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TAIL OF
THE DOG

Soweto Sunday

I nvited to Sunday lunch in a Soweto were very much part of the place. Series. My host kept hissing ‘Chinese

An enclosed glass space was the
restaurant, I accepted with alacrity.
rip off’ every time another Gucci or
The venue was 1947, a restaurant in designated cigar room. The chef, Vuitton outfit sauntered past.
Junior Kotane, has put together
Vilakazi Street. This was a surprise a menu which is a combination of The ground floor was reserved for
– a modern double story building simple local food, with dombola the gogos and children, with bigger
with lots of big windows, overlooking (steamed bread), samp, oxtail, tripe, tables and a noisy atmosphere. In
the Orlando Towers and the Orlando as well as popular dishes like chicken keeping with the thoughtfulness to
stadium. The story was interesting; livers, seafood pasta, surf and turf, all, a wheel chair accessible loo was
the owner Lele Ratseko, a self- peri peri chicken. There is also a part of the well-designed interior. This
confessed ‘township entrepreneur’, tasting menu with wine pairing from extended to the outside, where there
had bought the house when it came a well-chosen selection of wines. was a café type space for tables, the
up for sale, razed it to the ground Generous helpings were mirrored in pavement was clean and neat, and
and filled the plot with 1947. The the generous shaped bodies around the car guards helpful without being
name paid homage to the date both us. The service was excellent and invasive.
her parents, proud Soweto residents, friendly, and the atmosphere very
were born. She openly says this is buzzy. I kept thinking that many of It was a cold dusty day, but the
not a chef-owned restaurant, but is the patrons had come from Sandton warmth of 1947, the good food and
run on the basis of good staff and for the Soweto experience, in large atmosphere made for an interesting
good systems. cars and flashy outfits, accessorised and comforting Sunday lunch.
with the necessary watches, shoes
The décor was light and bright, and of course handbags. It was like
and the gin bar and wine collection a township rerun of a Korean TV Gill Butler

VENUS

High Back

Medium Back
Visitors

Tel: 011 434 0444,
Email:Shantelle@chairexpress.co.za
Factory / Warehouse / Showroom:
44 Hulbert Rd Cnr Rosettenville Rd,
New Centre, Johannesburg.
www.seatsahead.co.za