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If you missed our previous edition, catch up on the February #FreshlyPlated here.
Live out your chocolate dreams
BEYERS CHOCOLATE STUDIO & CAFÉ
If you've been to the Beyers Chocolates factory shop in Spartan, you'll no doubt be pleased to hear that they opened the Beyers Chocolate shop in Bedfordview last month. But that’s not all. At the beginning of March, the brand revealed the addition of its chocolate studio and café, turning this chocolate shop into an experience. Witness what goes into crafting chocolates on the studio floor, fill your chocolate box with treats to take home, and settle in for a coffee (or hot chocolate) before hitting the road. You’ll find them at 72 North Reef Road, Bedfordview.
CHOCOLATE TALK AT SPILT MILK
Visitors to the now sadly closed Chocoloza’s shop at 44 Stanley will likely remember the bubbly Bronwyn Mushonga. Having crafted her skill as a chocolatier at Chocoloza, Mushonga has launched chocolate experiences designed to take you on a journey through the world of chocolate, complete with a tasting of dried and roasted cocoa beans, cocoa butter, and, of course, pure, delicious chocolate. She hosts a chocolate talk at Spilt Milk in Melville on Fri, Apr 5 from 19:00 – 20:00. It costs R195 p.p. (includes chocolate tasting and a mimosa); to book or contact her about other events, contact Mushonga on +27 61 501 4265.
SANDTON CITY'S CHOCOLATE CAFÉ
From Wed, Mar 20 – Fri, Apr 1, head to Sandton City's Centre Court to fill your very own Easter Bunny cracker (yes – it’s a thing!), decorate cookies, and build holiday s'mores. There are also plenty of goodies to shop for so stock up for your Easter egg hunt. The interactive activity hub in the Centre Court is a pop-up home to chocolate brands like Lindt, Ferrero Rocher, Cadbury, Beyers, Beacon, Mister Sweet, and Sally Williams.
Pantry to open in Bedfordview
Everyone’s favourite, luxury 24-hour grocery, pâtisserie, ice-cream, pizza, and coffee on-the-go store, Pantry by Marble, has announced plans to open a second store in Bedfordview. Dates for the launch have not yet been announced, but the concept from The Marble Group has been such a hit in Rosebank that they also plan on opening stores in Pretoria and Cape Town. Watch this space.
Luke Dale Roberts introduces prix fixe menus
The Luke Dale Roberts group of restaurants will soon put exciting prix fixe multi-course menus on the table from Fri, Mar 29. For the uninitiated, prix fixe is a multi-course meal served at a fixed price. If you’ve not yet had the opportunity to sample what they’ve been cooking up in Joburg, or count yourself a fan, for R450 p.p. you’ll be able to enjoy a six-course lunch at The Pot Luck Club Johannesburg and a five-course lunch at The Shortmarket Club. This special offer will run until October.
For Easter dining out, pop through to The Pot Luck Club Johannesburg on Sun, Mar 31 for an Easter Sunday lunch with a DJ spinning vinyl and their usual a la carte menu between 12:00 – 15:00. Book your spot soonest.
TANG keeps making international waves
Last year, TANG Sandton made the list of the Top 100 Restaurants of the World 2023, a global recognition of restaurants with top-notch service and culinary offerings. But the good news didn't stop there. TANG V&A Waterfront was named Africa's Best New Restaurant at the World Culinary Awards, and news broke that the TANG team is taking things to new heights with the opening of their first international location. In Sep 2024 TANG is set to open a restaurant at the Palace Downtown in Dubai with views of the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building, and the Dubai Foundtain, the world's tallest performing water, music, and light spectacle. Luckily for the people of Joburg, getting a taste of the good life is as easy as taking a trip to Sandton.
Le Petit Chef
The world’s smallest chef has been cooking up a storm in Joburg while sharing his secrets and teaching his captivated diners the ins and outs of being a chef with his latest show: How to Become the World’s Greatest Chef. Le Petit Chef is a multi-sensory, six-course dining experience brought to life with 3D table projections, music, unique dinner settings, and stories of shenanigans that will make your inner child giddy. Last year, the 6cm chef took up residency at 54 on Bath where he's been transforming the Atrium into a fine dinner spectacle from Wed – Sun. Tickets are R1,395 p.p. with an optional wine pairing starting from R395 p.p. Don’t miss out – book your tickets before he decides to move to a new location. Prices valid until Sun, Apr 14; book tickets here.
Lunch at The Troyeville is a winner
The Troyeville Restaurant is preparing an Easter buffet on Sun, Mar 31 from 12:00 – 16:30. Pull in for a spread of salad, starters, mains, sides, and desserts. The lunch costs R323 for adults, R165 for children under 12, and R225 for pensioners. Booking is essential. Phone +27 79 612 0125.
Level 45 opens as South Africa’s highest events venue
Adding to its list of tall offerings, The Leonardo in Sandton has just unveiled Level 45. Sprawling across the 45th level of Africa’s tallest building, the venue boasts the title of the highest conference and events venue in South Africa and is set to be the hottest new venue for special events and celebrations. It offers a blank canvas that can be transformed into the ideal space to host parties, with the views being the jewel in the crown, and catering by the team from Aurum the cherry on top.
The Johannesburg Cap Classique, Champagne & Bubbles Festival
Mark your calendars for an effervescent affair and soak up the last of the season’s warmth at the Johannesburg Cap Classique, Champagne & Bubbles Festival. It takes place on Fri, May 17 – Sat, May 18 at Inanda Club. The festival kicks off with a sunset soirée followed by a day of tasting some of the best Cap Classique, prosecco, and Champagne. Tickets cost R2,250 p.p. for the evening soiree and R450 p.p. for the Saturday event. Tickets are limited.A new taste at The Gin School at Indaba Hotel
The Gin School at Indaba Hotel has partnered with Jorgensen's Distillery to craft gin tastings, gin and chocolate pairings, and the popular gin school experience during which you get to craft your own bottle of gin to take home. If you’re looking for a way to celebrate over the Easter weekend, join them for an Easter Sunday G&T High Tea with live entertainment from 14:00 – 17:00 at R350 p.p.
Sakhumzi Zoo Lake is open
News just in! The popular Sakhumzi restaurant in Soweto has opened a restaurant at Zoo Lake where it now fills the space Moyo previously occupied. When Sakhumzi was opened on Vilakazi Street by Sakhumzi Maqubela in 2001 it was the only eatery on the street. Twenty-three years later, it is still known for its traditional food and lively entertainment that it’s now bringing to the Parks. Get in line – we’re sure this will be a good one.Kings Kraal is open
Another new spot where you can expect to be served traditional African food is Kings Kraal. This jazz venue opened in Bryanston last month as a restaurant and live music venue. Follow them on Instagram for news on their Wednesday comedy nights, Sunday lunches, and upcoming live music events. Find them at the Posthouse Link Centre on Posthouse Street in Bryanston.
Eat Chinatown comes to Parkwood
American-Chinese restaurant Eat Chinatown may have closed its Greenside location but it’s soon opening a new store in Parkwood. Think Chinese food packaged in cardboard boxes as seen in movies, potstickers, noodles, and fried rice dishes. Here’s to hoping their White Rabbit ice-cream will feature on the new menu.Hush Money, the new bar on the block
An offshoot of A Streetbar Named Desire, Hush Money is the new bar on the block in Blairgowrie. If you’re looking for fresh drinks and live events to strike up a party mood, head through and find out what they’re all about. Find them at Delta Central.Mazi Eatery is coming soon
It seems Delta Central is where things are happening at the moment, with Mazi Eatery set to open in April. Their Instagram account promises a taste of the Mediterranean, and it seems they’ve been hard at work to open their doors soon. Keep an eye out. You’ll find them at 74 Hillcrest Avenue in Blairgowrie.Our latest reviews
TEMPO LUXURY RESTAURANT
Sunninghill's Tempo Luxury Restaurant wiped the floor at the inaugural South African Restaurant Awards which took place at the beginning of March 2024, having won Best Restaurant in Johannesburg and Best Restaurant in Sandton. The timing was fortuitous, as we had just paid the swanky establishment a visit just weeks before. Read our review here.
UMAMI FOOD STUDIO
We recently joined Rany Jo from Umami Food Studio in her home kitchen to work on our dumpling 101 game. It’s her most popular class and we can see why: you’ll get your hands all doughed up as you learn tips and tricks for making delicious dumplings. The added bonus? You get to slump up all the goodness you prepare in class. Read our review here.
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