Where people remember your name

For one reason or another, usually to do with music or food, I’ve landed up at Murambi Country Kitchen regularly over the past few weeks. I wish it could stay one of those best-kept-secret things, but that would be selfish (and it would probably end up closing, which would be sad).

The wall behind the stage is lined with old single vinyls

This lovely, gentle spot has become one of my favourite East London places, and lucky for me, it’s close to where I live. I love the setting, right next to Murambi Roses: the big windows look onto a small dam, and then onto open fields that flow to the sea.

Warm place

The proprietor, James, makes a visit here very special indeed. Somehow, he remembers not just your name, but also if you are a vegetarian. It’s warm in other ways, too: on these chilly winter days and nights, there is always a log fire going.

James allows us to drum here on quiet weekday evenings. We are usually accompanied by the property owner’s collie dog, who sings along to our djembe attempts. Truly. On Wednesdays, James, a musician himself, has been known to join in with other local musicians, who gather for jam sessions in his restaurant.

You can actually eat here, too. The menu is fairly limited, but the food is wholesome and nicely prepared. My friend, Mary, loves to have breakfasts here. Cakes for teatime are good, I am told. And I can vouch for the lunches.

Close-up of the placemats

The placemats on your table are old vinyl records, including a lot of Springbok Hits from the 1970s: delightful conversation pieces. As a child in the ’70s, I (like so many kids of the time) would blow my pocket money – a rand or two – on the latest Springbok Hits record. This was how we bought our music back then, and we’d play these records until they were so scratched that you could barely get a coherent sound out of them.

Musicians

The choice of placemats is appropriate because it’s largely through music that Murambi Country Kitchen is carving its place on the map. James has managed to draw quite an impressive range of musicians to perform here.

In summer, we have picnicked under the stars while taking in the sounds of the likes of Guy Buttery  and Nibs van der Spuy. In winter, we move indoors.

This past Saturday night, were treated to an outstanding performance by singer and pianist Shannon Hope. And we’ve just managed to get tickets, selling fast, to rock band Zebra & Giraffe’s show this week.