dining out
Qunu
For the perfect rendezvous
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If every day is Valentine’s Day, we’re guessing you need some inspiration for your next date night. Planning to book a table for two for a hot date in the City of Gold? Qunu at The Saxon Hotel, Villas & Spa is the master of dichotomy – creating an atmosphere that’s both romantic and energetic while delivering African inspired food that’s as traditional as it is creative.
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Words Candice May Images Supplied
lthough reservations should be planned in advance, Qunu – named for the rural birthplace of Nelson Mandela – is well worth the wait. From the outside the restaurant may seem nondescript, but upon entering you realise it couldn’t be further from that. Red earth tones, hanging gardens, carved wooden walls and woven lampshades elevate the dining room at Qunu, which encapsulates the heritage of Africa in the décor.
to split a bottle between the two of you – every local and imported varietal, style and vintage imaginable is on offer.
For starters, the Lobster, Corn and Champagne is a sumptuous lobster morsel that must be seen and tasted to be believed. Delicate butter poached lobster, melon and charred corn are perched atop sweetcorn and champagne beurre blanc and dill oil, forming a work of lobster art. We also recommend the Pork Belly, Radicchio and Apple – an extravagant combination of Fair warning: A meal at Qunu is going to cost perfectly tender confit pork belly, grilled radicchio, Parma ham and spicy apple chutney. Onto mains, you, so best you start saving up if you’re planning an anniversary surprise. Starters range Qunu serves meat dishes that hold their own from R190 to R385, mains from R285 to R1,150 against any steak in the city. The famous Steak Diane – beef medallions flambéed tableside with and desserts from R205 to R235. Once you brandy, mushrooms, mashed potato and garden get over the sticker shock of its à la carte menu, vegetables – is a singular Joburg experience that’s you’ll find that dinner here is actually money worth having. well spent. The food menu is straightforward, The Seafood Platter is another worthy with sublime African dishes and classic Eurocentric fare by head chef Trevor Chikaura indulgence. Spend you shall, and with great rewards: The platter consists of velvety East and executive chef Jane-Therese Mulry and Coast lobster thermidor with a rich tang; garlic taking centre stage. Skilled sommeliers Lloyd prawns seared with gorgeous flavours that are Jusa and Bryan Nyamara are able to make juicy on the inside; lightly browned, sweet and pairing recommendations from the overbuttery Canadian scallops; as well as grilled line whelmingly impressive wine list depending fish, calamari and garden vegetables with lemon on your dishes of choice, otherwise feel free butter and peri peri sauce. Afterwards you’ll
definitely want to save room for the creamy, salty and fluffy caramel mousse with banana ice cream, hazelnut sponge, hazelnut sable and salted caramel, or the light and refreshing yoghurt panna cotta with guava sorbet, yuzu crème, guava jelly and yuzu gel. While gleaming tableware, elegant art-décor embellishments and live piano music in the background are all the ingredients of a romantic restaurant, where Qunu really shines is in its ability to ignite conversations that last the evening. For an even more intimate experience, why not huddle over a nightcap at Olive Bar (also inside the hotel) after dinner? It’s a surefire way to seduce your sweetheart! Saxon Hotel, Villas & Spa, 26 Saxon Road, Sandhurst m 011 292 6000 K www.saxon.co.za k reservations@saxon.co.za E @thesaxonhotel D @thesaxonhotel Q @thesaxonhotel
PS: Qunu will be offering a special menu for Valentine’s Day at R1,750 per person, including a seven-course dinner and take-away gifting. Hello Joburg • February 2020 • www.hellojoburg.co.za
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