Review: Greenside: Mama Themba’s v Vide e Caffe
Greenside is a fabulous Johannesburg suburb, there’s something so chilled, green and alluring about it but at the same time it keeps a low profile of sorts. Lets face it, as far as our pavement suburbs go, it lacks the grunge of Melville and Norwood, it doesn’t have the same consistent finesse (minus Jollies) of Parkhurst and you don’t get the village feel of Parkview. But is does have it’s own style. Vida e Caffe, is our latest most favourite coffee shop!… And the newly opened Mama Themba’s certainly adds a grungy feel. SJ reviewed the two Greenside restaurants for you right here. (Told you Editorista would be on the prowl…) Vida e Caffe Greenside was the first shop in the Vida Joburg clan, followed by Rosebank, Sandton and the newly opened Hyde Park. Vida lives the essence of ‘less is more’ with a brilliantly simple concept inspired by the flavours and textures of Portugal- it guarantees an overall pleasant, relaxed experience. We love the quirky touches like the dudes who sing a little song when you put a tip in the box “Obregado” (Sharpile in Portuguese) and the other little ditty they chant for when ladies arrive at the counter… “Ola Magents check out the ladies…” (something like that) – very flirty! You order from the counter, there’s a simple yet satisfying menu to choose from and you get to sit at “aesthetically appealing” table and chairs (for the design-minded)… and simply relax. If you’re lucky, there may even be a jazz performance from the very talented Marcus Wyatt or Carlo Mombelli and various supporting dishy musicians. Good taste. So good they were awarded a prize by the godfather of good taste, Wallpaper* Magazine for best coffee shop design or concept. We highly recommend JAZZ at VIDA in Greenside on Sunday mornings or at the Rosebank Vida (The Zone) on Saturday mornings. Click here to see our Youtube clip on Carlo Mombelli at the Vida in Rosebank on a Sat or watch the video at the end of this post. And… secret… if you go round closing time, which iis generally round 6pm, the staff hand out the remaining delicious and decadent muffins to all clientele – Mahala! And now onto Mama Themba’s…. eish. Well first of all, we thought we’d been teleported to the 80s when we walked past the colourful shopfront and busy pavement – it’s got an old, worn look and feels like it’s been there for years. But clearly it hasn’t been there for years as it wasn’t there last year. Apparently it used to be in Linden and recently relocated to Greenside. Well anyway, our experience wasn’t particularly pleasant but maybe we’re not the clientele they are after. First off, while we decided what we were going to have, we ordered still water and they...
More LOFTS in the Fashion District – Big ONES!
The other day a very streetwise and urban friend of mine was talking about the East end of Pritchard street, he was saying that it’s still “Mega dodgy” and “still too undeveloped for me.” Now for anyone with real city aspirations and a desire to live a city life, this is an open invitation to INVEST! The Fashion District on the East end is moving forward quickly with developers like Ae…ngus confidently at play and all the designers slowly gathering and moving their premises there. There are loads of renovations going on and with the Legal district right next door, it’s a fine address. We know it’s going to happen. We hope you have the vision to know that too. Yip, we’ve been shouting it out for the last year, everyone’s doing it and if you want to get in you better move. The more time we spend in the city we more we can confidently say “Watch this space!” You will eat your hats if you don’t. If you want SPACE and URBAN LOFT LIVING for real, you need to check out the latest in downtown Jozi loft development – the AUGUST HOUSE building in the Fashion District. 300m2 lofts at very affordable prices for RENT in a gorgeous original light industrial 1940’s building. Now that ROCKS! We are going to find out more about it for you but for now, click here and visit their site. As we always say when it comes to living in the city –...
We will be back!
