This hidden culinary jewel will have your mouth watering due to the smell of wood oven fired pizzas, or the juicy steaks being served up.
I arrived at the restaurant on a Saturday when the temperature seemed to be cooking me, much less any lunch I was looking for.
But within four seconds (OK, let’s not exaggerate, two minutes) of walking into the mood-lightening bistro, I was sitting in a perfect “goldie-locks” zone, feeling wonderfully cooled down.
Within no more than a minute of taking my seat, Candy, my waitress was at my side with a unique menu.
The menu is printed in the style of a miniature newspaper, complete with a map to find the establishment and a mention that the publication is free, printed on newsprint, of course.
Along with a host of Benoni facts to read (and even Sudoku), the menu boasts coffees, milkshakes, breakfast, salads, starters, pasta, pizzas and a “Tapas Menu”.
The “Tapas Menu” has a selection of small meals, ideal, according to the owners, for sharing around a table.
Egyptian golden fried potatoes, Spanish gazpacho and Middle Eastern golden chicken wings are a few of the spiced and “herbed” delectables on the specialist menu.
After much deliberation (it’s not that easy choosing between chicken Parmigiana and a Greek mezze platter) I went with the Greek lamb burger (R85).
This, of course, after I’d already ordered something a little different to drink.
From the gourmet milkshakes, I opted for the chocolate and orange flavoured variant (R30).
I thought to myself, “you only live once, just try it and get it over with,” but wow.
The orange taste wasn’t overpowering, it just added a perfect tingy (or is it tangy) flavour to a milkshake that would make John Travolta come back for a third sip.
I couldn’t believe how quickly the burger arrived, and not on a plate, but on a wooden cutting board.
The burger was beautiful and a mouthful, it was definitely worth more than the price.
The potato chips were the highlight for me, though, never have I seen such a balance between crispy outside and soft textured inside in chips.
The owners, power couple Patrick and Claire Reynolds, said the restaurant opened its doors only in November, last year, after they had spent years dreaming of starting it.
The pair come from corporate backgrounds, but after Patrick followed a hot and cold course at Capsicum, Boksburg, in 2012, they decided to dive into a new world.
Patrick said quality, rather than speed is king in his kitchen, with three other chefs supporting him and everything (except HP sauce) made in-house.
The eatery is situated at 197 Elston Avenue and is open from Monday to Saturday, between 8am and 5pm, but is also available during evenings and Sundays for booked functions. FvD
