Good Food in Braamfontein - Velo and a Market…
Braamfontein holds many special memories for me…
My folks owned an Art Supplies shop there once upon a time, and I still remember my first adventure in the city without adult supervision.
The Mission: Obtain 4 toasted cheese sandwiches from the Breadbasket 2 city blocks away from the shop.
Financing: probably R16- R20… it really was back in the day
Modus Operandi: North Star Tekkies
Potential Threats: about a bazillion rapidly moving cars and two streets to cross, odd looking city strangers and a habit of losing my way when confronted with an oversupply of distractions.
So hand in hand, two little boys set off into the big bad city with the promise of the oiliest toasted sandwiches ever made, injecting courage into every step. We made it back, sandwiches and all, heart racing and super proud of the achievement, and munched away, happily dripping cheese oil over the majority of the clothes we wore.
During the years that followed Braamfontein struggled a bit and became a little scary for suburbian folk. But now, more than 20 years later it is racing back and becoming a cool place to be with artists, musicians, boutique restaurants and galleries all taking up residence.
With a few more wrinkles and slightly more sophisticated tastes and addictions we visited a great new place in Braamfontein called Velo ( http://www.facebook.com/ulovevelo ) for cappuccino’s and fresh ciabatta sandwiches. The coffee was top class and deserved a second helping, while we either looked at the great photography on the walls, or wandered out to watch the rugby in an open air courtyard on the big screen outside. A great start to a Saturday in my books. (Cnr Juta and Melle St. Braamfontein Tel:011 403 0695 )
More by chance than design, we happened to be around the corner from the new Neighbourhood Goods market just around the corner from Velo. If you have ever been to the Biscuit Mill Market in Cape Town.. this is done by the same people. (73 Juta Street Braamfontein, http://www.neighbourgoodsmarket.co.za/directions-jhb/)
And it is Fantastic! It is on every Sunday, 9-3. Go hungry.. with cash in your wallet. Some pics of out experiences that great Sunday in JHB are below.
Take it easy,
Chris.
