If you are struggling to keep with all the latest new restaurants and delicious foodie trends popping up on Joburg’s dining scene, we’ve got you covered!
Read on for this month’s Freshly Plated round-up of the latest Joburg restaurant news.
Rand Club now open for lunch
The historic Rand Club in downtown Joburg is now open to the public for lunch, dinner and drinks Tuesday through Saturday from 12:00– 20:00. Food and drinks are served in the charming historic mahogany-panelled Main Bar (said to be the longest in Africa) where, as is tradition, beer is still served in pewter tankards.
Juliet Cullinan Standard Bank Wine Festival returns on June 4 and 5
South Africa’s longest running wine festival returns to Joburg on June 4 and 5 for its 29th edition. Taking place at Summer Place in Sandton, the Juliet Cullinan Standard Bank Wine Festival showcases some of the Cape’s finest wines, as well as food from the acclaimed restaurants which adjoin South Africa’s most famous wine estates. This year expect a special focus on MCCs (sparkling wines) in celebration of Juliet Cullinan’s induction into the prestigious Ordre des Côteaux de Champagne in France.
Southern Sun Hyde Park’s new gin pairing menu
In collaboration with premium local craft gin label Autograph Gin, Luce restaurant at the Southern Sun Hyde Park hotel has launched a new gin tasting menu. Matt Beech from Autograph Gin together with Luce’s Executive Chef Grant van der Riet created the special six-course tasting menu with gin pairings and we can confirm it is delicious. The experience includes an entertaining explanation about the flavours behind the various drink pairings. The gin tasting menu dinner is available daily and costs R800 per person.
Van Der Linde launches new menu
The vivacious chef Amori Burger has launched a new breakfast, lunch and dinner menu at Linden’s Van Der Linde restaurant as well as a specially dedicated vegan menu. In 2019 Burger says the kitchen is “moving more and more into simple dishes and simple food”. This year look out for even more interesting baked goods (including fresh hot cross buns from the in-house bakery this Easter), more unusual grills such as Denver (chuck) and skirt steaks and plenty of healthy ‘smart’ foods made from obscure ‘ancient’ grains, plus dishes championing protein-rich vegetables such as spinach and cabbage.
Our favourite standouts from the new lunch and dinner menu include the salmon ravioli and the burrata and citrus salad. Read our review of Van Der Linde here.
Fine dining at Goût de France 2019
The global Goût de France (Good France) celebration returns to South Africa again from March 18. Goût de France recreates the idea inspired by Auguste Escoffier, who launched the “Dîners d’Épicure” (Epicurean Dinners) initiative in 1912 (the same menu, on the same day, in several world cities, for as many guests as possible). The annual event sees more than 5,000 chefs around the world serving special four-course menus that highlight French cuisine. The theme for this year’s menus are sustainability and the Provence region of France.
In Joburg look out for a series of special multi-course dinners hosted by Michelin-trained chef Wandile Mabaso of The SA Culinary Club at The Course in Sandton. Mabaso, a veteran of Alain Ducasse’s Le Meurice in Paris, will be serving a Côte d’Azur-inspired four course haute cuisine experience paired with sommelier-selected wines and complemented by live music from jazz ensemble Hashtag Trio. Dinner costs R895 per person and can be booked online at webtickets.
Farewell Parliament and Milk Bar Rosebank
Two popular Joburg bars close their doors this month.
The Rosebank branch of Milk Bar, whose flagship branch is at Sandton Sports Club in Parkmore, closed on Sunday March 10 as the quirky African retro-themed cafe-bar prepares to move to a new nearby location.
Meanwhile in Sandton the classy gastro-pub and cocktail bar Parliament, tucked away on a hidden rooftop just off Benmore’s 11st Street, closes its doors for the last time this month. Parliament plans to go out with a bang with a last night celebration on Friday March 29.