Located in the small genteel village of Parkhurst (it’s in an area with antique and furniture stores) is a relaxed and relatively up-market restaurant, set back off the road so it’s quite quiet and discreet, with plenty of safe, secure parking. It has a pleasant atmosphere, with daytime al fresco terraces on the roof (you can also eat out there by candlelight at night if you’re feeling romantic, though it does get a bit chilly). From the rooftop terraces (you can also take your pre-dinner drinks out there, there are great views of the leafy suburbs.
The décor is understated – fairly classical though with contemporary touches. The waiters are attentive and there’s elegant white linen tablecloths and napkins. The publicity blurb focuses on its "authentic chandeliers, sand washed walls, handmade menus", none of which I specifically noticed though I was left with an impression of a classy, pleasant eating experience.
The chef and owner, Aristotle Ragavelos, has apparently worked in London and the Greek islands before setting up in Joburg, and the cuisine is certainly international (again, the blurb refers to it as "unplugged cuisine," whatever that means – it rather put me off). The portions are fairly generous and dishes range from well cooked pasta with interesting touches and ingredients (the giant ravioli stuffed with salmon and wasabi, served with pickled ginger in a nori cream sauce is recommended) to more unusual dishes such as beef fillet salsa verde (marinated fillet in tamari, served with oriental cabbage and liberal helpings of salsa verde) – all beautifully presented. If you can wait the 20 min prep time, try the house special dessert of warm chocolate cake with a tamarind crème anglaise.
There’s a good domestic wine list; as with most S African restaurants, the small selection of imported wines is prohibitively expensive by comparison.