Dish of the day

When the sun sets over Joburg and the jazz starts tapping out a rhythm, Darkie Café is the place to be. The most popular dinner spot in downtown Josie is also a favourite hangout of ANC party people.

DC’s manager, Wonder Zulu, is too discreet to drop names. Instead he shares the recipe of the DC’s signature dish: lamb shanks served over samp and beans.

Fry lamb shanks in a heavy pot. Add handfuls of cocktail onions, garlic and chopped carrots. Season with nutmeg, – who knew? – barbecue spice, and salt. Add stock, simmer for three hours, tie napkin around neck, and tuck in …

Afterwards, rejoice in the return of Woza Albert directed by Prince Lamla and featuring Mncedisi Shabangu and Hamilton Dlamini at the Market’s Barney Simon Theatre until April 22.

Then return to your designer apartment at the Ashanti Hotel for a good night’s sleep. It’s the hippest place to stay.

Telephone 11 492 0120/1 to book.

Face behind the place, Janice Southgate

Meet Janice Southgate, GM of Cape Town’s Icon Hotel, located at the foot of Long Street.  Janice speaks fluent German, which Icon’s Teutonic guests appreciate. With Long Street’s “hard party” reputation, Icon is the best place to crash after a night on the tiles at Chrome, a cosmopolitan club or The Purple Turtle if you prefer banging electronic tunes. There’s jazz at The Dubliner plus live music and comedy at the Zula Sound Bar.

Party animals book into Icon so they don’t have to miss a thing.

Next morning take in nearby Greenmarket Square, the mother city’s biggest flea market. Pick up cheap hand-painted fabrics and carved wooden salad bowls before lunching at one of the surrounding bistros.

Long Street is lined with pubs and restaurants but Janice loves the Food Lover’s Market best. Affectionately known as Fruit and Veg it offers a hot and cold buffet, bakery, pasta bar and popular sushi bar. Janice’s favourite dish here is the salami Panini (toasted). “It’s delicious and great value for money,” she says.

For business executives, Icon is a two-minute walk from the CTICC and a 15-minute stroll to the V&A Waterfront. Best of all, there’s a Myciti bus stop directly across from the hotel. “It’s Cape Town’s newest safe and affordable bus service,” says Janice.

To book telephone 021 421 4434

Named after the gold tinsel tail of the Critchley Hackle fishing fly, the gracious inn offers a sense of simpler times gone by. Guests can wield a supple rod in Critchley Hackle’s private stocked lake and soothe frazzled nerves with a bout of clay pigeon shooting, horse riding, mountain biking, a spa massage or a round of golf on a fiendish taxing Ernie-Els designed course.

It’s all within a 10km radius and just waiting to be explored. This is an ideal romantic hideway or a fun destination for the family as well.  The Critchley Hackle welcomes everyone.

To book, email reservations@urbanhiphotels.com or call 0861 226787

Says Valma Muirmont – owner of Muirmont – “the revitalised design embraces the hotel’s spirit and service ethic – which is always to go the extra mile.  I also wanted to create a look that was unusual; something unique to The Icon.  I believe the distinctive look and feel of the hotel’s interior does just that.  The design of the reception counter mirrors the shape of a ship – which adds the dimension of both the nautical and historical aspect to the hotel.

“What’s more, the materials used throughout are light and contemporary – reflecting the modern space that the hotel presents to its guests.”

“The clean uncluttered designer feel of the new reception zone reflects all the trigger elements that we have become known for at Urban Hip Hotels,” says Kobus Botha, MD of Urban Hip Hotels.

“The enlarged lounge space offers our guests a tranquil urban traffic node, space to relax and enjoy complimentary hot and cold beverages, informal meeting spaces, computer work stations and complimentary Wi-Fi  for those busy beavers that need to stay connected without having to leave the hotel,” continues Botha.

Botha says the group is delighted with the growth of business at The Icon despite tough economic conditions.  “We trust that both our existing and new clientele will enjoy the much improved interactive reception zone.”

WHAT’S IT LIKE?

WHERE IS IT?
Splice is located in Riviera, one of the leafy Northern suburbs of Johannesburg. It is conveniently located on Riviera road, and is close to the Riviera off ramp on the M1 highway.  Access to The Johannesburg CBD, Rosebank, Sandton and OR Tambo International Airport is a straight-forward affair. Shopping and entertainment are well-catered for in the surrounding area, with Killarney Mall located a few blocks away, and Rosebank Mall, the Zone@Rosebank and more within easy reach. An added bonus is the close proximity to the new Gautrain (rapid rail system) Rosebank Station that provides an easy link from Rosebank to Sandton, Pretoria and OR Tambo International Airport.

APARTMENT FACILITIES
Urban Hip Hotels manage 21 apartments within Splice, and offer guests a choice between luxury one, two and three bedroom units. All apartments are self-catering and are verywell equipped with plasma televisions, home-theatre systems, work areas with Wi-Fi Internet, designer furniture, a fully-equipped kitchen (complete with state-of-the-art kitchen equipment) and luxury bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms. We liked the bright, airy lounge and the attractive room furnishing. Room nights are sold per apartment, and not on a per person sharing basis, and this can significantly save on accommodation costs. Both short- and long-term guests are well catered for, with both daily and long stay-monthly rates available.

RESTAURANTS AND BARS
The apartment block has no less than two bars for guests and residents. The first is a coffee and juice bar located in the reception area that also serves a hot breakfast and hot day-time snacks; the second is a cocktail bar located next to the swimming pool on the North side of the building (the swimming pool itself is worth a mention, it is ultra-modern, and raised from the ground – the clear sides gave one the impression of swimming in a fish tank). With the plethora of shopping and entertainment facilities nearby, there is no shortage of top-notch grocery shops as well as dining options.

ADDITIONAL FACILITIES
There is a modern, well-equipped fitness centre located on the top floor of Splice. It features treadmills, rowing machines, stationary bicycles and free weights. There is also a beauty bar located near the swimming pool, for guests who need a little additional pampering.

MEETING AND BUSINESS FACILITIES
A small meeting rooms is available to guests.

VERDICT
A funky, modern building that is well-suited to business travelers who need to base themselves in Johannesburg for either a short or longer period of time, but who does not necessarily want to be cramped up in a small hotel room. The location is fantastic and the shopping and entertainment facilities in the area leave one spoilt for choice. The simple, painless on-line booking procedure is the cherry on an ultra-modern and chic cake.

CONTACT
Address: Corner of Corner of Riviera Road and Main Road, Killarney
Tel: +27(0)861 226 787 / +27 (0)11 646 7791
Web/Mobi-Site: www.urbanhiphotels.com

As reviewed in Business Traveller Africa Magazine

WHAT’S IT LIKE?
The Nicol is the flagship property of the Urban Hip Hotel management group, which is one of the first hotel groups to offer the concept of multi-use apartment hotels to South Africa. Guests are presented with hotel ‘rooms’ that are modern, fully-furnished, self-catering apartments. They provide ideal accommodation for the travelling professional who does not necessarily want to stay in a conventional hotel room, but rather somewhere that offers a stylish ‘home away from home, with high-end finishings and comfort. Online reservations are a breeze – a lot simpler than a conventional hotel – and there is the added bonus of a mobi site that busy travellers can access, to reserve rooms.

WHERE IS IT?
The Nicol is located in Bedfordview, in the east of Johannesburg. It’s in a convenient location to access the business hubs of Isando, Kempton Park, Sandton, the Johannesburg CBD and OR Tambo International Airport. Sandton and ORT are approximately 20 minutes drive away. The Nicol is visible from the N3 highway and is accessed via the Van Buuren off-ramp. The surrounding area is home to an impressive variety of up-market restaurants, bars, shops and entertainment.

APARTMENT FACILITIES
The Nicol has 59 apartments and they are a mix of studio, one, two and three-bedroom penthouse loft apartments. As they are self-catering, apartment sizes are generous, with the added bonus that room nights are sold by apartment and not by per person sharing. All the apartments are very well equipped with a fully-fitted kitchen (with the exception of the studio apartments, which have a coffee station and mini-bar instead), a separate work area with workstation and Wi-Fi Internet access, and a designer lounge (with plasma TV and satellite channels) and bedroom, with en-suite bathroom. A clean modern design and apartment-style layout ensured that we felt as much at home as possible. Kitchen equipment was state-of-the-art and of high quality, including a large double-door fridge/freezer combination, stove, dining room table and brand-name appliances. The bathroom had a large, generous bath, as well as his and hers wash basins. Secure undercover parking provided peace of mind, with regards our vehicle.

RESTAURANTS AND BARS
The hotel does have a coffee and snack bar leading from the reception area, which serves hot breakfasts, coffee and light snacks. Otherwise, the majority of the dining options are to be found in the surrounding areas. They include Tashas (boutique café), Pigalle (fine dining), Medium Rare (steak/chicken) and Primi Piatti (Italian). Further to that, Rhapsody’s and News café are popular bar options that also serve good food. If you choose to go the self-catering route, there is a Super Spar supermarket across the road and a Woolworths within walking distance.

ADDITIONAL FACILITIES
For those who need to work up a sweat, there is a modern fitness centre at The Nicol, equipped with treadmills, rowing machines, stationary bicycles and free weights. There is also a heated outdoor swimming pool near the reception area.

MEETING AND BUSINESS FACILITIES
There is a 140-seater auditorium, which is best suited to larger conferences and functions, and two smaller boardrooms, with Wi-Fi Internet access available in all public areas. The two boardrooms are ideal for smaller conferences or meetings, and all the venues are well equipped with the requisite audio-visual equipment.

VERDICT
A refreshing alternative to a conventional hotel, and one that is ideal for business travellers who have to base themselves in Johannesburg over a long period of time. The booking procedure is simple and the accommodation stylish, modern, comfortable and convenient.

CONTACT
Address: Corner of Nicol Road and Skeen  Boulevard, Bedfordview
Tel: +27 11 455 0549/2641
Web: www.urbanhiphotels.com 

As reviewed in Business Traveller Africa Magazine

Contemporary abstract artist Tay Dall accepted the invitation, and now has a new home for some of her exquisite and varied pieces from a collection that has been exhibited to great acclaim all over the world.

“Art is an extension of my life.  It is a tangible reference to my place in time.  My art is my life story as I have interpreted it” – Tay Dall

According to Dall, her creative travels began at the tender age of eight.  Since then, her creative output has evolved from the crayon scribbles in the pages of a drawing book, to what she says is her real inspiration – the empty walls of public spaces.

“When Urban Hip Hotels’ MD Kobus Botha, and Silver Synergy approached me to create an installation for the foyer of the hotel, I was totally over the moon.  What better challenge than to be given carte blanche to use the work I am so passionate about to converse with the beauty of the hotel’s interior.

“My approach was to divide the foyer into three areas, and to place different genres of my work within these.  My aim is simply to provide each visitor to the hotel with a journey of varietal expression, much like a modern art museum.”

Indeed, the works of Dall bring with them a desire to immerse oneself in their beauty, and begin a conversation on each piece.  Each composition brings with it an energy, and texture, enhancing The Icon’s uniquely conceived space.

Supporting the arts – www.urbanhiphotels.com and www.silversynergy.com

View some of Tay Dall’s art below:

The Awards include television, radio and print, communication design (including brand identity, architecture & interior design, package & publication design, motion graphic design), direct marketing, PR Communication, non-broadcast video, live events, sponsorship, digital communication and integrated campaigns.

And our Urban Hip team has firmly embraced the spirit of creativity and energy of the week ahead. We’re giving a weekend a away for two at our away a prize of two nights away for two at our ICON hotel.  Check out www.loerieawards.co.za for more details.

Watch the Cirque as you lose yourself in the glitter and sparkle, the glitz and the glamour of this inimitable experience. And, when you’ve sated your appetite, and laughed till you dropped, somersault off to the sumptuous Icon Hotel, where you can relive the magic of the evening in the comfort of your own room. Our beds will envelop you in their lavish comfort, and send you off to sleep in the wink of an eye.

www.madamezingara.com

This year, South African Tourism and Cape Town Tourism have strongly acknowledged the importance of the tourism business in assisting the growth and development of the fashion industry in SA. Fashion Tourism will be one of the key features of Fashion Week 2011.

And Cape Town’s ICON Hotel, clearly echoes the ethos and spirit of Fashion Tourism.  What better way to indulge your senses than to continue to immerse yourself in the beauty of the week than by making the ICON part of your vacation plans? The short-term furnished apartments feature cutting-edge interior design, and all the amenities of the modern home.  The hotel also offers ease of access to the city’s hot spots, and of course to the runways!