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If you missed it, catch up on our previous edition of #FreshlyPlated here.
The latest news
La Colombe named Best Restaurant in Africa
It may not be a Joburg restaurant but we still felt it was newsworthy to share. La Colombe in Constantia, Cape Town, has been named the 49th Best Restaurant in the World and Best Restaurant in Africa as announced by The World’s 50 Best Restaurants awards earlier this month. Why, you may ask? According to the website, it’s largely due to their “fun dining”: “Though the eight or 10-course tasting menus are executed with impeccable precision, the experience remains playful and approachable, with guests selecting their own canapés as they begin their meal.” La Colombe is also lauded for an impressive wine list and non-alcoholic options for those who do not partake. If you’re planning a trip to Cape Town, you’d best line up that reservation soon. We reckon they’re raking up a long waiting list since the news broke.
World's best 20 cities for food
Events to diarise
THE LUXURIOUS MARBLE CIRCUSThis is something we’re sure will cause a stir amongst the devotees of David Higgs and the Marble Group of restaurants. Taking place at Ground the Venue in Muldersdrift on Sat, Oct 26 and Sun, Oct 27, The Luxurious Marble Circus is a two-day outdoor food and music affair. You guessed it: the Marble Group is bringing something fantastical to our favourite new venue in Muldersdrift. Experiences are inspired by Marble, Pantry, Saint, and Zioux, so take your pick depending on your mood. Some of South Africa's biggest names are coming together to craft a special experience, including David Higgs, chef and social media sensation The Lazy Makoti, Katsuhiko Miyamoto (who food aficionados know as Chef Miya, a culinary maestro from Matsusaka, Japan, who has spent the past 30 years in South Africa), Saxon Hotel Sous Chef Trevor Chikaura, J’Something, and Cape Town-based chef and restaurateur Reuben Riffel.
Same taste, new look
FAMA DELI AT VICTORIA YARDS
Fama is a delicatessen with deep Joburg roots. It was founded in South Africa in 1987 by Roberto Sa Gimenez, a Spanish immigrant, who sold his shop to husband-and-wife duo Nunu and Carla Fernandes who still run it today. For years they were based at 12 Viljoen Street in Lorentzville but this month they have relocated to Victoria Yards, just down the road. They sell cured meats made in the Spanish style, as well as wine, coffee, and other deli items. They’re open Mon – Sat but if you swing past for Victoria Yards’ First Sunday, you can also stock up on the good stuff.
SÉJOUR
At the beginning of the month, Séjour at The Houghton Hotel announced that it will be undergoing renovations. “We can’t wait to unveil some exciting surprises upon our return,” read the post on their Instagram page. If we’re to go on what they’ve said on their socials, they’re working on an intriguing private dining venue. We love any visit to Séjour and look forward to seeing what’s next.
THE GRILLHOUSE ROSEBANK
The Grillhouse Rosebank has undergone a major renovation and it seems the work is complete. If you fancy a good steak and glass of wine for your next dinner out, why not pop in to see the new look?
What’s new?
CREMALAT ONLINEThe most exciting news! Beloved Italian deli Cremalat has launched an online store which means shopping the wine, pasta, sweet treats, veggies, and all manner of Italian goodies they stock has never been easier. We took a look and have our eye on several products we’d like to add to the cart. Unfortunately, we couldn’t find the online cheese selection so for now it seems this is something you still need to get from their Elandsfontein, Hyde Park, or Pretoria shops.
OBSCURA BAR AND EATERY
Last week we attended the media launch of Obscura Bar and Eatery in Oxford Parks, Rosebank. Headed up by mixologist and co-owner George Hunter, formerly of Marble, Saint and Sin + Tax, the main attraction is the cocktail list. Hunter has created a menu that features traditional cocktails with a contemporary twist (think a clarified piña colada – the mixologist's favourite item on the menu). You can also expect a few virgin options and signature cocktails that change seasonally to ensure a fresh drinks menu throughout the year. On the food front, the menu has been designed in a tapas style to share, with a selection of bar snacks, meaty options, salads, and desserts. We're told the Cape Malay Charred Broccoli dish is the one to try and might have to go back to do just that. Be warned, the selfie crowd love this place, if the opening night was anything to go by.
RADISSON RED’S SATURDAY CURRY BUFFET
Joburg is officially caught in winter’s icy grip but here’s something to warm your day. Radisson Red’s OUI Bar + KTCHN is spicing up Saturday nights with their RED Spice Route, a new curry buffet on offer between 18:00 – 22:00. For R295 p.p. you can enjoy an Indian welcome drink and a buffet of flavourful curries. Bookings are essential and can be made by emailing foodanddrinks.rosebank@radissonred.com
SANDTON SUN LAUNCHES NEW MENUS
Sandton Sun has unveiled new menus, including a breakfast, banqueting, and San Deck menu. We were treated to a taste last week and couldn't get enough of the rich wine braised oxtail with creamy mashed potato, chicken and corn soup, and seabass pasta. Something we haven't yet tried but that sounds intriguing is the Jozi Benedict made with spicy beef mince, vetkoek, eggs, and hollandaise sauce. Local luxury! Bookings are essential; contact +27 11 780 5000 for reservations.
Our latest reviews
54 ON BATH CHEF’S TABLE
If you like something a little out of the ordinary, 54 on Bath’s new Chef’s Table Experience might be the thing for you. We attended the media launch earlier this month and were treated to a nine-course menu with a wine pairing. We found it all came together beautifully in the name of a good night out. An experience previously only accessible during Restaurant Week, 54 on Bath's Level 4 Restaurant has opened up its Chef's Table Experience to anyone looking for a food foray of note presented in the heart of the restaurant's kitchen. Read our review here.
CASA DAS NATAS
We recently visited The Troyeville – not for its tasty prawns or spicy peri-peri chicken but for the delicate pasteis de nata made in-house at Casa das Natas. We learnt about the origins of the brand, tasted some of the delicious flavours, and learnt a thing or two about how to enjoy these mouthwatering, traditional Portuguese custard pastries. Read all about it.
DE BABA EATERY
We found croissant heaven and it’s in Melville. We headed to the colourful De Baba Eatery on Melville’s Seventh Street where we met the affable Ansie van der Mescht and her husband Jean Rene Onyangunga. If you’re part of the crowd of loyal followers who flock to the store for breakfast, lunch, and baked delights – or haven’t heard of them yet – read their story here.
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