Ci Gusta

My Italian is for all intents and purposes non-existent (background aside) but Ci gusta bene means it tasted good…and boy, did it taste good! Everyone welcome the latest entrant to the list of guilty dairy pleasure providers in the city. Signor Arlecchino better watch out. International franchises seem to gradually making headway into the Ghanaian dining market what with KFC and now this gem of a temptation. The ci gusta brand ranges from savoury to sweet and even includes well know Italian favourites like pizza, but the quasi secret branch in question is located on the first floor of Koala and serves mostly the sweet variety.

Chix n Ribs- American eatery

Conveniently located off Oxford Street, opposite Couture, underneath Exotic trends and down the road from Arllechinos, Chix n Ribs with its provocative name, is surprisingly laid back.  It comprises a very minimalist front desk cum order table cum work table that allows you to peer into the kitchen. The rest of the space is occupied by a bench and a few high chairs that allow you to munch off a narrow table that skirts along one wall, so technically, you can eat in at CnR, but it’s distinctly a take-out joint.

Shaka Zulu

This is where the members of the Billionaire Boys club hang out…maybe in one of the 1000GHS VVIP indoor chalets…

Sorry just had to get that out of the way before diving into the review J The first time I drove past this joint I thought it was a cute name for a chop bar…afterall…it’s in Dzorwulu…how wrong I was…Shaka is the new Twist, even though the old Twist is still alive and kicking. 2^nd spoiler…ladies, don’t expect to find any oiled up Mandingos here…that’s just false marketing…they do however have girls in raffia skirts and calabash bras (oh how I miss those days…) sashaying about. It might be a bit tricky finding your way in the first time especially since you need to make an exit off a highway, but that’s just the first time. You can either make a right into Dzorwulu and drive up the dirt road or slow down and look out for the entrance as soon as the neon sign hits you. The parking headache is a body works specialist’s dream.

Chase El Paso

Yet another Osu venue, but who’s counting?

Located close to Danquah circle, on the first left turn between Koala and Adjoa Adjeiwaa building, on top of Don Emilio and Cave of Marina (side note, if you’re looking for any type of liquor, go the former). You can’t miss the huge sign boards with the colourful sombrero and sienna paint work with colonial detailing to match. The entrance is in the same courtyard as Global Mamas and few other shops, with about 10 parking spots, but there’s Koala right across the road and enough space around. The décor indoors ranges from “very Mexican” on the “bar side” with lots of hard wood and minimal ornamentation, while the “restaurant side” feels like the other side of the border with your basic modern bistro furniture, with chair and couch combinations. There are makeshift keg tables for more relaxed drinking and eating, with a bar that looks into the kitchen (always a good sign), the main drinks bar; with a good variety of drinks. The fine detailing follows into the restroom with premium tiling and design that’s functional.” 2 Rooms for las damas y los caballeros J and lots of tissue. Smoking is allowed…at least on the bar side.

skyfall

There was so much hype about this movie it was ridiculous. And all this is coming in a time when all movies come out with ridiculous hype. I'm not a Bond on Craig as bond fan, so I honestly couldn't be bother, but when the opportunity arose I seized it.

Men in Black 3

Men in black was unfortunately released around the same time as The Avengers, so it really didn’t stand a chance, however, watching it a good 2 months after its release in the peace and quiet of my room, you really get to appreciate what a well crafted action comedy this is. A good 15 years after the first men in black, with its blockbuster actor, blockbuster sales and blockbuster soundtrack…Will Smith could do no wrong, and this seems less like a sequel, so there’s no jinx there…but somehow…I seem to have missed the men in black2 from 2002…or maybe I just         don’t remember, after all, 10 years was a long time ago.

Venus

Women may be from Venus, and this is where you’ll probably find me on a Friday night. It’s been around for a minute, and in the ephemeral night scene in Accra, that’s an eon. At the corner of 6th st. off Oxford Street, for those who don’t know it, it’s hiding in plain sight. Total, Citizen Kofi, Supreme even firefly have become landmarks for an establishment that preceded them. Venus is far from pretentious and dressed up or dressed down, you’re good to go. It offers a variety of dishes including a Lebanese menu, drinks and Shisha. You find a range of people (teens to people way over the hill) chilling on the patio watching cars go buy sipping on hot or cold beverages, smoking hookah, and utilizing the complimentary wifi. Almost nothing is out of place, a girl reading the hunger games on an ipad, a young entrepreneur working busily on a Mac while having his dinner or a group of debutants excited about their first taste of alcohol. Couples on first or last dates, rowdy boys arguing about nothing or singles waiting to meet up with friends in town.