Day 3 was a relatively free day for us and we had decided to spend the day taking in the sights and sounds of World Cup fever. The hub of the action in Jo'Burg was Nelson Mandela Square in Sandton City and we immediately proceeded to immerse ourselves into the melee. Sandton City was expectedly buzzing. The blue and white had however given way to Oranje. Holland were playing 
Denmark the following day and the Dutch fans were making themselves heard. Seas of Orange and Red were all we could see, though the banter was largely good natured.
Nelson Mandela Square is flanked by cafe's and restaurants on all sides and is pretty much the place where all the tourists of JoBurg eat, drink and make merry. The decor was not wholly because of the Fifa World Cup as we noted a distinct sub continental flavor in the decor with the Indian Tricolour and Sri Lankan Lion displayed proudly alongside the Spanish flag in one of the Ital
ian restaurants flanking the square. Chances are that the IPL had a whole host of Indians in the vicinity a few months earlier.
It was in one such restaurant at Nelson Mandela Square - Butcher Shop and Grill that we had our lunch and the meal ranks as one of the best steak meals that I have ever had in my life.
South Africans take their steaks very seriously and the Butcher Shop and Grill is no different. There were atleast three clear differences between my steak eating experiences in India and that I encountered in South Africa. Firstly, the source of the meat is well advertised. The Butcher Shop and Grill sources all its meat from Karan's Beef - which is the South African benchmark as far as
quality beef is concerned. Secondly - There is a choice of portion unlike what you get in India. One can choose from Sirloin, T-Bone, and Rump i.e. the cut of the meat. Thirdly - You can actually choose the exact chunk of meat and the weight as I am trying to do in the pic.
The taste was expectedly fantastic, I ordered my steak well done and with Mushroom sauce.
Denmark the following day and the Dutch fans were making themselves heard. Seas of Orange and Red were all we could see, though the banter was largely good natured.Nelson Mandela Square is flanked by cafe's and restaurants on all sides and is pretty much the place where all the tourists of JoBurg eat, drink and make merry. The decor was not wholly because of the Fifa World Cup as we noted a distinct sub continental flavor in the decor with the Indian Tricolour and Sri Lankan Lion displayed proudly alongside the Spanish flag in one of the Ital
ian restaurants flanking the square. Chances are that the IPL had a whole host of Indians in the vicinity a few months earlier.It was in one such restaurant at Nelson Mandela Square - Butcher Shop and Grill that we had our lunch and the meal ranks as one of the best steak meals that I have ever had in my life.
South Africans take their steaks very seriously and the Butcher Shop and Grill is no different. There were atleast three clear differences between my steak eating experiences in India and that I encountered in South Africa. Firstly, the source of the meat is well advertised. The Butcher Shop and Grill sources all its meat from Karan's Beef - which is the South African benchmark as far as
quality beef is concerned. Secondly - There is a choice of portion unlike what you get in India. One can choose from Sirloin, T-Bone, and Rump i.e. the cut of the meat. Thirdly - You can actually choose the exact chunk of meat and the weight as I am trying to do in the pic.The taste was expectedly fantastic, I ordered my steak well done and with Mushroom sauce.
The mushroom sauce was served separate, similar to how mustard is served in India. The other thing I will never forget about Butcher Shop and Grill were the complimentary starters that we were offered while waiting for the steak. We were served some cocktail beef sausages which went very well with the beer that we were having. Quite honestly, The Butcher Shop and Grill is a must do for all the Beef Eaters out there - its pretty much Beef Nirvana. However the 
non Beef eaters best stay away - the chicken which my wife sampled was slightly tough, not very good and does not augur so well for my non beef eating friends.
non Beef eaters best stay away - the chicken which my wife sampled was slightly tough, not very good and does not augur so well for my non beef eating friends.After a very large and filling lunch we proceeded to roam around the Sandton City mall and went in to the Checkers super market. I strongly believe that the markets should be a must do in any tour itinerary to get a feel of everyday people doing their everyday shopping and Checkers supermarket gave a pretty good feel of the average South African going about their daily shopping.
I was expectedly blown away by the meat section at the market. The meat market almost resembled a meat library with pretty much as many types and cuts of beef, pork, mutton and chicken one can imagine - It was far superior in variety and quantity than anything I had previously seen.
The day was not all gastronomy however, as we took in the Ghana Serbia match at the Innesfree Park Fan Zone. Fan Zones are really integral to the World Cup experience and South Africa was no different. The fan zone was sposored by Coca Cola and the place was buzzing with South Africans and tourists of all shapes and sizes. There were two giant Screens and plenty of entertainment and food options. The fan zone really gave a sense of the party that the soccer world cup is. Impromptu football games, visible African pride cheering the Ghanaians on, families out in full force enjoying the World Cup experience. The best part - The fan zone was free for all!We retired early for the night after the Asamoah Gyan penalty sealed Africas first win of the world cup.
We took in the Germany - Australia game from the hotel room as we sampled a chicken Schnitzel from City Lodge Morningsides in house restaurant - McGintys Irish pub. The schnitzel is a preparation of Austrian descent, fried chicken beaten flat out with a coat of bread crumbs - not very different from the ubiquitous cutlet in India but with a lot more chicken. Decent - but nothing close to the experience at the Butcher Shop and Grill.
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