Review: The Pot Luck Club Johannesburg

Thursday, December 7th, 2023

Food
Luke Dale Roberts brought the celebrated Pot Luck Club to Johannesburg in October 2023, much to the delight of diners who previously had to travel to the Mother City to experience the flavour-packed, small sharing plates menu with which this stalwart in the Dale Roberts stable has become synonymous. It’s all about getting a taste of a bit of everything, so go with a group of friends and order one of everything. Alternatively, try the Sunday brunch, which includes seven courses and optional bottomless bubbles or a DIY Bloody Mary station. The bread course is an excellent place to start: house-made ciabatta with a well-balanced smoked butter and a vibrant green parsley oil and marinated olives. The Taco 2.0 is the perfect next step – a two-bite dish that hits all the marks. The crisp tacos are filled with perfectly balanced ceviche, black bean purée, avocado, smoky charred corn and subtle heat from a chipotle dressing. You’ll want more! The beef tataki with caper dressing and roasted garlic aioli is a triumph – perfectly seasoned and balanced with a smooth, creamy dressing, topped with crispy fried leek and garlic that add a textural counterpoint. Other meaty options include pork belly al pastor with ancho chilli dressing, spring onion and pineapple salsa – the pork is cooked sous-vide style, which results in extreme tenderness, with the smooth, smoky dressing and salsa providing layers of flavour. Vegetarians are not left out and will love the beetroot tartare with a hoisin dressing and ponzu mayo – the dish has a base note of umami, which is perfectly complemented by the dressings. The king oyster steak mushroom with black pepper cep au lait sauce is perfectly crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside, with the sauce suitably rich for the meaty-textured mushroom. For dessert, try the vanilla panna cotta with raspberry sorbet, a white chocolate crumb and yuzu pearls. If you don’t have a sweet tooth, the cheeseboard with three different cheeses, pear-and-saffron chutney and lavash is just as good.

Drinks
The Pot Luck Club prides itself on its selection of innovative cocktails. Try a pineapple-and-elderflower margarita or a passion-fruit sake martini – the flavours are fresh, clean and perfectly balanced. There is also a good selection of wine and a small selection of beers and spirits available.

Service
Service is impeccable; never obtrusive but always available. The staff are welcoming and friendly, making you feel relaxed. Some dishes are presented by the front-of-house team and others by the chefs themselves.

Ambience
The space is modern and clean. An open-plan kitchen forms the backdrop to your meal, and the restaurant is filled with natural light. The combination of the slightly industrial decor with soft, plush seating makes you feel welcome and relaxed.