Nov 22 - JHB North

JOBURG NORTHERN SUBURBS 

MEGAN 

WESSEL 

Vegan = decadence 

(yes, really!) 

PLUS 

Swimwear 

It’s your season to shine 

Coastal Grandmother 

It’s a way of life (no beach required) 

Tapas in the city 

We’re loving Bocodillo pop-up 

at Glenda’s in Hyde Park 

CELEBRATE 

JOBURG 

What’s hip, hot and 

happening in the 

City of Gold 

TURN UP 

THE HEAT 

Summer’s here ... and it’s steamy! 

SHOPPING, PEOPLE AND LIFESTYLE IN YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD 

NOVEMBER 22

CONTENTS 

BOOK CLUB 

04 Plenty of books, crisp wine and a pick-me-pick-me reader win 

GET IT 

Editorial 

Phone 010-971-3600 

Caxton House • 368 Jan Smuts Avenue 

Craighall, Joburg 

Instagram @get_it_joburg_north 

Facebook Get It Joburg North Magazine 

Website getitmagazine.co.za/ 

joburg-north 

National Group Editor & National Sales 

Kym Argo 

kyma@caxton.co.za 

Facebook and Instagram: 

Get It National Magazines 

Website: getitmagazine.co.za 

Workflow & Studio Manager Megan Brett 

Contributor: Lisa Witepski 

Joburg Hub Sales 

Norman Dawe 010-971-3601 

Distribution 010-971-3605 

Get It Joburg Northern Suburbs is 

distributed free of charge. For a full list of 

where it is available phone 010-971-3605 

Published by CTP Limited 

Competition rules 

The judges’ decision is final. Prizes cannot be 

transferred or redeemed for cash. Competitions 

are not open to the sponsors or Caxton 

employees or their families. Get It Magazine 

reserves the right to publish the names of 

winners, who will be contacted telephonically 

and need to collect their prizes from Caxton 

Northern branch within 10 days or they will be 

forfeited. Prizewinners’ names are published on 

our social media pages monthly. 

WISH LIST 

06 Style up Summer ... effortlessly 

SOCIALS & PEOPLE 

08 Sally Williams new Turkish treats called for a sunset celebration 

11 Golfing for a good cause (and there was gin!) 

12 Kate Whittaker puts a sustainable twist on style with Maven 

BEAUTY & FASHION & DECOR 

16 Step out feeling refreshed, renewed and smelling fabulous 

18 Stunning swimwear for glam pool parties 

20 The classic, timeless look and feel of the trending Coastal Grandmother 

FOOD & DRINK 

24 A bakery full of decadent vegan treats ... thank Megan Wessel 

26 Megan Meikle’s sweet talent behind the Marble Group’s decadent desserts 

28 Let’s eat outdoors and serve up simple meals 

30 Chill-out with cocktails, cookbooks, cheats and tasty tapas 

GARDENING 

32 Keep your garden looking blooming bright 

WHAT’S HOT RIGHT NOW IN JOBURG 

34 Discover and explore new spots in the buzzing city 

37 Celebrate the best Jozi has to offer 

TRAVEL 

48 Seaside luxury at the glorious Strandloper Ocean Boutique Hotel 

WIN 

05 A whooping R5000 Exclusive Books voucher 

06 A De Krans Premium P&T pack 

50 A selection of Italian aperitivo, bubbles and mixers 

COVER LOOK 

Personality: Megan Wessel 

Photographer: Nicole Moore. 

Details: nicolemoorephotography 

Location: Premier Hotel Quatermain. 

Details: premierhotels.co.za 

NOVEMBER 2022 

18 

November 22 Get It Magazine 03

Book club 

The best books, brilliant boxed wines and a pick-me-pick-me reader win! 

To save your child, you must open The Box. 

An ordinary family. But it’s falling apart. The father’s 

been accused of sexual assault, his house is being 

picketed, his son won’t talk to him, and now his 

daughter’s disappeared. Add to that, his DNA 

is found on the body of a young woman and 

a nationwide manhunt. Things aren’t looking 

good. Is he a sexual predator? Or the victim of a 

conspiracy? Dan Malakin says the answer’s in the 

box. Viper • There’s never been an Eve Dallas thriller 

we haven’t loved. Nora Roberts, writing as JD 

Robb, has set Desperation in Death in New York 

forty years in the future ... specifically in a place 

called the Pleasure Academy ... a living nightmare 

of a destination, where abducted young girls are 

trapped, trained, and then auctioned off to the 

highest bidder. It’s a little more disturbing than 

most of her books - child trafficking, with fairly 

explicit descriptions. Piatkus 

04 Get It Magazine November 22 

We’ve just come back from an island 

holiday, where we drank Pearly Bay 

every night, and it’s really lovely. So 

massive excitement when we found 

out that they’ve launched a generous 

3-litre box version. Easy drinking, 

value for money, environmentally 

friendly with sustainable packaging, 

and perfect for outdoor living and 

entertaining. A trio of delish options ... 

the crisp and refreshing Dry White (all 

tropical fruit), a fruity and fresh Smooth 

Red (with an abundance of berries) 

and a Sweet Rosé (hints of strawberries, 

luscious berries and fragrant rose 

petals). Around R129.99 a box from 

your local bottle stores. Details: 

Pearly Bay Wines on Facebook and 

@pearlybaywines_sa on Instagram.

If you knew how the love story finished, would you turn the first page? In 

Molly James’ Skip to the End, Anna knows, from the first moment she kisses 

someone, how the relationship will end. And there appears to be many, many 

unhappy endings. Until, at a wedding, she drunkenly kisses three men. And 

one ... he’s THE ONE! Small prob. She can’t remember which it is. Great fun ... a 

proper beach read for the upcoming hols. Quercus • Sticking with love. In Holly 

Williams’ brilliant debut, What Time is Love, a couple meet and fall in love in 

1947. And 1967. And 1987. And each time they meet, they’re 20. What, they 

need to ask themselves, is if they’ve met the right person, but at the wrong 

time. A wonderful love story, and a clever look at the changing world. Orion • 

Time to up the tension. Murder, it appears, hides behind closed doors. Now 

in a luxurious care home, an heiress of an immense family fortune knows 

about the horrors that happened in her family home. And when the body of 

a young girl - decomposed and obviously starved, is found on the grounds of 

the now derelict house, secrets are going to come to the surface. Not without 

dangers to all involved. Lynda La Plante’s Dark Rooms is the latest Tennison 

thriller. Zaffre • Kathy Reichs opens Cold Cold Bones with Dr Temperance 

Brennan finding a box on her porch ... inside is a fresh human eyeball with GPS 

coordinates etched into it. Well .. you know the rest’s going to be macabre 

and gripping ... particularly when Kathy’s daughter Katy disappears. It’s an upall-nighter! 

Simon and Schuster • Oh my ... and up all night you’ll be, too, with 

My Other Husband. Dorothy Koomson writes terrific psychological thrillers 

... in this one, a best-selling novelist turned successful scriptwriter is ditching 

everything, including her career and her husband, before her past catches up 

with her. But when it looks like she’s trying to be framed for murder, it appears 

she may have left it too late. Headline Review • Lisa Jewell doesn’t do sequels. 

But in the case of the fabulously creepy The Family Upstairs, readers begged 

to know ... what happened next? Hello The Family Remains, which kicks off 

completely unrelated, but then quickly ties in with the previous story - 30 years 

earlier - when three people are found dead in a kitchen, while upstairs a baby 

cries. If you haven’t read the first book do so, if you have ... you know you’re 

going to smash through this one. Century. 

Perfect gifts for fashionistas ... 

The Little Books of Paris Style by 

Alois Guinut and London Style by 

Karen Homer. Fashion stories of 

these iconic cities ... full of info about 

street style, icons and influencers, 

classic designers and so much more. 

From Coco Chanel to Mary Quant, 

Jean Paul Gaultier to Zandra Rhodes, 

they’re lovely illustrated guides to the 

brands, trends and people of these 

fashion capitals. Welbeck 

All these, and so many more 

terrific titles, available at 

Exclusive Books, voted Best 

Bookstore in the recent Best 

of Joburg Readers’ Choice 

Awards. And to celebrate, we’re 

giving away a R5000 Exclusive 

Books voucher. Head over to 

getitnationalmagazines on 

Instagram, find the post and you 

could have your 2022 holiday 

beach reads sorted! 

Compiled by: KYM ARGO 


Lyre’s non-alcoholic spirits 

has just launched here ... 

just in time for responsible 

Summer cocktails. And the 

variety of cocktails you can 

make is vast ... with flavours 

including Dry London Spirit (a 

gin alternative), Italian Spritz 

(an Amalfi Spritz), American 

Malt (a bourbon alternative) 

and Coffee Originale (perfect 

for an Espresso Martini). All 

made with natural flavours 

and extracts from fruits, 

botanicals, spices, nuts, seeds, 

and other natural sources, 

low in calories, vegan and 

with 100 per cent recyclable 

packaging. So all the boxes 

are tick, tick, ticked! Around 

R400 each from lyres.co.za 

Wish list 

Cool. Effortless. Stylish. 


Baked halloumi with lemon, 

wild thyme and honey. A salad 

with fennel, feta, orange and 

pistachio. Za’atar, paprika and 

garlic chicken. In 

Persiana Everyday, Sabrina 

Ghayour takes flavour to 

the max ... more than 100 

generous, inviting recipes, 

each more delish than the last. 

We’re making the rhubarb, 

rose and pistachio trifle pots 

on repeat! Aster, R620 from 

Exclusive Books 

An armful of Summer. We’re fairly obsessed with these 

bracelets ... all Czech and mirrored crystals, turquoise and 

lime howlite. From poolside during the day, to cocktails 

at sunset ... the more the beautiful merrier! From around 

R280 each from @lemonsandgrace on Instagram.

A P&T for Summer 

This Summer, we’ll be drinking portstyled 

drinks. Port-style? In Summer? 

Isn’t that a winter choice for old men? 

Nope ... not anymore. The new De 

Krans Premium P&T is a port-style 

and tonic cocktail, which puts all 

those old-fashioned ideas to shame. 

It’s a drink that tells the story of love 

and innovation. Love ... because the 

De Krans team do love their portstyle 

wines. And innovation ... to 

encourage the younger generation 

- those who love cocktails and readyto-drink 

beverages, to try port-style 

drinks. This sparkling, naturally sweet, 

premixed drink, with 6 per cent alcohol, 

boasts fresh flavours of passion fruit, 

pineapple, peaches and citrus, with 

the iconic and familiar bitterness of 

the tonic flavour on the aftertaste. It’s 

all natural flavourings, comes in a nifty 

275ml bottle and should be served 

super chilled. We love it (oh .. and those 

elderly port-style drinking chaps ... they 

will too!). You’ll find it in four-bottle 

carry packs and 24-bottle cases at your 

stores or from dekrans.co.za. We’re 

giving away a pack worth R840 ... pop 

over to @getitjoburgnorthmagazine 

on Facebook or Instagram and find the 

P&T post to enter. 

Hot on our lust list 

An ode to self-expression, this season is a salute to the 

energy of youth culture, 50s and 60s Americana and 

music. It’s all rock ’n roll attitude, signature styles, bold 

designs. And Scotch & Soda has got it just right! Think 

prints rooted in desert landscapes and road trips, with 

palm tees and cacti, bold colours and designs, in both 

the men and women’s ranges. Effortlessly cool and 

desirable. Details: scotchandsoda.co.za 



Lebo Mashigo, Refiloe Koenane 

Rebecca Badrodin, Cherise Roberts 

Fehmida Jordaan 

Sweet delight 

Sally Williams treated us to a delicious sunset afternoon 

celebration at the beautiful Beechwood Gardens. 

It was a picture-perfect picnic with loads of Turkish treats 

including some crafty cocktails and a cleverly flavour-infused 

menu. The real fun began when we got to taste their new 

range of Turkish Delights inspired by the sunset ... flavours 

of lemon, orange, rose and cherry. You can try them all by 

grabbing yourself a box of the new Sally William Celebrate 

Assorted Turkish Delight box. R50 from your local SW stockist. 

Details: sallywilliamsfinefoods.com 

Michelle van Zyl, Salu Ncala, Sapna Naran 

Nthabiseng Mathole 

08 Get It Magazine November 22

Thobi Mthembu 

Renate Engelbrecht 

Melanie Bala 

Michal Naidoo 

Eddy Hlophe 

Bianca Spinner 


@nicolemoorephotography

Hugh Bladen, Dejané Poil, Johnny Burger 

Catherine Mc Pherson, Frank Mullen 

Nicole Gouws, Fiona Germenis, Kayleigh Johnston 

Sean Strever, Paul Smith, Len de Atouguia 

Gin, golf 

& giveback 

Eagle Hunters Charity Golf Day is a recurring 

social affair driven by charity, where old and new 

friends get together and have a swing on the 

greens in aid of giving back to people in need. 

Players were welcomed with G&Ts at the Caxton 

Local Media craft gin bar and were set for a great 

game of golf at the Blue Valley Golf Estate. 

George Enslin, Lizaan de Jongh, Adriaan Smit, Ishant Sukdeo 


Make mine 

MAVEN 

Kate Whittaker is putting a sustainable twist on style with Maven, 

a curated collection of second hand clothing. 

Text: LISA WITEPSKI. Photo: MEGAN BRETT. 


Remember when second hand 

meant slightly scuffy, and thrifting 

carried with it the suggestion of 

sifting through piles of clothes 

possibly still carrying the whiff of 

mothballs? Not anymore. Browse 

Maven’s website, and you’ll be struck 

by covetous longing for the array of 

designer dresses, vintage coats and 

simply gorgeous accessories – all 

at prices that feel more sensible 

than splurge. 

That’s one of the reasons Maven has collected a sizeable 

base of fashionista fans, Kate says. “We call them Mavenites, 

and before I joined the company, I was definitely one of 

the most eager!” she laughs, explaining that her decision to 

become a member of the company started by Teri MacDuff 

and Jane McNamara three years ago in Cape Town came 

about after she closed the marketing consultancy she had 

run for 10 years. 

This is, in fact, Kate’s second foray into fashion. After 

completing her BCom at Stellenbosch – a degree 

she chose “because although I really wanted to study 

mechanical engineering, I’d be on a different campus to 

where the main varsity life was happening” – she took a job 

as a fashion assistant at Marie Claire. It was a slow burn love 

affair, Kate says: “It wasn’t something I took to immediately, 

but I eventually came to love the glamour of fashion. I 

remember driving to shoots with clothes that cost more 

than my car!” The progression to writing for the magazine 

was a natural one, followed by a diversion into design – a 

skill which Kate put to use at several advertising agencies in 

the UK, then Canada and Saudi Arabia before she returned 

to South Africa. 

Her entry into Maven was something of a serendipity: “Teri 

and Jane had established a following in Cape Town, but 

were looking to create a base in Joburg. Meanwhile, I had 

been wanting to exit the marketing industry for some time 

– I was looking for something more meaningful.” 

Maven, with its strong accent on sustainability, certainly 

offered that; after all, it’s a sad fact that those must-have 

jeans or the season’s new look jacket exerts a heavy toll 

on the environment. “I think that’s one of the reasons 

thrifting is currently enjoying a moment,” Kate muses. 

“We’ve become so aware of how everything we do adds to 

our footprint, and buying second hand is one way we can 

make a difference.” Of course, she adds, cost also is a big 

factor – and part of the thrill of thrifting. Getting a fabulous 

item at a great price makes it feel as though you’ve cheated 

the system. And, because you’re spending less, you have 

more leeway to experiment. “That’s what I personally love 

about buying second hand. You’re more willing to take 

chances, because you’re not shelling out as much as you 

would in a shop – so you’ll maybe try a colour or a cut you 

wouldn’t go for. That helps you develop your own style and 

build a more eclectic wardrobe.” 

Given those advantages, it’s not surprising Kate managed 

to build an enthusiastic crowd of Mavenites within mere 

months. “I was also lucky to rely on community support 

when I hosted our launch pop up in March this year, 

which was extremely well attended. Joburg is my hood – I 

was born and bred here – so I had a wide network to call 

upon. And this place is really like a village within a city – 

we like propping each other up, especially when it comes 

to new ventures.” 

Since then, a new clutch of fans has been born out of 

Maven’s reputation for being selective. Kate explains that 

although the team are always keen to buy new stock from 

people who are tired of what’s hanging in their wardrobe, 

they’re extremely choosy. “Quality comes first for us – we 

need to know that the pieces we choose are going to last. 

We also pay attention to sizes, so that we can offer a range. 

And when it comes to style – we’re lucky to have three 

people on board, so the items we choose are a reflection of 

our different tastes.” 

The diverse nature of the collection is one of the reasons 

Mavenites keep coming back, she believes. “When you’re 

buying second hand, it’s almost as if you and the piece ‘find 

each other’. It’s so much more fun than walking into a shop 

where everything is on display. Plus, there’s always a bit of a 

story behind what you buy – especially if it’s a handmade or 

vintage treasure.” 

Kate says that the team is focused on becoming known 

as the Superbalist of second hand. “Although we have a 

dedicated store in Cape Town and hold pop ups in Joburg, 

we’re so proud of our online shopping experience – you 

can filter by product type, size, colour, brand and even 

fabric, and you’ll get your piece within three to five days, 

no matter where you are in the country,” Kate says, adding 

that a large part of her time is dedicated to ensuring this is 

seamlessness. 

We have to agree – it’s fashion at its finest! 

Kate’s guide to thrifting 

“The very best piece of advice I could give is: buy it if you 

love it! Because it’s second hand, you’re not going to find it 

again – so even if it’s something mad, like a PVC raincoat, if 

it brings you joy, you should take it home,” Kate says. 

That said, it’s always important to check the piece 

thoroughly before you pay. A reputable thrift store will 

already have done this for you, but it never hurts to run 

your eye over seams and buttons, just in case. “And check 

for quality of fabric. That’s our biggest criterion ... thrifting is 

really about finding a bargain, but if you’re paying for 

something that’s not going to last, you’re not actually 

getting that bargain.” Details: Mavencollection.co.za 


Instant hydration. Two best words ever. 

And it’s what this new Filorga Hydra- 

Hyal Hydrating Plumping Serum 

promises ... and delivers! With five 

hyaluronic acids, it hydrates, smooths 

and plumps at a much deeper level than 

previous products, acts at all levels of 

the skin, creates a long-lasting, youthenhancing 

effect, and significantly 

boosts your complexion’s radiance. 

And with the brand’s patented NCEF 

formula, it helps create a smoother, 

more translucent skin. Suitable for all 

skin types, you’ll see all day hydration 

after just one application, after a week 

most women found their skin looked 

fresher and revitalised and more radiant, 

and after 28 days, their skin texture was 

smoother. R835 ... for a full list of stockists 

visit filorgasouthafrica.co.za 

Summer just 

got a whole 

lot more 

beautiful 

Tiny capsules. Massive results. Cantabria Labs Endocare 

Expert Drops promise science and performance in every 

drop! This new range combines day and night protocols 

specific for different skin needs ... so you can choose 

between the firmness and the dehydration set. The 

innovative dropper format allows a precise dose application, 

maximizes product optimisation and a simple and intuitive 

way of use as part of your daily routine. The serum has a 

fluid texture, is quickly absorbed, without oily texture and 

has a gorgeous velvety finish. (Hint: it can also be used as 

an excellent make-up base.) R735.37 for each pack, visit 

endocaresa.co.za/store-location to find your nearest stockist. 

Glowing, healthy skin within a few weeks. And it only takes a couple of 

minutes a day to achieve. Count us in! Izumi Forasté Onuma grew up 

in Spain, but spent all her holidays with her maternal grandparents in 

Japan ... a couple who followed disciplined routines. Once a little older, 

she and her sister spent hours exploring the make-up departments of 

Japanese stores, convinced it was the cosmetics that gave Japanese 

women such glorious skin. Later, she realised the rigorous routines most 

Japanese women follow when looking after their skin was actually what 

made all the difference. In Face Yoga, she shares 40 facial yoga exercises 

... a combination of exercises and massage techniques, which each work 

different areas of the face to enhance your skin’s overall firmness and 

luminosity. Face yoga, she says, reduces puffiness of the face, combats 

sagging, eliminates bags and dark circles as well as jowls, lifts the eyelids 

and opens up the eyes, reduces and prevents wrinkles and provides 

greater firmness. It also raises the corners of your mouth ... instant 

expression enhancement! With step-by-step images, and plenty of tips 

and advice, it’s a wonderful book to help you achieve softer, brighter 

skin. Hardie Grant Books, R310 


His and hers ... if you’re a matchy-matchy couple, you’ll 

love this new Abercrombie & Fitch duo. Authentic 

Woman is a slightly sweet, utterly gorgeous fragrance 

(think mandarin orange and rhubarb, rose and 

jasmine, cedarwood and patchouli) while 

Authentic Man has notes of apple and bergamot, 

cypress and cinnamon, neroli, amberwood and 

vanilla. R995 and R1245 at Dis-Chem. 

Masculine 

... with sleek 

notes of Italian 

bergamot and 

green apple 

intertwined 

with black 

pepper, Dunhill 

Driven Eau 

de Toilette is a 

distinctive and 

stylish signature 

scent ... exactly 

what you’d 

expect from 

this brand. R899 

from Clicks. 

Shine again 

with the new 

launch Women’s 

Secret Intimate 

Daydream. 

Sophisticated, 

sensual and 

feminine, with a 

touch of fantasy 

and dreams, is 

the promise. R599 

from Foschini. 

Friendship. Adventure. And the optimism of 

a road trip along the coast. Coach Open Road 

is a new fragrance for men which opens with 

crisp, refreshing top notes of juicy red apple 

and sparkling lemon Primofiore, followed by a 

vibrant blend of lavender and clary sage, and 

then patchouli, vetiver and the woody softness 

of cedarwood. You’ll find it at Dis-Chem, Clicks, 

Woolworths, Foschini and Edgars, from R930. 



Editor’s Choice ... 

IT’S YOUR 

SEASON... 

... to shine! Stunning swimwear 

from Edgars to show off in ... 

poolside parties never 

looked this good! 

We are obsessed with this ... 

how gloriously beautiful is this 

poolside outfit. Perfect to wear for 

a cocktail party as the sun goes 

down. R299.95. Pair with a straw 

bucket hat, R129.95. 


Hit the Edgars beauty counters for hot 

Summer shades for eyes, cheeks, nails. 

Swimwear to suit every need ... ... from long sleeve 

one pieces to frilly bikinis to high waisted bottoms 

(three cheers for this trend!). Gorgeous cover ups, too. 

Affordably priced from R129.95. All from Edgars. 


Coastal 

The classic, 100 per cent 

linen, relaxed fit shirt 

dress, with cropped 

sleeves, side pockets, 

mother-of-pearl 

buttons. R1199 from 

sweetpeas.co.za (in fact, 

if you visit Sweetpeas, 

there’s very little that 

doesn’t suit the look). 

grandmother 

It’s not just fashion ... 

rather a way of life 

So what is it ... this Coastal Grandmother way of life 

that’s sweeping across the world? If you’re not one of 

the million-plus who’ve spotted the trend, started by 

TikToker Lex Nicoleta, here’s the lowdown. 

Firstly, and massively important, you don’t need to be 

a grandmother. Nor do you need to live on the coast. 

Rather, it’s a way of life, a classic, timeless look that’s 

stylish and comfy and effortless. 

It’s ageless, so think Dianne Keaton in Something’s Got 

To Give (in fact, watch Nancy Meyer’s The Parent Trap 

and It’s Complicated, too, for inspiration), but then know 

it’s also the younger Anne Hathaway, who posted a 

photo of herself in a casual but classic white and offwhite 

outfit, complete with bucket hat, saying “I have 

been ready for #coastalgrandmother chic since before 

TikTok was born. May this moment never end.” 

It’s all muted colours - white with egg-shell and ivory 

and milk, gentle seaside-blue and seaweed-green, in 

soft fabrics - linen, pure cotton, cashmere. 

Wardrobe essentials are oversized button-down shirts, 

chinos and drawstring palazzo pants, flowing, easy-towear 

maxi dresses, bucket hats and espadrilles. 

But it’s not all about the wardrobe. Coastal 

Grandmothers is also about the way you live. 

It’s gardening, and growing your own herbs. It’s 

hydrangeas. It’s long leisurely walks - on the beach if 

you’re there, or in the park. It’s shopping at the local 

farmers market, and entertaining at big, long outdoor 

tables with rattan placemats and pure linen napkins, 

oversized glasses of wine and a meal from one of Ina 

Gartan’s Barefoot Contessa cookbooks ... think truffled 

mac and cheese, or lobster pot pie, or fresh fig and 

ricotta cake. And there’s always - always - a bowl of 

fresh lemons on the table. 

There’s even a Spotify Coastal Grandmother playlist by 

lexnicoleta ... all Marvin Gaye followed by Gladys Knight 

and the Pips, Four Tops and Norah Jones, John Legend 

and Steve Tyrell ... and you’ll definitely hear Elton’s 

Bennie and the Jets and Natalie Cole’s This Will Be. 

Luxurious, laid back, comfortable, generous ... it’s 

dressing, decorating and living your best life. 

And if you haven’t already embraced it, this Summer’s 

the perfect time to start. 


Wardrobe essentials 

A floaty, loose, tiered dress for days spent in 

the sun and dusks on the patio. This Lola maxi 

linen dress has adjustable shoulder tie straps, is 

soft linen and has side pockets (we’re suckers 

for pockets!). R1199 from sweetpeas.co.za • 

Another strappy day-to-cocktails option in 

the colour of sun-dried seaweed. R299 from 

picknpayclothing.co.za • Classic, organicallygrown 

white linen palazzo pants, R1499, a 

raffia bucket hat, R799, and espadrdille slipon 

loafers, R499, from woolworths.co.za • And 

a casual woven maize leaf tote, big enough 

for shopping at the local farmers market. 

R450 from takealot.com 



Hydrangeas. Everywhere! 

It’s a life-at-the-beach vibe ... 

even if you don’t live at the ocean 

While Coastal Grandmother’s a newish phrase, the actual trend 

has been around for decades. It’s really old-style, seaside-chic ... 

natural, understated, slightly rustic but always elegant ... think 

white walls and slipcover sofas in pale shades of the beach and 

the ocean, open plan kitchens with open shelves showing off 

your wonky platters. There are cable knit throws on the chairs 

and flowers from the garden plonked casually in jugs or vases, 

loads of natural light and open windows and almost-sheer 

gauzy curtains. It’s all books - coffee table and beach reads, and 

scented candles - lit every night and not just on occasion. Oh. 

And it’s stripes. Ticking never looked more at home. 

Sinawo woven placemats, linen napkins, simple 

tableware ... the perfect Coastal Grandmother setting. 

All from Woolworths. 

Dulux’s Colour of the Year for 2023 is Wild Wonder ... inspired by nature 

and chosen after looking at the insights from international design 

experts, who share their thoughts about where the world is heading. 

The earth, they say, is the source of everything, bringing us solace, 

inspiration and a myriad of blueprints for living. And each of the four 

2023 stories - Lush, Buzz, Raw and Flow colours help you capture the 

magic of nature and bring it into your home. Wild Wonder is used here 

with Ghost Grey and Silver Trophy .... the exact shades of the sky above 

and the sea on an overcast day. Details: dulux.co.za 

This SknLogic Body Candle 

with Figs is a double-value buy 

... use as a candle and then use 

the melted wax as massage oil 

or body moisturising oil. 

R320 from sknlogic.com 

22 Get It Magazine November 22

Decor essentials 

Entertaining big parties of family and friends 

calls for oversized, preferably wonky, platters. 

This one works as a centrepiece when not 

being used for pastas and salads at your dinner 

gatherings. From R1490. • Thick rattan wine 

basket for eight bottles of your favourite wine. 

R1890. • And for sandy feet, a Madwa beach and 

sand brush ... small traditional brushes which are 

perfect for getting rid of sand after the beach. 

They can also be grouped together to create 

a decorative accent in a small basket. R380, all 

from bespokehome.co.za. • A bowl (preferably 

a market find ... so hunt around for a gorgeous 

rustic textured bowl or platter) of lemons - nonnegotiable 

in the Coastal Grandmother’s home. 

Fluidity Reactive dinner and side plates 

and bowls in the colours of the ocean, 

from R119 to R149, from Woolworths. 


No butter. 

No eggs. 

No problem! 

The word ‘vegan’ isn’t usually synonymous 

with decadence and indulgence – unless 

you’re munching one of the creations 

fresh out the oven from Megan Wessel’s 

vegan bakery, Gypsy Kitchen. 

What do you do if you can’t find the tasty treats you’re 

hankering for? If you’re Megan, you’re start making 

them yourself. 

Megan is the first to admit that she never expected to find 

herself running a bakery. After all, the kitchen is pretty far 

from the swimming pool, where she had spent 12 years 

teaching kids to swim – and, before she started baking her 

vegan goodies, she didn’t even know how to cook rice. 

The turning point came when she started experiencing 

severe health issues, which continued for three years. 

She eventually ended up having emergency surgery to 

correct a sliding hiatus hernia, and was forced to rethink 

her diet to aid her recovery. “It wasn’t easy,” she says. “My 

family’s love language is food – we’re all about the big 

celebrations over a laden table.” It was over one of those 

tables that Megan first had an inkling that it might be 

meat that was making her ill. Her father, a committed braai 

master, had fired up the coals – and instead of loving the 

feast, Megan found herself back at hospital to find out 

why she had relapsed. 

When tests revealed that she was perfectly healthy (at 

least in theory), Megan decided to start a food diary, 

recording everything she ate and noting how she felt 

afterwards. It soon became clear that her body preferred 

fruit and veg, and although she still ate chicken and fish 

from time to time, she quit white meat too after a dodgy 

restaurant experience. 

Avoiding meat didn’t mean giving up sugar, though, 

especially since the man she was dating at the time (now 

her husband), Chef, was a trained French chef with a 

decidedly sweet tooth. “After he asked me to bake him 

cookies, I started baking with his daughter every Sunday,” 

Megan recalls. 

The results weren’t too impressive – “terrible” is how she 

describes them – but with ongoing practice, they got 

better and better. So good, in fact, that after her boyfriend 

brought some cookies for the people attending his mixed 

martial arts gym to sample, Megan received a number 

of orders. Soon after, she found herself trying to fill those 

orders in between swimming lessons, morning and 

evening. “It’s family tradition that we all club together 

to gift each other a Kenwood mixer, and although I had 

never used it before, it swiftly became my most frequently 

used piece of equipment,” she recalls. 

It was Chef who suggested she start taking her baking 

more seriously. “At the time, there really weren’t many 

vegan options available for people who wanted a little 

indulgence – and we thought, if we’re struggling to find 

treats we like, there must be other people looking for 

these products, too.” 

Given the scarce resources, it wasn’t easy to start baking 

on a larger scale. Everything had to be made from scratch, 

because the ingredients that are part and parcel of baked 

goods – simple buttercream, for example – weren’t readily 

available. It took a lot of trial and error, but finally Megan 

came up with products she felt proud of. 

Although her new business was thriving, Megan hadn’t 

yet given up on her swimming school – and then, 

Chef told her that the manager of the café at his gym 

was leaving, and that he thought she should take the 

plunge, leave the pool and become a full-time baker. “I 

was terrified,” she admits. “I knew nothing about running 

a bakery – I didn’t even know how to cost my items.” It 

didn’t help that the restaurant wasn’t equipped as a 

bakery – there wasn’t even proper drainage, so Megan 

had to use a bucket which had to be pushed outside 

to be emptied, every day. Plus, it turned out that all the 

vegan recipes she was able to source from overseas 

needed a lot of tweaking to make them work in the South 

African environment, where humidity and even oven 

temperatures are different. “On one particularly horrible 

occasion, I walked into the kitchen to find that the unicorn 

cake someone had ordered for their daughter’s party had 

completely melted due to the humidity – and she was 

about to collect it in 10 minutes.” 

Not that she allowed this to deter her: she saw the 

challenges as an opportunity to push herself. She kept 

persevering, until she was satisfied that she had mastered 

some truly irresistible bakes. “It took us two years to 

perfect our croissants and three years to get the macarons 

right, but it was worth it.” Knowing that she was not alone 

in her quest for vegan delights was all the motivation 

she needed to keep pushing, Megan says. Perhaps more 

than this, she was inspired by the knowledge that she was 

helping people: “Veganism isn’t just about the diet. It’s a 

whole lifestyle that’s geared to making you feel better, 


and because of that, it helps people who have a range of 

food allergies. When a mom tells me that her child wasn’t 

able to have a birthday cake before she found my bakery 

because of her allergies, it all becomes worthwhile.” 

Veganism has grown tremendously since the Gypsy 

Kitchen first opened its doors five years ago, giving 

Megan more scope to grow the business. She loves 

helping people progress along their vegan journey with 

workshops, and hopes to one day open her own vegan 

culinary school along with a second franchise. In the 

meantime, she has started a vegan consulting company. 

“I truly believe that the time has come to give vegans 

options beyond a veggie platter when they go out to eat! 

We all deserve better.” 

Megan’s tips for going vegan 

Giving up all animal products all at once can feel very 

daunting – which is why Megan recommends the ‘1% 

rule’. “Every week, do something small to change your 

habits. Try swapping out dairy for nut milk in your coffee, 

or find a recipe that’s not too intimidating to make for 

Meat-free Monday. The change may seem difficult at first, 

but once you start to feel the difference in your wellbeing, 

it becomes much easier to keep up.” 

November 22 Get It Magazine 25 

Text: Lisa Witepski. • Photographer: NICOLE MOORE. Details: nicolemoorephotography.co.za 

• Location: pReMieR HOteL QUateRMaiN. Details: premierhotels.co.za

The sweetest thing 

Blame Megan Meikle when you’re next at Marble, Zioux, Saint or The Pantry 

and your will power deserts you. She’s the brains, skill and sweet, sweet talent 

behind the Marble Group’s decadent desserts. 

Text: LISA WITEPSKI. Photo: THE MARBLE GROUP. 

Megan shares 

Zioux’s Malt Churros 

recipe with us for you to 

try at home. You will find the 

recipe on our website at 

getitmagazine.co.za/ 

joburg-north 

Other people may regret feeling 

the cold easily, but not Megan. “It’s 

definitely an advantage to run cold 

when you’re working with butter 

and chocolate all day,” she laughs. 

You could say that Megan 

discovered the benefits of having 

frosty fingers serendipitously. “I 

never considered cooking as a 

career while I was growing up. In 

fact, I wasn’t into food at all, not 

even eating it! I was more focused 

on art and design.” 

That all changed when her uncle 

invited her to spend some time at 

his chef’s school, and she came to 

see cooking as another art form. 

The love of pastry set in some time 

later, after Megan had joined in 

several cheffing competitions with 

Team South Africa, the Springboks 

of the culinary world. “I had joined 

the team as a kitchen chef, but 

they really needed a pastry chef. At 

first, I wasn’t keen, but they insisted 

– and once I’d tried working with 

pastry, I never looked back!” 

What’s fascinating about 

pastry, she says, is that it 

comes out of nothing: 

it’s not like a recipe for, 

say, a pasta dish, where 

you can imagine 

what the ingredients 

will taste like when 

they’re cooked 

together, based on 

their individual flavours. 

Pastry ingredients can 

be processed in so many 

different ways, always creating 

a different result, and this makes 

it possible to push the limits of 

your creativity. 


Megan first applied her skills to television sets rather than the kitchen, 

working as part of MasterChef’s culinary team, responsible for sourcing 

ingredients for contestants’ dishes and testing out their recipes, then 

joining the art department, before she was poached to dress the sets on 

KykNET’s Kokkedoor. 

She left the TV industry for what she thought would be a six-month stint at 

the Food and Beverage Institute, but which turned out to be a formative 

period that really helped her understand pastry as an art form. Then, 

during a holiday to Cape Town, she learnt that Chef Luke Dale-Roberts 

was looking for chefs to work in his Shortmarket Club – and, on a whim, 

decided to apply. “To tell the truth, I was horribly intimidated by the whole 

Cape Town cheffing scene, but I decided to take a chance. As it turned out, 

Chef Luke hired me on the spot.” Megan was part of the Shortmarket Club 

team for about a year before she returned to Joburg to work with Chef 

David Higgs, laying the foundation for what would become a 

long-standing relationship – although she didn’t know it at the time. 

In-between working with Chef David at 500 and being appointed pastry 

chef for a central kitchen that services all three of his restaurants, as well 

as The Pantry (the Marble Group’s version of a garage forecourt shop on 

steroids) came an interlude in Madagascar, where she and her boyfriend, 

Wynand - who is a sous chef at Marble, tested their edge cooking at a 

five-star lodge. Yes, it sounds very luxurious, but, as Megan says, “You have 

no idea what kind of challenges you may face in the way of logistics and 

procurement until you are standing in the sea, trying to fish apples out of 

the waves because someone dropped the box they were in.” 

The couple were repatriated to South Africa once Covid hit, finding 

themselves in the heart of a situation that felt utterly surreal. “On the island, 

we hadn’t really realised the severity of the pandemic. We still thought it 

would all blow over within months, so we were looking for jobs overseas 

while we thought we were biding our time in South Africa.” As the threeweek 

lockdown stretched into months and it became clear they wouldn’t 

be cooking in Europe any time soon, they decided to work within the 

regulation limits, first teaching cooking classes then catering events and, 

eventually, establishing a micro bakery specialising in cakes and sourdough. 

It turned a period that others may have considered ‘dead’ time into a useful 

learning curve as they developed new skills and perfected others. 

Then came the call from Chef David to join the Marble Group, and Megan 

hasn’t looked back. “I never expected to find myself in a position like this,” 

she admits. “I remember in one of our first cooking classes, we were asked 

the difference between bicarb and baking powder. I had no idea of the 

answer, but I reckoned it didn’t matter because after two years I’d probably 

start doing something else! I’m so glad I didn’t – I fall more in love with this 

job every day.” 

Part of what makes it so much fun is the opportunity to unleash her 

imagination. “Most chefs like to start with the ingredients that are in season, 

but I look at the themes of our restaurants. For example, at Marble, we’ll 

play with the themes of smoke and fire; Saint has that Italian touch and at 

Zioux there’s a Brazilian influence. Once I’ve thought about how to convey 

this on a plate, I’ll think about what the dessert looks like. That’s my artistic 

side coming through! I like geometric lines, symmetry and monochromatic 

tones with pops of colour. Then I’ll think about how to incorporate 

seasonal produce or any exciting new products.” 

Although Megan is very happy playing with the amazing products that 

South Africa’s creative culinary industry keeps innovating, she’s always 

harboured a longing to expand her knowledge of fine French patisserie – 

so it’s possible that her future may hold some travel, with the goal of trying 

out new techniques and eventually bringing them back to home shores. 

“We have so much incredible talent and food here, and I’d love to add to 

that,” she says. 

Make mine romantic 

Although Megan confesses 

that she usually chooses 

salty over sweet, she 

feels that no meal is truly 

complete unless it includes 

a luscious dessert! Since 

Marble has been voted 

Most Romantic Restaurant 

in the 2022 Best of Joburg 

Readers’ Choice Awards, 

it’s only fitting that she tells 

us all about her top pick for 

date night dessert. 

“I would definitely 

choose our dark 

chocolate and 

beetroot dessert, 

with its smoky 

notes of chocolate 

complemented by 

toasted cinnamon, 

which contrasts 

with the playful 

fruitiness of 

cherry sorbet, 

while beetroot 

glass adds a 

feminine touch.” 


al fresco 

Prawns with rosé and a chardonnay and quick quesadilla from Jamie. Let’s eat outdoors. 

Rakmacka prawn and salad cups 

with a dill and lemon mayo 

This easy dish makes a delicious lunch for four 

Serve it with a glass of Allesverloren Tinta Rosé. 

You’ll need: For the prawns ... 32 large prawns 

(deveined and shelled, but you can leave the 

tail intact), 2 Tbsp olive oil, 2 Tbsp butter, 

2 cloves garlic (finely crushed), juice of half a 

lemon, salt and freshly milled pepper 

For the sauce ... 1 to 2 Tbsp lemon juice (to 

taste), half a cup good quality mayonnaise, 

2 Tbsp chopped fresh dill, 2tsp freshly grated 

lemon rind (chopped superfine), salt and 

freshly milled pepper 

For the melba toast ... 2 mini-French loaves or 

1 small ciabatta. 2 Tbsp olive oil, sea salt flakes 

For serving ... 2 to3 heads romaine lettuce 

hearts, leaves carefully broken apart and rinsed, 

fresh lemon wedges 

To make: Preheat the oven to 180C. To make 

the melba toast, slice the bread as thin as you 

can without it crumbling (older bread generally 

works better). Spread out in a single layer on a 

baking tray. Brush each slice with olive oil. Bake 

for 10 minutes, or until they start to go golden 

around the edges. 

To cook the prawns, heat the butter and oil 

until bubbling and then add the prawns. 

Avoid crowding the pan by cooking the 

prawns in two batches. Add the garlic and 

cook for about 5 minutes until the prawns 

start going pink. Prawns cook very fast – 

remove them from the heat as soon as they 

go pink. Season well with salt, pepper, and a 

generous squeeze of lemon juice. 

To make the sauce, mix all the ingredients 

together well. Place two prawns into the 

hollow of each salad leaf, serve with a dollop of 

the sauce, and melba toast. 

Enjoy with a glass of Allesverloren Tinta Rosé 

... a pretty blush coloured wine which has 

the scent of strawberries and raspberries and 

tastes of fresh raspberries, cherries and a hint of 

vanilla. R87 from allesverloren.co.za 


One pan meals from Jamie ... who’s coming for dinner? 

On our wish list ... Jamie popping in for the hols, and taking over the 

kitchen. Not. Going. To happen. But a close second is ONE - smart 

simplicity with his one pan meals (which means less washing up ... 

another wish that’s always high up on our list). Each recipe uses less than 

eight ingredients, there’s minimum prep needed and range from an 

eight minute smoked salmon pasta to a one hour cajun chicken traybake 

(with sweet onions and peppers, fluffy rice and yoghurt, it takes just 

seven minutes to prep then pop into the oven and relax) to the amazing 

giant Yorkshire pud - loaded with brie and sweet roasted grapes, spring 

onions and tarragon. There are flat breads and fishcakes and a fabulous 

batch cooking chapter (one cook, half a dozen meals). It’s a use-it-forever 

cookbook ... so a really great buy. Micheal Joseph, R490. 

It’s a Chardonnay kind of day 

Remember ABC? Well, the 

days of turning up your 

nose at Chardonnay are 

over, thank goodness. If 

they weren’t, we may have 

missed out on the new 

release Perdeberg Cellar’s 

The Vineyard Collection 

2022 Chardonnay, which 

would have been a great 

shame. It’s elegant, wellstructured, 

has a rich 

creamy aftertaste and 

is perfect for all-yearround 

enjoyment. The 

bright, yellow-green 

wine has aromas 

of ripe stone fruit, 

white pear, vanilla 

and butterscotch, 

is obviously best 

served chilled and 

goes brilliantly 

with creamy pasta 

dishes, seafood 

risotto and grilled 

chicken. R85 online 

at perdeberg.co.za. 

While you’re there, 

look out for the 

just released 2021 

Grenache Noir, too, 

and the 2022 Pinot 

Noir Chardonnay, 

which we just love! 

The most Summery poolside drinks table imaginable ... we’re loving these 

tumblers and wine glasses in clear, bright hues. All from Woolworths 



Tapas & cocktails 

A hot new tapas pop-up and a botanical cocktail ... 

Summer in the city’s looking chilled 

Traditional Spanish tapas at Bocodillo pop-up at the lovely Glenda’s in Hyde Park 

Small plates of deliciousness with a glass of chilled wine at sundown. 

We’ve massively envious of this Spanish tradition. So huge excitement 

when we heard about Bocodillo, the new tapas pop-up restaurant. 

Bocodillo is, it’s promised, where great food meets great art ... the 

inspired brainchild of chef Glenda Lederle and bon vivant Kevin Collins, 

a renowned artist and extraordinary cook in his own right. Bocodillo, 

which means snack or sandwich in Spanish, has an exciting tapas menu, 

with dishes like chilled gazpacho, grilled sardines and calamari, layered 

tortilla de patatas (Spanish omelette); chorizo sausage and wonderful 

pork belly, and our favourite Patatas Bravas - roasted lemony potatoes 

on a base of rich and spicy sauce. There are the sweet and sour carrot 

pickles, first served at the Polana Hotel in Maputo, and Pan Con 

Tomato is served on holy crystal bread (famous in the sidewalk cafes in 

Barcelona). Although it’s not traditional, Bocodillo has added a sweet 

component to the tapas menu - a packed with flavour, cooling blood 

orange sorbet to finish off your evening and a glorious Crema Catalana. 

And to drink ... a crisp, icy glass of Cava or a jug of blood orange sangria. 

To add to the experience, peak through the hole-in-the-wall kitchen 

and watch the dishes being made ... basically a masterclass can learn 

while you eat. And the dishes are all served on artistic fishy small 

ceramic plates created by Kevin, and which you can (and we bet you 

do) buy at the pop-up. 

Bocodillo is open from 4pm to 8pm from Thursday to Saturday from 

now until December 17, in the courtyard of Glenda’s Restaurant, 

Hyde Square Shopping Centre, 285 Jan Smuts Avenue, Hyde Park. 

Details: Bookings on 011-268-6369 

Botanical cocktails for Summer 

Marigold margarita. Lemongrass and 

ginger tequila. Cinnamon and apple 

whiskey. Elouise Anders’ Cocktail 

Botanica kicks off with some flavourfilled 

infusions, then follows with 

boozy concoctions in which botanicals 

- floral, herbaceous and fruity - take 

centre stage. So there’s an orange 

blossom screwdriver and rosemary 

gimlet, a peachy old fashioned and a 

cloudy pear rum punch, a chamomile 

gin cooler and dragon fruit daquiri. 

Beautifully illustrated ... prettiest little 

cocktail book for Summer holiday 

inspiration. Abrams, R445 


Still hungry? 

First let’s cheat 

We’re all for a little cheating when 

it comes to entertaining. We’d 

rather be sipping spritzers with 

our guests than slaving over a hot 

stove. So we’re loving - LOVING - 

the new Forage and Feast range 

from Checkers (who, by the way, 

won the Best of Joburg Readers’ 

Choice Awards Best Supermarket 

category ... and no wonder). There’s 

masses of really delish products, 

but we’re particularly keen on 

the Italian goodies ... a delisiosa 

collection of ready-to-heat pizzas as 

well as pastas, olives, pasta sauces, 

and a rather sensational jar of 

artichoke and sundried tomatoes, 

which is fab for bruschetta. 

Details: checkers.co.za 

Then let’s cook 

How To Go Plant-based by 

Ella Mills, who’s been sharing 

her sensational good-foryou 

recipes as Deliciously 

Ella for years (follow her on 

Instagram @delicouslyella). 

Yellow Kite, R595 

Vicky Bennison’s Pasta 

Grannies is a collection of 

comfort food from Italian 

grandmothers. QR codes on 

each recipe takes you to a 

YouTube video. Hardie Grant 

Books, R455 

The Essential Air Fryer 

Cookbook promises to 

show you how to make 

absolutely everything 

better - no matter what size 

your air fryer. 300+ recipes ... 

good grief! Hachette, R400 

Aimed at South Africans 

- so bobotie, boerewors 

and chakalaka, malva pud, 

The South African Air 

Fryer Cookbook by Louisa 

Holst proves local is lekker. 

Human & Rousseau, R290 



Sunny yellow 

You’ll need to put on some shades ... 

November is looking blooming bright 

Patio plant of the month… 

Dwarf grafted citrus Mini Me is a truly pint-sized tree, but with large, 

normal sized fruit. It can be grown on a patio, balcony or in a small garden 

and unlike normal citrus doesn’t need to be repotted as often. The ‘Mini 

Me’ range consists of tangy lemon (Limoneira), navel orange (the eating 

orange), naartjie (mandarin), spicy leaf Thai lime, and the juicy fruit Tahiti 

lime. The trees grow on average 1,5 to 2m tall and are grafted onto a 

rootstock called “flying Dragon,” that induces a dwarfing habit. The other 

benefits of this miniaturisation are sweeter fruit, an inbred resistance to 

root diseases and a better tolerance for cold. Make sure the mini trees 

receive at least six hours of sunlight a day and fertilise with a granular 5:1:5 

fertiliser or liquid fertiliser for fruit and flowers once a month in summer. 

The mini citrus trees are available through supermarkets, garden centres 

and hardware outlets with a nursery department. 


We’re planting … Shasta daisies (Leucanthemum) because they are the classic 

daisies, with sunny yellow centres ringed with white petals, the perfect flower for 

a sunny, summer garden. Take your pick from ‘Snow Lady’ a dwarf variety (35cm 

high and wide) or ‘Victorian Secret’ that grows to knee height with ruffled white 

blooms. There’s even a yellow Shasta daisy called ‘Goldfinch’. Its lemon yellow 

blooms slowly mature to an ivory white. Its slight taller, growing up to 60cm. 

Shasta daisies are perennials that grow in full sun or partial shade, are heat tolerant 

and attract bees and butterflies. To keep them vigorous, divide every three years 

in spring. Details: www.ballstraathof.co.za 

Veggie of the month 

Cucumber Crystal Apple (RAW seed) 

is bound to fascinate the kids. It looks 

like a Granny Smith apple with a pale, 

greenish-white skin that becomes a 

deeper yellow as the fruit matures. The 

flavour, however, is pure cucumber with 

a tang. The smooth, creamy fruit is best 

eaten young, and is a bright, crunchy 

addition to salads. It’s ideal for growing 

in a patio pot that gets plenty of sun. It 

grows quickly up to about 1m and will 

need support. Pinch out the growing 

tips when the young plant has five of 

six leaves to encourage side shoots. 

If grown in the ground, plant it in 

organically enriched soil. Sow 

four to five seeds in one hole, 

with a space of 40 – 50cm 

between each planting. 

Keep the plants wellwatered 

and feed with a 

balanced fertiliser (2:3:2) 

two or three times during 

the growing season. 

Details: www.rawliving.co.za 

Philodendron scandens 'Brasil' 

has beautiful bright yellow, 

lime and fresh green variegated 

heart shaped leaves. This vining 

Philodendron also known as 

the sweetheart plant can grow 

very long and is best displayed 

on a higher level or trailing from 

a hanging basket or macramé. 

R139.99. You can find them at 

Lifestyle Home Garden, voted 

Joburg’s Best Garden Centre 

in the 2022 Best of Joburg 

Readers’ Choice Awards. 

Details: www.lifestyle.co.za 

Garden tasks 

• Hopefully, the rains have arrived 

which gives everything a boost. 

If not, water regularly and don’t 

let young plants dry out. Mulch 

beds to reduce evaporation. • If 

there is still space in the garden, 

sow quick growing annuals such 

as alyssum, cosmos, marigolds, 

nasturtiums, portulaca and 

zinnias. They are all sun lovers. 

• Take cuttings of pelargoniums 

that are looking scraggly as well 

as fuchsia and lavender. 

• Cut out branches of variegated 

shrubs that have reverted to 

their original green. By not doing 

so the natural green leaves 

quickly take over. • Make sure 

hydrangeas get plenty of water 

and feed with hydrangea food 

to boost flowering in December. 

• Mow, water and fertilise the 

lawn regularly. Hadedas are the 

best control for crickets and 

mole crickets. • This is the last 

month to sow eggfruit, chillies, 

and sweet peppers. 

Text: ALICE COETZEE 


Buzzing in the city 

Joburg’s showing off this month, adding new shops and restaurants to its already 

impressive selection. So off you go ...time to explore and discover new spots. 

Endless Summer cocktails 

It's all good beats and delectable drinks at the recently 

opened urban-chic restaurant in Rosebank. 

La Parada is new to The Firs Centre but their legacy 

now lives on, this being the eighth edition to the 

well-renowned collection. 

As you walk through their doors, the strikingly gorgeous 

bar stocked with the finest cognacs, champagne, ciders 

and beers is an impressive first impression. Head directly 

there ... the mixologists will whizz you up a cocktail in 

minutes from their long list that is suited to just about 

any occasion. To get you into 

a party mood, we suggest you 

order their Endless Summer 

cocktail with vodka, cranberry 

juice and elderflower syrup. 

Then explore the flavours of 

Spain with bite-size tapas, 

pizzas and sushi dishes. Loads 

to look forward to ... happy 

hours, shishas, live weekend 

entertainment and headliner 

events. Make sure to follow 

@LaParadaRosebank on 

social media to find out what 

new events are on the go. 

Details: laparada.co.za 

Local labels stand out 

It's shopping season and that time of the year 

when we get dolled up to attend all sorts of 

parties ... year-end office shindigs, festive lunches 

with clients, family gatherings. Lucky for us, we 

have some local labels that have popped up at just 

the right time. COL/LAB/ZA is the new pop-up 

store in Edgars, Sandton City, featuring the work 

of some top designers … think Chantelle Storm, 

Colleen Eitzen, Jo Borkett, Sibu Msimang, Amanda 

L Cherry, Bayanda Buthelezi and Zola Shabangu. 

Their gorgeous creations are on display for you to 

ooh, ahh and swoon over - and then buy in-store. 

Details: www.edgars.co.za 


An egg-citing shopping spree in Rosebank (so corny ... but we had to!) 

Creator of Anea, Denny Mo in the first ever 

greenhouse in a in a mall in South Africa. 

Punchy greek gyros to go 

On our radar this month is a little Greek eatery in 

Sandton called GRK. They take Greek street food 

to the next level with their innovative gyro menu, 

imported pitas from Greece, dips tailored to a 

South African palette and a selection of freshly 

made salads. In just three easy steps you can wrap 

up the perfect Gyro to go. Start by choosing your 

filling (chicken, beef, lamb, pork, koftam, falafel, 

halloumi, mushrooms). Then select your dip 

(tzatziki in garlic, herb or avo, hummus, tyrokafteri, 

mustard mayo, yoghurt mustard or babaganoush. 

And finally choose your pita (village, wholegrain, 

carob or corn). As you can obviously see, Gyros 

are the star of their menu. The owners adapted a 

new method of cooking the meat for their gyros, 

a method which they discovered in Greece five 

years ago. It’s a process of using top-quality meat 

prepared on flat grills. The meat is thinly sliced 

and then cut on open kitchen butcher blocks 

with custom-made half-moon knives, unique to 

GRK. Although not traditional, it is said to still offer 

a punchy gyro flavour! When you walk in, you 

won’t find your usual Greek tavern look but more 

of a contemporary casual setting with an organicshaped 

bar counter and subtle black and terracotta 

Greek-inspired touches and detailing throughout 

the space. Find them at shop 5, Rivonia Village 

Shopping Centre. They’re open from Monday to 

Thursday 11am 9pm; Friday to Saturday from 11am 

to 9:30pm and Sundays from 11am to 8.30pm. 

Details: www.grk.restaurant 

Were you one of the many shoppers to queue for the 

opening of We are EGG? We don’t blame you. We 

can so appreciate the excitement around this new 

store at the Zone in Rosebank ... a beautifully curated, 

massive 3000 square meterage space designed with 

us Joburg shoppers in mind. Featuring local and 

international men’s, women's and kids’ fashion, as 

well as beauty, home and jewellery departments plus 

a high-energy, quintessential restaurant & bar, all 

under one roof. Excited yet? You’ll be able to browse 

through top brands like Rich Mnisi, known for his 

fusion of contemporary pop culture and traditional 

African heritage, and Diane Paris, who’s pieces are 

all timeless glamour. Then there is Anea, offering 

artisanal terrariums - this one really wowed us ... 

it’s the first greenhouse in a mall in SA, and brings 

nature into retail space like no one has seen before. 

Big ups to the creator Denny Mo. These are just 

three but there are 150 brands so best you take a 

day off and go and explore. Retail therapy maxed! 

Details: weareegg.co.za 

Compiled by: MEGAN BRETT 


BEST OF JOBURG 

FOR VOTING FOR US! 

1403 Albertina Sisulu Road | Corner Wilhemeina Street 

(formerly 25 Bezuidenhout Street) Troyeville, Johannesburg 

info@thetroyeville.co.za | 079 612 0125 | www.thetroyeville.co.za

PROMOTION 

Best Joburg 

READERS’ CHOICE AWARDS 2022 

One of Joburg’s most successful and enduring competitions, 

The Best of Joburg Readers’ Choice Awards is just that ... 

awards given out to those who Caxton Newspaper readers 

feel are the best of the best in the City of Gold. No wonder 

they’re so celebrated ... after all, when the customers vote you tops, 

you know you’re doing something - hell ... everything - right. 

Thousands voted in the 2022 awards ... and you can find all the 

winners on www.bestofjoburg.co.za. Pop over and see 

where to shop, eat, party and live in Joburg’s northern suburbs.

BEST OF JOBURG

BEST OF JOBURG

BEST OF JOBURG 

Olive And Plates BOJ 1-4.pdf 2 2022/10/11 10:15:20 

Thank you to all our loyal and 

supportive customers for voting for us! 

Best 

obur g 

JREADERS’ CHOICE AWARDS 2022 

WINNER 

064 063 8373 | exclusive@olivesandplates.co.za 

Hyde Park Corner Shopping Centre (inside Exclusive Books), 

Corner Jan Smuts Avenue and William Nicol Drive

BEST OF JOBURG

BEST OF JOBURG

BEST OF JOBURG

BEST OF JOBURG

GET IT DIRECTORY

GET IT DIRECTORY

GET IT DIRECTORY

Romance on the West Coast 

Seaside luxury at the glorious Strandloper Ocean Boutique Hotel 

We spent quite 

some time 

sitting right 

here, loving 

the view! 


There are so many reasons why we love Paternoster ... the 

quintessential fisherman’s village on the Cape West Coast. 

But we admit, right up at the top of the list of loves is the 

utterly sensational Strandloper Ocean Boutique Hotel. 

Sitting on the edge of the long, white, shell-strewn beach and 

the somewhat chilly, wild sea, this laid-back luxurious, romantic 

boutique hotel is all wide open spaces and huge skies and 

views forever. 

And when we say luxurious, we mean in the very best sense of 

the word. So there’s no glitz - rather all calm hues, with furniture 

and fittings made locally out of stone, wood and fine organic 

linen. No pretentiousness - just secluded comfy nooks and top 

notch, warm, personal service. For heaven’s sake ... there’s even 

a no shoes suggestion ... you’re encouraged to leave them at 

the door and relax. 

It’s all serenity and natural and private and secluded ... the 

hotel boasts a philosophy of being in harmony with nature 

and blending in with the delicate beauty of the surroundings. 

And we can think of nowhere we’d rather be at the end of this 

rather stressful year. 

The rooms and suites - a little over a dozen - have been 

designed to blur the lines between indoors and out and 

are a clever fusion of beach style and contemporary luxury. 

Deceptively simple ... but so much thought has gone into 

making them as comfortable as possible.

So you can expect sink-in-me sofas 

and private courtyards and terraces, 

fireplaces in some of the rooms, 

outdoor showers in others. It’s all 

natural bath salts alongside state-ofthe-art 

Bang & Olufsen audio systems, 

home-made fudge by the beds at 

night rubbing sweet shoulders with 

top notch coffee machines. 

The attention to detail is phenomenal. 

Request oat milk with your afterdinner 

coffee and by the time you 

return to your room, there’s oat milk 

in your mini fridge for the rest of your 

stay. Ask for fresh lemon squeezed 

into hot water for breakfast ... the next 

morning there’s a pot of boiling water 

and half a lemon waiting on the table. 

Talking breakfast and dinner ... The 

Strandloper is home to Leeto, what 

we rate one of the best restaurants in 

the country. With a strong emphasis 

on local, seasonal products, the 

restaurant, which overlooks the beach 

and sea, is simply but exquisitely 

furnished and is run by Chef Garth 

Almazan, a Capetonian who grew up 

in a fisherman’s family and ensures 

the food is fuss-free and simple, but 

with a local West Coast twist. Expect 

dishes like West Coast oysters with 

lime and tabasco, Malay spiced 

mussel soup and seafood linguini. 

There’s a spring risotto loaded with 

baby spinach, broccoli, baby marrow, 

snap peas, portobello mushrooms, 

goat’s feta, white truffle oil, parmesan 

and ciabatta crumbs that we’ll order 

again and again and again, should 

we be fortunate enough to return, 

and a chickpea, lentil and spinach 

curry served with potato samoosa 

... swoon. Oh. And marmalade icecream. 

Be still my beating heart! The 

food is subtly sophisticated, Garth 

says, which is a reflection of the 

entire Strandloper experience. 

While it would be easy - and massively 

enjoyable - to sit on the terrace and 

admire the fynbos and the sea for 

hours, leaving just to stroll down 

to dinner, there’s loads to make a 

holiday in the area hugely enjoyable. 

For the hedonistic, the hotel has an 

exceptional spa, but for the more 

energetic the hotel concierge can 

arrange cycling, guided bush hikes 

(a lovely way to explore the area), 

guided horseback riding along the 

beach, boat bird safaris up the river, 

as well as bird photographic safaris, 

kayaking and beach buddy dunes 

tours - which are fabulous fun. 

All well organised and thoroughly 

enjoyable. But we’re on the same 

page as the hotel ... who say, first 

and foremost, they want guests to 

experience the ultimate luxury – the 

art of doing nothing. To ground 

themselves again and to take the time 

to simply be. To be reminded about 

what is really important in life. For 

them to be immersed in a feeling of 

tranquillity. To really take time to drink 

in the breathtaking, raw beauty of our 

piece of West Coast paradise and to 

enjoy it as much as they do. And it 

didn’t take much to convince us to 

do just that! 

Details: Mail reservations@ 

strandloperocean.com or visit 

strandloperocean.com 

Fine dining with a view 

Could you get closer to the beach? 

Text: KYM ARGO 


It’s just not going to be a talked-about affair 

without a couple of bottles of Hotel Starlino. With 

bottles Inspired by the Art Nouveau architecture of 

the distillery - Torino Distillati - located just outside 

of Turin - the birthplace of Aperitivo, there are three 

flavours and they’re equally appealing. Starlino 

Arancione Aperitivo is made with Italian orange 

peel, lemon peel and herbs and spices. Starlino 

Rosa is a zesty and complex citrus-forward blend of 

Italian pink grapefruit, lemon and orange and is an 

intriguing bittersweet botanical Aperitivo. Starlino 

Rosso Vermouth is a traditional red Vermouth di 

Torino - aged in Kentucky Bourbon barrels for a rich, 

warm, spicy aroma and flavour. One part Aperitivo, 

three parts prosecco or soda, garnished with an 

orange or grapefruit slice and plenty of ice. 

Add a bottle or two of Monte Stambecco. A rich 

golden, bold Italian Amaro liqueur, named after the 

ibex - a long-horned mountain goat which roams 

the Italian Alps. Bittersweet - it was originally 

created to aid digestion, it’s all citrus, cinnamon, 

cardamom and cherry. Drink it neat as a premium 

shooter, over ice or in a variety of Amaro cocktails. 

Then make sure there are half a dozen or so bottles 

of Prosecco Rosé DOC Mionetto ... an Italian 

Prosecco from the small village of Valdobbiadene. 

Extra dry, pale pink, with honey and bread crust 

aromas it’s a glass of bubbly heaven. 

Finally, based on the premise that if three-quarters 

of your cocktail is the mixer, mix with the best! 

Fever Tree is a range made with naturally sourced 

ingredients, no artificial sweeteners and under 40 

calories to create sophisticated yet simple spritzes 

with exceptional flavour. 

Win ... a selection of Italian aperitivo, bubbles and 

mixers ... pop over to getitjoburgnorthmagazine on 

Facebook & Instagram to enter. 

Spoil 

November 

It’s the season of the 

cocktail party. And we’re 

thinking Amalfi Coast 

vibe. Floaty dresses and 

high heels with sexy 

drinks and Italian 

snacks as the sun 

goes down. Saluti! 


VISIT US FOR 

THE BEST 

NATAS IN TOWN 

SANDTON CITY AND ROSEBANK MALL

Nov 22 - JHB North

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