Monday, February 18, 2013

Johannesburg - To Do (Rosebankmall Roof Top Market, The FIRS, Sandton Square, Apartheid Museum)

Johannesburg - To Do
Johannesburg - To Eat

Rosebankmall Roof Top Market
The place is devised primarily into two sections.

One open everyday and the 

star the rooftop market only open on Sundays 9am-5pm.
The roof top market, only avail on Sundays is a friendly and much relaxed atmosphere. Vendors are more than willing to chat, share experiences and play the bargain game with you.  It offers a greater variety of African craft works, decorations, collectables, antiquities and even a section for foods,pastries and fresh juices.

Here are some of the many, many unique shops and some indicative prices of things found at this great market.

 *Pictured Left to Right
- Animal sculptures recycled from discarded flip flops. +R300
- Various animal photographic prints from the photographer himself who was manning his booth. Larger prints from +R600 and up and smaller A4 prints at about +R100.
- Aviation acrylic art works, with larger colored ones from +1200.
*Pictured from left to right top to bottom.*
- Wooden sculpture lighting (+R1500-1600)
- Etched and carved Giraffee bones (+R3000-4000), buffalo horns, hippo teeth and hogs tusks.
- Movie poster prints on wooden mount board approximately A4 size at R70 each.
- Ostrich Eggs with plain ones from +R120 and decoupaged ones at +R280

(Sunday markets still ongoing every weekend and it's well worth the visits)
Due to renovation works and pretty much a buy out by Woolworth's, the craft market has now shifted to a less favorable location.

However, the newer places offers a larger space for the retailers and they've gotten a wider spread of new and varied merchandise up for sale.
 
Located on the second floor of where Rosebank "Pick & Pay" is located.

ABBAtip: Visit only on Sunday, and definitely for the rooftop market primarily. The craft shops which are open all day, although vendors are friendly, they maybe pushy in getting you to view and browse their products, which quickly become repetitive.


The Zone @ Rosebank Mall
Rosebankmall, is a very short 5min walk away. It plays host to a small array of clothing and casual eateries. The mall does have spaces which seems yet to be moved in, but the shops that do exist offers beach wears, trendy fashion and a scattering of street eats and restaurants. 

Special Mention Shops at Rosebank Mall

Big Blue*GF05
 

Great for unique and quirky gifts: Like Bacon Soap, Noir (Black) Tissue Paper, Camera Lens Cups, Crazy Calculators that never give you the right answer and a few more.

PICK-AND-PAY
Over at Pick n Pay There is a fairly wide selection of wines there for pairing with meals and a bottle may be had for R30-R75 (about S$3-10).   
Crew can also get the meats here to bring back to Singapore, though on arrival, the hotel staff advised us against storing said produce in the hotel fridge. A cooler bag would be vital in such instances, with purchases made just before departure.
The FIRS

The FIRS Located right beside Rosebank mall, connected by shops and eateries, Tashas and Piza E Vino . Also a 5min walk from Rosebank Crowne Plaza Hotel.

It houses high end retails and fancy restaurants, like The Grill House, featuring Karan Beef cuts. It also has open spaces with music and water features that draws you into the space. Definitely worth an exploration and evening night out. 

Prices at The Grill house R120 and up to R250 for its largest steaks. Fishmonger, seafood dishes hovered about the R125 range.
Click here for ABBA Location of The FIRS
Click here for ABBA shop list of The FIRS
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Sandton Square/City a.k.a. 
Nelson Mandala Square
ABBATIP - Free Shuttle Service by Rosebank Crowne Plaza
2 service transports are provided daily to and fro Centon/Mandala Square
Drop of and Pick up point are the same.
Depart:1230 Return 1530hrs.
Depart: 1500hrs, return 1930hrs.
Reservations can be made at the front desk. Alternatively you can hire a car at approximately R150 per direction at your convenient timing.
A humungous shopping center with speciality shops, digital, home and cookware, interior design and much more. A walk round the first level of the megastructure takes approximately an hour to complete most of the alleys.
Click here for ABBA location of Nelson Mandala Square/Sandon Square/Sandon City
Click here for ABBA shop listing of Sandon City


Special Mention - Shops at Mandala Square

The Butcher Shop & Grill 

 www.thebutchershop.co.za
The butcher shop is one of the first steakhouse and  butcher shop all in one in this area. It sells 21day cured Karan Beef, various game meats, sausages, ribs, spices, biltong and much more.

Whats great here is that you get to sample the various biltong before making a purchase.
Some rough prices:
Karan Sirloin R/KG 115
*Karan Sirloin Cut Review: Cooked with their spice rub of cracked peppercorns, sea-salt and mustard seed. Very tender Sirloin, with fat melting away. Will definately return for more of the good stuff. Bought close to 3kg... gone in two days.*
Karan Oxtail R/KG 85
Fresh Beef Biltong R80/pack *A strong beefy flavor with a slight sour hint from the brine process. Microwaved its like cooked meat. Samples are available at the counter before commiting to buying.*
Click here for ABBA location of The Butcher Shop & Grill NelsonMandela Square S26'06'9" E28'02'48"
ABBATip: Keep beef chilled in Hotel Bar Fridge until checkout. Check in luggage at the airport for your departure. It will keep fine. You can wrap it in cloth or bring along a chiller bag. 

Rowland Ward

Sells African art works and souvenirs. The central table showcases beautiful dacoupaged and/or carved ostrich eggs which are displayed on beautiful pedestals of giraffe or horn pedistals
Ostricich eggs prices range from R200+ and up and depending on pedestals, which you may get for R50 and up.
Shop No.5 Nelson Mandela Square Sandton.
 
Geldhof-Chocolatier
A good range of chocolate flavor profiles, and gift packages.  The real kicker however are the chocolate shooter cups which go for R10.45 each. Some liqueur cocktails include  peppermint liqueur, Khalua, Amarula & Rum. Though the size of shooter cups, its contents insides aren't as much. Chocolate truffles go at about R3+ each.
Click here for ABBA Details on Geldhof-Chocolatier

Sharp Edge Sharp Shooter
 The name says it all. From Swiss Army Knives, to throw knives, battle swords and even axes. That covers most of the sharp edge, but the shooters is a whole new arsenal of crossbows, pallet guns and even blow pipes. Definitely worth a look.

Apartheid Museum

*Text and pictures contributed by Denison

On this occasion a bus was chartered from the hotel, 7 pax at ZAR400 either way (not including tips). The museum is about 30mins away and located just opposite the Gold Reef City Theme Park. So a day out could nicely include both attractions if one sets out early.

The museum details the colonial past of SA and racial segregation leading to the state-sanctioned system of apartheid. On display are some of the tools and weapons used, as well as extensive footage and material documenting the gradual opposition against apartheid. A disconcerting look at man's capacity for oppression, as well as inspiration for the possibility of change. Photography is not allowed in the museum.

Like Ang San Su Kyi, Nelson Mandela has personified the struggle for change in his country. Presently the museum also has a temporary exhibition on Mr Mandela, from his beginnings as the son of a chieftain, to his leading the ANC in the fight against apartheid to his election as SA's first black president.

Indonesia, Jakarta - To Eat

Jakarta Where Crew Stay
Jakarta - To Do
Jakarta - To EatJakarta - To Buy
 Bakso Lempangan Tembak Senayan
*Txt and Pictures Contributed By Denison
At the hotel main entrance, head to the right and out the guard post. Right goes towards the malls - head left instead and after the junction, cross to the opposite side of the road. There you will find a quaint little restaurant serving Indonesian food.
The menu displays the selections, but not the prices. On one occasion, a bowl of Bakso Spesial, Ayam Nasi Goreng, Mee Goreng Chicken Nugget, fried cumi, Satay Kambing, Avocado shake and 2 Tehs came to Rp185000. 

Always packed with locals providing credence to their authenticity (or perhaps the prices). The Bakso portions seemed a bit small and their fried stuff has a bit too much flour. Still, it is a convenient compromise between the hotel buffets or the more distant fare at the malls.
And for those who still partake, the restaurant allows smoking...

To Eat @ Hotel Mulia
The Cafe

Just taking a look at the breakfast spread, its more suited as a heavy brunch. Shashimi counters, dessert selections, hot stations and various cooked dishes overloads the senses. A strategy is definitely needed in sampling everything, especially for smaller eaters.

The decor and elegant ambiance, compliments and enhances the dining experiences in this large spaced diner. Art decor, a flowing mini-waterfall and coy pond frames this large dining space.

Breakfast Buffet till 1030hrs @ aproximately 180,000++rupiah. (aproxSGD24)
Lunch Buffet @ approximately 190,000++rupiah.(aproxSGD26)
Hotel Mulai - Table8
Table 8 cantonese (Szechuan chinese food) is reviewed by others to be the best amongst the other restaurants located in the basement of hotel Mulia.
Ambiance fantastic with high-end service. When asked for warm water, a heated glass bottled was served, and those who had ordered tea were treated to a show with traditional long spout Chinese tea pouring.
Ordered from A La Carte menu
- Peking duck, vegetarian substitute *pictured left
- Kung Pao fried Monkey head mushroom *pictured center - Good flavor, and texture.
- Foie Gras with crab meat fried rice *Pictured right*
 - Vegetarian Fried rice *not pictured*

Total: 300,000Rupiah with crew Discount. (Fed 2)
Also available at Table 8 is it's Buffet spread. Frying stations, fresh BBQ selections, various roasts and desserts, all for your pickings.
Pricing aproximately (210,000Rupiah ++per pax)
 
~behold the rotating ice-cream station~

To Eat @ Plaza Senayan
Remboelan
Ramboelan - Indonesian soul food was recommended by local staff for Arlarcarte dining.
Good soul food dining, however within their circular balcony dining, walkways are relatively tight. Try getting a booth for greater comfort. Remboelan located 4th Floor of Plaza Senayan 401A-401C
Click here for ABBA location of Plaza Senayan
Ordered:
*Pictured left to right.*
Tahu Telor Petis (Fried Bean Curd with bean sprouts,
carrots and sweet sauce) 35,000rupiah
*well fried and good balance of salt and sweet.
Nasi Goreng Kambing (lamb fried rice) 42,000rupiahGado Gado (Bean curd, peanut sauce and rice crispies) 28,000rupiah
ES Remboelan (Iced shaving dessert with avocado,
grass jelly, salsi seeds, condensed milk and sweet syrup) 27,000rupiah
Nasi Goreng Rambolean Vegetarian Fried Rice 42,000rupiah *not pictured*
Kelapa Degan (Coconut juice with rose syrup) 25,000rupiah *not pictured*
Kelapa Framboze (Coconut juice with brown sugar) 25,000rupiah *not pictured*
270,400rupiah Total. Served 2.

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Hong Kong - To Eat (Tim Ho Wan, Yung Kee, Tai Heng)

Tim Ho Wan
(1 Michelin star)

This unassuming location amongst the compact homes, houses the One Michelin star Dim Sum house, Tim Ho Wan
Located about 400m from Sham Shui Po Station/Prince Edward Station, is a must visit. Prices are extremely reasonable, and food definitely not to disappoint English menus are avaiable inside. 
Ordered:
*Star-ed Items are the seasonal items.
 Ordered:*Pictured top to bottom, left to rightChee Cheong Fun with Sweet Prawns
*Flour was delicately thin, and sauce the right sweetness.*
Egg Fried Spring Rolls
*Able to have crispy, flaky exterior, with steaming white egg inside.*
Lotus Glutinous Rice with Chicken, Chinese Pork Sausage and Mushroom *scooped out into bowl*

Siu Mai (pork/shrimp dumpling)
Har Kao (prawns dumpling)
Steamed Egg
Cake
*Light, fluffy sponge cake in essence.*
Fried Carrot Cake with Pork BitsChives Dumplings
*Again great delicate skin, and right amount of filling. A burst of flavor with every bite.*

Char Siew Pao (Fried Sweet Pork Bun)
*One word. Amazing. Sweet bun exterior, and sweet char siew fillings. Definitely must try!!*
Fried Noodles *not pictured*Hot Tea table side
---------------------------------------------------------
Fed very well 2
Total:HKG184

Overall, very good pricing, considering for Michelin Star dining. Food did not disappoint, with certain dishes that really lingered in the tastebuds. Longer queues were seen open departing at 1315hrs.
ABBATip:
- Hong
Kong Island branches are very packed. Up to 3hrs wait. Sham Shui Po branch is the one to go to with little to no queueing involved. Arrived at 12.30pm with about 6 groups ahead of us. Seated within 15mins. An early arrival is advisable.
- Nearest MRT stop is Sham Sui Po

Click here for ABBA location of G/F, 9-11 Fuk Wing Street, Sham Shui Po, Kln. Open 8:00am-10:00pm

Yung Kee Siu Choi Wong
(Michelin star recommended)
Located at Sham Shui Po, they are most famous for their roast pork and have had various celebrities frequent their restaurants. Yet to be reviewed. 
Tel: 23871051Business hours: 5pm-2am
ABBA Eats Near NIKKO Hotel
Late Night Eats Open Till Late. Aprox 1AM plus

Around the area, there are lots of high-end bistros, like Woolomooloo Steakhouse, which also has a chain in Singapore Raffles Shopping Center. Also at night, various pubs and local eateries are open for your patronage.
Click here for general ABBA area
Tai Heng
(Chain)
Tai Heng (Near Hotel Nikko)
Tai Heng is a chain roast joint, aimed at satisfying your duck, pork, chicken, goose roasts. needs. Located about 130m away from the hotel. Also around back are loads of local foods. Its very hard to go hungry over here.
Click here for ABBA directions to Walk to Tai Heng from Hotel Nikko

Click here for ABBA directions of Tai Heng Located in Causeway Bay near Hotel Park Lane 499 Jaffe Road
 Ordered
Goose
, Roast Pork and Combination dish
*not pictured*
and Milk Tea*not pictured*
There are various combinations you may choose from.
Viewed as Fatty goodness, guilty pleasure or heart stopping courses. Make your pick
Overall, decent prices and taste.
Approximately HKD188. Fed 2
Tai Heng (The Park Lane Hotel)


Ordered on 12Feb2015