A fabulous, intimate bistro and a firm hit with foodies thanks to its fine and mostly French food, the ever-popular Thomas Maxwell Kitchen in Jozi is run by Thomas Barker.

The small establishment is contained between two long, bare walls; one smooth and painted, the other bare brick. The house speciality is a steaming bowl of mussels in a thick and splendid white wine cream, served with pommes frites. (Ask for mayo on the side if you like them the Belgian way).

Thomas likes to put gourmet dishes alongside the usual suspects, so the menu also boasts two yummy pizzas (caviar and crème fraiche; Emmental and Italian salami) at reasonable prices. The salad comes in a rather original way – DIY! Choose your own ingredients from a suggested list.

Portions are generous and the bill comes with another cool quirk – a multi-tiered cup-cake stand, bursting with sweet treats.

Signature dish
Fillet Medallion topped with duck liver and thyme crust, served on a truffle cream

Other favourites
Fillet of Salmon topped with a paste of lime, garlic, ginger, mint and coconut
Chocolate Torte
Rabbit Risotto – Braised mustard, lemon and coriander rabbit served with onion risotto and Spanish chourizo

Thomas Maxwell Kitchen
140 11th Street, Parkmore, Johannesburg
Call 011-784 1575
Open for lunch Monday to Friday and dinner Monday to Saturday