Destination: Pretoria, South Africa

Since October 2009, every six months I have held USG Procurement training in this gorgeous capital city.  Pretoria is approximately 40 minutes from the international airport located in Johannesburg.  The “easiest” or I should say, most direct flight, is a 17 hour flight from Washington DC – Johannesburg with a one hour “stop” in Dakar to clean and re-fill the airplane. 

Pretoria, compared to Johannesburg, is a quiet city and very slow paced.  When I first arrived in Pretoria in 2009 I fell completely in love with the Jacaranda trees which line the suburban streets.  They are absolutely gorgeous and it allows those who walk these streets to enjoy the lightly perfumed air.  Interestingly, my allergies are not affected by these and so even I am allowed to breathe in deeply as I walk to my destination in Pretoria.  

Nightlife:  Pretoria is home to the University of Pretoria so this does allow for some absolutely fun nightlife!  The most popular is located in Hatfield.  Hatfield Square is literally a square that once you enter you realize in the front, back, to the right and to the left there are bars, one main club, cheap fast eateries, restaurants and then more bars which have a dance floor.  You can come as you are to Hatfield Square!  No need to dress up – shorts and flip flops are fine regardless of where you decide to go in this square.  The other benefit is you can go from one establishment to another taking your drinks with you!   

"3 Cheeky Monkeys please!"

My favorite places to go is The Cheeky Monkey which boast of this delicious drink with the same name.  It’s pretty much a “Hatfield Ice Tea” with the base liquors being:  gin, vodka, white rum, tequila for the.  Then add:  blue curacao, grenadine and top off with sprite or lemon/lime soda.  It’s served in a plastic fishbowl with colorful straws for sharing or you can have one served in a glass just for you!  As for dancing, my favorite place is The Drop Zone.  The music is superb but the dancing is underwhelming by kids dressed in 80s clothing.  But I always find a spot on the dance floor and sweat the night away!  They are also known for their “foam parties.”  With my “Black hair” I avoid these parties at all costs!  Outside of “the square” is News Café which is a great place to watch a football or rugby game, socialize, listen to music, as well as enjoy good food and strong drink.  Finally, if you are looking for a more upscale and older crowd combined with three levels of dance floors and an outside bar/lounge then Zanzu is the place for you!  There is an entrance fee and dress code but as I said, great variety of music is provided on each floor (hip/hop, top 40, dance/house and cultural /local music). 

Shopping:  If you are into shopping then you absolutely MUST visit Menlyn Mall.  This mall is HUGE and offers a variety of shops from all over the world!  There is also a movie theater and my favorite restaurant is located in this mall!  There is also a Galaxy / Arcade room with a bowling alley.  The balls are a little banged up but the atmosphere is fun and there is a full bar in the Arcade.

Live sporting events:  Then of course there is Loftus Stadium which was built for the 2010 World Cup!  It is at this stadium that my boss introduced our participants and myself to rugby!  I have been a fan ever since of this uber masculine sport and cheer for the South African Springboks (since I am so familiar with the country) and the New Zealand All Blacks (um HELLO the name haha not to mention they have some HOT men on the team AND their introduction ~ the dance ~ could it be any sexier?!) … clearly I’m into rugby for the lust factor LOL

The group at Loftus Stadium cheering for the BLUE BULLS

GO BLUE BULLS!

Food and Drink:  Anyha, where were we ~ ah yes, next we move onto the food.  Pretoria has SO many great places to eat!  Things you MUST eat when you are in South Africa:  oxtail, trinchado, curry, springbok, prawns, boar and even ostrich!  A for beverages, Pinotage, cheeky monkey (as mentioned above) and a cool Dom Pedro (nougat flavored milkshake spiked with Irish whiskey and then topped with a chocolate swirl.  You can request your favorite alcoholic beverage.  My favorite being Stroh rum) are a must try! 

Dom Pedro with stroh rum

Since I know what I like, I know where to go and the following restaurants are my favorite because they have the most delicious menus!  I will list them in order of my favorite:

#1 is Baobab.  Located in Menlyn Mall on the top floor this restaurant is by far my favorite!  The décor is magnificent offering roots of baobab trees strung with small white lights, dark furniture and cream colored, leather booths.  Not only is the food delicious but the portions are generous and the prices are reasonable.   For an appetizer (spicy trinchado served with baguettes), main meal (oxtail served with rice and veggies) with wine (pinotage) finished dessert (dom pedro) to include tip I pay an average of 230 ZAR which is approximately $33.    In my opinion they are #1 in food, service and in Dom Pedros!

Smothered rump with rice and veggies

Oxtail

#2 is Café 41.  This restaurant is in walking distance of our hotel and the US Embassy.  Its menu boasts of light fare, vegan delights, Grecian traditional food, simple sandwiches and delicious desserts.  The service is good but since all food is made to order the wait time can be long.  Allot 3 hours to eat at this restaurant.  My favorite thing to eat at this restaurant is the chicken schnitzel with a greek salad (cucumbers, feta and olives topped with olive oil and vinegar) and potato croquettes.  Of course I wash this all down with a generous portion of pinotage and dessert is a Dom Pedro made with Stroh rum.  On average my meal costs 140 ZAR which is approximately $20.  

Beef kababs with potato croquettes and greek salad

#3 is Kream.  Classy!  This is great date restaurant!  Located in Brooklyn (a neighborhood of Pretoria) the atmosphere is upscale, the wine list is extensive and the food is obviously prepared and arranged with an attention to detail.  Here I normally enjoy a warm brie parcel (Brie, sun dried tomatoes and basil wrapped in phyllo, deep fried and served with maroela jelly sauce) for my starter, followed by a delicious trinchado served with rice and spinach with dessert being … a Dom Pedro made with Stroh rum.  Because the wine is so good at this location I upgrade my pinotage option and then have two glasses of this which I sip slowly from the first bite of the appetizer to the last bite of the main meal.  The portions here are also generous and a takeaway box will be necessary.  On average I also pay 250 ZAR, approximately $33, per dining experience.

Trinchado with rice and spinach

#4 is The Restaurant at The Villas Hotel.  Finally, the hotel which we frequent due to the amazing hospitality, comparative costs and comfy rooms is The Villas Hotel.  Located in Pretoria, directly across the street from the US Embassy has a great menu and delicious food!  My two favorite things off their menu are the chicken curry made medium spicy and the grilled ham and cheese on wheat.  Both are made PERFECTLY and satisfy my Indian food and home away from home food cravings.  With the curry I enjoy their blended house red wine (you really cannot go wrong with red wine in this country).  With the grilled ham and cheese I enjoy a cold and refreshing Black Label beer – a Pale Lager beer by South African Breweries (SABMiller), a brewery in South Africa.  My chicken curry meal + wine is 120 ZAR which is approximately $17 and I always have left overs for lunch the next day.  My grilled ham and cheese luxury is 60 ZAR which is approximately less than $8.  

My room at The Villas Hotel

From another angle - The Villas Hotel

I encourage everyone to save the money and venture to this wonderful country and city of Pretoria.  You will eat, drink and be plenty merry in Pretoria, the city of the Jacaranda.