A long overdue return to The Braai Room Linden.

I drive, run or walk past this establishment on an almost daily basis.

It can be found in the centre on the corner of 1st Ave and Standard Drive, Linden

Ironically it used to be the site of a vegetarian restaurant a few years ago.

It has been a while since my last visit,

and with new owners on board my wife and I

 decided to pay it a return visit.

Are wondering why there is no price next to the burger special?

The answer is very simple...

There are two burger prices...R75.00 and R95.00.

It is difficult to fit both prices into such a small space

and it might be confusing to the customers.

Order one for R75.00 and you get a second on FREE!

The same applies to the more expensive option as well.

But ONLY on a Wednesday.

Serious cutlery...

And a proper steak knife.

My portion on the grill.

There is definitely something more succulent about meat 

cooked over an open fire.

And, of course, the choice of wood adds a flavour note to the meat.

Lamb rump steaks for my wife...

A portion that could easily serve two.

Both my wife and I found the portion sizes generous 

and the prices reasonable.

Served with a side salad.

Done to perfection, it arrived at our table quicker than expected.

My choice, Pichana.

Not a cut that I had tasted before...so I Googled it.

As one does.

This is what I found.

"The word is derived from picana,

which is a stick used in Southern Spain to herd cattle.

The cut of meat was named as a result of where the cattle were prodded by the ranchers"

For most of my life, I had eaten meat "WELL DONE"!

Then I watched 10 seasons of Australian Masterchef 

and I realized that I had been missing out as a result of eating it in that fashion.

Now I like mine medium-rare.

Also known as the sirloin cap.

it is a popular cut in Brazil,

and judging from the meal that I enjoyed last night,

it might gain favour here in South Africa as well.

Fire can be hypnotic...

Who needs sports channels on a series of wall-mounted TV's 

when you can stare into the flames while watching your food being prepared?

Subtle lighting adds to the ambience of the Braai Room.

There is an intimate bar area at the front of the restaurant,

where customers can be seated while waiting for a table.

A new addition to the drinks menu.

This Jack Black pale ale seemed to be popular with several of the diners.

Who can resist a Chocolate Brownie with ice-cream to end off a meal?

There are brownies and there are BROWNIES...

and this was one of the latter.

A delicious ending to a delicious meal.

Visit the Braai Room via their Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/The-Braai-Room-Linden-569106986931261/

and if you enjoyed your meal and would like to purchase the meat,

visit their butchery in the same centre:

https://www.facebook.com/Country-Meat-Linden-1845840585719425/

Support local, support Linden.

All images are the copyright property of

 

and may not be used without permission

Meet the team at Orejen

The ever changing facade of Orejen,

the treasure trove of a shop that can be found at 24 5th Street, Linden

But be aware...behind these doors lurk old fashioned service and courtesy

 harking back to a long forgotten time when the customer was king.

The shop has been in its current location for 17 years.

(Before they moved there, they were situated in Greenside)

Jennifer...the owner.

This smiling face is the first of many(smiling faces)

 that you will encounter in the shop.

If the shop stocks it, Jennifer knows where the item is...

if it is NOT in stock, she can obtain it for you.

More importantly, she can source bespoke windows and doors!

All made from reclaimed wood...

Manuel, her husband is happiest when he has a power tool in his hands.

Meet Melita...

Most of the clients from Greenside/Emmarentia will remember this smiling face.

Melita used to work at a bottle store in that area before being left jobless

when it closed down 19 years ago.

Always smiling, always happy she is a magnet for babies that come into

the shop with their parents.

She is nearing retirement age and she will be missed when she finally leaves.

This is Kenneth...and goodness me, does he make a great cup of coffee.

As an assistant to Jennifer, his is the face that you will 

most likely see as you wander around the shop.

He is the newest member of the team,

but he already knows the stock like the back of his hand

and he is able to find objects quickly and efficiently

in this massive and ever changing environment.

The shop is spotless and all the goods are clearly marked

as a direct result of his enthusiasm

He is kind and patient and says that he loves the retail environment.

The shop toilet...not for sale!

But they do have similar toilet cisterns for sale.

Using old shoe lasts as decoration for the front office.

There are staff members who are intimately involved

with some of your purchases.

These are their faces and their stories...

If you want to know about tables, 

then Sam is your man!

Every table that leaves Orejen has been lovingly sanded, 

cleaned and oiled by him.

He is beyond passionate about tables and

 he can stain whitewashed tables to perfection.

He has been with Orejen for 13 years.

Chicco.

The longest serving member of the team.

 He has been at Orejen for 26 years ago.

Together with Manuel, he has laid every brick, plastered every wall,

cleaned every door and hung most of the windows at the shop.

Through the good times and the bad, he has been loyal and kind

Solly was referred to Jennifer by an aunt who has worked

 with her for almost 20 years.

He is the second newest member of the team.

So nice to have an ongoing family connection to the shop

Just some of the items that are in stock.

The shop is in a constant state of flux as new items arrive 

and older ones are shifted to fill different spaces.

http://www.orejen.co.za/

Support local, support Linden.

All images are the copyright property of

 

and may not be used without permission

A tribute tattoo at Golden Tikki

Readers who follow me might remember

 that I lost my ginger boy on the 23 July 2018. 

In his memory I decided to visit Golden Tiki 

 to have a special tribute tattoo done by Busta Boltoon.

Not what you might normally find in a tattoo shop.

However the wording on their business card does state

"Arts and oddities" and I think that this might represent the latter.

 Busta plays double bass in a Rock-a-Billy band.

He was getting some practice in while waiting for me to arrive.

He looks like he is about to fall over...

or the floor is at an angle.

Neither could be further from the truth.

Concentration will do that to you.

And speaking of concentration...

Emma, the apprentice, hard at work converting my artwork

into a stencil that will be utilized for the tattoo.

Once again I sit and patiently await the application of the needle.

But not just any needle, I am the first person that Busta 

will be using a new product on.

And THIS is the product.

It takes the application of ink to a whole new level.

More specifically it is almost silent and almost painless.

Those who have regular work done because of the "pain" 

might find this new technology takes some getting used to. 

Chatting to Busta about the benefits, he told me that the design

 and weigh distribution of the machine will allow him to extend the tattoo time

without putting undue stress on his hand and wrist/

For the client it means that large tattoos can be completed in fewer sessions.

As always, hygiene is a foremost priority.

Hence the plastic bag over the machine and the cable.

And the gloves...

Done and dusted...

This tattoo will be a constant reminder of my boy

who chose to live with my wife and I for 12 years.

If you are looking for a special tattoo,

or perhaps you are considering your first one,

then I HIGHLY RECOMMEND to you visit Busta first.

THIS is the reason that I get inked by Busta.

This tattoo balm that he developed is the best.

Post tattoo care is very important in order for it to heal correctly.

There is an instruction sheet, should you be uncertain

 as to how to care for the tattoo.

Ingredients include Camphor,Thyme, Teatree, Arnica and Eucalyptus.

Although Ryan can occasionally accommodate walk-ins,

he does like to book clients in advance.

Support local, support Linden.

Winter range at Victory Park Veterinary Clinic.

Winter has officially reached Johannesburg

The last few days have seen temperatures drop significantly overnight.

Even the daytime temperatures have been subject to fluctuations.

As humans, it is easy for us to get out our winter wardrobe.

For our furry friends, that is not so simple.

In order to make certain that they are kept warm

 during the winter months,

visit our clinic and chat about how this can be achieved.

One of our clients dogs making itself at home

on one of our new 2018 winter bedding range of products.

Our 2018 winter range is now in stock!

As you can see the resident dog and cats 

did not waste any time in getting into these new cuddly baskets.

A warm pet is a happy pet.

"I am NOT leaving here until Spring"...

This product can be used as an igloo,

should you animal feel like hiding from the cold

Look how cute I look...

At home and toasty warm...

Strap jackets of all hues.

Buy one today to get your pet used to wearing it in winter...

All of these items are NOW in stock.

Don't delay, buy yours TODAY...

For all your veterinary requirements, from a vet who really cares,

visit THIS practice on the corner of 1st Ave and Road number 3,

in Linden Johannesburg

The practice is open on week days with a half-day on Saturdays.

Consultation hours on Sundays and public holidays are from 10h00-12h00.

For more information have a look at their Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/victoryparkveterinaryclinic/

Support local, support Linden.