There’s something quite inspiring about dining at a restaurant with this amount of potential, says Alida Ryder. With a little tweaking and time, Black Bamboo could set the benchmark for fine dining in Pretoria.

A dish at Black Bamboo. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

Food

This gem, situated in the leafy suburb of Ashley Gardens in Pretoria, is a must-visit. With his fine dining cuisine, chef Pellie Grobler has taken on the task of changing the restaurant scene in Pretoria. What he is doing at Black Bamboo is quite risky, but so necessary in a city driven by mall-culture.

His menu takes you on a journey of flavour and texture, but don’t get too used to the dishes – the menu changes every three weeks. This is something more conservative patrons might not like, but it keeps both the establishment and the diner on their toes and gives you another reason to visit them regularly.
If you’re lucky enough to find the smoked egg on the menu, be sure to order it. A delicately smoked egg yolk is nestled in wilted spinach, sautéed wild mushrooms and paper-thin radish shavings, and is served with toasted seed bread and garlic butter.

The Black Bamboo interior. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

The braised lamb shank has become such a favourite that they’ve decided to keep it on the menu for a little while longer. A melt-in-your-mouth braised lamb shank is wrapped in phyllo pastry and baked until crisp and golden. It’s served with pea purée, sweet potato mash and a deep, dark Guinness-and-lamb jus.
To end your meal, the lemon meringue with its thin pastry case, brûlée lemon tart, black-pepper meringue and basil crumble is absolutely delectable. There’s something quite inspiring about dining at a restaurant with this amount of potential. With a little tweaking and time, this restaurant could change the food scene in Pretoria and set the benchmark for fine dining in the capital.

Drinks

The wine list is quite comprehensive, with a good selection of wines per style and a sprinkling of small boutique wineries. They have taken the time to pair a wine with every dish and their pairings are excellent.

The deck at Black Bamboo. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

Ambience

The restaurant is beautifully laid out with contemporary furnishings. During the warmer months, dining on the deck is a treat, as the garden is dotted with stunning art pieces.

Service

Staff are friendly, knowledgeable and very attentive – sometimes perhaps a little too attentive. Passion for what they do is palpable and it’s clear that their first priority is to make sure your time there is memorable.

And…

They also offer a few excellent dessert cocktails for patrons who want something sweet to finish their meal but don’t feel like ordering a traditional dessert.

Eat Out critics dine anonymously and pay for their meals in full. Read our editorial policy here.

Do you think Black Bamboo in Pretoria has what it takes to change the culinary landscape in the capital city? Tell us what you think by writing a review.