Last year we reported that celebrity chef Reuben Riffel was to open his first restaurant in Gauteng, and now it’s here. Situated in The Capital Moloko Hotel in Sandton, Reuben’s @ The Capital promises local and global flavours in new dishes and time-honoured classics. Eat Out reviewer Miles Kubheka goes to have a taste.

 

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Saturday’s are for good food, good wine and good conversation. #beeffillet #reubensrestaurantsandton #bonemarrow #reubenriffel @reubensrestaurantsandton @maxriffel07 @chefreubenriffel

A post shared by Reuben’s Restaurant and bar (@reubensrestaurantsandton) on Sep 15, 2018 at 12:52am PDT

Fast facts

Cost: R250 average main meal
Best for: A business lunch or romantic dinner
Star ratings: Food and drinks: 5; Service: 4; Ambience: 4

Food

Upon being seated, you’re welcomed with three kinds of freshly baked breads. The amuse-bouche is a complimentary Asian-inspired croquette, which promptly sets the tone for the meal. As a starter, go for the fried chilli-salted squid with a light and fresh fragrant salad. The complexity of flavours from this seemingly simple dish is praiseworthy.

 

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Chilli salted squid. #reubensrestaurantsandton #reubenriffel #reubensrestaurant @chefreubenriffel

A post shared by Reuben’s Restaurant and bar (@reubensrestaurantsandton) on Sep 9, 2018 at 3:42am PDT

For mains, the succulent braised pork belly comes with crispy crackling and a perfectly complementary gochujang sauce. It’s also served with a simply sublime pomme puree and crunchy tenderstem broccoli and red cabbage. A chilli-and-ginger caramel is the last element that brings the meal together in the most exquisite plating.

If you think the main meal can’t be outdone by dessert, you’ll be proven wrong by the malva pudding with Amarula ice cream and milk tart crème anglaise.

 

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A post shared by Reuben’s Restaurant and bar (@reubensrestaurantsandton) on Oct 30, 2018 at 7:44am PDT

Drinks

There’s a walk-in wine cellar that shows off some of South Africa’s best wine. The bar is complemented by a private dining room that seats 16, with a cigar lounge upstairs.

Service

The service is laid-back but competent. This is incongruent with the restaurant’s décor and cuisine, which lends itself to more of a fine-dining experience. However, the laid-back feel is understandable, as Reuben’s serves as the hotel’s in-house restaurant.

 

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Dinight, one of our waiters getting ready for another great service. #reubensrestaurantsandton #reubenriffel

A post shared by Reuben’s Restaurant and bar (@reubensrestaurantsandton) on Sep 5, 2018 at 9:16am PDT

Ambience

The restaurant feels unpretentious yet classy. Having the bar and wine cellar at the entry way; however, leaves both excluded from the dining experience. The restaurant is plush and comfortable. The private dining room is particularly ideal for business dinners and celebratory occasions.

And…

The adjoining hotel has conferencing facilities, which makes the restaurant ideal for hosting functions.

Have you been to Reuben’s @ The Capital? Remember to review your experience using our free app. 

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