in early 20th century Turkey. Notionally set a generation before Captain Corelli`s Mandolin, and placed not far from Cephalonia, the latest Louis de Bernieres opens in the small village of Anatolia, a melting pot of Greek Orthodox Christians and Turkish Muslims. A microcosm of the transition from the multi-ethnic Ottoman Empire to the homogenous Turkish republic, the village community is a weaving together of the lives of Greeks and Turks through moments of joy, adversity and national upheaval - and the betrayal that eventually cleaves them. This slow schism is eloquently described in the friendship of two shepherd boys, one Muslim, the other Christian.Birds Without Wings is a return to form for De Bernieres. That said, the ambitious, broad tapestry of characters and histories has an uneven, sewn-together feel, like a patchwork quilt of too many colours. Such a sprawling tableau leaves individual characters - no matter how piquant - overwhelmed by the relentless passing procession of people and stories.Take a hikeBy Arabella GlassWillie and Sandra Olivier have a great life. They tackle the great outdoors and write about it for a living. For those of us who can`t spend all our time climbing over, scrambling up or meandering through some of the finest landscapes our country has to offer, Hiking Trails of South Africa is the ideal book to help select the occasional weekend getaway.The book contains entries on over 300 hikes, from those for day-trippers to those for serious adventure seekers. All necessary information about permits, facilities available, and so on, is carefully categorised, along with a brief explanation of what each route entails. There are also sections on planning, catering and hiking ethics and safety. The full-colour plates instil an immediate desire to pack the backpack and head for the hills.
30 September 2004
Join the Curry Club
The place is so authentic it boasts a homemade Durban masala, "imported" Durban chefs, and chicken and mutton sent up from Natal on a daily basis. (Apparently you don`t get mutton in Jo`burg, which, according to the very smooth and accommodating Sanjay Naidoo - owner of the restaurant - makes a far superior curry to lamb. The mutton curry is, he says, definitely the speciality.)
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