114 MARIECLAIRE.CO.ZA JAN/FEB 2018
JOHANNESBURG
Urbanologi
We’re obsessed with this incredible
space, which just won the award
for the most beautifully designed
restaurant in the Middle East and
Africa category at the International
Restaurant & Bar Design Awards 2017.
WHERE 1 Fox Street, Ferreiras
Dorp, Johannesburg
CONTACT 011 492 0901DURBAN
The Chocolate Garden
This relaxing spot is surrounded
by a chocolate-inspired botanical
garden. Visitors can expect a menu
of light meals and sweet treats in
a serene setting.
WHERE De Charmoy Estate,
1 Robert Armstrong Road, Durban
CONTACT 032 533 8187CAPE TOWN
The Strangers Club
Whether you’re in the mood for a cup
of steaming coffee or a lunch bursting
with fresh flavour, The Strangers Club
is the place to be this summer. Situated
in a historic building in Green Point,
it feels like you’ve escaped the city.
WHERE 1 Braemar Road, Green
Point, Cape Town
CONTACT 079 504 9786@play
With new eateries, fine-dining
establishments and brasseries
popping up all over, restaurants
need to remain relevant these
days more than ever before. To
be memorable though, you need
not reinvent the wheel – just offer
great service, consistent and
delicious fare and an atmosphere
that makes guests want to return.
Enter: Societi Bistro, a landmark
restaurant in Cape Town for over
14 years. Lynette Botha caught
up with their new head chef...What do you love most about
what you do? The ability to
create something from almost
nothing; to take a variety of
ingredients that seem to have
nothing in common and infuse,
innovate and surprise guests with
novel, interesting food.
What can we expect from
you at Societi? The same high
standards and quality of food and
service, with a little more Asian
influence to broaden our reach.
What are your favourite
ingredients? Anything freshand vibrant, preferably locally
sourced. The brighter and more
colourful the vegetables, the
more nutritious and flavoursome
they are. We have an amazing
array of fresh fruit and vegetables
from our local markets that add
an extra touch of excellence
to any dish.
Which chefs do you look up
to? Internationally, Marco Pierre
White is a big inspiration. Locally,
I would say the likes of Pete
Goffe-Wood, Bertus Basson,
Liam Tomlin, Luke Dale Roberts
and of course, Jan Hendrik van
der Westhuizen.
What are the top gastronomic
trends for 2018? Food is
moving more towards simplicity;
traditional methods, wholesome
flavours and locally sourced,
sustainable and organic foods are
more popular now than ever – and
where there is demand, there will
be supply.
What’s always in your fridge?
Butter!
Foodie tip... Don’t
overcomplicate your dishes.
Sometimes the best food can
be made with only four or five
ingredients. In this case, less
really is more.
What would your last meal be?
I would have to say my dad’s
‘drunken chicken’; nothing beats it.Societi Bistro’s new head chef5 MINUTES WITH