Walking into Narina Trogon, on De Korte street Braamfontein, reminds me of a couple of New York spots, it's Ze Cafe meets The CoOp I kid you not! Beautiful and serene with calming pastels.
Narina Trogon is pin drop quiet inside on a Saturday morning, with one waitress on hand which is ample. The lack of patrons did not put us off. We, a few of the Love World Tour-ists, started with fresh squeezed juices, all with a helping of ginger to ward off the change of season flu. Think apple pear ginger or apple carrot ginger combos.
The portions are pretty and petite, which big burly gents might object to. But for a ladies brunch the portions were perfect.
English breakfast
Can't go wrong with the fry up well scramble up.
French toast
My french toast was a tad disappointing, it had not been soaked in the cinnamon egg mixture long enough. Although the caramelised banana was wonderful slightly soft and not overly sweet followed by almond flake crunch.
Eggs Florentine
As pretty as the eggs florentine are, they are visually delectable with a perfect poach but the bright hollandaise was average on taste.
I love Narina Trogon's serenity, so I will be back to try the fishcakes at least.
Narina Trogon
0113396645
81 De Korte Street
Braamfontein
La Vie en Rose is a beautiful nook of secret garden happiness in Jozi, Illovo to be precise. A pretty garden with pink accent laid tables including pink salt (I just love pink salt). Purely from the looks of it, it's great for ladies luncheons, baby showers, high teas and such. Definitely, fantastic if you're looking for a quiet low key lunch venue.
I had an impromptu lunch at La Vie en Rose with girl friends and some eye candy (code for a couple of cute male friends), I'll take a pic next time but for now TRUST! At the waitress' recommendation I tried the Tuna Salad, which is a seared tuna salad.
Tuna Salad
The pepper and mustard seed crusted seared tuna is served with olives and orange segments on a bed of rocket, watercress and fennel. Healthy goodness is what I was after. Alas the ingredients were all there but it did not deliver on flavour, so disappointing.
The seared tuna needed a little seasoning, just a pinch of salt and pepper and the salad leaves needed to be dressed. I believe that all salad leaves should be served lightly dressed. Especially if there isn't an accompanying dressing, which there wasn't.
The beauty of the song La Vie en Rose had me expecting cloth napkins, instead of the paper serviettes. I have to say the devil is in the detail.
It is a lovely sanctuary in the hustle bustle that is Jozi and the ambience makes it worth a few more visits to try out the breadth of their menu. But I will not make the mistake of ordering another undressed salad.
A friend recommends their burger or chicken prego.
Listen to Louis Armstrong's La Vie en Rose
La Vie en Rose
0112686144
48 Mellville Road
Illovo
As you can imagine there was lots to do in New York so most of my lunching was done on the go, these are my favourites. Cost effective and a little grease with the shake shack burgers. Lunching on the go:
Momofuku Noodle Bar East Village for RAMEN! their pork, shrimp or mushroom buns are AMAZE!
Sweets and treats
I am a sucker for sweets, especially pastries and I have to say if you can only pick one sweet treat head over to Dominique Ansel Bakery during the day. You will not regret it
Dominique Ansel Bakery SoHo for salted caramel eclairs, macaroons and made to order madeleines
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)