WORDS: BELINDA MOUNTAIN IMAGES: SUPPLIED
Winter got you feeling like hibernating? Take advantage of some great deals and new tastes and visit these dining spots in Jozi.
Provenance Menu at Coobs
In the current economic climate your wallet is probably under strain, but if you love simple fresh food, beautifully prepared and locally sourced, then head to Coobs in Parkhurst. Founder and chef James Diack’s Provenance menu lets you choose a starter, main and dessert, all for R250. Think roasted artichoke soup or halloumi and basil tart to start, Vietnamese coconut chicken curry or Suffolk lamb bangers for mains, and basil parfait or ice cream for dessert. James sources most ingredients from his family farm in the Magaliesberg and prides himself on serving seasonal dishes packed with flavour.
Go Greek
Eating out isn’t all about dinner – there are some great lunch specials to be enjoyed, if you know where to look. Unpretentious yet flavour-packed Greek food is served out of three Plaka restaurants: one in Cresta Mall, one in Eastgate, and another in Menlyn. Lunch specials vary for the three venues but include prawns and chips for R110, T-bone steaks for R99, vegetarian moussaka for R69 and haloumi shawarmas for a lip-smacking R59. Simple flavours combined in a clever way make this a great venue for a lunch with friends or family, or a quick catch up with work colleagues.
Head to Melrose Arch
Winter sees a wave of new restaurants on Melrose Arch’s high street. Roast Café and The Comedy Club have closed and owner Tony Raciti has teamed up with brothers José and Tony da Costa to open Rodizio Brazilian Restaurant in early July. Diners can feast on slow-roasted prime beef, tender chicken, traditional chouriço, succulent pork or leg of lamb, with carvers serving the meat off large skewers directly on to your plate – in true Brazilian style – until you indicate you’ve had enough.
For deliciously fresh fast food, visit Ono Poké Eatery, which used to be situated in Illovo, but is now offering its Hawaiian-style poké bowls on the high street. “Ono means ‘delicious’ in Hawaiian and that’s exactly what we’re bringing to Melrose Arch – delicious, healthy options with international flair,” says owner Anthony Theodosiou.
Coobs | 011 447 0710 | Facebook: @CoobsParkhurst
Plaka | 011 478 0392 / 011 615 5751 | plaka.co.za
Rodizio Brazilian Restaurant | 011 455 1093 / 011 467 8127 | rodizio.co.za
Ono Poké Eatery | 078 893 1786 | Facebook: @onoeatery