Weekend With Paul Ballen
Posted: 12 July 2015
Joburg’s Ice Cream King spends his downtime keeping fit and sampling the best food his city has to offer.
Text and Instagrams Paul Ballen
My weekend generally begins with a home-made breakfast next to the pool, and steaming coffee brewed in a Hario V60. To unwind from my manic week, my morning reading consists of The New Yorker, New York Times and The Economist. For lunch, I’ll head with friends to BGR – recently launched, Jed and Josh’s super delicious American-style burgers and fries are savoured in a casual environment.
After lunch, it’s Priest for a quick hit of espresso before the afternoon lull. I often go hiking with friends at Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve; it’s probably one of the closest hiking spots to Jozi and a great place to get some sun, fresh air and nature. When I’m not hiking, a kettlebell and weightlifting workout at home with the Johannesburg Zoo lions roaring in the background is a prelude to my evening.
As dusk falls, I head to Hell’s Kitchen – a trendy new restaurant in Melville – with a group of friends to sample its delicious cinnamon whiskey, called HellFire. Sundays, I’m likely to be at Leafy Greens in Muldersdrift for a nutritious lunch made from locally sourced fresh and seasonal produce.Clouds & Mountains A photo posted by Paul Ballen (@paul_ballen) on
Failing that, I’m a regular in Cyrildene, Jozi’s own Chinatown, where my go-to places include Yat Kee supermarket and any of the yakitori or dim sum street vendors. Late in the afternoon, you’ll find me running in Emmarentia Dam’s lush, green surroundings. There’s no such thing as Sunday blues when weekends end off like this.
Instagram @paul_ballen Twitter @paul_ballen Website paulshomemade.com PAUL'S WEEKEND DIRECTORYGreat Saturday afternoon weightlifting session in my garage gym A photo posted by Paul Ballen (@paul_ballen) on
BGR 172 Jan Smuts Ave, Rosebank, Johannesburg, 071 368 2695
Priest Coffee Bar Shop 1, 142 Jan Smuts Avenue, Rosebank, 071 643 0347
Hell's Kitchen Shop 4. 7th Street, Melville, Johannesburg, 079 980 9591
Leafy Greens Rocky Ridge Road, Muldersdrift, 010 595 4563
