In our monthly #FreshlyPlated restaurant news round-up, we share a glimpse of all the new cafés, bars, and restaurants that Joburg should know about. This month big restaurants are bringing in new top talent to shake things up, we visited a serene new restaurant in Muldersdrift, and nourished our hearts and stomachs at Food I Love You at Constitution Hill.
Much to celebrate and even more on the horizon for Chef Katlego Mlambo. Photo: Kate Liquorish.
We got to sit down with the wonderfully talented and charismatic Chef Katlego Mlambo, whose career has skyrocketed since his return from the UK. Not only is he the new Executive Sous Chef of Flames at Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff, but he’s also the new judge on MasterChef South Africa, which started screening on SABC 3. We’ll be sharing all the juicy details on this and more soon.
The nigiri selection we tasted at Akido. Each piece is a perfect bite. Photo: Johannesburg In Your Pocket.
Earlier this month we were invited to Akido at The Leonardo, located on the ground floor at street level, for a meal that we are still savouring. Headed by ChefEarl Akido (formerly of Nobu Cape Town), this elegant restaurant is one of Joburg's most authentic Japanese restaurants, and certainly its most atmospheric. A cut above in service, food, and price, we think it's definitely worth visiting if you have a discerning palate. The fish here is flown in from Cape Town's top suppliers and the drinks menu is a bow to Japan with sake, Japanese beers and Hibiki whisky. A special night out. We'll have a full review loading soon so make sure that you are signed up to our newsletter to see it first.
Mpho Phalane, founder of Food I Love You. Photo: Kate Liquorish.
Tucked away in The Old Fort, part of the historic Constitution Hill you’ll find Mpho Phalane’s inspiring restaurant, Food I Love You. We were lucky enough to spend the afternoon with her to discover more about the woman who fashions magic through her food and creates experiences that ignite the human spirit. Read all about it here.
Chef Ryan Cole to open COY
Chef Ryan Cole with Head Chefs Teenola Govender (left) and Geoffrey Abrahams (right). Photo: COY.
The V&A Waterfront might soon be Cape Town's flagship destination for fans of fine dining. Chef David Higgs announced at the end of 2022 that he was bringing a touch of Joburg to Cape Town, with Marble opening at The V&A Waterfront in 2024, and now, Chef Ryan Cole of Salsify at The Roundhouse has revealed that he’ll be opening COYin August 2024. It's what he calls "an ocean-inspired, African-led experience at the water’s edge".
World Class South African finalist announced
Nine of the best local bartenders from Joburg, Cape Town, and Durban competed to represent South Africa in the Diageo Bar Academy World Class finals in Shanghai. The competitors went head-to-head over a gruelling, three-day contest to showcase their unique creativity, expertise, and flair to a panel of judges that included last year’s World Class South Africa champion, Julian Short, owner of Sin + Tax. It came down to the wire, but Joburg-based Jody Rahme of Father Coffee took the title. The World Class Global final happens in September.
An opulent new Asian menu from Chef Katsuhiko Miyamoto at Zioux. Photo: Zioux.
Chef Moses Moloi bid a fond farewell to Zioux earlier this year to open his plush and contemporary, local-meets-global restaurant, Gigi at Waterfall Corner. Zioux has since welcomed acclaimed Chef Katsuhiko Miyamoto from Matsusaka, Japan, who has created a menu that marries the most decadent ingredients with bold Asian flavours. You can expect seriously extravagant mains of miso-marinated black cod and smoky wagyu sirloin at hefty prices, but it was their “pan sticked” pork gyoza with ginger soya sauce that took our breath away. The steamed prawn dumplings with ginger and sweet chilli were superb, as was the miso soup with line fish, prawn, black mussels, and coriander.
Events to diarise
Lady Day's cuisine is vibrant with colour and flavour. Photo: Lady Day.
Mamakashaka & Friends host fabulous curated experiences at their venue at 5 De Beer Street, Braamfontien, so make sure to follow their socials to stay up to date with the weekly programme. Weekends often kick off with their ‘co-working café’, followed by a 'Friday Wine-down' (wine and hip-hop), Saturdays are dedicated to cocktails and music, whilst Tasty Sundays are all about food. July's food menus have been crafted by the talented Lady Day known for her inspired, South African-Creole cuisine. Her eclectic menu features coconut chicken with toasted roti and spicy pineapple salsa on yoghurt; beef sliders with cabbage and coriander slaw and spicy green sauce; and lemongrass-rubbed chicken wings with Vietnamese nướcchấm sauce.
Changing things up
Birds Bagels are crossing the road and swapping venues from Mr Pants Wine Bar to Coalition Pizza for their weekend breakfast pop-ups. If you haven’t tried their BLT or trout classic bagel, you’ve been missing out!
Located at Lanseria airport’s doorstep, Culinary Table is an epicurean oasis with a garden-to-table restaurant and whole foods market brimming with the finest in organic and ethically sourced produce. They’ve just partnered with Halali Farm to stock their free-range, grass-grazing beef and free-roaming pork products in their deli, and are now also stocking organic veggies from Green Elephant Organics.
Dish of the day, for only a day, Le Parc by Tashas' bouillabaisse looks rather irresistible. Photo: Le Parc by Tashas.
Tired of seeing the ‘same old, same old’ dishes on the menu? Hyde Park’s Le Parc by Tashas has launched a ‘Plat du Jour’ (daily special), a showcase of their chef's creativity using the best of the fresh seasonal produce from their suppliers. The Plats du Jour will offer one dish every day of the week and will change every week. Hot smoked salmon with herbed horseradish crème; crushed baby potatoes and crispy artichokes; beef bourguignon with caramelised baby onions, mash, and baby carrots; and bouillabaisse with langoustines, mussels, prawns, calamari, line fish, and saffron.
Chef James Diack’s saffron and honey panna cotta with cinnamon sponge and cardamom ice-cream. Photo: Basalt.
Chef James Diack has launched his new winter menu at Basalt at The Peech Hotel. ‘Indian Winter’ is a six-course tasting menu celebrating modern-day Indian cuisine. Highlights from the menu include his ‘mother-in-law prawns’ with garam masala and tomato, a modern take on lamb rogan josh with rolled lamb shoulder, masala farce and spiced green atchar.
We took a day trip away from the city to indulge in a long and lazy lunch at The Terrace at Ground the Venue. It’s an elegantly understated, rustic retreat in the heart of Muldersdrift, and let’s just say it’s worth the journey; the delectable food and serene environment are cause for pause. Read our full review here.
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