Restaurants that are getting social distancing right

EDITOR’S PICK: ETHOS RESTAURANT

Dying to get away? Stepping into this Morningside hotspot will make you feel as though you’re dining outdoors during high season on the coast of Greece. They’ve mastered the art of making us feel like we’re on holiday in both their cuisine and overall vibes. The sleek, contemporary space – featuring the use of wood, brass, terrazzo, marble, ceramic tiles and different textiles as well as a big olive tree in the middle of the restaurant – meticulously lays out the Mediterranean story and is an excellent foil for the colourful dishes.

The artful menu changes with the seasons: The octopus carpaccio with pickled asparagus, pepper emulsion, salsa verde and fried chickpeas as well as the Tuscan chicken with Tuscan sauce, Grana Padana, sundried tomato and edamame beans are both beautiful creations in an ongoing succession of unusual options from the starters section. Most diners here, however, seem to be drawn to the restaurant for the chef’s more distinctive creations. The crayfish moussaka is an unorthodox marriage of supremely tender and sweet crayfish, aubergine, baby marrow, potato, mozzarella cheese and creamy bisque that turns out to be truly inspired. In the tomato and mozzarella tortellini, a decadent, creamy pine nut and sage crème surrounds pillowy-soft tomato-infused pasta filled with marinated mozzarella, balsamic pearls, smoky tomato essence and Parmesan foam that drinks up some of that rich flavour.

Though the food is of the same calibre as top fine-dining destinations, it doesn’t come across nearly as buttoned up. While a good chunk of the dishes live up to the setting, many others – the basic iced platters of raw oysters, the rump with mushroom purée – seem far better suited for a far more casual meal. The desserts come elaborately plated and are almost too gorgeous to eat, such as the ‘coconut’ filled with caramelia cremeux, which you get by cracking open its hardshell meringue and dark chocolate exterior. What’s more, the bartenders serve up ’gram-worthy drinks like our favourites, The Berry Finest made with Tanqueray, berry blend reduction and dry vermouth generously topped with dried flowers as well as the All My Peaches; a blend of Belvedere Peach Nectar, macadamia nut milk, orgeat and a touch of Aperol that makes for the perfect summer drink.

Shop 5, Sandton Court, 183 Rivonia Road, Morningside 010 446 9906 www.ethosrestaurant.co.za

POMODORO RISTORANTE

Nestled in Morningside Shopping Centre and sitting somewhere between an Italian trattoria and Parisian bistro, you’ve probably just popped your head into Pomodoro Ristorante for a cheeky glass of vino on your way home. But, once the aroma of ultra-delicious Italian cuisine hits you, you may as well relinquish your evening plans. At the heart of the menu, pasta – cooked up by chef-owner Stefano Mas – goes back to basics. Our favourites are the gnocchi with meltingly soft potato dumplings in a silky gorgonzola sauce spiked with lots of walnuts as well as the melt-in-your-mouth homemade egg tagliatelle with a creamy porcini mushroom, saffron and whisky sauce. For the pizzas, the dough is left to rise and mature for just the right amount of time so that it swells into a soft and fluffy yet crispy base. The menu also features some of Italy’s finest fish and meat dishes in which subtle creativity and high-end dining are the name of the game, including lightly crumbed Falklands calamari tubes and tentacles and pan-fried chicken breast in a mushroom and truffle sauce. Given we aren’t here for dancing, we’re not disappointed to find ourselves in a large, airy, revamped dining room.

Morningside Shopping Centre, corner of Rivonia & Outspan Roads, Morningside 011 883 1854 www.pomodororestaurant.co.za

GUILT & CO

Looking to brighten up your social media feed or indulge your inner girliness? Guilt & Co is the perfect hangout spot for a fun and relaxing catch-up session with the girls. Its pretty pink and leafy green interior checks all the visual boxes, as does the delicious grazing menu. Moët & Chandon mimosas are optional, but always welcomed. The menu boasts a variety of dreamy breakfasts such as Belgian waffles topped with summer berries and whipped vanilla cream, eggs in a ‘basket’ filled with creamy mushrooms, strawberry flapjacks served with crispy bacon and mascarpone cheese as well as salmon royale – a toasted bagel topped with smoked salmon trout, a poached egg and roasted asparagus, drizzled with hollandaise sauce. To drink, there’s a perfectly sweet pink latte and a creamy vanilla coffee to unleash your inner princess If your appreciation for a well-constructed deli sandwich or salad holds as much significance as your love of plush pastel furnishings, order the panini with gypsy ham, mature white cheddar cheese, cherry tomatoes and pickles, or the smoked salmon trout salad with greens, cherry tomatoes, red onion, avocado and cream cheese.

Cedar Square Shopping Centre, 15 Willow Avenue, Fourways 087 238 1916 www.guiltandco.co.za

LA PARADA PARKHURST

Soak up the sociable vibe of Spanish eating at the brand-new La Parada tapas and cocktail bar in Parkhurst. Opened out onto the buzz of 4th Avenue, it feels like a party most nights with a menu that captures the boisterous spirit of authentic tapasstyle dining. There’s something about the endlessly appetising small plates complemented by a tempting list of cocktails that make them the most sociable of foods. They’re ideal for sharing (or, if you’d prefer not to, easy to order extra) and the best part is, you don’t have to commit to one cuisine. Dive in and make a night of it: Sip, snack, repeat. The menu offers newwave takes on the classics and some serious innovation – but playful inventiveness never gets in the way of flavour. Check out the fried calamari with aioli and lemon, seared tuna tataki with sesame seeds and avocado mousse, grilled cheese with gypsy ham and truffle aioli as well as the beef rib eye with chilli pea purée & truffle potato crisps with a round of Fizz Pom or Butterfly Effect cocktails. If you’re vegetarian, order the smoked exotic tomatoes with Caciotta cheese and garlic ciabatta croutins or the whole Peppadews filled with cream cheese and basil aioli in multiple.

Parkhurst Square, 38 4th Avenue, Parkhurst 010 035 6894 www.laparada.co.za

WASABI RESTAURANT

If you love sushi so much you could eat it for breakfast, lunch and dinner, head to Wasabi Restaurant. Elegant, no-nonsense sushi and grills are served in a soothing and minimal space: The décor seeks to deviate from the stereotypical market patio umbrellas and bonsai trees associated with oriental design. Grab a table on the outdoor restaurant piazza and take your pick from the vast menu, which includes everything from creamy rock shrimp California rolls and salmon roses topped with thick crème fraîche and berry reduction, to sesame seed crusted seared bigeye tuna and a fillet on the bone flambéed with cognac at your table. No matter what you order, it’s difficult to go wrong. The Dragon Roll with Scottish salmon, tempura prawn and sticky sweet Yakitori sauce is delicious, as is the Pepper Me Poké, where avocado, cream cheese and sushi rice are hidden under generous servings of flavourful black pepper rubbed tuna. The Forest Nigiri – salmon, prawn and avocado nigiri made with camembert infused rice, plum and kewpie mayo – is equally deserving of praise. The sushi is made even better with an order of Hong Kong Pears stuffed with duck, prawn and chicken.

Mall of Africa, Magwa Crescent, Midrand 011 517 2458 www.wasabisushiandgrill.co.za

BELLAGIO

If you fancy spoiling someone special with lashings of Illovo class, we suggest splashing some serious cash at Bellagio. It’s a formal place with white tablecloths, decorous service and tables out front for alfresco carousing. Surrounded by an elegant décor, the menu offers the best of the ocean’s bounty and spotlights owner Louise Castle’s forward-thinking approach to coastal inspired fare. Prosecco and oysters are a perfect pairing and there may be no better place to indulge than this eatery, where you’ll find them in abundance. The use of fresh, authentic ingredients can be detected in every bite of crave-worthy starters such as chargrilled calamari served with an avocado, tomato and chilli salsa or marinated roasted prawns with a creamy feta, chive and garlic sauce and crusty ciabatta. The exquisite main menu is dotted with Mediterranean touches, and there are plenty of big-ticket items on offer – think seared salmon marinated in soya, chilli, ginger, honey and orange; seared pepper-crusted tuna with teriyaki; and grilled langoustines with garlic and lemon butter. Of course, there are cheat-day-worthy treats like the crab capellini and smoked salmon spaghettini too.

Unit 1, Oxford Manor, 196 Oxford Road, Illovo 011 268 0869 www.bellagiorestaurant.co.za

RIBS & BURGERS LINKSFIELD

There’s a reason why meat-lovers are flocking to this casual diner at the brand spanking new Neighbourhood Square social, retail and leisure hub. There’s plenty of room, plenty of light and plenty of good vibes. Overall, life has many splendours and the grilled meats here are no exception – from the mouthwateringly beautiful beef ribs to the Mighty Bacon & Cheddar Burger that’s lusted over by thousands. Ribs & Burgers aims to bring some of the best succulent stacks and juicy racks to Joburg. It aims, and oh boy does it deliver. With tasty sides and signature ‘thickshakes’, we’re advised to tell you that it’s okay to let the smoky aromas guide you. When you order the Mighty King Rib, you’ll receive a rack with a caramelised, sticky crust. The joint has a secret weapon that makes their burgers stand out too: The patties are cooked medium rare to ensure maximum juiciness, whether you’re biting into the simple Old School Cheese or The Aussie with the lot. Next-level veggie burgers are available too – try the Veggie Stack with mushroom, Spanish onion, halloumi, crispy onion rings and aioli. Finish off the meal with a thick and frosty Vanilla Malt Biscuit or Salted Caramel milkshake.

Shop S13, Neighbourhood Square, corner of Huddle & Club Streets, Linksfield 010 100 3027 www.ribsandburgers.com/za

VILLA BIANCA

This modest Mediterranean cuisine and sushi restaurant comes from Arthur Cavallineas and family – the same folks who brought us FireRoom. Styled as a casual neighbourhood hangout, the space at Villa Bianca is open and modern, and the shopfront opens up onto the road, lending a fitting Mediterranean al fresco vibe. Inside, the space bears a simple motif; nothing too fancy but sufficiently stylish nonetheless. The menu features plenty of coastal fare-centric sharing plates as well as cocktails and mocktails crafted from seasonal, exotic produce and botanicals, like the Cucumber Collins and Berry Mojito. Known for its selection of quality seafood, the gourmet prawns served with lemon butter, garlic butter or peri peri sauce is a popular choice, as is the Parma Ham Salmon; Scottish salmon wrapped in Parma ham, rice and Japanese stir-fry vegetables. Another highlight is the meat, from the ginormous 850g tomahawk to the Lindt Chilli Chocolate Fillet topped with chilli chocolate reduction, served with fettucine, butter and sage. If you’ve got un unrelenting sweet tooth, satiate your cravings with the pure chocolaty decadence Chocolate Volcano soufflé for dessert.

13 Brabazon Road, Croydon, Kempton Park 011 974 2700 www.villabianca.co.za

LIFE IS SHORT EAT DESSERT first

Amazing dessert and wine pairings for any dining experience

When it comes to perfectly pairing two of the greatest things in life – dessert and wine – the secret is to consider wine as an ingredient. Wine adds the ‘extra’ – it enhances tastes, creating an entirely new flavour profile. In general, as the colours of the dessert get darker, the wine gets darker. Take a look at these tasty pairings for an incredible end (or start) to a memorable evening.

CHOCOLATE MOUSSE

The trick is to balance the bitterness of the chocolate with the sweetness of the wine Wine pairing: Journey’s End V3 Shiraz 2017. Frankly, if you don’t have a dessert ready, a bottle of this shiraz can be perfect all on its own! With its expressive aromatic delivery of redcurrants and violets with white pepper and notes of dried coriander, this wine offers some sweetness without being too overpowering. Pairing chocolate mousse with it is like eating a chocolate-covered strawberry, but with more sparkle – think chocolate and lightning bolts of fruit and spice plus great natural acidity and a silky, long-lasting finish from the wine. It’s best drunk now and until 2029.

Why it works: The sweetness of the wine balances the bittersweet taste and the smooth, airy, almost foamy texture of the dessert, creating the perfect harmony between their contrasting tastes. The wafting sweet spice aromas in this shiraz also cut straight through the heavy creaminess in chocolate mousse, while adding sharp texture and notes of candied fruit and red flowers. We find that this wine works particularly well with rich, bitter dark chocolate mousse made with semisweet or bittersweet chocolate, preferably 70% cacao. Around R180 from your local bottle store

STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE

The trick is to create pairing harmony with just a touch of residual sugar Wine pairing: Spier Méthode Cap Classique Brut 2017. With a fresh, clean nose, a balanced mouthfeel, good acidity and exuberant bubbles that culminate in a lively aftertaste, this is a crisp, mouth-puckering sparkler that adds notes of apples and biscuits. You can serve it with a full English or continental breakfast or enjoy it on its own as a festive welcome drink or toast. But what happens after you’ve exhausted the same old tired combinations? It’s time to get unique and add sparkling fireworks to strawberry shortcake – a creamy classic dessert. Why it works: The best wine for strawberry shortcake is one that matches its sweetness levels. The acidic bite that comes from this MCC slices right through the shortcake and whipped cream in the strawberry-laden classic without overwhelming the delicate cake and rich cream that makes it so addictive. Fresh fruit contributes sweet and tart elements in the dessert and the notes tree fruit in the wine beautifully complement the fresh strawberry flavour. Plus, the wine adds a biscuity note that tastes incredible with this sweet treat’s already creamy ingredients. Around R145 from your local bottle store

LEMON CAKE

The trick is to match the sweet and the tart note for note Wine pairing: Tokara Chardonnay 2018. The creamy addition of savoury oak tones from this wine to the bracing flavours in moist, sweet, buttery lemon cake loaded with fresh lemon is a truly complementary parallel. Many modern drinkers who’ve had one too many butter bombs – oaked chardonnays that are rich, full-bodied and have additional flavours of sweet vanilla, butter and even caramel from the oak – may find this pairing quite polarising and not appreciate this style. However, we think this layered, complex chardonnay’s versatility is one of its greatest strengths. Why it works: The fresh pineapple, grapefruit and lime zest notes with a hint of brioche and toasted almonds in the wine bring out even more zip from the bright, fresh lemon flavour and deeply underlying lemon essence of the dessert. This chardonnay is clear and bright with a hint of green in colour, with a silky palate and a tangy finish from the fruit and acid combination. The buttery oak of the wine is also a natural companion to lemon cake fillings and frostings such as lemon, strawberry or almond buttercream, raspberry frosting, banana mousse and lemon curd. Around R110 from your local bottle store

WHITE CHOCOLATE

The trick is to ensure that the wine is just as sweet as the chocolate

Wine pairing: La Motte Sauvignon Blanc 2018. While its sumptuous, full palate and refreshing character makes it a refreshing aperitif, the intricacy of this vintage brings sophistication and ensures versatility. This wine offers abundant gooseberry flavours, refreshing lemon and notes of tropical fruit with a creamy, well-rounded palate that lingers with a fresh acidity. Take a sip of it after a bite of buttery white chocolate and suddenly you’ll swear you’re tucking into a fruit cream mousse. It’s also perfect to pair with the creamy nuances of citrus-infused white chocolate. Why it works: Although white chocolate isn’t technically a ‘true’ chocolate because it doesn’t contain cacao, this chocolate-like sweet is a shockingly good pairing with this sauvignon blanc – especially for chocolate and wine pairing disbelievers. The wine’s rich, fruity aromas and juicy finish take the understated balance of white chocolate and add a layer of fruit that doesn’t overpower, balancing the subtle sweetness with decadently fruity notes. Try it with a heavenly white chocolate dessert like white chocolate truffles, white chocolate mousse or white chocolate berry cheesecake. Around R89 from your local bottle store

KINDNESS & The best coffee shops in the city to score your next cup Caffeine Getting our java fix isn’t just a way to stay awake around the dreaded afternoon slump. It’s a ritual that us caffeine queens take seriously … very seriously. The search is over, city dwellers and peak-time commuters – from the best Italian espresso and Instagrammable flat whites to silky-smooth hipster brews, we’ve got your daily grind right here.