DINING OUT

of the month restaurant

JINTARA RESTAURANT

Full steam ahead!

Joburg’s Thai restaurant scene is phenomenally underrated. Jintara Restaurant, previously known as Erawan in Riverside Shopping Centre, will keep you coming back for more self-inflicted pain. It may not be scientifically proven, but spicy food is addictive – especially here. From pad Thai to die for to fiery regional fare, this hip, buzzy spot serves up the most terrific Thai food in the city.

There’s so much more to the southeast Asian cuisine than the cartons of pad Thai you always order at your go-to delivery restaurant. Gather a hangry crew and head to Jintara Restaurant, where you can feast on piquant bowls of khao pad from the northeastern Isan region, smoked salmon trout salad with a medley of fruits and dim sum that will make you go dumpling crazy. In Thai, Jintara means ‘to imagine, to dream’ – a fitting name for both the interior and the menu at this long-running restaurant.

Hello Joburg • April 2020 • www.hellojoburg.co.za 22 Jintara’s dining room’s contemporary feel is matched by the enthusiastic young staff. Tapas-style sharing is the name of the game at this Bryanston favourite, and the menu attracts foodies citywide: Not only does it span the culinary regions of Thailand, but it includes twists from Japanese food, too. We recommend starting with the chicken spring rolls, the tempura prawns as well as the spicy duck and prawn gao dim sum. The appeal of this dim sum innovator doesn’t seem to have dulled since it rebranded – served in bamboo baskets, the delicate steamed buns come with fillings such as chicken, spicy beef, butternut, spinach and cream cheese, and soft prawn. The other dumpling varieties are well worth sampling too: Don’t leave without trying the seriously smooth prawn and spring onion wontons, served with a sweet, vinegary sauce.

If you’re dreaming of sushi, you’ve also come to the right place. Jintara’s sushi counter takes its art seriously: Expect platters of 4x4 Prawn & Rolla rolls with tempura prawns atop tuna or salmon California rolls and tuna or salmon California rolls topped with the same fish, mayo, avocado and caviar, sprinkled with spring onion, teriyaki and seven spice. Every plate is beautifully presented with slivers of vegetables and dots of wasabi. Sushi connoisseurs are welcome to go off-menu here, but we recommend the melt-in-your-mouth delicious salmon roses and the rainbow rolls layered with salmon, tuna and avocado, topped with mayo and caviar. Even if you skip the sushi-inspired dishes, the spicy, incredibly complex curries are still a radical departure from most pad Thaipushing joints.

Much of the main course section of the menu is built around less familiar street-food options, such as gaeng ped Thai red curry featuring peppers, bamboo, fresh basil and coconut milk or the nam prik pao – egg noodles stir-fried with cashews and fresh vegetables in a traditional Thai roasted chilli paste. Beware: What Jintara calls ‘medium spicy’ is hellaciously hot. More delicate tongues can rest easy with the rich, mild gaeng keow wan Thai green curry with chicken, vegetables, fresh basil and coconut milk or the pad khing with stir-fried ginger, garlic, mushrooms and other vegetables. To drink, you can choose from a decent selection of spicefriendly wines.

If you’re looking for stellar Thai food including elevated street food and regional specialties, we couldn’t recommend Jintara enough. When you tire of eggs for brunch, try a communal style of cuisine at Jintara for a dim sum brunch (the restaurant opens at 11h00 daily). Or, try it for your next girls’ dinner or date night – just make sure your credit card is charged up as prices can add up quickly. Riverside Shopping Centre, 317 Bryanston Drive, Bryanston m 011 706 8000 K www.jintara.co.za E @jintararestaurant Q @jintara_riverside Words Candice May Images Supplied

The City of Gold’s not short of hotel buffets that rely heavily on same-old standards and throwback dessert-trolley staples, but Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff’s Champagne Brunch offering – which happens every Saturday between 13h00 and 15h00 – happily sidesteps the clichés in favour of a highclass free-flow brunch that includes an infinite array of exquisite dishes, immaculate service and a killer view from Flames restaurant.

At R795 per person expectations are high, but the exceptional touches here make it one of our very top special occasion brunches. And considering what some of the dishes included go for on the à la carte menu, it’s excellent value. Of course, you get the spectacular views from the terrace, but the price also includes a welcome glass of GH Mumm champagne, one hot dish from the kitchen, coffees and teas as well as an unlimited choice from a wide range of cold buffet food stations including a selection of cheeses with crackers, homemade chutneys and preserves plus sumptuous sweet treats.

The strongest suit here is easily the fresh fish counter, which offers super-fresh Knysna oysters alongside thinly sliced Norwegian salmon, seared tuna and zesty prawns. There’s also an impressive sushi counter that includes everything from freshly prepared maki and rainbow rolls to fashion sandwiches as well as a build-your-own poké bowl station. A gourmet salad bar and full Sunday roast area are among the other options dotted throughout the restaurant, with standouts including the superb duck-leg confit salad and excellent beef tartare.

The sophisticated cook-to-order main course menu changes regularly, but you can expect the likes of grilled Cape bream with seaweed and caviar beurre blanc, lobster gnocchi and pickled shallots; oven-roasted chicken with polenta fries, truffle, Parmigiano Reggiano and broccolini; Angus beef fillet with pomme purée, broccolini and olive gremolata; BBQ pork belly with a soya honey glaze, butternut purée, pak choi and sesame seeds; and hubbard squash pumpkin with blue gum honey butter, quinoa, beluga lentils, edamame beans, pumpkin crème, ginger nut brittle and kale.

You’ll struggle to choose just one of the enticing dishes on offer, but we recommend the oven-roasted chicken or the beef fillet for a classic five-star brunch.

With the sky-high price tag, it’s a clear case of go big or go home here, so be sure to end your meal on a sweet note with some cake of the day, milk chocolate panna cotta, peppermint crisp tart, chocolate torte and macadamia fudge. It’s expensive, yes, but if you’re looking to brunch in style, it’s hard to beat Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff. Trust us – it’s worth getting out of bed for! Bookings are essential, especially for larger groups. 67 Jan Smuts Avenue, Westcliff m 011 481 6000 1 www.fourseasons.com E@fourseasonshotelwestcliffjohannesburg D @fsjohannesburg Q @fsjohannesburg

HOTEL THE WESTCLIFF Four Seasons A champagne brunch experience fit for royalty HOTSPOT:

TAKE NOTE! Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff also offers a Morning Brunch, which is more laidback than the opulent Champagne Brunch and focuses on and celebrates breakfast items. This brunch happens every Saturday between 10h00 and 12h30 and is priced at R595 per person.

Joburg’s hot new social collective ARCHER BAR AND EATERY HOTSPOT:

If you’ve visited Melrose Arch recently, you would’ve seen the brand-new Johannesburg Marriott Hotel Melrose Arch, which is home to another exciting addition to the city – Archer Bar and Eatery. This versatile venue is equal parts bar and coffeehouse and we can already see it becoming a go-to for everything from Friday night drinks to midweek lunch meetings.

Upon first entry into Archer Bar and Eatery, you’ll notice the elegant décor and convivial atmosphere. Touches like the brown leather booths, concrete tables and lush greenery give the space a contemporary yet timeless look. There’s plenty of seating as well, including a collection of outdoor tables that overlook the streets of Melrose Arch – not to mention the stunning bar.

The menu consists of a smattering of small plates, and if the thought of sharing tasty morsels like soy and ginger braised pork belly, pulled beef brisket siders and deboned free-range chicken thighs excites you, then Archer Bar and Eatery is guaranteed to be right up your alley. We highly recommend ordering the Mediterranean dips like hummus, baba ghanoush and red feta dip, which all come with freshly made flatbread. They also make some of the best French fries we’ve ever had – think soft and fluffy confit fries that are either drenched in butter curry, coated in truffle and Parmesan or just served plain with a side of chipotle mayo. Something should also be said for the presentation of the food, which is just stunning as the items come on gorgeous navy-blue plates that are exactly what your Instagram feed is asking for.

Dessert is also a decadent affair, with a choice of milk tart samosas, chocolate brownies and salted caramel Amarula fudge. The real star of the show, however, is the moonshine ice cream, which is handmade in Melville and comes in array of interesting flavours like vodka-infused vanilla, tequila orange cinnamon, tipsy Irish coffee and salted mealie brandy. In the end, we opted for the salted mielie brandy served in a sugar cone. It was certainly one of the most interesting desserts we’ve had in a while and we can’t wait to go back and try the other flavours.

As for drinks? Well, consider yourself spoilt for choice as their extensive drink selection is definitely something to write home about. Order the French 75, made with cognac, fresh lemon juice, syrup and champagne for a predinner delight or the Gin Mule as a perfect accompaniment to your meal. Other things to look forward to are the signature G&Ts and the impressive offering of local craft beers. Oh, and we haven’t even mentioned the stellar wine and champagne list!

Archer Bar and Eatery has been designed to be a social collective and although it just opened, it’s clear as day that it already is. Whether your personal poison is an expertly made Watermelon Spritzer or a steamy latte, this new watering hole is a must-visit! 42 The High Street, Melrose Arch m 010 495 4200 1 www.marriott.com E @archerbarandeatery Q @archerbareatery Words Amber Richardson Images Supplied

HOTSPOT:

25Hello Joburg • April 2020 • www.hellojoburg.co.za Jozi’s Southern American belle A lthough Joburg has almost every type of food you could think of – Italian, Greek, Indian, you name it – Southern American cuisine is one offering this city seems to lack. But Sweet Tea and Chickadee is a brand-new eatery that’s changing all that. This quaint café and bakery has a simple menu that basically only features biscuits – an American staple that you’ve probably heard of but never actually eaten. The best way to describe them is like the delicious lovechild of a scone and savoury muffin. You’ll choose between a buttermilk, cinnamon or green pepper and cheese biscuit and then have them topped with a ‘fixin’ of your choice – jam, cream, avocado, honey, sausage gravy and bacon. Otherwise, you can go for a biscuit sandwich where the toppings have already been selected. We recommend The Folly Beach – a traditional Southern American inspired sandwich made with mushroom gravy and an egg. The West of Ashley is another favourite of ours: This delicious sandwich comprises of a buttermilk biscuit topped with pulled pork and apple jalapeño slaw, served with handmade BBQ sauce. Other must-tries include hummingbird cake, lemon bars and traditional American pies, such as key lime, pumpkin and pecan pie. There are also delish drinks like homemade hot chocolate and salted caramel lattes that are served in mugs with quirky quotes on them. The restaurant is full of sweet and personal touches like this, from the shabby chic furniture and framed gold pineapple wallpaper, to the corrugated iron walls that add to the warm, homely feeling you get when visiting. Sweet Tea and Chickadee may be novel, but is it just a novelty? No – it’s a place that will keep you coming back! 3 Levubu Road, Emmarentia, Randburg m 083 712 4805 1 www.sweetteachickadee.co.za E @sweetteaandchickadee D @sweetteachicka1 Q @sweetteachickadee EVERY SUNDAY 255 Rivonia Road Morningside THE WEDGE SHOPPING CENTRE buffet FAMILY FRIENDLY SUNDAY ONLY 285PP / 145 PER CHILD (AGE 6-12) 12:00-16:00 ENJOY A WIDE SELECTION OF AFRICAN CUISINE FAVORITE 062 076 6957 KITCHEN VIBES PAN AFRICAN RESTAURANT & BAR 6916H Quarter Page 124x90 V2 FA.indd 1 2020/03/12 13:22

ELI WILLIAMS Since starting her culinary career in Cape Town, chef Eli Williams has worked her way through various hotel restaurants and is now the executive chef at one of Sandton’s trendiest restaurants, The Course. We caught up with her to gain some insight on this one-of-akind dining spot.

Did you always know you wanted to be a chef? In high school I knew. I used to sit and design my future catering company’s logo and I used to love it. I also went to many bar mitzvahs and bat mitzvahs, and all the food really inspired me.

What differentiates Joburg’s food scene from Cape Town’s? They’re so different. Cape Town was a really ‘food crazy experience’, while Joburg aims for a more classic, high-end standard. But the staff in both cities are all passionate. I can’t tell you which one I prefer!

Tell us about your biggest career highlight. Opening the Discovery Healthy Food Studio in Sandton. I loved that – it was so much fun! We had to develop all the recipes and send them to the dieticians, who would then tell us to reduce the salt or sugar if necessary. It was a great challenge and experience.

How would you describe the menu at The Course? Our motto is ‘taste changes everything’. We concentrate on flavour so that our food doesn’t just look pretty – the flavours are there too. The menu offers beautiful upmarket tapas and there’s a quarterly reserve menu too, which comes out every three months. Meat is another huge focus – from rib eye to lamb chops, it’s all fantastic. What’s it liking working as a female team? Recipe developer Ero Asteriou and I develop the recipes together and we make an amazing team. I really believe in girl power and that when we support one another, we can really make big things happen.

What’s your personal favourite dish on the menu? I’d go with dessert – the cheesecake is mindblowing!

What are the biggest misconceptions people have about being a chef? That it’s glamourous. It’s hard work – you work long hours, so you need passion. It’s a tough industry, but if you love it, it’s worth it.

Which chefs do you look up to? Chef David Higgs. He’s just so creative and he’s done amazing things with his career, which is wonderful to see from a South African chef. Chef Marco Pierre White as well – I love his food and his high standards.

Where do you eat on a night off in Joburg? When I go out for dinner it’s usually with my kids, so it’s somewhere laidback like Fishmonger (I love fish!). I’m also a big fan of Gemelli. Corner of Rivonia Road & West Street, Sandton m 010 442 5967 1 www.thecourse.co.za E @thecourssa Q @thecourse_sa Compiled by Amber Richardson Images Supplied

HOTSPOT:

Moody Cow

Yum and games

Good help may be hard to find, but so is good dessert – even in Jozi. Lucky for us, we came across Moody Cow, where they serve up the most divine treats – we’re talking sumptuous scoops of creamy gelato, chocolate-smothered waffles and to-die-for shakes.

This little dessertery is by no means new – it opened back in 2017 – but it’s still one of the best places in town to tuck into a super-indulgent after-dinner (or instead of dinner) delight. If you’ve never savoured the creamy goodness that is Moody Cow’s gelato, you’re missing out! This frozen Italian dessert is handmade on-site and comes in a variety of unique flavours including tiramisu, chocolate, Ferrero Rocher, lemon meringue, milk tart and our personal favourite – salted caramel.

Don’t even get us started on the other things that Moody Cow does with gelato, such as waffles, milkshakes, cookie sandwiches and Eskimo Pies. Their playful menu has just about every sweet treat you could think of with quirky names to boot. The cookie sandwiches are particularly ideal for those with a major sweet tooth; especially the heavenly Mood Walk made of two homemade Whispers cookies filled with mint chocolate gelato and topped with fountain chocolate.

If all of that sounds a bit too rich for your liking, Moody Cow also has a selection of refreshing fruit-flavoured sorbets and fruit crushes plus a coffee selection that features everything from regular cappuccinos to blonde hot chocolate. Whether you’re looking for a cool spot for a date, shopping break or one of those #treatyoself moments, Moody Cow is guaranteed to sweeten the deal! Shop 137, Clearwater Mall, Hendrik Potgieter Road, Strubens Valley m 010 5932740 1 www.moodycow.co.za E @moodycowza @moodycowza Q @moodycowza

LERATO’S CORNER A candid review … the ‘new’ Polpetta

Over the last few months, Joburg has become a city of pasta-fiends, lusting after linguine and Instagramming anelli. More and more hip Italian restaurants have opened across the City of Gold serving up stylish, saucy and downright-delicious strands of dough, but there’s one that’s been on our radar this month – Polpetta. This casual, family-friendly restaurant serving up no-fuss, top-quality Italian comfort food recently moved to a new home at The Wedge in Morningside, so we decided to go try it out

We arrived at Polpetta for dinner on a Thursday night and were immediately welcomed by the hands-on manager. We were lucky enough to be seated at a table with a ‘sea view’ as the manager joked, overlooking the parking lot from the first floor of the shopping centre. The new open-air space is simple and spacious, with fairy lights draped across the ‘outside’ section to create the feeling that you’re dining al fresco. Polpetta has focused all of its efforts on the food and not too much on the décor – wooden floors, brick walls and chandeliers with wooden beads blend into the background as servers bring out one excellent dish after another.

There are many standout options to start with – think thinly sliced beef carpaccio topped with fresh rocket, grilled calamari tubes with olive oil and garlic, and steamed mussels finished in a white wine, tomato and cream sauce. We recommend the halloumi and Parma ham – generous cubes of grilled halloumi served alongside paper-thin slices of the crown jewel of Italian meats, dressed with olive oil and lemon juice. For mains, you’ll choose from a selection of salads, chopped salads, focaccia breads, pizzas, pastas, baked pastas and grills. To say that the Alfredo pasta is the best thing on the menu isn’t meant to lessen the restaurant’s credibility – it’s just an insanely good Alfredo. An old favourite with ham and mushroom pooled in a cream sauce, we recommend choosing fettuccine as your pasta of choice to really appreciate what’s happening in this dish.

The pizza at Polpetta is also a must. Yes, you’ve probably had fluffy, blistered crust before, but unless you’ve had it here, it doesn’t really count. The Quattro Formaggi topped with mozzarella, gorgonzola, feta and Parmesan is a highlight, with a fermented, chewy, air, bubble-pocketed crust that denies typical pizza categorisation. Otherwise, you can stick with familiar favourites like margarita or pepperoni, or veer into fun, gourmet takes on classics such as Roma and Hawaiian.

We’ll be back soon to try the smoked salmon pasta in a creamy Napoletana sauce, the gnocchi with broccoli, artichokes, and fresh cherry tomatoes tossed in olive oil and basil pesto as well as the Mediterranean pizza with baby spinach, feta and olives. The next time you’re ogling agnolotti or panting for pappardelle, we suggest you make a beeline for the ‘new’ Polpetta. It’s as much of a place for dinner as it is for a lazy Sunday brunch or a glass of wine with friends … and the kiddies will love it too!

Lerato' x x

Hello Joburg • April 2020 • www.hellojoburg.co.za 28 The Wedge, 255 Rivonia Road, Morningside m 011 804 8866 1 www.polpetta.co.za E @polpettamorningsid Q @polpettaristorante AMBIENCE FOOD DRINKS SERVICE

LET’S TOAST TO THIS ROAST 5 alternatives so you don’t have to drink Starbucks … ever!

Dear coffee, we love you. There’s so much to poke fun of when it comes to coffee connoisseurs, but we’ll hold back because it seems South Africans are finally taking their blends very seriously … and we like it a lot! If, like us, you find yourself obsessed with the culture of cafés, here’s where you can drink coffee in Jozi and actually enjoy it.

Seattle Coffee - Rosebank It needs to be told, it needs to be glorified: We’re fully-fledged caffeinators and our alltime favorite cuppa in the country is hands down from Seattle. Why, you ask? Well, they’re always consistent whether you’re in Sandton, Hluhluwe or Harrismith. You’ll always find an excellent barista, almond milk and a strong, expertly crafted cup of coffee. Wi-Fi rating: 5/5 Bean rating:

Drink of the day: Signature short double shot almond cappuccino (R32.50) with a side order of their gluten-free cookie 22 Cradock Avenue, Rosebank 1 www.seattlecoffeecompany.co.za

Craft Coffee - Parktown North If your life motto is, “Careful snowflake, I drink coffee stronger than your feelings” then this is the perfect hangout for you. They’re local, they’re lekker and their coffee is moerse strong. It comes at a hefty price tag, but the vibe is worth the price. Wi-Fi rating: 4/5 Bean rating:

Drink of the day: Macadamia milk flat white (R40) 15 7th Avenue, Parktown North 1 www.craftcoffee.co.za

Fab & Co - Parkhurst The scene here is cool enough for all the coffee snobs out there. They serve café fare and gelato (there’s a divine vegan chocolate flavour), they’re launching a new Belgian beer range and they make fabulous coffee too. This spot just gone under new ownership, but don’t worry – the coffee hasn’t changed! Wi-Fi rating: None Bean rating:

Drink of the day: Single shot cappuccino (R23) 34 4th Avenue, Parkhurst 1 www.fabgelato.co.za Croft & Co - Parkview This 14-year-old establishment is where coffeeholics rejoice and you’ll be pleased to know that the dark, dingy coffice has been revamped. They’ve moved premises (okay, only five metres down the road) and the new space is bright, beautiful and totally worth stopping in for the best scrambled eggs on toast. Wi-Fi rating: Coming soon Bean rating:

Drink of the day: Call 011 646 3634 and order your cortado (R26) to go 66 Tyrone Avenue, Parkview 1 www.croftandco.co.za

Tilt Coffee - Melville This is where the coffee force is with you. Damn, this little spot is so darn cool! Not only do they have the cutest customers (we’re referring to the four-legged guests, not the hipsters), they also have the loveliest space with the prettiest wallpaper. Side note: They’re fully vegetarian. Wi-Fi rating: 4/5 Bean rating:

Let the party begin

Our top pick of the top tipples

Joburg, like most of the drinking world, is in the midst of a ‘ginaissance’. But there are many types of gin, all based on the humble juniper berry, but each with their own different origins, style and flavour profiles. So how do you choose? We supped enough gin to consider ourselves as being knowledgeable about such things and help you navigate the ever-evolving category.

BLOOM LONDON DRY GIN Get ready to live full bloom! Handcrafted by England’s oldest gin distillers, BLOOM London Dry Gin has style, substance and sass and follows Bombay Sapphire’s lead with a gorgeous blue bottle that wouldn’t look out of place in a perfumery. It’s defined by floral, botanical, honeysuckle and chamomile flavour notes – think a fresh and fragrant aroma and a distinctively light and floral taste with a touch of sweetness. This is a really versatile gin that would work in a number of cocktails, but we advise splurging on a premium tonic water and garnishing it with quartered strawberries – their sweetness compliments the gin’s floral notes perfectly. R499 from all major wholesalers and retailers  LOVES

ROKU GIN Uniquely bottled in a hexagonal glass vessel, Roku Gin is yuzu-forward with a peppery spice that fills the mouth. It’s first flavoured with traditional aromatics such as juniper berries, coriander, angelica root and seeds, cardamom, cinnamon, and peels from lemon and bitter orange. Six Japanese botanicals – sakura flower, sakura leaf, yuzu peel, sencha tea, gyokuro tea and sansho pepper – then enhance its rich character. We find this gin a bit too delicate for most tonics, but it’s an excellent martini gin and would fare very well with lime and soda as well. If you do drink it with tonic, we recommend serving it over cubed ice in a highball glass and garnishing it with ginger sticks. R299 from all major retailers, including Pick n Pay, Checkers, Makro and select TOPS at Spar

AN DÚLAMÁN IRISH MARITIME GIN One might assume that the creators of An Dúlamán Irish Maritime Gin were listening to early ’90s hip hop while devising this recipe, because it smells and tastes like gin and juice – and we love it. Boasting five locally harvested seaweeds (sweet kombu, dulse, pepper dulse, dulaman and superfood carrageen moss) mixed with six botanicals (juniper, coriander, angelica, sweet orange, lemon and cassia), the end result is a taste that captures fresh juniper, an umami richness and the dry tang of sea breeze. And did we mention the black glossy bottles wax sealed with Celtic lettering? This is a one-of-a-kind offering ideal for mixing with lemon tonic water or bitter lemon and pairing with seafood and sushi. R299 from all good bottle stores

BLOEDLEMOEN HANDCRAFTED GIN A gin for the ‘Chef’s Table’ generation, Bloedlemoen Handcrafted Gin (pronounced ‘blue’d le moon’) is made from locally sourced tarocco blood orange. A refreshing and delicious liquid layered with the warmth of selected spices, it includes no less than 10 natural botanicals: Juniper, blood orange, orange peel, grains of paradise, coriander, cassia bark, nutmeg, liquorice root, angelica root and cardamom. The cute label draws you in, but Bloedlemoen delivers on more than its packaging – this is one of the most interesting gins on the market. It can easily be sipped over ice or mixed in a simple G&T with a slice of orange (fresh or dried) or a cinnamon stick (or piece of cassia bark). R399 from all good bottle stores

COPPERHEAD GIN Mr. Copperhead was a notorious alchemist who, during his pursuit of searing for the elixir of life, conjured up this exquisite gin. Made using the perfect balance of five ingredients – juniper, coriander seeds, angelica, cardamom and orange peel – Copperhead Gin lets sweet, citrussy notes shine. Slightly sweeter and earthier than a typical London Dry Gin, there’s also a lot of citrus in this pour. It’s exceedingly smooth with a crisp, full finish that’s all about pine. This full-bodied, strong gin leaves a lasting impression and is our go-to gin for mixing with Fever-Tree Mediterranean Tonic Water garnished with orange peel and coriander. R549 from all good bottle stores