THE SUNDAY INDEPENDENT JA NU ARY 27 2013 YI E E E T A RY

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HASMITA NAIR Jozilicious

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NCE a trend gains momentum in Joburg, it becomes explosive. Its all anyone talks about and if youre not in the know, youll soon be exiled from the cool crowd. Remember the queues of people snaking through malls trying to get their hands on a Cinnabon? What about when Groupon and Wicount first launched we were all frantically buying the latest restaurant or spa deal. Craft beer first took off in the US and Europe, with jetsetting South Africans bringing the knowledge home. Quite quickly, the mass-produced SAB brands just werent good enough for beer connoisseurs, which led to small breweries selling their aromatic and flavourful produce at local markets in Joburg and Cape Town. Fans of craft beer love the distinctive taste, and the fact that it has a far shorter shelf life and fewer preservatives and additives than its more commercial counterparts. Its as much about the story as it is about the taste craft beer has an entrepreneurial spirit that people can connect with and want to support. A flurry of Cape Town restaurants and bars, including & Union, Hudsons Burger Bar and Power & the Glory were quick to , respond and added craft beer to their menus, with a few sharp Joburg restaurateurs following suit. Founded by the guys behind the Doppio Zero and Piza E Vino chain of restaurants, Parktown Norths Foundry Caf opened its doors in September 2012. With a professional coffee roaster on site, as well as 23 different craft beers on offer, it is a kitchen, roastworks and craft bar. Clearly theres a wealth of ex, perience behind the restaurant, because it oozes trendiness. Foundry has it right the open kitchen, outside deck and adjacent bar complemented by irregular shaped glass blown lamps and rough wooden furniture all blends into a great dining experience. The restaurant is a much bigger area than youd usually find in the Parkhurst/Parktown North area, but still, at any given time, they find themselves fully booked well

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in advance. The menu offers a great selection of dishes to suit most tastes. To start, try the charcuterie and cheese plank (R130) a selection of cheeses with marinated olives, chilli roasted almonds and preserves. Served with wood-fired sourdough flatbread, this claims to feed two but actually feeds four. Prices for mains are on the high side but their uniqueness almost excuses the steep price tag. Among the four pizza choices is an Empire butter chicken with masala pineapple, cracked poppadum, raita and fresh coriander option (R94), as well as a Field mushrooms with parmesan cream, spring onion, garlic and parsley pizza (R85). In addition, youll find a variety of salads on the menu, and a selection of seafood and meat dishes. The handmade ravioli with field mushrooms, feta and spring onions in a burnt butter and sage sauce topped with pine nuts and rocket, R88, is a winner, as is the trio of lamb, pork and beef sausages with house-made potato gnocchi and onion gravy (R89). Foundrys bar is relatively small but draws a huge crowd, especially on weekends. The newer gastropub on the block is The Griffin, situated on the upper level of the recently revived Illovo Junction. Opened by the founders of The Attic in Parkhurst, this is more a bar than a restaurant and attracts yuppies who flock to this slick establishment to get their craft beer fix. Free wifi 24/7 is a crowd puller, as is the warm service and attention to detail. Foodies wont be left disappointed The Griffins prices are reasonable and quality is a key focus. The chef tries to buy in as little as possible the stock in the

Craft beer hits the city of

Beer at The Griffin. Note the aah, just enjoy it

Two gastropubs hit the ground running, quenching Joburgs thirst for the finer beers in life

Salmon on your pizza at the Foundry

ganic, deboned chicken stuffed with sultanas, apricots and onions. This is then sliced into medallions and served with crispy roasted potatoes, bread sauce and seasonal roasted vegetables. If you're not a foodie and just want the beer, both Foundry and The Griffin accept table reservations for drinks only Or hold out for . the Jozi Craft Beer Fest, taking place on May 4 at Marks Club, Emmerentia, where you can sample the best of South African craft beer while listening to music outdoors. Seventeen craft breweries will be showcasing close to 100 different beers, and artisanal food stalls will be offering paella, gourmet-free range burgers and the best ribs on earth. Want to get your craft beer fix at home? Visit www.5ounces.co.za or www. leagueofbeers.com to order. Reservations are a must for both restaurants; call Foundry on 011 447 5828, The Griffin on 011 447 9842. l For more restaurant ideas around Joburg, visit Nairs blog www.joziliciousblog.co.za or on follow her on Twitter @hasmita

Above: battered hake at The Griffin, exterior pictured left.

gravy is made in-house, as is the ice cream. Have some gourmet bar snacks first a bowl of olives with goats feta will set you back R20, while sauted Spanish chorizo with potato is priced at R35. Some of the signature dishes include beer battered fresh hake and hand cut chips, served with jalapeno tartar sauce and pickled onion (R85), and The Griffin gourmet burger with bacon and emmenthal, pickle, hand-cut chips and salad (R80). One downside of The Griffins popularity is that it can be extremely noisy This is something . the owners are working on resolving. Under-23s arent allowed at night, but during the day even kids are welcome and have their own menu. The Griffin prides itself on its Sunday roasts, which change every week and are R120. An example of the roast is a free-range, or-

HASMITA NAIR

TO ME (who can barely fry an egg), turning flour, butter, sugar, eggs and other unassuming ingredients into gastronomic decadence is nothing short of modern-day alchemy . Do not confuse a patisserie with a bakery; whereas a bakery focuses on churning out mass-produced carbs, a patisserie aims to create confectionery masterpieces that are often intricately designed and delicately flavoured. As such, a premium is payable for these treats, but once the first hint of smooth, dark chocolate ganache enveloped in buttery pastry touches your lips, youll be hooked. Here are the top three patisseries in Joburg. The Patisserie: Post Office Centre, cnr Rudd Road and Otto Street, Illovo. Call 011 268 0022 Established in 2003, this French

Three best patisseries in Joburg

The Patisserie is pretty as a picture
Chateau Gateaux: Thrupps Illovo Centre, Shop 20a, 204 Oxford Road, Illovo. Call 011 268 2211 Chateau Gateaux specialise in handmade desserts and pastries alongside 100 percent Arabica coffee. A range of breads, croissants, Danishes and Turkish breads are baked daily on site. Try the chocolate volcano, oozing half a slab of Belgian chocolate, or the walnut truffle gateau a torte layered with chocolate sponge, marzipan, mocha cream and coated with a rich dark chocolate ganache. You can select your favourite desserts to take home. All products are supplied frozen and have a oneyear shelf life. Thaw overnight and no one will even know the difference. Open Mon-Sat 7.30am-7pm, Sun and holidays 7.30am-5pm.

Selection of treats at Belles

Belles Patisserie: Blubird Shopping Centre, Shop 16, Athol Oaklands Road, Birnam. Call 011 440 4474 Belles started by catering for corporate functions and events. The patisserie opened a few months ago and has enjoyed great success. Its become famous for its cupcakes. Quality is the key focus; butter comes from France, bread and croissants are baked on the premises. Try the all-day breakfasts as well as scrumptious lunches. Open Mon 7am-5pm, Sat 8am5pm, Sun 8.30am-5pm

coffee shop and tea lounge is a delight to the senses, which is surprising considering its dreary location (on the upper level of the Illovo Post Office Centre). The pink and white striped walls, contrasted by black and white floor tiles, make you feel

as though youre in a Parisian cafe. In addition to cakes, The Patisserie also does breakfasts (think homemade muesli with Greek yoghurt) and lunches (it prides itself on salmon fishcakes covered with rocket mayonnaise sauce). Open Mon-Fri: 7.30am-5.30pm, Sat 7.30am-4.30pm, Sun 8am-1.30pm