Issuu

HIGH-TECH HAIR CARE MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR LAYOVER IN JOZI THE TRENDIEST NEW restaurants to try The Cape Winelands’ farm-to-fork movement

EXP E RI E N C E LUXU RY

AN D A D V ENT UR E

Nestled in the heart of the Great Karoo, Mount Camdeboo Private Game Reserve offers an enchanting escape where luxury and wilderness converge. Spanning 14,000 hectares of pristine, malaria-free terrain, this sanctuary features beautifully restored Cape Dutch Manor Houses and contemporary Eco-Pods, blending heritage and modernity seamlessly. With the exclusive "Stay & Safari" package, enjoy a luxurious 2-night stay in the Manor Houses, plus a complimentary third night in either the Manor House or Eco-Pods (subject to availability). The package includes full board dining, a welcome drink, and daily game drives, ensuring an unforgettable safari experience in the breathtaking landscapes of the Karoo.

R7 020 per night

BOOK DATES : 28 February - 31 March 2025

STAY DATES : 6 January - 31 March 2025

For bookings and enquiries, contact: reservations@newmarkhotels.com www.newmarkhotels.com

Ts & Cs apply. Minimum two-night stay is required. O er subject to availability, excludes conservation levy.

Bio Sculpture Nail Polish available at www.biosculpture.com

Bio Sculpture Gel available at leading salons and spas

beauty

The list

The newest and buzziest beauty launches hitting shelves near you

We’re not ones to subscribe to the mantra, “New year, new us,” but we do like the idea of a better us in 2026. Perhaps this means finally mastering a skin-fasting day or booking that boutique fitness class we’ve been stalking on Instagram. Presumably, we’ll swap our daily flat white for a matcha and finally unfollow the accounts that spark FOMO. The latest beauty drops promise the same sort of routine refresh possibilities. From a modern floral perfume and intimate beauty essentials to body care products for major spa vibes at home, fortunately we’d never gatekeep our favourites.

EDITOR’S PICK

THE RESULTS OF A TRADITIONAL HOT TOOL, ONLY WITHOUT THE HEAT

Once in a blue moon, a hot tool comes around that changes our life. The first time it happened for us was with a flat iron in our teens. Now, we’ve found our new life-changing tool in the Dreame AirStyle Pro . The gadgety device is powered by Dreame’s JetAirflow Technology and a high-speed digital motor, which spins up to 110,000 times per minute. But that’s not all – the AirStyle Pro is equipped with NTC intelligent temperature control, meaning it monitors airflow heat up to 300 times per second to keep temperatures stable and help prevent heat damage while you style. So what’s included, you ask? Inside the pebbled leather storage case, you’ll find individual pockets where each of the seven interchangeable magnetic attachments can be stored, as well as a deep compartment for the AirStyle Pro handle and cord. The attachments are comprised of two 32mm auto-wrap barrels to create loose or voluminous curls – your choice. A hard smoothing brush for frizz control and a soft smoothing brush for fine hair, along with a round volumising brush to shape your hair, a fast dryer and a flyaway attachment. With its range of styling attachments, the AirStyle Pro is essentially a blow dryer, hair straightener and curling iron in one. We were shocked by how quickly and efficiently the firm smoothing brush straightened our hair – and it wasn’t the least bit flat. It’s brilliant for coarse and frizzy hair textures. When we gravitate towards those bouncy, polished, Blake Lively-esque curls we usually only achieve after an hour in the stylist’s chair, the AirStyle Pro assures us it’s worth the investment. For best curl results, start on damp hair, use a styling cream for added grip and work in smaller sections. We’ve saved on salon blowouts ahead of special occasions and events by reaching for this tool instead – and its ability to help minimise heat damage feels almost priceless for maintaining hair health. Possibly the most desirable hair-styling tool ever to exist, in our humble opinion. It’s available in Amber Gold locally – and honestly, we wouldn’t choose anything else.

R7,499 from Dreame Africa, Woolworths and Bash

SELF-CARE RITUALS

With The Body Shop Spa of the World collection, bringing a dose of escapism to your beauty routine has never been easier. Which means there’s no excuse for not taking the time to give yourself some spa-worthy self-care. First things first, prep your skin with the Brazilian Cupuaçu Scrub-in-Oil. Once rinsed off, reach for the Tahitian Tiaré Body Wash. Now it’s time to lock in all that hard work with the Hawaiian Kukui Cream. If your skin is on the drier side, switch it out for the Polynesian Monoï Radiance Oil. Finally, slip into your pyjamas and enjoy baby-smooth skin.

BRIGHT-EYED AND BUSHY-TAILED

Has the skin under your eyes been looking dull, crepey or dry lately? Then it’s time to invest in a targeted eye cream. The Filorga NCEF-Revitalize

Eyes does it all: Firms, brightens, depuffs and hydrates the delicate eye contour. The formula is packed with high-end ingredients like collagen, hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, escin and caffeine to fake a full night’s sleep – but that’s just the beginning. It even works overtime to reduce wrinkles and fine lines. Simply glide the luxuriously balmy cream on and watch your bags disappear. It’s a must-have for your busiest days.

R1,470 from Cosmetology, SkinMiles, Care to Beauty and AbsoluteSkin

R600, R280, R550 and R360 respectively from The Body Shop

BUMPS, BEGONE

Ingrown hairs post-waxing and shaving are a pain all round, particularly in sensitive areas. Thankfully, the Kiehl’s Ingrown Hair & Tone-Correcting Intimate Drops make it simple to combat the issue. This fast-drying formula is infused with three acids (mandelic, PHA and lactic), astaxanthin and jojoba oil, and can be used daily and immediately after hair removal. Its gentle exfoliation is ideal for just about anywhere – from the armpits to your bikini line – and happens to be both alcohol- and fragrance-free. In addition, the multitasking serum evens out skin tone.

R690 from Edgars, ARC Store, Dermastore and Superbalist

A FRAGRANCE PERSONALITY

Choosing a signature scent can seem like an overwhelming task. Right now, there’s one fragrance standing out from the crowd: Nicci Signature . Fresh, modern and effortlessly cool, it’s the perfect floral perfume for everyday. Trust us, you won’t be afraid to wear this one to the office. One spritz is all you need to notice its sparkling opening of cherry blossom, violet, rose, jasmine and tuberose, paired with a base of solar notes, cloves and vetiver. It smells simply delightful – we’re constantly getting compliments! Plus, what cool-girl doesn’t love a bit of Nicci?

R899 for 50ml from Nicci Boutiques

THE CHEEK

Liquid blush is every dewy girl’s secret weapon. We’re deeply, deeply obsessed with the Rodial Blush Drops in Frosted Pink that leave a pinch of colour wherever you want. The petal-pink liquid formula is finger-friendly, works across skin tones and quite literally reflects the light at every turn. Make sure to shake it up before you apply and start out slow – a little goes a long way. In our experience, the magic recipe is three itty-bitty dots placed along the cheekbone, blended in an upward motion towards the temple. We can’t remember life before this blusher.

R1,450 from The Beauty Store

TIME MACHINE

Since its arrival in South Africa, we’ve been under the spell of Drunk Elephant products. From the colourful packaging to the hard-hitting formulas, the female-owned beauty brand is well-loved by dermatologists and beauty pros alike. The Drunk Elephant B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Serum is so much more than a lightweight hydrating serum. It features three derm favourites for hydrating skin – hyaluronic acid, vitamin B5 and ceramides – and can be used as a regular face serum, as a lightweight gel moisturiser or as a booster mixed with your face cream. When it comes to the T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Resurfacing Night Serum, “T.L.C.” stands for tartaric, lactic and citric acids, which work together to bolster the exfoliating hero ingredient: Glycolic acid. It gently resurfaces the skin overnight, nibbling away at congestion and dissolving dead skin cells to leave your skin freshly polished by morning. Luxurious, soothing and non-greasy, the Virgin Marula Luxury Facial Oil is a pure one-ingredient oil rich in critical antioxidants to protect against free radicals and pollution as well as preserve barrier-supportive fatty acids.

R1,230, R2,130 and R1,700 respectively from ARC Store

WHERE SCIENCE MEETS NATURE

In beauty, hair care are has often lagged behind skincare in innovation. But that’s quickly changing. DESIGN.ME, a Canadian hair care brand, is rewriting the rules with formulas that bring together the best of natural ingredients and salon-level science. Whether you’re looking to achieve hydration and shine, curl definition or XXL body ‘n bounce, there’s an option for every hair type and texture. From a volumising hair mousse to dry shampoos that match your hair colour, each product is 100% vegan and cruelty-free. The packaging – done up in pastel pinks, mint greens, baby blues, lilacs and buttery yellows – is the stuff girly dreams are made of. The DESIGN.ME PUFF.ME Volumising Shampoo and Conditioner , with a sweet black cherry, almond and tonka bean scent, add soft, tousled volume and airy lift. The one-and-done FAB.ME Leave-In Treatment does pretty much everything short of combing your hair for you – working as a heat protectant, a styling aid and even a deep-conditioning treatment. On non-wash days, the GLOSS.ME Hair Serum tackles dryness and frizz with a powerhouse blend of moringa, argan oil and soy protein.

R520, R520, R560 and R575 respectively from Retail Box, Cosmetology and Woolworths

PEACE OUT, PUFFINESS

There are many reasons you might wake up with dark circles under your eyes: Indulging in a tad too much alcohol, overdoing it on salty food or even removing your eye makeup too harshly. The Biomedical Emporium Eye Patches infused with hyaluronic acid promise a quick-fix to your dark and puffy peepers. Most eye patches slip right off the moment we stand up, but these sticky – yet comfortable – patches made from reusable medical-grade silicone stay put through all our chores. As a bonus, they come in a compact container for easy storage and portability.

R355 from Biomedical Emporium

WASH THE DAY AWAY

If you’re a fan of the Hydrabio Serum, this is a must-have. The Bioderma Hydrabio Foaming Gel is a gentle, uncomplicated cleanser that effectively removes all dirt and debris from skin and ensures it’s left feeling hydrated and supple. The formula doesn’t just take off makeup and grime; it clears out pores and keeps your skin feeling super clean. It’s powered by hyaluronic acid, which helps skin hold onto moisture, making it a great option for all skin types – dry, normal, combination and even those prone to irritation, as it’s soap-free. You can’t go wrong.

R430 from Dermastore, Cosmetology, SkinMiles, Clicks and Dis-Chem

UPGRADE YOUR BEAUTY SLEEP

Face tape, mouth tape, collagen sheet masks, nose pore strips and more – even sleep has become a competitive sport in the beauty space. While we’ve tried, and failed, to get on board with mouth taping (the ritual of putting tape over the lips to encourage nasal breathing and better sleep), we’ll happily swipe on the NIVEA Regenerating Micellar Water , which primes the skin for overnight repair. Combining 5% serum with panthenol and squalane, this micellar water is a great solution for skin lacking vitality and hydration, or feeling a little irritated or sensitised.

R135 from Clicks, Dis-Chem and Superbalist

Rooted in seasonality. Refined by nature.

Nestled within the elegant Queen Victoria Hotel, Terrarium is a culinary escape shaped by sustainable values and subtle luxury. Here, ingredients are chosen with care, seasonal, local, ethically sourced and plated with intention.

The menu shifts gently with what nature offers, celebrating flavour without excess. Think soil-to-fork simplicity layered with fine-dining detail. Whether youʼre dining by sunlight or candlelight, Terrarium invites you to slow down and savour the moment.

For bookings and enquiries, contact: terrarium@queenvictoriahotel.co.za +27 21 418 1466 www.newmarkhotels.com

season PICK of the

The new Cape Town restaurants to try in 2026

Cape Town is a gastronome’s city. There’s no shortage of calories worth consuming here. From molecular gastronomy to an authentic farm-to-table experience matched with local wines, your love for this food scene is easy to explain. Still, the relentless wave of launches can leave one breathless, so we’ve gathered the best of them into this checklist of the “wheres?” and “whys?” of Cape Town’s hotticket tables. Expect projects from legendary chefs alongside generations-old spots that get better each year. The only question is: Where to book first?

THE FOUNTAIN BY PLANET BAR

The prettiest outdoor restaurant for a picture-perfect meal

One of Cape Town’s most iconic luxury hotels has revitalised its central courtyard – adding The Fountain, an alfresco expansion of the famed Planet Bar. With its pink exterior and surrounding palm trees, Mount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel, is a beloved grand old dame, and with this comes lashings of old-world decadence: A revolving door, an elegant doorman, Aubusson carpets, generous verandahs and restaurants that further the glamorous ambience. Under the glare of Table Mountain’s slopes, The Fountain by Planet Bar is a throwback to English colonial style with a dash of millennial pink maximalism. This otherworldly oasis is a verdant little Eden where striped umbrellas and wrought-iron tables are scattered amidst potted palms and flower-filled gardens, inclusive of live piano music for the social affair. Throughout its history, the hotel has been a gathering place for the glitterati, and the feeling remains that this is a place of jet-set types, whether convening for lunch or a drink or on holiday. Begin any luxuriant afternoon with a spritz or Negroni while you breathe in the beauty. Relaxed walk-in-only lunches see a selection of hot and cold antipasti as well as flatbreads. The Mediterranean-influenced menu manages to toe the fine line of

casual yet refined fare, with lots of fresh seafood. Standouts include the local burrata cheese with heirloom tomatoes and just-picked green leaves, delicate calamari served with pizza bread to mop up all the spicy sauce, pork and beef meatballs in a tomato sauce with shavings of ParmigianoReggiano, and Saldanha Bay mussels complete with a garlic and herb white wine broth and toasted baguette. But the real star of the show is the prawn scampi – oh-so-sweet West Coast prawns mingling in a bath of garlic butter plus a good dose of lemon for brightness. Pudding is a fabulous finale: The not-so-traditional version of the classic tiramisu swaps coffee and fortified wine for zesty limoncello, while the pistachio bomboloni is its impossibly light counterpart – Italian-style doughnuts with a sweet, creamy cannoli filling.

Mount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel, 76 Orange Street, Gardens, Cape Town 021 483 1000 restaurantreservations.mnh@belmond.com www.belmond.com

ARUM

For a taste of smoke and flame

As the days grow shorter and a chill settles in the air, our appetite for warmth and indulgence intensifies. But if you’re torn between hibernating and soaking up the Cape Winelands’ exciting dining scene, Arum – the FYN Restaurant Group’s new establishment at Boschendal with executive chef Travis Finch in the kitchen – could offer the perfect solution. Franschhoek’s latest hotspot not only respects and modernises the art of wood-fire cooking but also provides the cosiest design-forward setting. The historic Werf building has been reinvented in a contemporary cream and mushroom colour palette contrasted with original reed-covered ceilings and Cape Dutch-style windows. Warm, subdued lighting washes over lusciously curved furniture like dark bouclé chairs, oxblood leather booths, bare wood tables, sheer curtains and nubby carpeting. The effect is comforting. Have a look at the dry-ageing cellar on your way in as a prelude to your meal, which includes an impressive selection of local meats. The wagyu sirloin is one of the most premium cuts you can get here, complete with extensive ageing and a marble score of 8-9. Start with a cocktail – perhaps the Garden French 75 with herbal notes and a tart citrus twist – and smoky bread or vibrantly sweet heirloom tomatoes. The menu dazzles from the get-go. Creamy stracciatella is a layered masterpiece of thinly sliced beetroot, hibiscus vinegar and hazelnuts. Octopus arrives with crispy guanciale, smoked corn, yellow tomato and brown butter, packing heat from habanero chillies. If we had to pick a personal favourite dish, it would be the panroasted kingklip on a bed of green bean and asparagus ‘risotto’, beautifully complemented by a mussel sauce.

For the ultimate meat-lover indulgence, the butcher’s cut of the day is a must paired with the Arum Special Séries Mourvèdre 2024. Head sommelier Jennifer Hugé possesses an exceptional knowledge of wine; there isn’t a dish she can’t pair to perfection. And don’t forget dessert – the pain perdu with caramelised honey, coconut mousse, fresh blueberries and vanilla ice cream is as lip-smackingly good as it sounds.

Boschendal, R310 Pniel Road, Groot Drakenstein, Franschhoek 079 640 5284 info@arum.co.za www.arum.co.za

MARU KOREAN STEAKHOUSE

A fashionable fried chicken feast

It’s theatre, it’s a party and yes, it’s a delicious meal. Stepping into Maru Korean Steakhouse will make you feel like you’ve travelled to Seoul, South Korea’s energetic capital. It harks back to the days when people used to meet to eat, drink and talk, and aims to remind diners of that communal spirit that brought friends and family together. The atmosphere is dark, sexy and even on an average Wednesday, Maru has a celebratory vibe. Large groups huddle around tables, while solo diners watch the chefs in action at the counter. There’s champagne flowing, glasses toasting and banchan being passed around. People-watching aside, Maru is about the food. Take your pick from a variety of raw seafood and small plates; premium cuts ranging from rib-eye on the bone to wagyu New York strip steak; and pieces of once-battered, twicefried chicken. Don’t know what to get? Opt for one of the set menus. The 24-karat gold leaf chicken nuggets topped with caviar make every meal one for the books. The only way this could be improved is in quantity. Wash it down with chilled bubbly, or sample the K-pop cocktails if you’re in the mood for something stronger (like the

Honmoon Margarita, a punchy blanco tequila, sakura, jasmine sambac, harissa and Persian lime concoction). The bucket of chicken is a proper guilty pleasure, served plain or brushed with your choice of glaze – umami-forward soy and garlic or sweet, spicy gochujang. Juicy, with all the true taste and texture of free-range chicken, it’s coated in a consistently golden, crunchy batter; making it quite possibly the best you’ll ever eat. The bucket is teamed with chicken consommé, dainty dishes of banchan, scallion salad, cold noodles and addictive housemade sauces. The blast of flavours is remarkable. There’s also the meat option – chef’s choice of four cuts of beef served with Angus beef consommé, lettuce leaves for wrapping, pickled seasonal vegetables, ssämjang, savoury egg soufflé and spicy fish stew. For dessert, it could only be vanilla soft serve drizzled with salty soy caramel.

107 Bree Street, Cape Town 021 109 0039

capetown@maru.co.za www.maru.co.za

GEUWELS

Food with a sense of place

Vergenoegd Löw Wine Estate has long been a destination for locals and out-of-towners seeking a slower pace of life. The estate’s Cape Dutch gabled buildings and barns rise above vineyards ablaze in autumn colours and oakdappled lawns – and its history runs deep. Vergenoegd Löw has become one of the Cape Winelands’ most ambitious eco-friendly projects, transforming this historic home into one of the country’s best examples of regenerative farming and biodiversity. Now, it’s entering an entirely new chapter: A reopened tasting room, a lounge-like tasting deck and reimagined restaurants. On the pass is executive chef Michelle Theron, who passionately pursues locavorism in the Winelands. This is most evident at Geuwels – a dimly-lit, well-upholstered space where guests can enjoy a terroir-driven dining experience while swirling full-bodied reds. Thick whitewashed walls and dark woods complemented with modern furniture echo the landscape outside, enhancing dishes plated on bespoke ceramics. With ingredients harvested on their own land, Geuwels brings a new level of hyper-seasonality – yes, you’ll find clear broth flavoured with vegetables grown on-site and honeybush-glazed free-range chicken encased in flaky pastry, but also Cape Malay-spiced pumpkin tart with mango

chutney, a nod to the boerewors roll made with Dexter beef sausage and hearty puddings that are sure to send waves of nostalgia. And it’s all served looking like it’s come out of a cookbook. We were particularly impressed by the smoked mussels escabeche on charred roosterkoek spread with seaweed butter, as well as the beef carpaccio served justseared accompanied by a curried green bean salad. A main of dry-aged steak topped with spekboom relish and amasibattered onion rings is cooked with care, the pan-roasted line fish with capers and crushed potatoes aromatic. Order wine by the glass – so that you can try a few – and finish with the karamelltaler. It’s essentially the poshest millionaire’s shortbread we’ve ever had, and needless to say, we’re still thinking about it now.

Vergenoegd Löw Wine Estate, 1 Faure Village Road, Somerset West 021 843 3248

geuwels@vergenoegd.co.za www.vergenoegd.co.za

WINNER OF THE BEST RESTAURANT IN GAUTENG 2025

AT THE SOUTH AFRICAN RESTAURANT AWARDS 2025

For 33 years, brothers Dennis and Allen have been purveying exceptional South African beef on the iconic Nelson Mandela Square in Sandton. Their unwavering commitment to excellence has made Trumps Grillhouse the premier destination for steak lovers.

From the legendary tomahawk to the exquisite 10+ marbling rated wagyu ribeye, each cut is a testament to the brothers’ passion. Complement your dining experience with a meticulously curated selection of South Africa’s ﬁnest red wines.

Whether you’re a global or local explorer, discerning corporate executive, or celebrating a special moment, Trumps Grillhouse is your ultimate destination.

NELSON MANDELA SQUARE SANDTON

WELCOME

SOUTHERN SUN

TO HYDE PARK, SANDTON

Service excellence in one of Sandton’s top hotels

Directly connected to the iconic Hyde Park Corner mall offering easy access to the best of Sandton, in the heart of Johannesburg’s most exclusive neighbourhood, the Southern Sun Hyde Park hotel combines service excellence with a warm welcome. For leisure or business, romantic escapes or city breaks, our hotel is one of the top rated in Sandton.

The hotel’s 132 well-appointed en-suite rooms feature comfy beds and a range of amenities including free uncapped WiFi, a mini-bar, flatscreen with DStv, 18-hour room service, porter service, and more. Guests can relax on our 8th floor rooftop pool deck, workout in the gym, or discover Gauteng with our Gautrain station shuttle. Authentic Italian cuisine is served in LUCÉ restaurant, sundowners with an exceptional view are best enjoyed at our Island Bar, and for the discerning patron the Whiskey & Cigar Bar has an exceptional choice of Cuba and Scotland’s finest exports. Three adaptable venues with space for up to 120 delegates, self-service workstations, and an unbeatable Hyde Park location ensure our hotel is well-equipped for business.

Join our frequentGuest rewards programme - sign up is FREE and easy – sign-in and book direct for the best rates.

CHAMPAGNE BREAKFAST

UNIQUE DINING IN HYDE PARK

• Indulge in a decadent breakfast experience as you relax and unwind with family and friends. Treat yourselves to a lavish à la carte breakfast served with a bottle of Moët & Chandon Nectar Impérial* in the Island Bar from 09h30 to 11h00.

• Reservations require a minimum of 4 guests, with a maximum of 20 guests per booking.

*1 bottle of Moët & Chandon Nectar Impérial for every 4 people

with a view Valid till 30 March 2025

ITALIAN INSPIRED date night

IGNITE THE ROMANCE IN HYDE PARK

• Show the one you love how much you care with a romantic Italian inspired date night at Southern Sun Hyde Park, one of Joburg’s most stylish hotels.

• Enjoy a relaxing evening with a three-course dinner complemented by a bottle of Italian red or white wine at LUCÉ restaurant, for only R1,020 per couple.

• Extend the romance with an indulgent romantic package for R2,675 for 2 people sharing.

Package includes:

• A night’s accommodation in a Standard Room

• A 3-course dinner with wine at LUCÉ

• A delicious buffet breakfast

Offer valid from 1 May 2024 to 31 March 2025

URBAN stopover

Make the most of your travel time

Not just a handy halfway point on the journey from Cape Town to Southern Africa and the Indian Ocean region, Johannesburg rewards you with a constantly evolving food scene. Largely undiscovered by many, its unique gastronomy is attracting an influx of young chefs and culinary creatives, bringing exciting energy to the City of Gold. But with so many tempting options, where should you go if you want your stopover to revolve entirely around eating and drinking? That’s the question we’re answering here. It’s a holiday within a holiday – what’s not to like?

Drop

your bags

at RESERVED SUITES ILLOVO for a home-away-from-home stay

Any hotel will do for a one-night stand, but for longer-term stopover commitments, certain criteria must be met. A bed you can bond with, a kitchen, laundry and, ideally, room service for those lazy nights in. Don’t be fooled by Reserved Suites Illovo’s businesslike location near Illovo Boulevard and Chaplin Road; this is no corporate cookie-cutter. Rising 16 stories above Sandton, its panoramic views take in the Sandton skyline, Rosebank and the distant Johannesburg CBD, giving visitors a unique vantage point from which to gain a sense of the city. The surrounding neighbourhoods are ripe for exploration too, from Keyes Art Mile in Rosebank to Parkhurst’s 4th Avenue. Food, wine, shopping, culture –pick your indulgence and go to town. But there are plenty of other reasons to check into this sought-after property, which serves up luxury and comfort in equal measure. Each of the 33 serviced apartments feel fresh and polished, blending neutral palettes with suave aesthetics. Live like a trendy local in an elegant one-bedroom apartment. The generously sized living space has a sofa, smart TV, dining table, private balcony and views of the treetops. The fully equipped kitchen contains an oven, hob, fridge, washing machine, tea- and coffee-making facilities and microwave for reheating those doggy-bag restaurant meals. The Wi-Fi is free and super-fast.

In the bathrooms, a powerful shower and Charlotte Rhys toiletries come standard. And when it comes to bedtime, restful sleep is the priority with a white-linen queensized bed, heating and air conditioning. The hotel-cum-apartment building’s other offerings include an all-day café, boutique gym and rooftop infinity pool. Late checkout? No problem. Late sleeper? That’s okay – you can have breakfast delivered to your room until 11h00. Calls to room service are answered quickly, housekeeping is prompt and staff are constantly visible –but at a distance. You should definitely try a cheese omelette chased with a smooth and strong cappuccino. All coffees are made using high-quality Kimbo beans. Illovo Central, 70 Melville Road, Illovo 010 822 7844

centralreservations@reservedsuites.com www.reservedsuites.com

Seduce

your sweetheart with a splurge-worthy meal at

MIRA

The most romantic restaurants in Sandton fall into two categories: The old-school classics that have been setting the mood for generations, and the new hotspots where even securing a reservation is part of the seduction. MIRA – a 200-seater restaurant and bar inside the Sandton Sun & Towers with aspirations of being a legitimate player on the city’s dining scene – is one of the latter. Maybe it’s the glamorous black interiors, maybe it’s the Mozambican-Portuguese dishes or maybe it’s the combination of the two, but MIRA really gets it right. The expansive space is adorned with ornate wall panels, gleaming mirrored ceilings, green-veined marble, stucco work and mixed materials. From the greeting by well-groomed staff to the money splashed on art and the 1912 Blüthner piano, coming here feels like an event. The lighting is suitably dim, the music a step back from intrusive and the multitude of seating options – velvet banquettes, chesterfield sofas, small round tables, bar stools in darkened corners – give the place an attractively clandestine air. It’s imperative, given that this is an upscale dining experience, that you head for pre-dinner

drinks at the bar. The cocktails are well constructed and the list runs to retro classics such as the Clover Club, alongside a page of signature drinks that include a matcha martini made with Ketel One Vodka, vanilla and oat milk. From the outset, MIRA’s opulent intentions are made clear by the menu, which opens with freshly shucked oysters. These sea-salty bivalves make good friends with house-made hot sauce. Then comes spicy chorizo and fried squid with ideal levels of chew and crunch. The refined mains are just as demanding as their surroundings. Take the stunning seafood platter for example, with butterflied prawns, grilled calamari, creamy mussels and perfectly flaky line fish. Or the signature picanha – a 600g rump cap, served sliced with bone-marrow butter. The decadence stakes are raised yet again by the chocolate fondant, featuring a molten centre. It’s a polished night out that justifies the high price tag.

Sandton Sun & Towers, corner of Alice Lane & 5th Street, Sandton 071 981 2125

discover@mirasandton.co.za www.mirasandton.co.za

Take your tastebuds on a culinary journey at THE POT LUCK CLUB JOHANNESBURG

Launching a restaurant with hype around it is all well and good. But creating something that makes people want to return time after time? That’s the real challenge. The Pot Luck Club Johannesburg, from chef-owner Luke Dale Roberts, is certainly shooting its shot. Now in a permanent space at The Peech Hotel in leafy Melrose, it embraces a relaxed sharing-plates format in an intimate, flatteringly lit setting. The décor – all beige sand and grey furnishings, touchy-feely textiles, rich woods and mirrored walls – and openness of the waitstaff make it easy to hole up in here for hours, meaning you’ll undoubtedly find yourself ordering more than you intended. Top tip: The prix fixe seven-course menu (R845 per person sharing, available for lunch and dinner) is brilliant value. No matter which path you take, head chef Ebie du Toit’s cooking remains a masterclass of deft skill, impeccable flavour and seasonal nous. A two-bite flavour bomb, the Taco 2.0 combines line fish ceviche, black bean purée, charred corn salsa and chipotle dressing. It checks all the tastebud boxes. The octopus is a turbo blast of textures and tastes – small pieces of crisp octopus tentacles, soft butter beans and pickled mussels, smoky chorizo, garlicky aïoli and crunchy sourdough croûte. The same meticulous standard continues with the

spicy, smoked and juicy peri peri chicken accompanied by ajo blanco, kale salad and braai vinaigrette, topped with feta and fresh herbs. Then there’s smoked beef fillet with café au lait sauce and the deservedly cult-like chickpea, goat’s cheese and parmesan fries. All hits, no misses. May we suggest, with gentle urgency, that you don’t leave without ordering the Peanut Butter Bomb dessert. It’s a joyous jumble of peanut butter, chocolate, banana mousse, honeycomb, Frangelico sabayon and banana tuile – and it’ll burrow into your memory bank and make itself comfortable, long after you’ve left. Add a rousing drinks list that includes a pineapple and elderflower margarita and a pomegranate mojito, and The Pot Luck Club delivers truly memorable dining. Believe the buzz.

The Peech Hotel, 61 North Street, Melrose North 010 157 5757 hello@plcj.co.za www.thepotluckclubjhb.co.za

Let your hair down

at THE SHORTMARKET CLUB

X THE GREENHOUSE

When The Shortmarket Club Johannesburg announced it was moving to The Greenhouse in Sandton, their legions of loyal diners both mourned and feared the change. What might be lost in the new digs? Could the specific magic of the Oxford Parks original in Rosebank be repeated? Turns out, The Shortmarket Club Johannesburg 2.0 is about magic reconfigured, not lost. Set inside The Greenhouse – think abundant tables lining a greenery-filled terrace – The Shortmarket Club x The Greenhouse channels the original Shortmarket Club with its vintage-style booth seating and wall of paper art butterflies. It attracts locals and visitors who want to indulge and have some fun. Lunch guests often linger late into the afternoon, and post-work cocktails may turn into a raucous dinner party. The drinks list is familiar too, with wines highlighting small producers from

Stellenbosch and the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. But the food is where some real differences emerge. Under new head chef Leigh-Anne Knipe, the à la carte menu – divvied up into starters, salads, mains and desserts – is the spirit of cosmopolitan Johannesburg dialled up to the max. Expect popcorn shrimp, beef sliders, hot honey halloumi, pan-fried salmon, coal-fired lamb rack and mushroom risotto. It’s Jozi personified. Platters of sushi are a huge hit with the earlyevening crowd. Your odyssey could start with strands of pulled beef filling soft tacos that are amped up with pickled red onions and zingy guacamole. Also signposting good times ahead is the seared sesame-crusted tuna in a big bowl o’ red Mexican chilli sauce. The grass-fed T-bone is a favourite among the mains, but it’s never a cop-out. It sees meaty slices served with roasted parmesan potatoes, a salad of big leaves and peppercorn sauce. It’s unusual, but it works. The lobster mac and cheese with a nutty Gruyère, pangritata and chives is no ordinary pasta bake – it’s a super-luxe version generously flecked with sweet chunks of lobster meat. The Shortmarket Club x The Greenhouse is an oasis of good eating in the heart of Sandton.

The Greenhouse, 24 Central, 6 Gwen Lane, Sandton 079 179 7362 reservations@greenhousejhb.co.za www.greenhousejhb.co.za