It was a pleasure to be able to leave the office a bit earlier than usual, and head to Camp’s Bay to sample the new, authentic Italian menu at Zenzero, beach view and the fresh ocean scent included!

By Roxy Greeff

Soda Design, in collaboration with Kove Collection MD Paul Kovensky, focused on a home-away-from-home decor style that is both comfy and elegant. As you step inside you are welcomed with neutral hues, raw, natural textures, and wall-to-wall bookshelves, to my aesthetic delight.

Chef Amber Deetlefs and her team have created a superb new menu featuring Italian contemporary originals for breakfast, lunch and dinner. ‘The updated menu reflects the inimitable spirit of the stunning location and la dolce vita – the typically Italian concept of living life to the fullest. Flavours are still punchy and robust, ingredients fresh, and helpings generous,’ she says.

We took our seats on the balcony, facing the sea, and picked up our menus. We challenge you not to drool over our personal favourites.

ANTIPASTI

Sicilian arancini
Bolognaise, fresh tomato sauce & Parmigiano-Reggiano

Gnocchi
Fresh tomato sauce, basil, baby spinach, pine nuts, torn mozzarella, sea salt & olive oil

PASTA

Spaghetti Piemontese
Roast chicken, spinach, sage, nutmeg & Parmigiano-Reggiano

SEAFOOD

Lemon sole
Herb butter, mint, basil, parsley, anchovies & capers

DOLCI

Frozen nougat
Cointreau, fresh citrus & olive oil sponge

White chocolate cheesecake
Sour cherries & vanilla ice cream

THE DETAILS

When: Monday-Sunday, 11 AM – 11 PM
Where: 2A Victoria Rd, Camps Bay, Cape Town, 8040
Reservations: 021 438 0007
Website: zenzerorestaurant.co.za

The post Zenzero relaunches with a contemporary European look and an Italian menu appeared first on MyKitchen.

No matter the time of day, contemporary, eclectic dining is always available at Lily’s Restaurant, and at very reasonable prices as well. As soon as you walk through their doors, you are transported to a modern space filled with quirky details. You’ll probably discover something new every time you go back, and return you will.

By Roxy Greeff

Their breakfast menu boasts healthy juices, smoothies and a massive selection of artisanal herbal teas (much to my delight!) The food all encompasses classic brekkie options with an awesome twist. I’m loving their Not Another French Toast, which is made up of brioche fingers, maple-mascarpone sauce, cinnamon sugar, chocolate caramel sauce and sea salt cocoa nibs. I mean…yum! But if you are looking for something healthier, there is no shortage of options; they have everything from overnight oat bowls to wholesome things on toast (I loved the exotic mushrooms, garlic, shallots, thyme, Parmesan, goat’s cheese and poached egg on toast).

Their appetisers are really something to write home about, and are one of the highlights of the menu. I loved:

1. Broccoli Every Which Way – Tempura, charred and pickled broccoli, salad cream, toasted pine nuts and whipped goat’s milk cheese

2. Beets – Open beetroot parcel, pickled beetroot, goat’s cheese, pine nuts and balsamic reduction.

3. Quack eggs – A Scotch egg of shredded duck meat, coated in Panko crumbs and served with a radish aioli and baby leaf salad.

They have mains (and everything else) that are vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free with their Buddha Bowl, Everything But The Sink Coconut Curry, Sesame Tuna, Lamb Popsicles and the Dirty Birdie burger.

Their dessert menu is also packed with flavour but three options really stood out for me:

1. Espresso Yourself – Molten lava cake, salted caramel and caffeine fix ice cream

2. Please Sir Can I Have S’More? – Chocolate pot de crème, peanut butter cookie crumble and marshmallow ice cream

3. Passion, No Cream – Coconut panna cotta, mango coulis, sesame wafer and a fruit salsa

I was especially impressed with dessert number 3. It’s vegan and that panna cotta (unmoulded even!) was perfect. And, with my palate used to rich winter offerings, that fruit salsa was beyond welcome, and is definitely something I will incorporate into more puds at home. Genius!

THE DETAILS

When: Daily 7:30 am –10 pm
Where: Shop 1, East-West Building, corner Beach Rd and Surrey Place, Mouille Point, Cape Town, 8005
Website: lilysrestaurant.co.za

The post Lily’s Restaurant: The newest addition to Mouille Point’s Golden Mile appeared first on MyKitchen.

Licorish Bistro, situated in the bustling Nicolway Bryanston Shopping Centre, is a five-year-old restaurant run by Aki Hadjipetros. After nineteen years of running chain restaurants, Aki now runs four of his own which are situated all over Gauteng. Each restaurant offers diners a unique flavour, style and twist on the way in which they eat. This everyday eatery offers customers the chance to experience a well thought out plate full of flavour and colour. Head Chef Karel Jacobs is always adding and enhancing the menu enabling the restaurant to evolve and keep up with the latest trends.

Words and photography: Jess Otter of @blogmefood and @instaeatsjozi

Whatever your fancy, Licorish Bistro has it all. Lunch time offers a classic casual environment perfect for business meetings or the ever-popular ladies lunch. Dinner brings with it a flare of romance with dim lighting and candles, perfect for a date night with that special someone.

Keeping up with the trends, this bistro offers flawless vegan dishes that entertain the palate to give any and every customer a mouthful of satisfaction. Check out how delicious these vegan options look.

Spicy chickpeas served with cinnamon and almond dukkah, beetroot hummus and oven roasted vine tomatoes

Spinach, feta and coriander samoosas served with garlic mayo, apple chutney, zaatar spice and candied peanuts

For those of you who absolutely love seafood, Licorish Bistro offers something right up your alley featuring traditional seafood with that unique South African twist. A personal favourite of mine is the chilli salt squid served with cardamom mayo, tomato atchar and sesame bean sprouts.

If you are more of a meat lover, Licorish caters for you too with a wide range of dishes including everything from oxtail to sirloin.

Oxtail samoosas braised in cinnamon and milk stout, served with a red wine jus, spinach and mango atchar

Make sure you leave room for their dessert options that certainly aren’t for the faint-hearted. I suggest you try the milk tart panna cotta served on a stroopwafel with crumbled honeycomb.

THE DETAILS

When: Monday–Thursday, 12 pm–10:30 pm; Friday and Saturday, 9 am–10:30 pm; Sunday 9 am – 8:30 pm
Where: Nicolway Shopping Centre, Johannesburg
Reservations: 011 706 0991
Website: licorishbistro.co.za

The post Licorish Bistro: Jozi’s casual dining hotspot appeared first on MyKitchen.