An afternoon of South African cuisine and Peter Gabriel scratching my back

For our graduation my friend Jeremy came to London, he planned a visit to Chakalaka, the place promotes itself as a celebration of the South African cuisine. I was really excited, we went with the idea of trying crocodile, so there we were, Jeremy, Osama, Mihir, Prisul, and myself looking at their exotic menu and open to recommendations from our expert. The place full of typical decoration such as furs of animals, pictures of the jungle, and items related to the South African culture.

Chakalaka in Putney

We went down to business, sadly there was no crocodile in the menu (out of season), for starter we asked Boerewors with Chakalaka sauce (sausages really good, one of my favourites), spicy chicken wings, biltong (cured meat), prawns in filo, houmous, and fish goujons. Then for main I had the chargrilled ostrich just amazing, and I tried also the chargrilled kudu steak and the chargrilled Namibian rump steak. In my opinion the best one is the ostrich, the kudu is extremely good, and the rump steak is really good. Also I had the chance to see the spatchcook whole chicken, a good option if you’re hungry, because the dish is just huge. To drink I ordered Castle an authentic South African beer. For dessert we tried the amarula crème brulee, Sanet’s milk tart, and the peppermint crisp surprise. I don’t have a sweet tooth but the crème brulee and the crisp surprise was quite good.

Prawns, Houmous, and Chicken Wings

Biltong, Fish Goujons, and Boerewores

If you’re really hungry why not to go for the 25 oz rump steak challenge, they dare you to eat it in less than 25 minutes and you get a free t-shirt. They also on the weekends have an all you can eat of ribs, I can’t wait to go on a weekend to try it.

Chargrilled Ostrich

Three locations (Putney, Chiswick, and Wimbledon) for a real South African delight, friendly staff, good service, and excellent food. Be prepared to spend around 25 pounds and enjoy your time over there. Also you don’t need to have a pop urine test like Elaine had to do to try to convince her boss J Peterman to go with him to Africa in “The Shower Head” Seinfeld Episode.

Peterman: I'm afraid I have some bad news, Elaine. It appears you will not be accompanying me to Africa.

Elaine: What? Why not?

Peterman: I'm afraid it's your urine, Elaine. You tested positive for opium.

Elaine: Opium?

Peterman: That's right, Elaine. White lotus. Yam-yam. Shanghai Sally.

Elaine: That's impossible, I've never done a drug in my life. Dr. Strugatz must have made a mistake.

Peterman: Not a chance. I'm afraid I'll just have to find someone else to accompany me on my journey. The Dark Continent is no place for an addict, Elaine.

Waiting for the big one

Finally the day arrived. I have been waiting for months for this concert, Peter Gabriel in the O2. The last time I saw Gabriel was for the Secret World’s tour, definitely one of the best shows I have ever been. This time I was sure it was going to be a little bit different, Gabriel’s new album concept is completely symphonic, as a result his usual band was dispensed for this project. He decided to cover his favourite songs or as he says in his web site, songs “among the pinnacle of songwriting endeavour”. The most interesting part of this new project, apart from having the chance to see Peter performing again, is that every artist he’s covering has to record one of Gabriel’s songs in the forthcoming album “I’ll scratch yours”.

Peter Gabriel performing the book of love

The concert was divided in two segments, the first part was Scratch my Back. Peter was accompanied by the New Blood orchestra just amazing. My favourite songs were David Bowie’s Heroes, Paul Simon’s the Boy in the Bubble, and the Magnetic Fields’ The Book of Love. The second part of the show, Peter performed some of his classic songs with new arrangements and again no guitars, no drums, just a symphonic orchestra playing with him. I had the chance and pleasure to hear San Jacinto, Digging in the Dirt, Downside Up, Signal to Noise, Blood of Eden, The Rhythm of the Heat, Solsbury Hill, In Your Eyes, Don’t Give Up, and to finish The Nest that Sailed in the Sky.

Peter Gabriel performing Solsbury Hill

Peter’s career has been amazing, starting with Genesis, giving the fans a theatrical concept and an outstanding stage presence in all their shows, which involved bizarre costumes and light effects, to a more mature solo career, full of exuberant concerts, a complete world music influence, and as a result magical albums. Definitely Gabriel climbed Solsbury Hill, looked In Your Eyes, told you Don’t Give Up, played Games without Frontiers, invited you to his Secret World, and has been Growing Up all these year.