Fast facts 

Restaurant name: Club Como Modern Mediterranean

Address: Morningside Shopping Centre, corner of Rivonia and Outspan Roads, Morningside, Sandton

Phone number: 011 568 6759

Opening times: Monday to Sunday 12noon to 10pm

Main course average price: R375

Corkage fee: R300 to R400

Parking situation: Ample parking, choose between covered underground parking or uncovered secured parking

Food type: Mediterranean, Greek, Italian, seafood, vegetarian friendly

Club Como is the new buzzing spot in Morningside, Johannesburg. The head chef Victor Johnson and his capable staff take you on a culinary journey as you can expect a mixture of Greek, Portuguese, Italian and Spanish cultures in the style of presentation and delicious food.

Food

The starters are well portioned and generous. The Karpouzi and Feta is a delectable watermelon salad starter. It’s juicy and refreshing with the creamy and salty feta cutting through the sweetness and the fresh mint giving you a burst of flavour. The pita and crisp flatbread is highly recommended and is accompanied by three beautiful dips. The tirokafteri dip is a little spicy and salty, complementing the slightly sweet and crispy bread; the beetroot hummus is silky smooth and vibrant in colour; and the tzatziki has the right amount of tanginess, perfect for the deliciously prepared flatbread.

 

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For mains, the waiter, Sthembiso Ndebele, recommends the seabass. The fillet is delicious, well seasoned and has perfectly crispy skin, served on a bed of crunchy seasonal vegetables and topped with caviar, a great choice for lunch. The warm root salad is a great vegetarian option, the portion size is big and it’s definitely value for money. The root vegetables are beautifully roasted in pomegranate molasses with sesame seeds and roasted nuts, served on a bed of hummus and finished with salty feta and rocket. The manager on duty, Koketso Moroka, mentions that they get their fresh produce from local farmers and some of their ingredients like the lettuce is picked from the rooftop garden at the Morningside Shopping Centre called the Neighbour Roots Farm, just above the restaurant.

 

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For dessert you can never go wrong with the Baklava. The phyllo is crumbly and crispy and the ice cream is the perfect cold component to complement the nutty and buttery goodness in the filling. The star of the show is the Nutella Cheesecake Brownie Decadence. It’s rich, it’s fudgy, it’s the perfect amount of bitter and sweet and it’s served with a beautiful silky ice cream and a hazelnut crumble to die for, a beautiful chocolate journey to end off a lovely meal, wow!

Drinks

As you walk in, you’ll notice the beautiful bar. The drinks menu includes everything from signature cocktails that are too pretty to drink. The ‘showstopper’ is the waiter’s favourite recommendation, made with Ron Colón Salvadoreño coffee, pineapple, orgeat and lemon. The menu also includes freshly squeezed juices, spirits, flavoured tequilas and beers, champagne and sparkling wines from Italy, France and Franschhoek, and a great selection of wines, but not too many of them are served or available by the glass. There is no sommelier available but there are previously paired options available. There are hot beverage options available for the coffee and hot chocolate lovers, prepared by the well-trained bar staff.

 

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Service

The experience from walking in up to the point of paying the bill was pleasant. The waiters are extremely friendly and attentive. They acknowledge you as soon as you walk in and are well informed of the food, drinks, and culture of the restaurant. There is a lovely synergy and flow among the staff.

 

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Ambience

This is an aesthetically pleasing, picturesque, open-plan, bright and well-lit restaurant. You’ll notice the use of cute seashells and bright colours in the décor. In the background, you’ll hear soft, upbeat music, allowing guests to still have a conversation and actually hear each other. Depending on where you’re seated, you may be able to see into the open-plan kitchen, or have a beautiful view of the well-stocked bar or of the outside, allowing you to enjoy people-watching.

It’s recommended that you make a booking for weekend dinner dates but for mid-week day walk-ins, guests are guaranteed a seat. Guests start trickling in for lunch just after 12noon and the restaurant slowly fills up. Club Como is family friendly as you see parents coming in with their kids after school for lunch. This is also the perfect ‘work from home’ spot; just find a cosy seat at the back where you’ll barely be disturbed by anyone.

Believe the hype, this is the IT spot.

 

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