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The new power-lunch
starts here
There are few better ways to clinch or celebrate a deal than with a power lunch. Here are our top picks for bringing culinary class to your next business meeting.
The business lunch has certainly moved on from smoke-filled rooms, martini cocktails and long afternoons that ease into evenings. Today’s high-flyers are less impressed by excess, and more by discretion and fine dining. Here’s where to go to clinch your deals in Joburg and Cape Town.
DW Eleven-13
Why here? Just a short drive from the business hub of Sandton and you’re surrounded by the culinary magic of chef-patron Marthinus Ferreira.
The food: A selection of set menus showcase Ferreira’s deft marriage of classical inspiration and modern technique. If you’re celebrating a big deal, block out the afternoon in your diary (and politely ask your guests to do the same) for an 11-course degustation of world-class cooking. For a shorter working lunch, the excellent four-course menu is your friend.
The wine: A compact, but inspired wine list of pioneering and iconic estates. Wine pairings available with each course.
X-factor: There’s considerable creativity in the kitchen, complemented by modern decor and superb service.
Dunkeld West Shopping Centre, Dunkeld West
dw11-13.co.za
011 341 0663
Tues-Sun 12:00–14:30
Why here? Looking to woo new clients? From the sleek decor to the roaring open fires beyond the pass, Marble knows how to make a great first impression.
The food: A sophisticated menu of inventive, fire-inspired cuisine (a major foodie trend) from celebrity-chef David Higgs, with almost every dish enjoying a lick of flame and smoke from the custom-made grill. The superb cuts of beef, venison and seafood are the standouts, but there’s also plenty on offer for vegetarians.
The wine: Marble boasts one of the best cellars in the city, and an award-winning sommelier in affable Wikus Human. It’s a great choice for clients who appreciate fine wine. Do, however, remember to alternate with water so you stay sharp during what is, after all, a working lunch.
X-factor: The two private dining rooms offer a more exclusive experience.
Trumpet on Keyes, Corner Keyes and Jellicoe Avenue, Rosebank
marble.restaurant
010 594 5550
Mon-Sun 12:00–22:00
Why here? With downtown on the up and up, the adventurous menu from chef Jack Coetzee makes this a must-try in Joburg’s gentrifying CBD.
The food: Coetzee takes inspiration from ‘street food culture’ trends with a menu of ‘urban garde’ contemporary cuisine that blends Asian and South African flavours and influences. Don’t miss out on the charred beef cheeks glazed with doenjang sauce and truffled cauliflower purée.
The venue: The award-winning interior is by acclaimed designer Haldane Martin, with bespoke crockery by Cape ceramicist Mervyn Gers.
X-factor: With its adventurous cuisine and decor, it’s a venue brimming with cosmopolitan urban energy.
1 Fox Precinct, Fox Street
urbanologi.co.za
011 492 1399
Mon-Sat 12:00–16:45, Sun 12:00–15:45
The Shortmarket Club
Why here? Show off your insider culinary credentials with a table at this hidden-away gourmet gem.
The food: Head chef Wesley Randles honed his craft under Luke Dale-Roberts (a partner in the restaurant), bringing an innovative, upmarket approach to bistro-style dining. While there’s the occasional Asian flourish, the focus is firmly on classical cuisine with a global twist: think tartare of grass-fed beef with celeriac dashi and miso-cured egg yolk. For mains, the perfectly pink duck breast with duck fat-roasted Brussels sprouts on the side won’t disappoint. To finish? Skip the sweets and give the excellent cheese trolley a whirl.
The service: Superb hospitality from restaurateur Simon Widdison and his team. You and your guests will be well taken care of.
Need to know: Parking in the area can be scarce, so leave early to ensure you’re there before your guests.
88 Shortmarket Street
theshortmarketclub.co.za
021 447 28 74
Mon-Sat 12:30–14:00
The Granary Café
Why here? The burgeoning Silo Precinct is the hottest destination in town right now, and this sixth-floor venue at The Silo Hotel dishes up the best city views and a great bite to eat.
The food: Don’t be misled by the name: the menu here roams far beyond café fare, with executive chef Veronica Canha-Hibbert delivering an array of contemporary dishes. While the plating and techniques are modern, there’s a comforting familiarity in the likes of seared scallops, duck liver parfait and lamb rump.
The wine: An excellent list of boutique estates from across the Cape, alongside a handful of international labels.
Best table: Three glass-fronted private dining rooms can accommodate between six and 22 diners for intimate lunches.
X-factor: Those views are sure to impress any out-of-town clients.
Silo Precinct, V&A Waterfront
theroyalportfolio.com
021 670 0500
Mon-Sun 12:30–14:30
Why here? Leave the office distractions behind with a visit to this glass-walled gourmet gem in the scenic Constantia winelands.
The food: Ivor Jones, formerly head chef of The Test Kitchen, is bang on trend at this winelands outpost of the popular city centre Chef’s Warehouse. The set menu of small plates changes daily, but you can be assured of inventive, world-class cuisine at every turn.
The venue: Stellar views over the Constantia winelands from almost every table. Book the separate private dining space for a larger gathering.
X-factor: With no menu choices to fuss over, you can get right down to business.
Beau Constantia Estate, Constantia Main Road
beauconstantia.com
021 794 8632
Tues-Sun 12:00–14:00
Your wealth plan is designed with you in mind. Your financial reality, aspirations and risk profile.
Carl Schoeman has spent 22 years in Investment Management.
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