lifedining
HASMITA NAIR Jozilicious
NCE a trend gains momentum in Joburg, it becomes explosive. Its all anyone talks about and if youre not in the know, youll soon be exiled from the cool crowd. Remember the queues of people snaking through malls trying to get their hands on a Cinnabon? What about when Groupon and Wicount first launched we were all frantically buying the latest restaurant or spa deal. Craft beer first took off in the US and Europe, with jetsetting South Africans bringing the knowledge home. Quite quickly, the mass-produced SAB brands just werent good enough for beer connoisseurs, which led to small breweries selling their aromatic and flavourful produce at local markets in Joburg and Cape Town. Fans of craft beer love the distinctive taste, and the fact that it has a far shorter shelf life and fewer preservatives and additives than its more commercial counterparts. Its as much about the story as it is about the taste craft beer has an entrepreneurial spirit that people can connect with and want to support. A flurry of Cape Town restaurants and bars, including & Union, Hudsons Burger Bar and Power & the Glory were quick to , respond and added craft beer to their menus, with a few sharp Joburg restaurateurs following suit. Founded by the guys behind the Doppio Zero and Piza E Vino chain of restaurants, Parktown Norths Foundry Caf opened its doors in September 2012. With a professional coffee roaster on site, as well as 23 different craft beers on offer, it is a kitchen, roastworks and craft bar. Clearly theres a wealth of ex, perience behind the restaurant, because it oozes trendiness. Foundry has it right the open kitchen, outside deck and adjacent bar complemented by irregular shaped glass blown lamps and rough wooden furniture all blends into a great dining experience. The restaurant is a much bigger area than youd usually find in the Parkhurst/Parktown North area, but still, at any given time, they find themselves fully booked well
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in advance. The menu offers a great selection of dishes to suit most tastes. To start, try the charcuterie and cheese plank (R130) a selection of cheeses with marinated olives, chilli roasted almonds and preserves. Served with wood-fired sourdough flatbread, this claims to feed two but actually feeds four. Prices for mains are on the high side but their uniqueness almost excuses the steep price tag. Among the four pizza choices is an Empire butter chicken with masala pineapple, cracked poppadum, raita and fresh coriander option (R94), as well as a Field mushrooms with parmesan cream, spring onion, garlic and parsley pizza (R85). In addition, youll find a variety of salads on the menu, and a selection of seafood and meat dishes. The handmade ravioli with field mushrooms, feta and spring onions in a burnt butter and sage sauce topped with pine nuts and rocket, R88, is a winner, as is the trio of lamb, pork and beef sausages with house-made potato gnocchi and onion gravy (R89). Foundrys bar is relatively small but draws a huge crowd, especially on weekends. The newer gastropub on the block is The Griffin, situated on the upper level of the recently revived Illovo Junction. Opened by the founders of The Attic in Parkhurst, this is more a bar than a restaurant and attracts yuppies who flock to this slick establishment to get their craft beer fix. Free wifi 24/7 is a crowd puller, as is the warm service and attention to detail. Foodies wont be left disappointed The Griffins prices are reasonable and quality is a key focus. The chef tries to buy in as little as possible the stock in the
Two gastropubs hit the ground running, quenching Joburgs thirst for the finer beers in life
HASMITA NAIR
TO ME (who can barely fry an egg), turning flour, butter, sugar, eggs and other unassuming ingredients into gastronomic decadence is nothing short of modern-day alchemy . Do not confuse a patisserie with a bakery; whereas a bakery focuses on churning out mass-produced carbs, a patisserie aims to create confectionery masterpieces that are often intricately designed and delicately flavoured. As such, a premium is payable for these treats, but once the first hint of smooth, dark chocolate ganache enveloped in buttery pastry touches your lips, youll be hooked. Here are the top three patisseries in Joburg. The Patisserie: Post Office Centre, cnr Rudd Road and Otto Street, Illovo. Call 011 268 0022 Established in 2003, this French
coffee shop and tea lounge is a delight to the senses, which is surprising considering its dreary location (on the upper level of the Illovo Post Office Centre). The pink and white striped walls, contrasted by black and white floor tiles, make you feel
as though youre in a Parisian cafe. In addition to cakes, The Patisserie also does breakfasts (think homemade muesli with Greek yoghurt) and lunches (it prides itself on salmon fishcakes covered with rocket mayonnaise sauce). Open Mon-Fri: 7.30am-5.30pm, Sat 7.30am-4.30pm, Sun 8am-1.30pm