This is our last #FreshlyPlated edition for the year, we'll be back in Jan with a whole lot more news. If you missed them, catch up on our September #FreshlyPlated blog and October #FreshlyPlated blog.
Chefs shaking things up
We can finally reveal what Chef Freddie Dias (Séjour at The Houghton Hotel) has been up to at Melrose Arch! He's just opened a new flagship restaurant at The African Pride Hotel, called Sebule, meaning 'Living Room' in Swahili. The menu focuses on live-fire cooking, bold flavours and spice, with steaks and seafood being the main event. Having said that, Chef Dias says he has a smoked gnocchi with chargrilled asparagus, asparagus velouté and Parmesan that's got people talking. If steak is your thing, Sebule's signature dry-aged 500g ribeye on the bone is the way to go; Dias recommends having it with bone marrow pops (bone marrow that's crumbed and deep fried), and your choice of sauce. He also has a wine cellar to die for; we spotted a 1997 Kanonkop Pinotage in there that almost took our breath away (we didn't ask how much it was going for).
A visit to the airport just got a lot tastier. You can now enjoy the gastronomical delights of one of South Africa’s most awarded and innovative chefs, Wandile Mabaso, at the SAA Premium International Lounge at O.R. Tambo International Airport as well as on the new SAA flight to São Paulo. To commemorate the new flight path, Mabaso has designed an exclusive à la carte menu that bridges the cuisines of South Africa and Brazil. The star of the show is a lamb potjie feijoada with black beans, a samp ragout and basil pesto. The feijoada is the Brazilian national dish, so he's taken that and reimagined it with South African ingredients and flavours.
Glory is collaborating with Parktown North's Yardbird Deli (@yardbirddeli) to bring Joburg a weekend brunch sandwich bar extravaganza. 'Glorybird' happens every Fri, Sat and Sun, 10:00 – 13:00 where you can choose from a selection of bánh mì sandwiches (Vietnamese baguette sandwiches filled with different and interesting savoury fillings). On the menu: coal-grilled pork shoulder, glory-fried chicken or fish, and smoked oyster mushroom bánh mì with an assortment of punchy condiments such as sesame oil mayo, fresh herbs, pickles and a chilli, lime and lemongrass salsa. They're all made to order and can be taken away or enjoyed next door at Glory. They're also serving up Glory green papaya soda, fermented rooibos and tamarind lemon ice tea.
Chef Tyron Gentry is another top chef expanding his culinary influence. With an impressive CV that includes JAN (@restaurant_jan) in Nice, France and The Test Kitchen, he’s currently at the helm of The Shortmarket Club in Johannesburg, and now he’s bringing his French-inspired fusion cuisine to a very sexy, art-inspired social club in Dunkeld, Livy's (@livysza). It’s more bistro than fine dining, with signature pregos and steaks with the most tantalising sauces taking centre stage. Keep a look-out for our full review coming soon.
Our very own We Eat Out Awards
The Eat Out Woolworths Restaurant Awards always cause a stir, and the brand's over-concentration on Cape Town's culinary scene and lack of vested interest in other major cities leave many of Joburg's best restaurants wanting. So we've come up with our own list of our favourite places to eat in Joburg, our We Eat Out Awards – and all of them have 5 In Your Pocket stars. See who made the cut.Daytripping with the Gautrain in Rosebank and Sandton
We've created comprehensive guides to the top attractions within walking distance from the Rosebank Gautrain Station and Sandton Gautrain Station: We give you insight into where to find the best art and fashion, our favourite places to eat, where to stay, where to go for sundowners, even where to find the best nightlife. So put on your walking shoes and get planning, because these might just be our most exciting round-ups to date!
Newly opened
The people behind the pretty-in-pink Goddess Café are bringing Tatcha Matcha (@tatchamatchasa) to Linden on Tue, Dec 5. The name says it all, expect a world of matcha-inspired drinks in a multitude of different flavours: matcha freezochinos and frappés, along with bubble teas and a simple selection of sandwiches.
Dough & Co (@doughandco_sa) has opened in Bryanston. The much-loved neighbourhood bakery and coffee spot that originated in Parktown North recently opened its second branch. They’re all about keeping it simple with croissants, doughnuts, breads, and bagels, but have you tried their pastry twists and plaits? The chocolate-chip twist pastry puts any pain au chocolate to shame, and the maple pecan plait is pretty scrumptious to boot.
Tashas is in London! One of South Africa's most beloved brands, that first started in Atholl almost 20 years ago, has just opened its first UK location at the stunning riverside neighbourhood, Battersea Power Station. The menu is a celebration of 'fan favourites' along with an enticing selection of new dishes like their sinful 'sweet toast' with homemade almond paste, apricot jam and spiced syrup-soaked brioche, and their crispy cornflake pork schnitzel served with a creamy potato salad and fresh slaw. Their brand-new drinks menu features matcha-based beverages, smoothies, freshly squeezed juices, mocktails and cocktails.
Parreirinha is open! They've officially moved from the South to the North, having opened doors in their new location in Melrose Arch this November, so pop down for some Portuguese prawns, peri-peri chicken and their spicy, deep-fried 'prawn cakes'. Read all about their journey from La Rochelle here.
In other news
Mother-In-Law, the tongue-in-cheek, Indian-inspired curry and cocktail joint at The Woods shopping centre on Jan Smuts Avenue, has just launched their new summer menu. It features an array of wonderfully outlandish-sounding dishes like dipped fried wings with sweet masala and blue cheese raita, lemongrass charcoal-grilled prawns with a coconut turmeric curry as well as a few, what they call, 'healthy-ish' salads, and indulgent sandwiches.
Kanpai, the latest addition to the Keyes Art Mile food scene, is now offering Sunday brunches. Enjoy soufflé pancakes with maple bacon, blueberry compote and cream, eggs Benedict with smoked salmon, and even a 200g sirloin, eggs and chips, along with a bottle of MCC for R600 per couple. Booking is essential: bookings@kanpaisa.co.za
Plato Coffee (@plato.coffee) is taking over the world. Well, not really, but have you noticed them popping up all over the country? What started as a side hustle for Stephan and Petrus Bredell has now seen them open 31 cafés since 2019, creating employment for over 150 people. Pretty awesome. Plus, their coffee is top-notch; start the day right with a caffeine kick in the form of their Aristotle (three ristretto shots and 180ml micro foam) or, for something different, try out their dirty Caribbean (espresso, coconut, chocolate and micro foam). We love the branch opposite 44 Stanley.
Eating in
This festive season at @Deli at @Sandton Hotel has a sensational line-up of deli goods to make Christmas catering a lot easier: cooked glazed gammon, succulent turkey, and duck are all on the menu, as well as home-made mince pies and delectably curated Christmas gift boxes that will take the guesswork out of what to buy...
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