LIBERTÉ, ÉGALITÉ, TASTÉ!

Libert French

FOOD & WINE BRINGS FRENCH

Flair To The Northern Suburbs

Whether a global success story or a local hole-in-the-wall, any restaurant needs to be built on passion. The long hours, challenging economic climate and changing food trends demand that everyone involved work as hard as they possibly can to make the venture work.

There’s a vibe around Liberté French Food & Wine in Craighall Park’s ‘The Woods’ –formerly the Colony Centre – that suggests that it’s established itself as a neighbourhood go-to in three months’ time. One that’s going to grow into something bigger. The fact that owner Natasha Maciel has run a restaurant - Pronto Italian Restaurant - just across the car park for twenty years, shows that she knows plenty about building a supportive community. “As an independent owner and mother of two lovely boys, having the restaurants opposite each other in the same centre (yes, some people would think this is mad) was the only way I could open another restaurant that I could be at most days, while still being a good mom available to my boys,” she says.

The word Liberté is a feminine noun and Natasha professes to tailoring the décor and menu specifically. It’s not much of a stretch then that the restaurant is an unashamedly feminine space. It’s stylish without being pretentious, and neat without being clinical, if not a little noisy once the enthusiastic crowd packs the dining space out. “I started with my ‘why’ when it came to setting up Liberté. I felt compelled to open a space that celebrated femininity, freedom and connection. From there, with my passion for French food, the rest just fell into place,” she says.

The menu is French-inspired rather than being traditional French haute cuisine or bistro fare. There are solid signature dishes like Moules Frite, Coq au Vin and Fillet Mignon which are all true to their roots, while the salads are more cosmopolitan and French Onion Chicken Meatballs deliver traditional flavours with a twist. Lighter options include an array of flaky puff pastry vol-au-vent and some inventive canapés. There’s also a breakfast menu with plenty of pastries produced on-site in the bakery, as well as crêpes and omelettes. The wine list is ready to go – but despite applying a year ago, the now-dissolved Gauteng Liquor Board has yet to deliver a license. Corkage is an option, and it’s possible to order from Pronto’s extensive South African and Italian-laden list on a separate bill.

If that doesn’t convince you to make Liberté your new neighbourhood favourite – no matter which neighbourhood in Joburg you live in – then the achingly perfect Belgian Chocolate Fondant will. H

Q @liberte.joburg

1 www.liberterestaurant.com