black prawn ravioli, prawn mousseline & champagne-chervil cream
It’s only two more sleeps until I’m back on the plane, hurtling my way back to London. My two weeks in J’burg feels like it’s flown by, but at the same time, I feel like I’ve been here for eons and I want to go home so that I can get back to some semblance of a normal day to day life. Don’t get me wrong, it’s been awesome being here with the team but H.E.C.T.I.C. Understatement. It’s been work work work work work and then back to the hotel for more work work work.
But in between all this work I’ve managed to fit in tiny little parcels of fun… and time to blog, obviously, because how else would I keep sane?
Last night was one such parcel of fun. One of my co-workers is married to this guy who’s been been tagged as one of the better chefs in J’burgtown. And even better than that, during a game of 30 seconds on our team trip, someone used “looks like Rebecca’s husband!” to describe Johnny Depp. Johnny Depp, you guys. And he cooks. Do you understand the enormity of this situation?
Anyway, so last night we’re at The Attic, where Tom Hughes plays head chef most nights of the week. It’s a funky little place, a little “hipster” on J’burg’s scale of hipsters and definitely quirky. It’s dim and cosy and my co-workers shared a bottle of red, which when I was told had undertones of chocolate, I also had a sip.
I’m telling you that I drank wine because between the dimness of the restaurant and the fact that I pass out on a mere whiff of alcohol, my photos are all borderline blurry but you forgive me, right?
Blurry or not, the food at The Attic was absolutely delicious, and I’m not just saying that because well, Johnny Depp. The prawn ravioli starter… creamy, sweet, juicy… and the pork! Three of us ordered the pork because who wants to say no to crackling? Certainly not me. The contrast between crunchy crackling and melt-in-your-mouth pork confit was just… perfect.
pork shoulder confit, crackling, celeriac puree, boulangere potato & poached parsnips
marsala spiced paneer with a fragrant potato cake, lentil dhal, tomato raita,
green papaya chutney & lime pickle
And of course there’s room for dessert. We decided on three to share, but one came highly recommended and oh dear lord now I know why. The hot chocolate pudding, which looks like a chocolate soufflé and I suppose it kind of is, except that it’s 90% rich, liquid, chocolate goodness and the rest? It’s history that’s what it is. I’ve vowed to come back to The Attic Bar next door and this time I’m having a hot chocolate pudding all to myself dammit. Sharing is over-rated.
apple, pecan & pear crumble, brandy snap, vanilla bean ice cream
candied macadamia nut & lime baked cheesecake
hot chocolate pudding with home made vanilla bean ice cream
So I’ve still got to deal with Thursday and Friday, and then I have the pleasure of being squashed in cattle class for 11 hours and then I’ll be home. Although, I’m not quite sure if home is all that homely right now, with packing boxes stacked up the side of our walls (only 3.5 weeks until I leave London! Eeeeks!) but Panu’s mum is in town this weekend and guess where’s we’re going for dinner? Only The Ledbury yeahhhhhh. One of my last ticks on the London list.
Anyway, that’s all from me tonight. Much love! x
The Attic
24 4th Avenue,
Parkhurst, Johannesburg 2196
+27 (0)11 880 6102