Burgers and Dog
Jozi dogs have been finding their way in front of my camera lens lately.
Last weekend, in addition to photographing a friend’s dogs on the Melville Koppies, I also met a very special guard dog at a café in Northcliff.
Amiga, guard dog at the Indulgence Café.
I hate using clichés. But the Indulgence Café epitomizes the term “hidden gem”. It’s a quirky establishment in one of a long row of nondescript strip malls along Beyers Naude. (It’s actually one strip mall over from the famous Thunder Gun!)
The quirky patio at the Indulgence Café.
I’m not sure how best to describe the Indulgence Café, and I didn’t spend enough time there to do it full justice in a blog post. My friend Nina and I just stumbled in on a Saturday afternoon looking for lunch. I was there long enough to learn that Indulgence is a gourmet restaurant, a bakery, a catering company, a lounge, a bookstore, and a venue for writers’ talks and other literary events. (Considering the subject of my previous post, I’m ashamed that I didn’t find out if the Indulgence Café has free wireless internet or not. But there’s a good chance it does.)
I can tell you two things for sure about the Indulgence Café:
- Indulgence Café serves a mean burger.
Burger topped with avo and thick Danish feta, served on a bagel with a side of fried potatoes on a stick. I believe this meal cost R65 ($8.40).
- Indulgence Café has the most fabulous, gentle guard dog in Johannesburg.
Amiga.
Amiga is a boerboel, a mastiff breed created by South African farmers (boers) to protect their homesteads. Funny that such a uniquely South African dog has a Spanish name. Somehow it suits her.
Mandi, Amiga’s owner and the proprietress of the Indulgence Café, said Amiga is normally camera-shy. For some reason she tolerated mine. I’m glad she did.
Amiga enjoys one of the sofas at the Indulgence Café.
Life imitates art.
I’ll definitely be back to the Indulgence Café, for the burgers and for the dog.
The Indulgence Café is located at 225 Beyers Naude Drive, Northcliff. It also goes by the name Lollipops Catering. You can subscribe to a newsletter about the café’s events by emailing [email protected].
Great pictures! Your dog is a adorable!
Thank you. She’s not my dog though!
those are some serious jowls. impressive. looks like a super-sweet dog.
She is indeed. Thanks for the comment, Candy!
I LOVE Amiga!!
You must really love her, Keith, because I can’t remember the last time you commented on my blog! If you ever make it to Joburg I will take you to meet Amiga.
I think Amiga sensed your grandmother was the Queen of Dog Lovers. Cooncie would have flipped over this cutie!
Indeed she would have. Perhaps I have inherited some of Cooncie’s dog whisperer genes.
I want a dog with jowly jowls!
Amiga looks comfy. Love it! Hugs, Kathy
Thanks Kathy!
Aww, love those photos! Amiga reminds me of a bull mastiff my granddad owned when I was a kid.
Thank you for the fabulous review, with the stunning pics, it is really appreciated! Amiga’s name means “female friend” and she is just that, my best friend She loves the attention so please come visit. She also tweets @AmigaFriedman Have an awesome week end xx
Thank YOU for the fabulous burger and fabulous dog to photograph :)
Reblogged this on Love & Lollipops and commented: have a gander at this fabulous post about us & @AmigaFriedman Thank you Heather!
:)
I love the dog! A little too big for me, but I know my partner wants one of those once we have a home of our own.
I know, I feel the same. I’m not ready to have a big dog in my life, but Amiga makes me want one. Thanks for reading!
:)
Indulgence has a very definite personality and we are an interesting bunch of people that hang out on a regular basis. Every time I have gone there, I have met some interesting body or another and time tends to stand still. As a friend and regular customer, I have to say that I LOVE Indulgence with all its quirkyness. Thank you for blogging of my favourite hang out.
Hi Lizl, I’m glad you liked the post. Thanks for reading and commenting! Indulgence seems like a great local hangout.
I love the dog’s eyes. They’re so intense, the dog just gives off an air of nobility!
Thank you. Exactly what I thought when I photographed her.
Heather, Ya gotta write a book already!!! The photos are awesome too!
Deano
Thank you Dean. I’m working on it, I swear!
Reblogged this on Travels with Fred and commented: Woof! What a great looker!!
This is an awesome post and great photos. Definitely going to drop into the cafe too - my wife will love the fact that there’s a dog roaming free :)
Glad you like the post! Indulgence is worth a visit for sure.