'Neither Black Nor White' Art Exhibition

If you're in Accra next week from Wed 30th Nov - Sat 3rd Dec, Studio Kurtycz has an exhibition on titled "Neither Black Nor White", with works by Anna Kurtycz, Isaac Konney, Kelvin Haizel, Nii Obodai and Rudek van der Helm.

A print-making demonstration will be help on Saturday at 5pm.
Sad to be missing this - do go and enjoy.

Jazz in Accra

Last weekend was the Miles Davies Tribute Concert at the Golden Tulip and this weekend +233 - I love that they've taken a very unique country code and created a very cool Jazz spot in Accra - is hosting its very first Jazz Festival, to run over three days.
Last night was the debut night and it drew a sizeable mixed crowd; hope it draws an even bigger crowd in the next two days. If anything go for their kebabs and the music. If you're a Jazz Aficionado go for Gyedu Blay Ambolley, The Sound Factory, Kwame Yeboah & The Ohea BeYeYa Band and others as they play under the cool evening sky. Last night Marion Meadows, the saxophonist, gave the crowds a teaser of what he has in stall for the next two days- and it promises to be great. Cover charge is GHc40.00

Ewe Kente

I ventured out to Burma Camp; the Army Barracks in Accra last week, to seek out the weavers of Ewe Kente. I met with Ahiagble Bob Dennis who has written a book about Ewe Kente; The Pride of Ewe Kente and runs a small shop in Burma Camp.It's a large compound with about four weavers working on the intricate-looking looms the Kente is woven on.
The most noticeable difference between Ewe and Ashanti Kente is in the use of colour. Ewe Kente, can best be described as 'calm' according to Ahiagble, predominantly using muted colours; yellow, red, green, black, white and blue whereas Ashanti Kente; described as 'cheerful' in colour uses the magenta, yellow, bright green and red colours.
As with Ashanti kente, there is symbolism and meaning in the patterns of the woven cloth.

Declaration of Origin

Finding a good steak in Accra is no longer a case of playing Russian roulette in the culinary search. Restaurants have now caught on to proudly declaring the origin of their meat. Why? Because beef reared on fish produce, a very common thing in Ghana, cannot be labelled 'Surf and Turf' - just unpalatable.

This was not always the case though - a year and a half ago you pretty much went in blind when ordering a steak in a restaurant - wondering as you mulled over the filet on the menu whether it would taste of meat this time or have the slight whiff of fish as well. It took me a while to realise that the whiff of fish in my meat was not the chef using the same pan to make the sauce for my steak and frying the fish for my companion. The whiff was indeed in the meat.

Now restaurant menus have the source of their beef printed clearly and proudly...mainly you will find South African Beef and Argentinian and the odd Californian Beef. The French Restaurants; like Le Tandem remained partial to their home countries' produce, but now other nations' bovine exports are featuring heavily on their menus.
Unfortunately up until last month, South African beef had been off the menu in Ghana due to the latest outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) there. The Netherlands has been the main source for Stellar Catering- my trusted supplier of South African beef. Other restaurants that now serve South African beef are:

• Rhapsody's 
• Safari Restaurant
• The former El Gaucho Argentinian Restaurant in Osu.

Everything Art

The Letters from Africa exhibition which has been on at the Brazil House in Jamestown (Old Accra) comes to a close today. I missed it - not from a lack of effort - I went in the morning with a friend and found that it was only open in the afternoons...it was not an entirely wasted trip, the permanent exhibition is interesting also. The images recount the history of the Tabon people in Ghana. Returning slaves from Brazil. It is all explained; from the Portuguese names to the cuisine.

Alabaster Box...Musical Gentlemen

Photo Courtesy of: Alabaster Box

Alabaster Box,  sing what they call 'Afroppella', uniquely African sounds mingled with their perfect acappella repertoire. They are an all-male, gospel acappella music quartet whose sound is reminiscent of South Africa's very own LadySmith Black Mambazo. They are fantastic! For a group that has played to audiences all over the world and toured with world-famous musicians, they were pleasant, extremely humble and positively charming.

Champagne brunch?

I am loving the changing dining landscape in Accra. Three years ago, the dining scene was completely different from what it is today. Bella Roma, Pazzo, Red Chilli, The Lounge to name a few are recent additions to this constantly evolving scene.
The newest addition is the newly-built Mövenpick  Hotel in Accra - next to the Novotel, at the old Ambassador Hotel site. So new in fact that the official launch is only scheduled for October this year. The hotel has however been having a series of soft launches since last month...breakfasts, lunches and dinners. I had breakfast there last week and was fairly impressed. Today we decided on a Sunday brunch with the family and all I can say is...it has been a long time coming.

Gastronomy in Ghana: Roots Flavours

Roots Flavours is in the W.E.B Du Bois Centre in Cantonments. Varied menu from garlic bread and barbecue chicken wings, salads and a pizza menu. Then there's the Ghanaian cuisine, which is what we ended up having.

Cinco de Mayo in the diaspora

Children in traditional dress celebrate Cinco de Mayo;
© Lawrence Migdale

Yesterday it was Adventurers in the diaspora and Cinco de Mayo  - did not realise that Cinco de Mayo is a big deal until I saw that here in Accra we're also celebrating it at Citizen Kofi with a fiesta tonight. Fellow South African blogger KoKofifi is also celebrating - liked her Viva la Mexico! post.
Always something in Accra. The Adventurers is the diaspora series has been going on for over a year now, diarise and once a month, venture out to Branche Restaurant at the Golden Tulip, for lively discussions and an interesting evening all round.

And for the shameless plug...GIWC (Ghana International Women's Club) Bazaar is tomorrow at El Wak Stadium in Burma Camp from 10am to 5pm. All Funds raised are going towards the renovation of the Maternity Theatre at Ridge Hospital. There will be food stalls, a wide variety of vendors' stalls, tombola, a bake stall, a kids' zone with a jumping castle and games. Admission: GHc3 for Adults and GHc1 for children.

Golf and Lobster

This post was not meant to be about food...I have been meaning to post more about my other passion; golf and the places where I indulge it, but, somehow it turned into a post about some of the best food in the most unlikely place.

Gastronomy in Ghana: Il Cavaliere Pazzo

Il Cavaliere Pazzo has been open for over two years and whether you're there for drinks after work, for a meal or taking in a polo match, it's the ideal all-round place.  Themed around polo; the napkin holders are horseshoes- adds a nice touch, and both floors of the restaurant open up to the Accra Polo grounds.

Gastronomy in Ghana: The Lounge

Sushi at The Lounge . I wrote about Chase last month, but only tried out The Lounge recently. I went for sushi with a friend, and we were treated to firm, fresh maki rolls, nigiri and a delightful salmon salad.

Gastronomy in Ghana: Zion Thai Restaurant

Thai food in the heart of Osu. I had some amazing Thai food on Thursday. It was meant to be a quick lunch with a friend ... the wait was rather long, but when it did finally come we were very impressed. Look past the name, which for a Thai restaurant is somewhat bizarre, the food is great!

Thousand hand Buddha...brilliant!

Last night I took my daughter to the My Dream Charity Show put on by the China Disabled Peoples' Performing Art Troupe at the National Theatre. On a school night? I know, but the show was in Accra for two nights only and the international reviews it'd received were really good.
Moving, synchronized dances, and all the more powerful when you consider the timing that has to go into the movements given that the dancers do not hear the music - although they were being cued through sign language. The 'Thousand hand Bodhissatva' dance was absolutely amazing and the 'Butterfly lover' dance equally captivating. Then there was the Jazz performance, the Latin dancing... I could go on forever. It was a truly fantastic show!

Gastronomy in Ghana: Safari French Restaurant

How do you say Safari in French? What I do know is that Safari Restaurant (formerly Safari Livingstone) serves up veritable French cuisine, but the name, or decor is anything but French.

Gastronomy in Ghana: Bella Roma

A lounge bar that combines a delicatessen and a restaurant all under one roof. Bella Roma has managed to draw crowds given it has only been on Accra's scene for just over a year. Their attempt of a Mojito is commendable - you just have to make a special request for the crushed ice, and the ambiance is - to borrow from my daughter's vocabulary - cool. It's one of those places where you will hear the strains of Cafe Del Mar over the music system one day and Cuban sounds on the next and it feels like you could be anywhere in the world.

Gastronomy in Ghana: Magnolia's Restaurant & Bar

It was my second visit to Magnolia's and this time I was more than impressed with the level of service. There has been a huge improvement since the last time I was there. The waitress introduced herself brought our menus and took our drinks orders the moment we sat down. They even go all out to provide the young ones with a special menu and colouring paper and crayons while they wait.
We went for waffles but decided on pancakes and chips and chicken wings - with milk shakes for the kids. Simple, well presented and tasty. Still love their toasted baguette with garlic butter that they bring out while you wait.

Gastronomy in Ghana: Chase Restaurant & Lounge

You may have seen the huge billboards around Accra and wondered what they were advertising...Chase is a newly-opened restaurant in Labone opposite Labone Coffee Shoppe. It has a casual section that serves a wide range of fast foods, with an outside area and inside air-conditioned section.

Gastronomy in Ghana: Red Chilli Restaurant

Eating out in Accra is never a rushed affair for a number of reasons...perhaps one's desire to linger over a meal or sometimes service that is too slow. Red Chilli offers the best of both worlds, honestly good traditional cuisine and a buffet service that ensures you can indeed have a quick but fantastic meal in less that one hour. I met friends for lunch and an hour later, we'd eaten, caught up and left fully satisfied.

Gastronomy in Ghana: Thai Island Restaurant

Afrikiko Leisure Centre - adjacent to the French Embassy, just off Liberation Road is proving to be a gem of a place for good places to eat. Cafe Dez Amis is in the same compound and the latest addition is a restaurant with authentic Thai food ; Thai Island restaurant.