Having watched it for the better part of my early teen years, I too wanted to have something similar to what was portrayed on the series.
I longed for a small group of friends who were practically like family to me; I wanted to live in the same building as them; I wanted thick beautiful hair like Rachel’s; and most importantly I wanted my friends and I to have hang out spots that resembled the famous Friends hangout, Central Perk.
Since then, I can gladly say the only thing I was recently able to tick off my list was having the best friends in the world.
I haven’t lost hope on Rachel’s hair as I’m still looking for long luscious brunette hair, either from India, Brazil or Malaysia. But everything else on my list just never seemed as they would happen.
That was until this past weekend that is.
After another Saturday visit to Braam, I found us a cool hangout spot.
So, it’s not a coffee shop, doesn’t have the familiar orange couch Monica, Rachel, Chandler, Joey, Phoebe and Ross would spend endless hours sitting on, but it was definitely a spot I could see my friends and I visiting on a regular basis.
The Banister Hotel on De Beer Street.
There is something charming and almost enchanting about the hotel’s farm-style restaurant, the City Kitchen.
Looking from outside in, you’re pulled in by the chilled and friendly atmosphere with wooden furniture and an eclectic design.
My friends and I are currently “balling” on a budget so one of our biggest priorities when looking for a place to hang out in is whether the food is reasonably priced or not.
Considering that the hotel’s restaurant is run by a professional chef, Carol Greenwood, we were quite impressed at how reasonable their menu is.
While I was chewing on my tasty R60 bacon and cheese burger thinking, “This could be my life”. The experience got even better when a live performance by a DJ and vocalist began behind me.
The restaurant fits in with the rest of its surrounding spots in Braamfontein and it appears to be the go-to place right after a visit to the Neighbourgoods Market.
Everything about it suggests the venue is a good spot for friends looking to relax, have a bite, a drink and be entertained at the same time.
It may not be Central Perk but I’m good with swapping my coffee for a draft during a Saturday afternoon with my friends.
