Off the Beaten Track

The Livingroom

Summerhill Guest Estate, Durban

Tucked away in the quiet suburb of Cowies Hill, Pinetown, KwaZulu-Natal, you’ll find Summerhill Guest Estate, home to awardwinning restaurant The LivingRoom. It is here where chef Johannes Richter has been making waves with his hypersustainable and hyper-seasonal approach to fine cooking.

Merging his fine training from years spent abroad with his dedication to endemic ingredients and his love for Japanese technique, the chef creates a spectacular multi-course dining experience – one which earned LivingRoom the title of Restaurant of the Year at the Eat Out Woolworths Restaurant Awards in 2022.

From the ingredients to the crockery, Johannes sources as much as he possibly can from local growers and suppliers – this in addition to growing plenty of the fresh produce himself in Summerhill Estate’s lush gardens.

From the golden nugget pumpkin, which is farmed by husband-and-wife duo Dion and Chisomo Bean on their permaculture farm in Howick – around which the first course is built – to the free-range guinea fowl served with aMathungulu and green banana, each of the seven courses is carefully considered and expertly created. The menu and experience as a whole is truly a glorious showcase of the area’s produce. An experience which champions the beauty of endemic ingredients and is underlined by a fervent dedication to sustainability every step of the way.

Summerhill Guest Estate, 9 Belvedale Rd, Cowies Hill, Pinetown | Dinner Tuesday – Saturday with lunch on Saturdays | Reservations: 063 529 1966 | summerhillkzn.com

THE POT LUCK CLUB Johannesburg

Luke Dale Roberts’ famed Woodstock eatery landed in Joburg earlier this year and brought all the bold, globally inspired tapas it’s become renowned for to Rosebank’s Oxford Parks.

Along with all the small plate goodness, they’ve also brought one of Cape Town’s best-kept secrets with them – The Pot Luck Club brunch.

A longstanding favourite of those in the know, the brunch is a multi-course culinary extravaganza with the option of bottomless cap classique to boot. In line with its regular menu, the brunch offering draws from cuisines around the world and features enticing and eclectic dishes, like Bloody Mary oysters, brioche topped with porcini, asparagus and hollandaise as well as the PLC classic, Arnold Bennett.

As the menu moves from breakfast to lunch, expect dishes such as ravioli filled with leek and ricotta or duck served with textures of apple and vanilla alongside a lentil cassoulet. Dessert may call for the tonka bean madeleines with chocolate and passion fruit pâté de fruit. Though the bubbly is highly recommended, the cocktails aren’t to be missed either. Go all out at the make-your-own Bloody Mary bar or relish the spicy-meets-sweet libation that is their Thai Green Curry martini. 199 Oxford Road, Dunkeld, Randburg, Johannesburg | Lunch and dinner Monday – Saturday | Brunch is served every Sunday from 11h00 | Reservations: 010 745 3999 | thepotluckclubjhb.co.za

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SALSIFY AT THE ROUNDHOUSE Cape Town

The award-winning spot, Salsify at The Roundhouse, helmed by chef Ryan Cole, is undoubtedly serving some of the best food in South Africa right now. Inspired by nature and driven by the seasons, Ryan presents an elegant multi-course tasting menu that celebrates the beauty of the Cape’s produce.

An ardent fisherman with a dedication to sustainability, the chef and his team catch all the fish served on the menu. It is this connection to the ocean which has no doubt inspired Salsify’s latest transformation. The inner chamber of the historic building, named The Seasonal Room, now features an impressive ceiling installation that is made from ocean plastic sourced along the Cape’s beaches, and draws attention to the plight of plastic pollution in our oceans.

Not to be missed, this August the chef has invited a host of industry friends into his kitchen to cook with him during a series of collaborative lunches. ‘Salsify and Friends’ will see chefs Luke Dale Roberts, Dale Stevens, Mmabatho Molefe and Ivor Jones join Ryan to create what is bound to be a Sunday lunch to remember.

The Roundhouse, Roundhouse Road, Camps Bay | Lunch Tuesday – Sunday and dinner Tuesday – Saturday | Reservations: reservations@salsify.co.za | salsify.co.za ■

DURBAN-RAISED FILMMAKER AND PHOTOGRAPHER, AART VERRIPS, CREATES A NEW BEAUTY STANDARD IN HIS WORK BY CAPTURING UNCONVENTIONAL FACES WHILE CONFRONTING DIFFERENT SUBJECT MATTERS, ALLOWING THE AUDIENCE TO SEE BEAUTY FROM A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE

COMPILED BY LINDELWA BUSAKWE

THE ROAD TRIP: I generally love road trips in my own country, but I’d love to do one elsewhere. Maybe a road trip along the scenic coastal route of California, from San Francisco to San Diego, where I can surf and experience a culturally vibrant scene.

DREAM DESTINATION: I dream about exploring the mesmerising landscapes of Iceland’s Ring Road to witness majestic waterfalls, charming villages and even catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights.

IDEAL STAYCATION: Anywhere away from the city and close to a beachfront. I’d set up a cosy movie night with my favourite films or binge-watch a new series with popcorn and blankets.

STYLE RESOLUTION: I believe in keeping it classic with a muted wardrobe and pops of colour in between.

OUTFIT COMBO: Classic smart trousers, a crisp white shirt, a good jersey and a statement shoe is always a winner.

PROUDEST MOMENTS: Working with Time Magazine has been one of my proudest moments. The team trusted my style when capturing whistle-blower Daniel Motaung. It was an honour to play a role in fighting back against corporate greed and help Daniel speak out and stand up for hundreds if not thousands of others that are still going through it.

BEST SET EXPERIENCE: I’ve had a number of great shooting experiences, but to date I would have to say it was the project I just wrapped. I’m unable to share details at this point, but will reveal at the end of the year – it’s definitely worth the wait.

DIGITAL OR FILM? I was introduced to photography in a digital age, but I do like to mix mediums and shoot on both film and digital. They each have a very different look and feel, and while I love both, I do prefer to shoot on digital.