Hidden gems up north

Wednesday, January 26th, 2011

Having been in the same place for 30 years, it’s not surprising that the Inn has a bevy of regular diners. Originally built as a French restaurant, Coachman’s Inn has kept its Tudor style decor and French cuisine since 1980. The atmosphere is that of a traditional, old-world dining room, with dark-wood furniture, white-lace table runners, crystal glasses and silver cutlery. The menu is rich with French influence, while also accommodating local African palates, and boasts more than 50 favourite dishes as a result of popular demand. Try traditional escargots au beurre d’ail (French snails in a fresh herb and garlic butter sauce) or the famous foie de canard avec epinards (grilled duck liver served with baby spinach) for starters. The mains menu is vast and offers chef’s specialities such as a casserole of guinea fowl, kudu and hare in a game and wild mushroom sauce, and braised, deboned duckling with a creamy green peppercorn sauce and flambéed in gin.

Dukes is fondly known amongst Greenside locals as a snazzy burger joint and Joburger’s (pun intended) enjoy having a local burger hangout to compete with the ones that Capetonians always seem to be bragging about. The main attraction at Dukes is the size and variety of the burgers. Patrons describe the burgers as ‘huge’, ‘massive’ and ‘enormous’, which means you should probably arrive hungry. The menu offers 30 different burger options, available with beef, chicken, ostrich or vegetarian (think giant mushroom, soy, lentil or falafel) patties. Dukes recently introduced a Rock Menu on Wednesdays, where 15 of SA’s top bands and performing artists each designed a burger. They also offer a number of creative desserts, so make sure that you leave room after guzzling your burger.

If you’re grateful to the Spanish for inventing tapas and you love eating from other people’s plates, then you should give Fino a visit. The white décor and comfortable couches make for a pleasurable and relaxed eating experience – after all, tapas are meant to be enjoyed leisurely, over a few glasses of wine. The menu offers a variety of hot and cold tapas, with a few house specialities. Don’t leave without trying imported Spanish jamón serrano, arguably the best cured ham around. Also order some boquerones (marinated white Spanish anchovies), Spanish pickles, Spanish omelette, gambas al ajillo (garlic prawns) and chorizo al vino (Spanish sausage cooked in red wine) for an authentic meal. A number of Spanish wines is also available to pair with your meal.

This is a true find. Situated high up on the grounds of St Stithians College, with an unsurpassed view of Sandton and the surrounding suburbs, Higher Ground offers delicious fare in a relaxed and enjoyable setting. The wide terrace is perfect for breakfast and lunches, while the two decks provide the ideal location for a sundowner and some bar snacks after work. Apart from offering popular daily specials, such as the weekly sushi night, Higher Ground has a full à la carte menu with a Mediterranean twist. Starters include modern Asian seared tuna, prawn and lemon soup and a trio of salmon. Try the pork belly with crackling, or gnocchi with wild mushroom ragout for mains. They also offer a great kiddies’ menu.

This eatery is fondly referred to as a little bit of Thailand in the heart of Johannesburg. Suan Thai is relaxed, laidback and intimate, with a great menu. A fireplace staves off the winter chill and the kitchen is open all day, meaning that you’ll find satisfaction no matter what time your Thai craving strikes. In addition to the traditional meat and seafood dishes, there is also a wide selection of vegetarian and vegan options, which include vegetable spring rolls, tofu, carrot, cucumber and red onion salad, four vegetable curries and tofu pad Thai.  Suan Thai regulars swear by the quality of the cuisine and service, so if you’re in the mood for Thai, you know where to go.

The Attic (now closed)

Situated in Parkhurst, The Attic offers a gourmet fusion of South African, French and Asian inspired dishes. Designed to offer patrons a relaxed and unpretentious environment in which to enjoy high-quality food, The Attic offers seating at rustic wooden tables and mismatched chairs, along with chandelier lighting and gilded mirrors. Regulars rave about the quality of the cuisine, especially the starters of deep-fried duck, ginger and hoisin dim sum, and the black tiger prawn ravioli with peas, pea shoots and champagne-chervil butter. The ever popular crab fettuccine, served with chilli, coriander and lime, is still one of the top recommended main dishes, along with Scottish salmon, served with new potatoes, sorrel and champagne-dill butter. The wine list offers a number of wines by the glass, allowing guests to enjoy a different wine with each course. The menu also offers wine pairing suggestions. A word to the wise – try the Belgian hot-chocolate pudding before you leave.

Wolves Café is wall-to-wall bric-à-brac and you’d be hard pressed to find a matching chair in the place. While it’s called a café, most people come here for the cakes. Red velvet cupcakes, hummingbird cake, marshmallow cake, giant cupcakes and chocolate ganache cakes are just some of the freshly baked delights to be found in this eclectic coffee shop. The omelettes, ciabattas, shakes and smoothies are also not to be missed.

Cynthia’s has been a resident of the suburb of Maroelana for over 26 years and, as such, is a household favourite amongst Pretorians, with many patrons having eaten there since childhood. The ambience is upmarket yet intimate, with a number of different-sized private dining areas to suit any occasion. Ask any regular, however, and they’ll declare that it’s the food that keeps them coming back. The menu changes regularly, keeping customers happy and offering a new experience each time they visit. Popular starters include the fresh oysters, wrapped in smoked salmon and served with sushi mayo and caviar, as well as the avocado Creole, with a combination of diced Mozambican crayfish tails and large Natal shrimps. Try the duck with black cherry, Maraschino cherry, litchi and strawberry liqueur sauce, or the Cynthia’s fillet, served with a creamy black mushroom and sherry sauce, for mains. The Mississippi mud pie pudding and chocolate brownie cake are both worth it, every time.

This award-winning, Brooklyn-based restaurant offers authentic Indian cuisine in a fine-dining environment. The use of local and imported herbs and spices in all of the dishes, as well as naturally sourced and home-grown ingredients, is the secret behind the delicious and unique food, according to owner Gita Jivan. The interior of Geet is decidedly traditional, with Indian touches wherever you look. Staff are able to advise patrons as to what foods and spices are best suited for allergies or ailments. Geet offers two menus, both of which provide numerous vegetarian and non-vegetarian options. The tandoori dishes and naan are cooked in an authentic tandoori clay oven. The options on the menus are vast, so make sure that you plan a long and leisurely evening at Geet. Finish your meal with a speciality tea from the Dhaba Tea Bazaar menu, each flavoured with a unique blend of herbs, fruits and spices.

To Tshwane locals, Kream is a sparkling diamond among the many fine-dining establishments on offer. From outside, the glitzy neon-blue sign gives the illusion that you might be entering an expensive Los Angeles nightclub, rather than an eatery, but the interior is modern and inviting.  Soft-lighting, comfortable seating and the palette of white and cream creates a relaxed and inviting setting.  Gourmet fine-dining with an African twist abounds here – try the crocodile with sweet Thai chilli and rose wine sauce as a main, or the delicious fillet, served caramelised or with camembert cheese.

This restaurant is ideally situated overlooking a dam and the bird sanctuary next door – a true getaway escape in the heart of New Muckleneuk, one Pretoria’s prettiest suburbs. The interior reminds one of a lodge at a game reserve, with cane furniture, fireplaces and African-themed designs. The expansive upper and lower decks offer seating with an uninterrupted view of the waterfront and birdlife. A tea garden is situated alongside the main building, offering delicious fare under the trees. The wine list and cocktail menus are extensive, with many options to choose from when enjoying lunch, dinner or a sundowner on the upper deck. The breakfast menu offers delightful-sounding dishes, each named after a bird found in the sanctuary. Try the Grey Loerie – scrambled eggs and salmon served on a croissant with salad. Not to be missed on the formal dining menu are the traditional potjiekos dishes (a choice of oxtail or peppadew chicken), as well as the fillet steak served with Camembert and sweet berry sauce. Enjoy one of the desserts and work it off by taking a walk in the adjoining nature reserve afterwards.

It’s an undisputed fact (well, at least in Rietfontein) that South Africa’s capital city would be incomplete without Toni’s. A friendly warning – the pizza menu should not be presented to anyone who struggles with decision-making. You could be there a while. Chef and owner, Toni, is daring with her toppings and creates unique pizzas that will have you turning your nose up at the Hawaiian you usually order from down the street. Try the Pesto Pizza, with peppadew pesto, basil pesto, goat’s cheese, walnuts, prosciutto and avocado, or the Provolone, with provolone, gorgonzola, chorizo, garlic, chilli, lemon and rocket. There is some relief if you simply can’t choose – all pizzas are available in smaller, side-plate sizes, allowing you to try a few that take your fancy.

Want to recommend a northern gem? Let us know here.