Fast facts

Name of restaurant: Séjour

Address: Lloys Ellis Ave, Houghton Estate, Johannesburg

Contact number: 011 032 5535

Food type: Modern fine dining

Average price of a main course: R300

Opening times: Monday to Sunday 12noon – 4pm and 6pm – 10pm

Parking: Undercover parking at Houghton Hotel.

Best for… Date night or a celebration with friends.

Food

At Sejour, modern fine dining is infused with travel and exploration in dishes such as the West Coast oysters with forbidden rice dressing, Wagyu steak and confit duck. Yet there are also substantial South African favourites, such as beef short rib and grass-fed sirloin steak.

At just R450 per person (with an additional R195 for the wine pairing), the tasting menu is great value for money, especially considering this is fine dining. On the tasting menu you’ll find crispy calamari, which sounds simple but is actually an exciting combination of textures and flavours of lemongrass, chilli and coconut.

The line fish is fresh and cooked perfectly, served with a moreish courgette risotto and a surprising twist of goat’s cheese that actually works exceptionally well.

The Cacao & Maiz is a well thought out and delectable dessert of chocolate mousse, corn custard and the most incredible cornflake ice cream. Cereal milk is a big trend in the food scene and Sejour executes this fun, rich and comforting dish well.

Drinks

The wines are paired well with each dish. The line fish paired with the De Wetshof Finesse Chardonnay is a particularly good pairing, bringing out the freshness of the sea while cutting through the richness of the goat’s cheese.

If you’re dining a la carte, Sejour has an extensive wine list available, plus a lovely wine cellar and tasting room. There’s also a fully stocked bar should you wish to have spirits or beer instead.

Service

You feel welcomed and looked after from the minute you step through the door. The servers are trained well and are knowledgeable enough to advise you on all food and wine choices.

Ambience

Sejour’s setting has real old-world glamour in a sophisticated, intimate space that lends itself to conversation and long, languorous dinners. The décor is simply done but elegant.