Out and about: 3 restaurants to visit this weekend

Level 2 regulations mean many can eat out for the first time in what feels like an eternity (five months to be precise).

Despite restaurants being able to operate with limitations during Level 3, with Covid-19 cases surging many still felt unsafe to venture out.

The Citizen has whipped out our dusty black book and found three options to venture out this weekend for a bit of a drink, good food and hopefully a relaxed experience.

Pablo Sandton

Shakshuka at Pablo Sandton. Picture: Supplied

Where: The Mint Hotel, 84 Katherine Street, Sandton, Johannesburg,
Time: Operating hours may differ
Contact: 078-206-4463 or karen@hellopablo.co.za

(Formerly Pablo Eggs Go Bar): Good news. The popular eatery, which shut in Melville over lockdown, has now moved to Sandton. Situated at 84 Katherine Street, Pablo at The Mint Hotel sees the restaurant synonymous with brunch culture revived.

“We feel very privileged and excited to host our Pablo familia at this new location with a new and improved offering,” said Louis Roux, co-owner of Pablo Sandton.

The menu is divided into the breakfast/brunch of Pablo Eggs-Go-Bar, and in the evening Pablo Sandton signature dishes from its former outpost as well as favourites from Dos Manos, the restaurant at their Melville guesthouse, Pablo House.

If you go, try the Shakshuka and Yemeni bread – always a winner! These eggs cooked in a spicy tomato base is a savoury sensation.

Pablo at The Mint Hotel opens from Wednesday to Monday from 7am to 3.30pm for breakfast, brunch and lunch with a reduced dinner offering from 3.30pm to 8pm.

Safety first

• All guest are screened before parking on entering the premises
• Guests are screened again at the entrance of the restaurant
• Patrons are also requested to provide their full names and contact details
• Touch-free hand-sanitisers are placed all around the building and restaurant
• All staff are in PPE as per regulations
• All tables and chairs santised between patrons
• Utmost care is taken to ensure customer and staff safety

WIN! The Citizen and Pablo Sandton at the Mint Hotel is offering diners a chance to win 1 x R500 dining voucher. To enter visit citizen.co.za

Arbour Café

Arbour Café. Picture: Supplied

Where: 64 St Andrew St, Birdhaven
Time: Open daily from 7am
Contact: 011-788-4111 or arbourcafe.co.za

Tucked away in the quaint little Birdhaven shopping centre in Illovo is Arbour Café, a French-inspired café and crêperie with delicious and wholesome food.

The eatery is famous for their gluten-free, buckwheat galettes (savoury French pancakes), or try the smoked salmon, avocado, cucumber, dill crème fraïche and red onion sandwich.

There are also butter croissants and decadent cakes, duck confit orange and fennel salads and a selection of bubbly, wine and French champagnes. The café is dog-friendly and has free Wi-Fi.

Owner Larry David says: “Looking forward to our guests being able to relax in our courtyard with a glass of bubbly.”

Safety first

• Wipe down and sanitise between tables
• There is a health check for people to fill out when they sit down and eat
• All staff have masks – kitchen staff and front of house
• Social distancing stickers to remind customers to maintain a 1.5m distance
• Health and safety questionnaires for customers through a QR code to avoid using the same pen
• Sanitiser available for customers

WIN! The Citizen is giving away 2 x R250 Arbour Café vouchers. To enter visit citizen.co.za

La Parada

La Parada. Picture: Supplied

Where: Parkhurst Square, 38 4th Ave, Parkhurst, Johannesburg
Time: Wednesday – Sunday: 12pm to 9pm
Contact: 010-035-6894 or karen@ parkhurst@laparada.co.za

Parkhurst Square will have a live performance in-store weekly where diners can expect delicious drinks, unique tapas and a vibe like no other.

“We‘ve moved away from traditional Spanish tapas,” explains chef and quality manager Sian.

“We’ve tried to elevate the level of elegance and quality. The menu is focused on serving fresh seasonal dishes, where we have added new and unique tapas only served at Parkhurst. We have also incorporated new, edgy cocktails.”

Safety first

• Team members wear face shields
• Back of house and bar staff wear gloves and masks while preparing products
• Alert alarm every 15 minutes to remind staff to constantly wash their hands, clean and sanitise workspaces
• Maintain social distancing requirements
• Adhering to limited capacity requirements
• Minimum number of staff on duty during shifts
• Safety officer to regularly sanitise public touch points
• Contactless payment options

WIN! The Citizen is giving away 1 x R600 La Parada voucher. To enter visit citizen.co.za

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