Where: 27 Clieveden Avenue, Auckland Park
To Book: Call 011-726-4949 or 082-774-4902
It was time for entertainer Elzabé Zietsman and two friends - actor and singer Drummond Marais and Mariana Katz - to turn their passion for food and cooking into reality.
"I know people used to live on top of the café," says Elzabé, but, always a bit of a rebel, she adds: "I live inside mine."
She's talking about her latest venture, a restaurant in her new home in Auckland Park. For many years, Zietsie, as she is know by many of her friends (hence the name of the restaurant), had been cooking for more than just a few close friends.
She's been the host at artist evenings at her home, where friends and those close to friends were invited to attend an evening of song, wine and dine. But this time, the accent is on the dining.
"I just thought that there were so many single people around, and what do they do for Sunday lunch?"
Sunday is the day they have chosen to set aside for open house. And it's not that you necessarily have to be single, that's not the point. What she does hope is that it offers a kind of home alternative for those who are single and living in either Pretoria or Joburg.
To the launch on Sunday, she invited some media and possible customers who would be able to spread the word, and cooked a slap-up meal similar to what will be on offer in the future.
But first the home. It has an open kitchen/ lounge/dining room area, in which tables can be arranged to accommodate different bookings. Aperitifs are served on a front terrace leading off this entertainment space.
With Elzabé, Drummond and Mariana in charge and rotating the duties, the mood is informal and everyone is made to feel at home.
The food is not easily categorised, apart from the fact that it is contemporary and innovative. The menu (R180 a head) consists of five courses, and on this day they started with an aubergine paté with fresh asparagus. This was followed by another tempting teaser - an artichoke served with a burnt butter and orange combination.
Instead of the more traditional palate cleanser of fruit sorbet, they opted for a refreshing drink called a Zietsie shooter, which consists of buttermilk and fresh peach, cream and just a dash of vodka.
The main course was deboned rolled chicken, and for those whose faith didn't allow bacon, the chicken was stuffed with onion jam, spinach and pepperdews. For those with no dietary restrictions, bacon was added. The chicken was served on a blend of fresh and sundried tomatoes.
The veggies included roast potatoes served in their skin and fried greens flavoured with sage. For vegetarians the vegetables were more bountiful, with added quiches.
Pud was like ma's at home, even though it was the more fancy tarte tatin - a baked apple and raisin affair embellished with berry ice cream miniature balls dipped in chocolate.
Then we all gathered in the lounge area for coffee with homemade biscotti and great local cheese - and then, as an end to a wonderful meal, Elzabé rushed everyone home (it was almost 5pm) to catch a Sunday nap.
Zietsies serves only Sunday lunch, as well as bookings for private functions.
"It's very hard work," says Elzabé, but for these foody friends, it's a passion they take much pleasure in.
"If it wasn't for my great circle of friends, their support - financial and emotional - it wouldn't have been possible," she says.
If you want something out of the ordinary, and feel like a Sunday with oomph, Zietsies is a grand choice.