Brunch is to weekends what suits are to lawyers. Located just outside of the Sandton CBD, Gia’s on Montrose is the ideal location to enjoy a leisurely brunch before a tough day of shopping. This breakfast spot, sandwich shop and burger restaurant, also has live music every other Sunday, making for a very relaxing Sunday lunch.

Food

Gia’s offers light meals ranging from a comprehensive breakfast menu to seasonal specials like chicken pot pie and hearty minestrone soup. Francophiles can indulge in toasted or untoasted croissants, while the Lazy Afternoon beef burger (with avocado, bacon and cheddar) will satisfy the monstrous appetite. Vegetarians and Mexican food lovers can try the healthy and filling “Bean me up, Scotty” vegetable wrap, with chickpeas, red kidney and butter beans, olives, feta, spring onion rocket, olive oil and balsamic reduction. A kiddies menu (and a secure playground) offer a rare moment of peace to parents with tots.

Wine

Gia’s serves a variety of wines from a number of well-known South African wineries by the glass. Expect offerings from Robertsons, Boekenhoutskloof and Fat Bastard. The delicious Fat Bastard Chardonnay goes very well with the restaurant’s open sandwiches, while 2012 Platter’s winery of the year Boekenhoutskloof’s Porcupine Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon is ideal with the 200g homemade beef burgers.

Service

While there are plenty of waiters to handle the lunchtime rush, the service could be better. The waiters know the menu well, but could be more attentive to their customers and less attentive to each other.

Ambience

Gia’s is the perfect venue for a lazy, sunny afternoon. The gorgeous garden setting makes it easy to forget the pressures of city life and the live music on Sundays adds plenty of cheer. On cold days, the fireplace transforms the high-ceilinged restaurant into a cozy meeting spot.

By Kristia van Heerden

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Photographs courtesy of the restaurant.