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Latest items? Unedited? Fringe Report Uncut
The Ndebele African Café & Deli
Verdict: South Africa in Edinburgh
Restaurant report - Edinburgh - August 05
A piece of South Africa settled in Edinburgh 'to realise a dream and create something that would be unique' - according to its owner Jeni Ayris.
She and a partner set up Ndebele in 1996. They wondered about the name – a South African tribe - but guessed people might remember something hard to pronounce. It's Ndebele (in de belly) - where the food goes.
Jeni Ayris sees Ndebele as 'A cultural haven in Tollcross', and says there's very strong word of mouth and return trade - many of them locals who were customers from the first day it opened. The List rates them in the top five cafés in Edinburgh. The Observer Food Monthly placed them second out of all the delis in Scotland. A survey of readers voted only Valvona and Crolla - much older and larger - ahead of them. Jenni Ayris: 'All our cold food is freshly prepared on the premises.' Hot meals are specially made by a small company. The theme is 'wholesome, fresh and reasonably-priced meals with an African flavour.'
Ndebele includes a South African deli & store (smoked ostrich and mango chutney, boerewors, biltong, and vegetarian); they do mail order and outside catering; there's a small space for art exhibitions.
A few years ago, Ndebele were approached by Shakti - fringe performer and manager of Garage International. The result was a shabeen in The Garage venue. Shabeens, Jeni explains, were illegal township drinking dens where the 'Mama' served quarts of lager to men sitting on beer crates. The Garage shabeen was legal and had better seating. It was an experience not to be missed. But too late now - Edinburgh City Council closed The Garage in 2005 for redevelopment. Jeni says she's open to offers. Ndebele in the Underbelly?
Contact: Ndebele, 57 Home Street, Tollcross, Edinburgh, EH3 9JP. tel 0131 221 1141. fax 0131 221 1608. email info@ndebele.co.uk. Owner - Jeni Ayris
END
(c) Peter Andrews 2005
reviewed August 05 / The Ndebele African Café / Edinburgh
Fringe Report (c) Fringe Report 2002-2012
www.fringereport.com
