We recently caught up with well-known local chef James Diack, who is the owner of The Brightside Group of restaurants, to find out what to expect from out dining experiences in the new year – what’s new, and what’s old news! James shared with us that source and cost will be the two largest driving forces for purchasing in 2019. This will shape what you see on your plate and also what you pay too. Chef James is all about sustainable food and farming and was recently awarded the SASSI Trailblazer Award for 2018. So, how we can be smarter about our food – knowing where it comes from and how it was farmed, and smarter with our money? Trend 1: Katsu Pork Katsu, which means “cutlet” in Japanese, refers to various cuts (often the cheaper cuts) of meat that’s been pounded to be really thin before cooking. The meat,…
UCOOK has just released their new Christmas Feast Box and we had the pleasure of trying it out for ourselves. ‘Tis the season to be jolly! Thanks to UCOOK, you now have another reason to look forward to Christmas celebrations this year as SA’s largest meal-kit provider has launched their Christmas Feast Box and it includes delicious dishes that are perfect for entertaining this festive season. The UCOOK Feast Box encompasses everything you love about a warm summer Christmas – their chefs have designed the menu to be as simple and easy to follow as possible and have sourced the highest quality produce that is sustainable, free-range and locally produced. Starter options include roasted figs enrobed in prosciutto as well as spinach and ricotta ravioli. We chose the spinach and ricotta, which was quick and easy to make and packed with buttery goodness from the butter and sage sauce. Some…
Roald Dahl’s classic hit the stage last month at the Teatro theatre, Montecasino and we had the pleasure of experiencing the magic first hand and dining at one of Monte’s fabulous restaurants, Lima Tapas Bar. Our evening got off to a good start at Lima Tapas Bar. Lima is like no other restaurant in Joburg. Focusing their attention on Latin, American cuisine, their dishes are inspired by food served during the great Andean civilisations of South America. At Lima you can choose between a variety of different tapas and still leave feeling satisfied. Some of the dishes we ordered to share were the deliciously filled fig and cheese empanadas, the calamari tubes stuffed with chorizo and goat’s cheese and pork ribs that were covered in a sweet, tangy basting. While our main included the rump espetada. Our time at Lima was further enhanced by the excellent service the restaurant has…
Big ups to the team at Southern Sun Hyde Park for creating the ultimate weekend breakfast solution. And let’s be honest, who wouldn’t want to start of their Saturday (or Sunday for that matter) with a delicious breakfast and a bottle of Veuve Clicquot on the roof top of the Southern Sun Hyde Park Hotel. You can take in some of the best views in Jozi – and enjoy a weekend breakfast in style with an a la carte breakfast at only R250 per person including a bottle of Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label per four people. Choose from a full English Breakfast with all the trimmings, Chef Grant’s signature omelettes or even a tasty, and filling Eggs Benedict to nibble on, as you sip on your champers and enjoy the amazing view out over the city. With the Jacaranda trees in bloom at the moment, it is nothing short of…
Can we just have a moment right here to say that we are over the moon obsessed. One of our fave foods (peanut butter) combined with one of our fave nougat brands, Sally Williams makes for happy days indeed! The memory of taking a bite out of mom’s delicious peanut butter and jam sandwich or sneaking a teaspoon of peanut butter right out of the jar (we all do it, don’t we?) peanut butter is a taste that is so filled with childhood nostalgia and evokes the indulgent memories of delicious snack moments. It is this kind of reminiscing that inspired the Sally Williams team to their newest and most indulgent flavour yet; peanut butter. While making herself a piece of toast topped with peanut butter and syrup the Sally William’s concept chef, experienced this very sense of deja vu she bit into her lunchtime treat and was immediately transported…
Welcome to The Marabi Club where superb food and drink blend together with the best in live jazz performances. Inspired by the penny-whistle Marabi clubs of the 1920’s which were formed in the wake of one of the world’s richest gold rushes, in Johannesburg. It was a lifestyle prompted by the need to escape the hardships of the working week and was defined by illegal shebeens, where fierce talk of politics was accompanied by the equally disruptive soundtrack of jazz. Today The Marabi Club is tucked into the basement of Hallmark House in Maboneng, under a hotel and is characterised literally by a hole in the wall, through which one steps in to a world of magic. Marabi is only open Wednesday to Saturday evenings until the early morning, and the experience is like nothing you have ever seen or experienced before. Order an incredibly potent ‘Skillachi” house cocktail and…
Epicure is the restaurant name that is on everyone’s lips, and it’s no secret as to why. The Belgian-Burundian Chef has made a name for himself in the restaurant industry, and we were excited to pay him a visit. Located in Central Square in Morningside, Épicure is a unique blend of Pan-African chic and the unique menu features some creatively named dishes such as Taste of Tangier, Perfect Pepe, Hunters Reward, and the Rolex (a tasty beef curry wrap with a Ugandan twist.) Épicure in itself is an adventure from a décor perspective. Beautifully appointed booth’s and tables with low hanging woven grass lamps, beautiful blue suede fabric, and dark wood with leather chairs – its an interesting mix, but together the entire collection works so well together that to remove anything would be a travesty to the look and feel. The Afri-tapas menu (or Share-Share as it is called)…
We love an excuse to celebrate and recently headed through to Montecasino’s Casa Bella to hellp them celebrate their first birthday, in true Italian style, of course. Nestled in the heart of Jozi’s premier entertainment destinations, Casa Bella, means “Beautiful Home” in Italian, and that it certainly is. Beautifully tiled floors and polished wood feature in the stylish interior which, combined with a warm, inviting ambience, provides an upmarket yet friendly dining experience. It is literally a home that runs on love, laughter, delicious food, outstanding wines and exceptional quality and service. The standard menu features fresh, authentic and carefully considered cuisine made from the finest quality ingredients such as imported Italian flour, 100% Durum wheat and locally sourced fresh food items. They are also ranked in the top 10 according to TripAdvisor, as well as a recent nomination from the Restaurant Association of South Africa (RASA). Authentic food is…
If you are heading down to the Cape soon, and are going to be in the Durbanville area, then may we suggest a stop in at the beautiful Meerendal Estate. You can taste some vino of course, but there is loads more on offer and Meerendal boasts biking and running trails, paragliding (when the weather’s just right!), and its family friendly weekend vibe. There are two restaurants on the estate, The Crown Restaurant and Carlucci’s – the latter is the one that fills up fast so that come lunchtime, one would be hard pressed to find a seat in the restaurant – either in the undercover area or the garden with its sweeping views of the Boland mountains. The restaurant has been open since 2016 – initially as a small restaurant which has evolved into a full blown restaurant with rolling lawns, ample space for kids to play in a…
It was just recently announced, and not that surprising either that one of our favourite restaurants ever (and one of the most popular in SA since Chef Chantel Dartnall won best chef) Orient Boutique Hotel – home of the acclaimed Restaurant Mosaic – has won the Best Hotel Wine List in the World for 2018 beating off strong competition from around the globe. The 2018 Fine Wine World’s Best Wine List Awards, now in its fifth year, honoured Restaurant Mosaic in the following categories: • Best Hotel Wine List in the World 2018. • Best Long Wine List in Middle East and Africa 2018. • Best Champagne & Sparkling Wine List in Middle East and Africa 2018. • Best Dessert & Fortified Wine List in Middle East and Africa 2018. • Best By-the-Glass Wine List Without Coravin in Middle East and Africa 2018. • Jury Prize Mosaic’s competition in the…








