While some folks in the capital city are transforming the most familiar retro desserts into beautiful modern plates, there are still some things that never change. (Peppermint Crisp tart, we’re looking at you.) Hennie Fisher shares his top pick of some old-school puddings, some with refreshing twists.

Black Bamboo (Ashlea Gardens)?

Pellie Grobler at Black Bamboo currently serves two desserts inspired by retro classics: poached pear and baked Alaska. The poached pear is served unexpectedly, with pine nut toffee, salted caramel parfait, fresh pear balls, blueberries and vanilla espuma. The baked Alaska is flambéed at the table with cranberry vodka and consists of vanilla and cranberry ice cream topped with cranberry coulis.

? Available for online bookings on the Eat Out app. 

The poached pear at Black Bamboo. Photo supplied.

Capital Craft (Menlo Park)?

Expect twists on an old favourite with Capital Craft’s waffles. Try the new strawberry one, an airy crisp Belgian waffle dolloped with creamy strawberry cheesecake and lashings of homemade strawberry compote, plus a sprinkling of crunchy homemade black-pepper shortcake. There’s also one topped with miso-infused butterscotch sauce, crisp bacon bits, vanilla ice cream and a flourish of dried chilli flakes. Other waffles include the Reese’s peanut-butter cup waffle with a chocolate and peanut-butter ganache, vanilla ice cream, a Reese’s peanut butter cup, and a shake of Maldon salt flakes. Prices range from R45 upwards.

? Available for online bookings on the Eat Out app. 

The dreamy waffles at Capital Craft. Photo supplied.

Carlita’s (Pretoria East)

Owner Carla Chryssanthou’s family is Portuguese, but that hasn’t stopped her recipe for the uniquely South African Peppermint Crisp tart from being handed down over three generations. The delectable layered fridge tart – made with biscuits, layers of light cream cheese and whipped cream, with Peppermint Crisp chocolate folded in – is a firm favourite (R49). It sets for a day or two, allowing the biscuits to soften and all the layers to amalgamate. Enjoy along with the great Carlita’s view from the lovely patio.

The truly retro Peppermint Crisp Tart at Carlita’s. Photo supplied.

Carlton Café (Menlo Park)

Rachel Botes and her team of entrepreneurial chefs and product developers always have something new to offer their followers. Their retro dessert is a large and over-the-top trifle – the best kind there is. Over Christmastime they sell them in glass jars, but you can show up with your own jar out of season, then select a trifle flavour (price available on request). Options include gingerbread, white-chocolate anglaise, baked pineapple and fresh fruit with chocolate shavings; milk tart-filled choux puffs layered with preserved green figs and cinnamon-infused anglaise with a topping of fresh berries; and meringue, fresh berries, white-chocolate mousse and vanilla sponge cake.

The trifle at Carlton Café. Photo supplied.

Dessert Folk (Hazelwood)

Dessert Folk is a newly opened dessert bar in The Village in Hazelwood, serving primarily delicious desserts and light lunches. The restaurant has a back-to-basics approach, serving original milkshakes in 10 different flavours. Their retro dessert, is pavlova, which comes with an edgy spin. The pavlova is black and deconstructed with zesty, fruity flavours balanced by a hint of basil and a super sweet meringue (R45). The original Belgian waffles are also a crowd favourite and they, too, are available infused with charcoal.

FoodChain Kolonnade (Montana Park)

What can be more retro than pancakes? At FoodChain they’re served either simply with cinnamon and cream or ice cream (R34.90), or with a filling of grilled banana and caramel sauce plus cream or ice cream (R42.90). FoodChain is near one of the mall entrances, so if you sit on the stoep there’s a lovely view of the Fever trees that grow so tall and lanky this side of Pretoria.

Forti Grill & Bar (Menlyn)?

Owner Fortunato Mazzone thinks that profiteroles are the quintessential retro dessert. Hardly anyone serves them anymore despite their popularity a few years ago. Forti’s profiteroles are filled to the brim with crema pasticcera, the Italian version of crème patisserie, and are served with fresh watermelon sorbet (R80).

? Available for online bookings on the Eat Out app. 

The profiterol with sorbet at Forti Grill & Bar. Photo supplied.

Kream (Brooklyn)

The new Kream in Brooklyn, housed in its own newly refurbished building, is all style and luxury. Try the Chocolate Tower (R79), which combines chocolate brownies and chocolate mousse into one decadently delicious confection. Brownies, chilli-chocolate mousse and Chantilly cream are layered inside a dark chocolate tuile. The tower comes served with house-made vanilla fudge, mini chocolate-chip cookies and caramel ice cream.

Lucky Bread Company (Brooklyn)

It might sell the best bread in all of Gauteng – especially the seed loaf – but Lucky Bread Company also has excellent croissants, cronuts, and an array of yummy puddings and desserts at its retail outlet. The commercial bakery operates under the brand The Bread Gypsy, which can be found at some of the markets around Pretoria. The lemon meringue pie is classic in every sense of the word, except size – they’re made individually to have with a cup of great coffee.

The lemon meringue pie at Lucky Bread. Photo supplied.

Moonshot (Waterkloof Glen)

This hip-and-happening eatery perches high on the penthouse floor of an office building – it has magnificent views of Pretoria East and a gorgeous space for events and weddings. Moonshot serves really great coffee, all-day breakfasts, lunches and bites for on-the-go re-fuelling. Also on offer is a selection of desserts that vary from week to week and come freshly baked (prices range from R5 to R45). The pecan pie on a chocolate base is definitely worth a try.

The pecan Pie at Moonshot. Photo supplied.

tashas Menlyn Main (Waterkloof Glen)

Elze Roome and her brother Wally run the show at this tashas. The interior is beautiful, boasting huge African bowls brimming with produce that is used to craft the dishes on the two menus. Indulge in the mean croissant bread-and-butter pudding that comes served with a dollop of rich cream (R78).

The bread-and-butter pudding at tashas. Photo supplied.

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