Pretoria
- Boston Bistro
- Number 2, Hazelwood Road, Hazelwood
The punch of Boston Bistro is very much in the menu’s individuality together with the terrific neighbourhood ambience. There’s also an excellent buffet, though only on specified nights.
You can choose from the tapas, which comes with pea puree, chorizo, feta, olives, fish cake, fried cannelloni, and charred bread, or a gourmet burger which weighs in at a whopping 200g and is made complete topped with cheddar cheese, caramelized onion, basil pesto, bacon, tomato, and deep-fried spinach.
If you’re here for breakfast, opt for the crunchy muesli, which is filled with mixed berries, nuts, and yoghurt and honey. Or go for the smoked kipper which is delicately placed on fragrant couscous, and served up with mixed greens, tomato and two poached eggs.
Round off your meal by choosing from the extravagant dessert list which is written up on the blackboard given that it changes almost daily.
There’s a strong wine selection to choose from, the standouts being the cabernet sauvignons and the Slanghoek merlot. The reds are in more plentiful supply than the whites.
Boston Bistro is a cosy little place that offers a strong neighbourhood vibrancy. In fact, inside it’s really all about cosiness in terms of being part of the locale, where many of the diners are frequent customers. And that in itself is a good sign of something potentially very special.
Johannesburg
- Licorish Bistro
- 432 Nicolway Shopping Centre, William Nicol Drive, Bryanston
There is something particularly unique about this place irrespective, and this has to be forgiven, it’s located in a shopping mall. The bistro manages to ‘slice through’ the noise from the mall. Here, you can have breakfast, lunch, and/ or dinner, the superior quality of the food and service being consistent throughout the day and evening.
On the breakfast menu, and of particular note: rostis, frittatas, French toast, fritters, porridge, and the English-style breakfast which includes streaky bacon, pork sausage, with tomato, and more of your choosing, if you so choose.
The menu is dedicated to street foods that you’d find in various parts of the world. Prawn gatsby – ideal for a quick afternoon treat. Jerk chicken – along with nkomazi chicken curry as well as stoneground rye. Goat’s cheese tempura, beetroot risotto and goat’s cheese. Sunflower seed dukkah. And so much more, which includes a healthy variety for vegetarians.
And the desserts are well worthy of serious attention, too. Really, it’s a restaurant that ought to be a priority for anyone who would regard themselves as a sincere diner.
There are over 60 wines to select from at Licorish Bistro. Most of the wines are rotated, while the more popular selections such as Lammershoek and Blackwater artisanal wines are mainstays.
The service is superior, very friendly. The waiters prioritise your comfort and never leave you hanging around, even when it’s busy, and it frequently is.
If you can get past the mall culture, which you more than likely can – and it’s well worth it, the bistro is a relaxed place where the décor, which includes wooden chandeliers, is particularly eye-catching.
South African cities and towns are full of great dining option. The best way to explore them is by using car hire facilities offered by reputed car rental service providers. Just rent a car over internet and enjoy the sumptuous delicacies offered at the best restaurants all over the country.