RESTAURANTS

CUCINA LABIA – Muizenberg, Cape Town The elegant Cucina Labia is a destination restaurant situated on Muizenberg’s historic mile. Under the management of food lovers Andrea and Oscar Foulkes, the eatery is housed in the historic Casa Labia, where original art by Irma Stern, Gerard Sekoto, Francois Boucher and others, is displayed in a manner that belies its rarity and value. The graciousness of the building, and the way it imposes itself on the False Bay coastline, is a product of it being built in the 1920s by the wealthy daughter of a Randlord and her Italian diplomat husband, who wanted to reflect 18th century Venice. The menu is eclectic and features offerings like the pistachio pepper braaied fresh tuna with grapefruit, artichoke caponata and watercress offered as starter, and rich mains such as leg of lamb kataifi Wellington with almonds, white anchovies, leek puree, fennel and bay leaf cream. Chef Monché Muller’s famous deconstructed Tiramisu with Amaretti, espresso, chocolate and sabayon doffs a cap to the art world with its Pollock-esque presentation. 192 Main Road, Muizenberg, Cape Town. Open from Tuesday to Friday from 10h00 to 16h00, Saturday to Sunday from 09h00 to 16h00, and Friday evenings from 18h00 to 22h00. Booking is recommended. Tel: (021) 788-6062 www.casalabia.co.za/cucina-labia 95 AT PARKS – Constantia, Cape Town Eat like an Italian at exceptional value and tuck into chefproprietor Giorgio Nava’s 6-course Italian Experience available now at 95 at Parks in Constantia. “Our 6-course menu gives people in the Southern Suburbs the opportunity to enjoy a real Italian food experience from antipasti, primi piatti, secondi right through to dolci at an affordable price. Now there is really no need to hold back if you want to partake in authentic Italianstyle dining,” says Chef Giorgio. At R330 per person this experience includes two starters, two pastas, a main course and dessert. The set menu is available for lunch and dinner in addition to the regular à la carte menu. This Italian experience changes monthly with options between fish and meat dishes. If you are looking for real Italian food made from the best quality produce for an intimate dinner, a light lunch with friends, or a lazy Sunday family luncheon, 95 at Parks has it all. 114 Constantia Main Road, Cape Town. Open from Tuesday to Saturday 12h00 to 15h00 and 18h30 to 22h00, and Sunday lunch. Booking is recommended. Tel: (021) 761-0247 www.95atparks.co.za

BLACK BAMBOO – Menlyn, Pretoria Celebrating the synergy between food, wine and art, The Black Bamboo offers a truly unique, world-class dining experience. An ever-changing à la carte menu is inspired by international delicacies with a local twist, and a carefully selected wine list offers interesting options for every palate and occasion. Patrons can choose between à la carte or seven-course tasting menu with, or without, wine pairing. The Black Bamboo is acclaimed for its high standard of service and close attention to detail, whether catering to hotel guests, public diners or the wide variety of special functions and events held there. Far from the usual franchise-like hotel restaurant experience, Head Chef Pellie Grobler is always present and takes the time to talk to his customers. Service is as impeccable as the food and combined with the gorgeous setting, guests are assured of a memorable dining experience. Menlyn Boutique, 209 Tugela Road, Ashlea Gardens, Pretoria. Open for breakfast Monday to Sunday 07h00 to 11h00, lunch Monday to Sunday 12h00 to 15h00 and dinner from Monday to Saturday 18h00 to 22h00. Tel: 084 508-9752 www.theblackbamboo.co.za SHIO – De Waterkant, Cape Town Izakaya food has finally arrived on our shores. Shio is Cape Town’s very own modern izakaya. In Japanese food culture, an izakaya implies a relaxed dining experience often accompanied by beer or drinks. Think of it as Japanese tapas and you have the idea – it’s all about sharing and sampling various tasty morsels. Cheyne Morrisby’s two other restaurants, Cheyne’s and Lucky Bao, have delighted Capetonians for years and now he brings his inimitable epicurean style to the heart of De Waterkant. Try the oven-roasted kingklip, chilli-salt squid, duck-fat fries or nori-tuna taco, and end with the matcha cheesecake. The Grey Hotel, 49 Napier Street, Green Point, Cape Town. Open for lunch from Wednesday to Saturday 10h00 to 15h00 and dinner from Monday to Saturday 18h00 to 22h00. Tel: (021) 421-1106 or 064 661-7474 www.thegreyhotel.co.za/shio

LOVE ME SO – Melville, Johannesburg Funky décor, cool music, great service… and the food is ultrayum. This ramen spot is a delight. They serve superb cocktails (half price during happy hour) and there is something for everyone from carnivores, to vegetarians and vegans. The menu is an eclectic assortment of Asian-inspired dishes – from Korean barbeque and Japanese ramen, to izakaya (Japanese pub food), and poke and soba bowls. Take your palate on an adventure and order several dishes to share. Highly recommended are the beef tataki, fluffy korokke (Japanese potato croquettes) and the steamed barramundi is sheer heaven. Finish with the black sesame ice cream – you’ll be back just to have more! 63A 4th Ave, 2092, Melville. Open Tuesday and Wednesday from 17h00 to 22h00 (Half price cocktails between 17h00 and 19h00). Thursday and Saturday from 12h00 to 22h00 (Half price cocktails between 17h00 and 19h00). Sunday from 12h00 to 18h00 (Half price cocktails between 13h00 to 16h00). Closed on Mondays. Booking is advised. Tel: 060 717-6728 Email: info@lovemeso.co.za

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MUNDO VIDA RESTAURANT – Umdloti, KZN Seafood reigns supreme at this idyllic restaurant with its prime location on Umdloti Beach. Using the freshest local ingredients, traditional cooking methods underscore the food, but flavours are contemporary and up to date with modern food trends. With the ocean literally on their doorstep, guests are treated to the finest seafood and linefish caught by local fishermen is preferred. Asian influences are evident in the slow-roasted pork belly with red dragon sauce. The menu also offers pizzas and pastas. And, for those who are watching their weight, there is a good selection of banting dishes to order from. Attention to detail is evident in the plating (and portions are generous without being too much), and the service is good. The wine list is rather eclectic. 1 South Beach Road, Umdloti, KwaZulu-Natal Open for lunch Monday to Sunday 12h00 to 15h00 and dinner Monday to Saturday 18h00 to 21h30. Tel: (031) 568-2286 www.mundovida.co.za

FLAMES RESTAURANT – Westcliff, Johannesburg Informal but elegant, Flames has a sparkling urban atmosphere with several seating options, both indoors and out on the terrace, both offering staggering views of the world’s largest urban forest, affectionately known as ’the Parks.’ It is a delight to watch the chefs in the outdoor braai kitchen and the menu and wine list both offer something for every palate. Flames is an ideal venue for any event, from business meetings, to kicking back on the terrace with good friends for sunset drinks and nibbles. Four Seasons Hotel, The Westcliff, 67 Jan Smuts Ave, Johannesburg. Open Monday to Sunday from 06h30 to 22h00. Tel: (011) 481-6190 www.flamesrestaurant.co.za

BENGUELA BRASSERIE – Sedgefield Make the most of a trip to the Garden Route and book a table at Lakeside Lodge for a meal overlooking the tranquil lake. Meals can be enjoyed in the modern restaurant or outdoors on the tree-shaded lawn. Lunch is also served at the pool. Food here has a French influence with a few South African and other global classics added in for good measure. Presentation is beautiful and mains are hearty and filling. The prawn tempura is divine and Karoo lamb is a good choice for main course. The Benguela wines are easy on the pocket and available by the glass. A selection of other South African wines is also available. Wine tastings, such as the popular wine and chocolate pairing, are popular and if you are in town over a weekend, book a cruise tasting on Swartvlei Lake. Benguela Cove restaurants can also be found in Somerset West and Hermanus. Lakeside Lodge and Spa, 3 Lakeside Drive, Swartvlei, Sedgefield, Western Cape. Open for breakfast on Monday to Sunday 08h00 to 11h00, lunch from 12h00 to 16h00 and dinner from 18h00 to 21h00. Tel: (044) 343-1844 www.lakesidelodge.co.za/restaurant

PLANET RESTAURANT – Gardens, Cape Town Cape Town’s iconic Mount Nelson Hotel is the home of Planet Restaurant and Bar. This restaurant takes diners on a culinary journey with its new Cape Classics menu, in surroundings that capture the beauty and vastness of space and the celestial bodies. Chef Rudi Liebenberg’s approach to cuisine is to put the ingredients at centre stage and his innovative combinations and taste sensations showcase the wealth of fantastic natural produce our planet has to offer, from hearty springbok pie to rooibos-cured ostrich and crayfish ceviche with Namibian red crab rémoulade. The restaurant also boasts a private dining area and the conservatory allows guests to enjoy semi-al fresco dining and brings the outside inside with its wraparound views of the lush gardens for which Mount Nelson Hotel is famous. Undoubtedly one of the most beautiful dining spaces in South Africa. 76 Orange Street, Gardens, Cape Town. Tel: (021) 483-1000 www.mountnelson.co.za

REUBEN’S RESTAURANT AND BAR – Franschhoek Now in a spanking new venue almost diagonally opposite where the original Reuben’s stood, the new Reuben’s is a tad more sophisticated and elegant. Despite the glam factor, the space is conducive to groups and families enjoying a meal in a relaxed ambience. Views of the Franschhoek Mountains greet guests on arrival in the glass entrance hall. South African art adorn the walls and pride of place is taken by a painting of Reuben’s grandfather, oupa Abe Riffel. Small plates and starters are perfect for sharing, or you can order a three-course meal. Asian flavours and local ingredients form a unifying thread on the menu. The style of food is eclectic and Reuben cooks what he likes to eat and according to his inspiration and available seasonal ingredients – Reuben unplugged. The wine cellar is impressive and guests are spoiled for choice. 2 Daniel Hugo Street, Franschhoek. Open Monday to Sunday (closed Tuesdays) for lunch from 12h00 to 15h00 and for dinner from 18h30 to 21h00. Tel: (021) 876-3772 www.reubens.co.za THE ROOFTOP CAFÉ – Rosebank, Johannesburg Enjoy stunning views of the Johannesburg skyline while having breakfast after a night on the town, or linger over a luxurious lunch. Offering a breath of fresh air – quite literally – to the Johannesburg food scene, The Rooftop Café is fast becoming a favourite with local residents. Fusing fine dining with more relaxed meals, patrons have the option of a range of affordable breakfast options, or more substantial lunch dishes, all enjoyed in the open air rooftop garden. And if you are feeling ever so glam, the high tea will certainly get your juices pumping with gorgeous desserts, freshly baked breads, pastries, macaroons, cakes and delicious home-made ice-creams. Linger over dinner in the balmy evening air, but rest assured, should there be a thunder shower, you can move under cover. Private parties and events are a speciality, whether just for two, or an all-out bash. 99 Oxford Road, Rosebank, Johannesburg. Open Monday to Sunday from 07h45 to 22h30. Tel: 087 701-0478 www.rooftopcafe.co.za

BIRU – Sandton, Johannesburg Biru is a new concept restaurant that incorporates the pleasure of braaing and fine dining together. Bringing you an unforgettable experience of fun and laughter and to a certain extent the feel of homemade food right at your table. It is their belief that everyone has a chef within them and they operate on the simple understanding that some people just like their meat done their own way! Choose your meat from their fantastic selection beef, chicken, lamb, pork, duck, and more. Biru also offers options ranging from seafood and sushi to vegetarian. 329 Rivonia Boulevard, Sandton. Open Tuesdays to Sundays from 11h00 to 14h30 and 18h00 to 21h30. Tel: (011) 234-2581 www.biru.co.za

THE ALBA RESTAURANT – Cape Town The first of its kind fine dining experience in Cape Town, The Alba Restaurant is in fact a boat measuring twenty-two meters in lenght and it can accommodate 72 guests seated, or 100 for cocktail functions. Guests are taken on cruises in the V&A Waterfront harbour and are offered a three course fine dining lunch or dinner cruise. Designed to be stable and smooth in the water, with floor to ceiling glass windows, The Alba ensures a comfortable dining experience with great views regardless of the weather. Options such as Bubbly Brunch Cruises, Lunch Cruises, and Dinner Cruises range from around R500 to R600 per person and the boat can be booked out for private functions. Pierhead, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town. Cruises are scheduled on their website where you are required to make a booking before stepping on board. Tel: (065) 975-8060 www.thealba.co.za THE GRILL ROOM – Umhlanga When it comes to the dining legends of the Oyster Box Hotel, one of its finest is the celebrated Grill Room which has been renowned for its fine dining for almost seventy years. A true fine dining restaurant serving the finest local cuisine, the Grill Room boasts a wide selection of freshly caught seafood and its exceptional wine cellar offers a wide choice of the best local and international wines. The menu is an inspired combination of classic favourites, created by Bea Tollman, president and founder of the Red Carnation Hotel Collection, the restaurant’s signature dishes and contemporary creations, inspired by current global trends. Start with fresh oysters, kataifi prawns or wild mushroom tarte tatin. Move on to main course with one of the divine seafood dishes or opt for superb quality meats. The duck à la peach will have duck lovers swooning, while vegetarians can tuck into one of the delicious meat-free dishes. Dessert is a must for those wishing to indulge, but for a savoury post prandial touch, the cheese board is just the ticket. The dress code for evening dining is semi-formal, requiring trousers and closed shoes for men. 2 Lighthouse Road, Umhlanga Rocks. Open Monday to Sunday from 18h00 to 22h30 (kitchen closes at 22h30). Booking is essential. Tel: (031) 514-5000 www.oysterboxhotel.com

WORKSHOP 55 – Parktown North, Johannesburg This restaurant offers a beautiful laid-back experience in a trendy and fashionable setting. Think Miami 1930s glamour when you picture their bar and lounge which serves decadent infused gins as a speciality. The restaurant is themed along the lines of a Victorian 1900s warehouse and its point of departure is to offer guests something unexpected and out of the ordinary. One example of this is the way you start your meal. Diners are charged an entrance fee of R240 which includes your choice of three dishes and any additional dishes is an extra R70. The dishes, cooked up within sight of guests, are elegant, fresh and seasonal. The menu does not stay the same for very long so you can expect to find different things on their menu quite often. View the menu online before making the trip. 55 7th Ave, Parktown North, Johannesburg. Open from Tuesday to Saturday from 16h00 until late. Tel: (011) 442-6252 www.workshop55.co.za

BELTHAZAR – Cape Town Follow the romantic lamps on the water’s edge at the V&A Waterfront to a terrace with dreamy views of Table Bay and Table Mountain, and the rich ambience of a wharf warehouse offering a menu of delicious meat and seafood and the largest wine-by-the-glass bar in the world. They received Awards of Excellence from TripAdvisor as well as Wine Spectator. An innovative and forward-thinking establishment, Belthazar frequently refreshes their menu and wine list with enticing new options. Their own in-house master butcher sources only the best local and Argentinian AAA Grade grain-fed and grass-fed beef and they specialise in Mozambican HENRY WHITE’S – George “God is in the details,” so the saying goes and it is a fitting way to describe the fine cuisine at this silver service restaurant. Situated on the ground floor of the Manor House at Fancourt, the restaurant is intimate and welcoming, with only a hint of formality. Guests assemble in the lounge before dinner and have some time to peruse the menu and enjoy an aperitif. The chef or manager personally explains the menu on nights when the restaurant serves a chef’s tasting menu. Robust and packed with flavour, the dishes are works of art – after all, you eat with your eyes first. Stylish décor surrounds diners while their needs are expertly seen to by the attentive staff. Whether you are looking for the perfect restaurant to impress your lover, or to close a business deal, look no further. Fancourt, 1 Montagu Street, Blanco, George, Western Cape. Open Monday to Sunday (October to April) 19h00 to 22h30. Tuesday to Saturday (May to September) 19h00 to 22h30. Tel: (044) 804-0000 www.fancourt.com

shellfish, Norwegian salmon and the freshest local seafood. Balthazar seats ninety diners inside and offers a private dining room that can hold up to twenty-five guests. Their spectacular all-weather dining enclosure on the terrace seats two hundred people and is equipped with a mist cooling system and heaters. Belthazar is owned by the Slick Restaurant Group who also own Balducci and Gibson’s Gourmet Burgers & Ribs. Shop 153, Victoria Wharf, V&A Waterfront. Open daily from noon until late. Booking is advised. Tel: (021) 421-3753/6 www.belthazar.co.za

MOMO SOKO – Illovo, Johannesburg Aadil Mayat and Tim and Lawrence Lai have followed on the success of Momo Baohaus in Greenside by bringing their take on modern Asian street food to Illovo. The menu offers a range of bao buns, tapas-style small plates and bowls, with the highlight being soko, or skewers and poké bowls. Flavours are punchy and dishes are served with an assortment of kimchis, pickles, and sweet and spicy sauces. Hearty Momo bowls served on rice, noodles or stir-fried greens will have you craving more. Visually striking, each dish is a sensory delight. They don’t have a liquor licence, so bring your own at no corkage charge. Be sure to book, especially over weekends. 198 Oxford Road, Illovo, Johannesburg. Open Tuesday to Saturday 11h00 to 22h00 and Sunday 11h00 to 15h30. Tel: (011) 268-6182 Email: hello@momosoko.com

AUBERGINE – Gardens, Cape Town One of the best known restaurants in Cape Town, Aubergine is helmed by chef Harald Bresselschmidt. The interior is chic, service is effortless and the food unvaryingly exquisite. The signature dish, the aubergine soufflé filled with marinated chèvre never fails to disappoint. Meat dishes are cooked to perfection and the grilled beef rib-eye, as well as the saddle of lamb are highly recommended. As legendary as the aubergine soufflé is for starters, the must-have dessert is the cardamom and vanilla crème brûlée. The wine list is excellent and the sommelier is at hand to assist with your selection. Consistently rated among the top restaurants in the country, Aubergine has received many local and international awards. 39 Barnett Street, Gardens, Cape Town. Open for lunch from 12h00 to 14h00 and dinner from 18h00 to 22h00. Booking is essential. Tel: (021) 465-4909 www.aubergine.co.za

BIG DOG CAFÉ – Franschhoek Big Dog was established as a showcase for Terbodore Coffee and was conceptualised along three pillars: food, design and coffee. Breakfast is served all day and naturally the coffee is top-notch. The unfussy and sleekly contemporary space is light and airy with accents of wood and exposed brick. Breakfast dishes such as Middle Eastern spiced shakshuka consisting of tomato relish, creamy labneh, free-range eggs and flatbread; mushrooms on toast accompanied by spinach purée, poached eggs and miso hollandaise, are wonderfully filling. Light meals include salads, burgers, and savoury waffles. Coffee, both hot and cold, is on the menu, as is tea and matcha. Alcohol is not served but there are divine cordials to quench your thirst. Stock up on freshly baked pastries and coffee from the next door roastery to take home. 191 Main Road, Franschhoek, Western Cape. Open from Monday to Friday 07h00 to 17h00, and Saturday from 08h00 to 16h00. Closed on Sundays. Tel: (021) 876-2731 www.bigdogcafe.co.za