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freshly-shucked oysters; salt-and-pepper squid with sweet chilli; and smoked ostrich, served with balsamic-poached pear, goats’ cheese, and pine nuts. The restaurant’s rage of signature cocktails are the perfect accompaniments to the flavours of the tapas, or you can opt for one of the wines or spirits on the extensive menu. For more information, please visit www.capegrace.com.
Johannesburg The Course at SLOW in the City
The newly opened addition to the SLOW family, The Course, is generating serious hype amongst foodies around the country. Their general menu is filled with enticing dishes of every type, flavour and cuisine. Their two-fold tapas offering begins with the ‘small plates’ menu, featuring delicious dishes like beef tartare served with dukkah baklava, salmon fish cakes served with a fennel salsa, mushroom bruschetta, and arancini to name a few. One of their most exciting concepts is the ‘Quarterly Reserve’ – a tapas and cocktail pairing menu that changes every three months, each time spotlighting a different spirit brand. The first ever Quarterly Reserve was in collaboration with Glenfiddich, and the menu was sensational. Our personal favourite was the Stag Sour, a short citrus and whiskey cocktail, paired with coconut crumbed prawns with grapefruit, rocket and avocado salad and a fig and cinnamon tuile. For more information, visit www.slow.co.za.
Workshop 55
If you find yourself in the mood for something a tad out of the ordinary with a dash of exclusivity, then visit Workshop 55 in Parkton North. Here, an entrance fee of R245 is charged before being ushered into a laidback setting of vibrant wallpaper,
exposed brick, and quirky gold-framed images adorning the walls. The entrance fee includes three dishes, and additional ones can be ordered at R75 each. And, browsing the menu, it would take a very restrained person to not be tempted to order a variety of additional small plates. Duck confit and pancetta ravioli, miso pork belly, and smoked tomato sorbet are just a few tempting items on the international menu. Workshop 55 also offers patrons a range of infused gins with which to take the tapas experience to a new, enchanting level.
For more information, please visit www.workshop55.co.za.
Living Room
In the Maboneng precinct in inner-city Joburg lies an ode to nature and delicious food. Rustic furniture, greenery, and sprawling city views sets the scene at Living Room, where the menu features gourmet tapas. From haloumi with mint butter and spicy zucchini balls with tzatziki dip, to cheeseand-tomato spring rolls and lamb riblets, there are a whole lot of flavours. Homemade mocktails, speciality cocktails, as well as a few classic mixes make this an ideal place to enjoy sundowners and a few bites.
For more information, please visit www.livingroomjozi.co.za.
Durban Big Easy
After much golfing success, famed South African Ernie Els decided to focus his attention on dining, and did this in the form of Big Easy, named after his nickname earned on the course. The restaurant and wine bar in Walnut Road serves up small, tapas-style plates. Dishes include specialities such as oxtail-and-marrow fritters and spice-rubbed lamb ribs, as well as favourites such as cheesy jalapeños,
bruschetta, and per-peri chicken livers. Big Easy also boasts an extensive wine list that includes local gems as well as Els’ very own vintages.
For more information, please visit www.bigeasydurban.co.za.
Greedy Buddha
For Asian flavours and fresh sushi, visit Greedy Buddha in Umhlanga. The contemporary setting has lustrous finishes, and the twinkling lights cast a romantic ambiance. The food philosophy of Greedy Buddha is one of freshness and locally sourced produce, and includes chickens from the Midlands and grass-fed beef from the north of the province. There are two options for tasting menus, both including soups (quirkily served in espresso cups), classic dishes, signature dishes, and desserts. The classics section of the menu features Asian favourites such as dumplings, wontons, and spring rolls, as well as tempura brinjal and Szechuan chilli halloumi bites. The drinks menu is populated with classic cocktail creations as well as Greedy Buddha’s own take on spirit mixing. The Buddha G&T is a refreshing respite from the Durban heat.
For more information, please visit www.greedybuddha.co.za.
Head out to one of these places with friends to share small plates with huge flavour.