BEYOND JOHANNESBURG & PRETORIA
The Mercedes-Benz S-Class
GAUTENG
33 HIGH STREET RESTAURANT
BEST FOR Mediterranean and Portuguese-inspired cuisine. FOOD Dive into anything from crispy fried calamari tentacles to chicken strips or a traditional caldo verde soup as a starter. For main course, the well-known bubble breads, which are wood-fired pizzas with decadent and delicious toppings, are a personal favourite. Grill options include steaks, pork, chicken, seafood and even pasta. For something traditional try the dobrada, a Portuguese stew. Satisfy your sweet tooth from a selection of desserts. DRINKS The wine list offers a basic selection of white, red and sparkling wines. The usual beers and cold drinks appear alongside ales and lagers brewed on site. SERVICE Relaxed, so don’t be in a hurry to get your food and drinks. AMBIENCE Décor is old-school but comfortable, with an assortment of seating options inside and outside. Weekends are buzzing, especially when there’s live music. (JP)
33 High Street, Modderfontein; 011 608 0733; lunch Tue to Fri, breakast, lunch and dinner Sat, breakfast and lunch Sun; avg main meal R125; no BYO
BUDMARSH COUNTRY LODGE
BEST FOR A country-style inn that features all the charms of an out-of-town destination. FOOD Chef Vincent Bals is in charge of the kitchen. At night there’s an eight-course menu, but he is equally adept at serving perfectly delicious fish and chips for lunch. The dinner set menu may include starters such as langoustine with squid-ink tagliatelle, chilli Hollandaise, squid heads, radish, asparagus, basil pesto béchamel and herb crumble. This is followed by pan-fried seabass with smoked red-pepper purée, chorizo, squid-ink tuile, red quinoa, roast vine tomatoes, black olive tapenade, sumac and smoked paprika foam. Then there’s black cherry sorbet to clear the palate, followed by beef ravioli, a gremolata lamb loin, ostrich fillet and finally a tonka bean panna cotta. DRINKS There's an impressive list of carefully sourced local and international wines. SERVICE Staff are friendly and competent. AMBIENCE Different dining spaces allow for various events. The gardens and water features are well maintained. (HF)
T1 Magalies Meander Road (R96), Magaliesburg; 011 728 1800; breakfast, lunch and dinner Mon to Sun; Sunday lunch R395, dinner R495; no BYO
