NARINA TROGON

July 2010 Newsletter

VUUUUVUZELAA VUVUZELA VUVUZELA…..

From the bleating and blaring of the real thing, I now have the above refrain running around my brain to the tune of Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen. (‘Poor me, poor me’)

Amazing what the World Cup and its host country has done for the world. I was lucky to see the Ghana v Uruguay match at Soccer City. WOW WOW WOW was all I could think.

Soccer City glowed; its new form, based on a calabash – unique and utterly magnificent. The decorous crowds; the hoopla; the fraternal football fans; the Black Stars – honourable in an unjust defeat (don’t get me started) … PURE MAGIC

In London before 27 June, vuvuzelas blared too – even if only from television sound systems. The noise silenced only by the country-wide groan when England went out. SIGH.

Even as teams lose and return home, the world is watching. I love that South Africa is getting a chance to shine. VUUUUVUZELAAA…

All was quiet at Narina Trogon in June. Clearly the world and all of our Johannesburg patrons have been watching football – not dining out. SIGH.

We have gained a few new fans though. Ross, Paul and our wait staff enjoyed conversing with international guests. And, not just about football…they have exchanged pleasantries about the weather (freezing…who knew?); shared recipes and have swopped birding stories.

And, speaking of stories…hot off the press are two new guides to Johannesburg.

Inside Joburg by Nechama Brodie is a must read. I learned as much about Johannesburg from reading Inside Joburg as I did from living in Joburg for four years. For the cynics – or pragmatists - amongst you, yes, Narina did get a mention - a fine one in fact.

Nechama’s view that Narina ‘is the most attractive eating space in South Africa’ is such a rave review that I must blow our own vuuuuvuzelaa and congratulate Narina's design team: Charles van Breda, Nikola Daniels and Mariette Theron.

For fans of Mariette and Nikola, don’t miss their wonderfully eclectic monthly food and design article in Marie Claire. You won’t be disappointed.

Now, I must confess that Nechama did describe Narina’s food as ‘a little unpredictable – (although) ‘never unpleasant…’ While I personally am a great fan of unpredictability in many aspects of life, restaurant dining shouldn’t be one of them. We have taken Nechama’s comment to heart and hope to earn the description, predictable, going forward.

Also, out now is the Hip City Guide to Johannesburg. Another must read! The Hip City Guide highlights unsurprisingly – hip city places to eat (such as Narina Trogon…VUUUUVUZELAA…); to drink; to shop; to party; to sleep and more.

In addition, the editors encourage each of us to share our feedback (and insider knowledge) by going to their website www.hipcityguide.co.za . For those of you who are much hipper than me, there are also ways to access hip city info via your mobile phone, facebook, twitter, etc.

The Hip City Guide is on shelves now as well as included with this month’s Elle Magazine and Elle Decoration. More vuvuzelas please!

Johannesburg is our city; I’m thrilled that its’ many and wonderfully varied attractions are being revealed for all. Copies of Inside Joburg, The Hip City Guide and Marie Claire are in our bookshelf for your browsing pleasure.

While browsing, I recommend tucking into Paul’s carrot cake if not something more substantial such as R&P’s melt-in-your-mouth lamb shanks.

Also, I couldn’t be happier that Ross and Paul have put their yummy cream-filled doughnuts back on the counter. Once an American, always an American…..there is no more spoiling treat in my book than doughnuts. The book I have yet to write, that is.

Hip happenings in our neighbourhood….

DJ’s Charles Leonard and Marc Latilla ‘rocked around the block’ (from Narina) at Kitcheners Carvery last night. The suave DJ duo play a groovy mix of reggae, soul and all sorts at Kitcheners every so often. I can't say if they play Bill Halley though.

Hip hip hurrah!

Join them soon (and us as there is no better start to 'dancing the night away' - Cheap Trick this time - as having cocktails and dinner at Narina first). Call 011 339 6645 or email us This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it to book.

Tonight at CO-OP join Joburg’s art glitterati at the opening of a new exhibition, 'Greener on the Other Side' of collaborative posters by Kudzanai Chuirai and Dokter and Misses.

On Sunday from 7pm all are welcome to watch and celebrate the World Cup final in Braamfontein at Holy Trinity Church. This fundraiser promises fun, food and football festivities for all ages. Festive football dress is suggested.

Finally, festive football dress brings me to Lamunu…and my new passion for all things, ORANGE. Lamunu is an eye-catching hotel that opened three weeks ago in Braamfontein. It is located half a block east of Narina on De Korte Street.

Lamunu means, orange, in Sotho. And, so it is. Its’ imaginative décor celebrates the colour but also contemporary African design throughout its interior and exterior. Best, Lamunu’s vibrantly decorated piazza, The Grove, is a tour de force of urban planning. A must see!

Is ‘orange is the new black’ as fashionistas are wont to predict?

In my book, yes!

Johannesburg has Lamunu. I (and much of Narina's staff), now, support the Dutch team (admittedly after having cheered on South Africa, England, USA and Ghana). But most uniquely, I attended a performance days ago of Prokofiev’s opera, The Love for Three Oranges. I kid you not. Written 90 years ago, The Love for Three Oranges it is a strange, comedic, sinister tale AND in the final act, the corpulent protagonist wore an orange suit!

Go orange!

VUUUUVUZELA VUVUZELA VUVUZELA...

WHERE IN THE WORLD ARE WE?