Marthinus Ferreira, chef-patron of Top 10 nominee DW Eleven-13 in Dunkeld West, has always wanted to cook. After stints abroad at The Fat Duck, Hind’s Head and Riverside Brasserie, he’s been running his own award-winning restaurant since 2009 while juggling TV appearances on The Ultimate Braai Master with mate Bertus Basson from Overture.

In the search for the Eat Out 500, judges and panellists visited restaurants around the country, rating DW Eleven-13 highly enough to be named one of the 20 nominees.

“The sous vide calamari and the chocolate ganache and coconut dessert were sublime. A general theme was brilliant sauces,” said judge Andy Fenner.

“It’s one of those menus where you want to eat everything. Good, solid cooking – everything seasoned perfectly. A great restaurant without any pretentiousness,” agreed judge Liam Tomlin.

And panellist Rupesh Kassen labelled eating there a complete sensory experience. “The tasting menu gives you a comprehensive understanding of chef and owner Marthinus’s love of good food. The food is innovative with artistic flair and a sensation on the palate.” (Read more in the 2014 edition of Eat Out magazine, on sale from 25 November.)

We asked Marthinus for his own personal recommendations.

My favourite restaurant for…

A pizza
Andiccio 24. You can get a great pizza at 2am.

Asian food
Yamato or Tsuyu. The best sushi in South Africa, hands down.

Steak
The Local Grill. They have the best steak and lots of choice on different cuts.

Dessert
Wakaberry. Because you can fill your own cup!

A great view
Living Room in Maboneng. It’s very hip and happening.

Takeaways
Nando’s or Lucky Moo. They’re quick and they deliver.

Coffee
Seattle Coffee Co. I’m always in the Exclusive Books store next door, so it’s a given.

Breakfast
I love tashas. Croque madame, please. With extra bacon!

Lazy weekend brunch
La Cucino di Ciro. It’s very chilled and offers simple Italian food.

Business lunch
The Grillhouse, for chilled and not in-your-face service.

Blow-the-budget celebratory dinner
Five Hundred at The Saxon.

Cake
The Pattiserie for their Bar-One cheesecake.

Buying bread
The Culinary Co. in Randburg. They do the bread for DW Eleven-13 and it’s so good.

***

Interested in more Gauteng recommendations? Read about the favourite restaurants of chef Sammy Mashile, recipe book author Alida Ryder and award-winning butchery owner Caroline McCann.