Georgina Haupt takes a trip down memory lane with a visit to Joburg's oldest Thai restaurant, '80s cuisine and Mondovino and a "pay what you want" menu at a fine-dining restaurant.
Cranking up the Asian heat
Cranks
Mall of Rosebank, Cradock Ave, Rosebank
011 880 3442
Cranks, one of the city's oldest Thai restaurants, celebrates 25 years in the industry this year. It first opened its doors in Hillbrow, later moving to Rosebank.
What: Cranks started out as an authentic Thai restaurant, co-owned by Cambodian-Vietnamese Eiah, who was raised in Thailand, and her enigmatic Dutch husband, Eric Neelson.
The menu now includes Vietnamese food, which finds more mainstream appeal. But the light-hearted vibe remains, as Cranks still pokes fun at itself and its clientele.
Style: Cranks spices up the plate and the imagination. Barbie and Ken dolls are positioned in colourful poses, often with a partner or two, but giant metallic mobiles steal the show. Open your mind to '70s psychedelia, with trippy lighting and vibrant detail, from fruity table cloths, comfy cushions on the terrace to quirky slogans and references to GI Joe.
Food: Caution: when you dare someone to prepare hellishly hot food, prepare yourself for a surprise.
In Thailand, food is often monstrously hot, well suited to cooling the body. Even the chilli freak at our table was blown away.
We started off with a platter of pho pia vegetarian spring rolls, accompanied by sweet chilli konfyt, fresh herbs and cucumber, and pho bac - Hanoi beef and noodle soup, flavoured with basil and mint.
A signature dish is a succulent braised and stir-fried duck with woodear mush-rooms and crunchy vegetables.
Cost: Starters: R48 to R260 (platter);
Mains: R69 to R85;
X-Factor: It's sexy Thai, in a very tasty setting.
And: Their strawberry dacquiri is not good - syrupy sweet, it has too much alcohol. Rather order the Thai Red Bull and Mehkong whisky, the party drink of choice in Thailand. Cranks is the only stockist of Thai whisky in SA. Served with a non-fizzy Red Bull, it packs a punch. Thai beer is available.
Auberge Michel
122 Pretoria Rd, Sandown
Tel: 011 883 7013
Auberge Michel introduced a "gastro recession menu" this year. Last month, they offered a "pay what you want" set menu option - just as well as their pricing is a bit ambitious.
Excellent winelist, with a strong French selection though.
To kickstart our appetites, an amuse bouche of scallop, cayenne pepper and creamed cauliflower soup, topped with vanilla oil. A highlight. For starters, unremarkable tiger prawns and angel hair in a jasmine tea consommé. Two options for mains: monkfish with sweet potato tartilette, greens and a saffron veloute, or confit deboned chicken leg with ratatouille, served with a galette in Provencal jus. Dessert was a non-pastry millefeuille of strawberries, rose water and mango chiboust with blackcurrent caviar. The "pay what you want" option is a fun one, but also the ultimate test for a kitchen, encouraging diners to pay what they think the meal deserves.
Mondovino Restaurant and Liquid Lounge
Montecasino Piazza, Fourways, 011 557 7007
Southern Sun celebrates its 40th year this year. Taking us down memory lane, the group hosted media to showcase its finer moments. Sun Square's Mondovino restaurant featured some of the group's youngest chefs in an evening of culinary nostalgia, which comprised food served by the group spanning four decades.
Cosmopolitans were the drink of choice.
Chef's tables can be heaps of fun and we weren't disappointed.
For starters, a classic avo Ritz, with fresh herbs adding flavour to the prawns. Then, an unusual banana split sorbet, followed by beef Wellington (a little dry).
Dessert was a platter that included a sago and mango smoothie, chocolate mousse and creme brulée.
On the whole, a well-executed menu and '80s-sized portions. Good wines per glass.
- Southern Sun offers a 40 percent discount off accommodation. Visit www.southernsun.com for details. Food and wine pairings are also offered occasionally.