Gastronomy in Ghana: The View Bar & Grill, Kumasi

The Kumasi restaurant scene is getting a new addition soon, with the opening of The View Bar & Grill scheduled for December 2013.
General Manager, Marcus Etty had this to say about it:

FOOD will be the soul of The View Bar & Grill. British Head Chef Danny Cornwell, former Executive chef of critically acclaimed Café Des Amis in Covent Garden, London and private chef for the Rolling Stones and Elton John has put together a menu that will incorporate British gastronomy blended with classic French Brasserie cuisine.

The DRINKS menu will offer the best of classic, premium and signature drinks, together with an extensive wine list.

MUSIC will be at the heart of this new establishment. Feature nights of Jazz and Blues, Nu Soul and R&B and Soulful House work alongside daily playlists of the very best vintage and new music.

I  looking forward to reading comments and reviews about this place once it has opened.

'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.

Bidding Farewell to Ghana

In the midst of the flurry of activity around packing away our three years here; as well as the farewell teas, lunches and dinners, I almost forgot to write my very last post from Ghana. I am already thinking of how much I will miss the taste of shito with fried yam and kelewele on my tongue. A farewell gift from friends is a recipe book of Ghanaian dishes - which I now have to learn to perfect because according to my kids I can no longer pass off my attempts as Ghanaian with a South African twist, as I have been doing.

Thank you for hosting us. I take with me memories of the sights and sounds: Makola; Agbogboloshie; Cape Coast; Kokrobite; and that Jamestown Castle. I will always remember: crowded La Beach; the Volta River; the castles steeped in history; incessant hooting; aggressive tro-tro drivers; and the fruit - yes definitely the sweet taste of Cape Coast pineapple. Not forgetting: the hawkers selling everything from groundnuts to puppies; the hot sticky weather incredibly I will miss that too; the vibrant colours of kente at a durbar; pride in a culture rich in history; grilled tilapia with banku; the motorcycles of Tamale; and that very Ghanaian greeting Akwaaba.


I bid you adieu ~ Yεbεhyia.

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

Femme Power!

My daughter, the feminist. In a random discussion a couple of days ago about recent age-appropriate sites she'd been on, she was outraged and confused that one said site had informed her that she could not start a club called "Femenists" (sic). "I just wanted to start a club that would discuss female leaders and how they inspire women in society today." Clearly this was a bit too much for 'the site' moderators; after all, revolutions have started more innocuously.

Yesterday however 'the site' approved her Club and she was propelled again on her mission to recruit members and get the discussion going. A small win for an eleven-year old young lady, but today it was huge win for Femme Power as Christine Lagarde was appointed the IMF's first woman Managing Director.

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.

In Numbers

Maternal mortality remains one of the biggest killers in sub-saharan Africa. In 2000, the United Nations estimated that the number of women who died during pregnancy or shortly after birth at 529,000 (almost one maternal death per minute), of which less than 1% occurred in industrialised countries. These kind of statistics are often bandied around especially as relates to health care but with no real connection as to what they really mean. I'll be the first to admit that it's often just numbers until you break it down for me. As in maternal mortality kills 500,000 women annually around the world, next only to cancer or HIV-AIDS or similar.

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.

To a Genius with a Golf Club.

Source: www.golf.com

Last night I watched a Supersport tribute to Seve Ballesteros  who died on May 7th. Described as a Maverick! Daring! and Passionate!...not words associated with golfers by any means. Yes, the likes of Gary Player and of course Tiger Woods have had their fair share of hyperbolic compliments heaped upon them, and deservedly so, but Seve was...Bold! This was a player credited with words such as "It doesn't matter where you hit the drive if you make the putt" and other gems such as "The more you go into trees, the more you have practice".

Each time I step up onto a tee box, or contemplate a shot that requires safe play...I ultimately always reach into my bag for the most unlikely club with a whimsical, "Let's go for it...after all, fortune favours the brave!"  I only learnt last night that this was a phrase often used to describe his style of play.

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.

Dreaming of Mzansi

Source: www.jhblive.com

The rainy season is upon us and at the moment I am not loving the weather. Normally I am one to relish the overcast, cooler days but I am not feeling it right now. Because of the weather a part of me is wishing I was home...hae...mzansi...down south. SA's weather is at the start of those long winter nights and chilly, crisp days...warm, more-ish soups and slow-cooked stews. (Again, the food theme...eish! Just can't help myself).

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!