The Rabbit in the Moon, Illovo – Pleasantly over the Moon

I have driven past this restaurant countless times, the name stuck in my head, haunting me –and I decided it was time.

Honestly I do not know anyone that has dined here before, perhaps that lead to the delay in finally taking the plunge; and what a pleasant plunge into deliciousness it was.

 

The Good:

Pretty much everything!
Love the ambiance – it is quirky yet classic, with pops of colour here and there.
The menu is well balanced, offering something for everyone. From vegetarian, to light meals, to share, to the very hungry; and a decadent desert menu. Offering a little bit of everything, without having an ancient scroll of a menu which usually leads to being Jack of all trades Master of none.

Nice drinks menu as well, with super friendly and efficient service. The waiters are like wine ninja’s – you barely see them, but your glass is always full. They are also helpful in advise on popular dishes, with honesty.

Salads are offered in half and full portions (or large and small), which is always a very nice touch (for me at least). I had the Tabouli mint salad with halloumi, it was fresh and bursting with flavour.

The carnivore friends loved the Fillet Mignon (flambéed in brandy) which is properly portioned and comes with great accompaniments, like caramelised onions – who does not like a bit of caramelised onion?

There was 2 pasta dishes had at our table – Rigatoni vs Penne Bisanzio - the one a clear winner over its opponent. But then again, I just don’t understand ordering pasta at all, it’s a starchy vehicle for sauce. So ordering a sauce-less pasta, well… what do you expect? (Stupid move).

 

Desserts: Reviews praise the Tres Leches cake as a winner, however, we put this in the ring with the Trecolore Cioccolata, and the triple chocolate terrine was a knock-out!! I have to mention that I am not a very big chocolate fan, except for a 70-80% bitter dark chocolate (like my heart), but this was tres DELICIOUS! Silky, smooth chocolate-ness without a clawing sweetness. Did the waiter not recommend this slice of heaven, I would have agreed that the Tres Leches is fantastic, and don’t get me wrong, it is great – but has nothing on the choc terrine. This is a must.

 

The Bad:

… egehm…

 

The Ugly:

…cough-cough…

 

So nothing bad to say here, which is fortunate for the restaurant, but a bit less fortune for me – I’m rather fond of naming and shaming, and giving constructive criticism, to help restaurants better themselves… ah heck, I call a spade a spade.

Due to lack of negativity I will highlight more of the positives:

They have a sense of humour – which I love.

 

There are tiny rabbit statues as décor, and they are named. Sweet!!

You have 2 parking entrances available, either on The Thrupps Centre side, or at Illovo Muse Centre.

Coffee is lovely, and the bill comes with miniature tick-tac packs, which literally fit 5-6 tick-tacs!! Cute!

 

 

 

 

 

Tips:

-          Make reservations… Do it now!

-          Order the Trecolore Cioccolata, if it is the only thing you eat – eat this!

-          Go on, treat yourself.

 

Happy Tuesday lovelies.

Until we eat again.

 

Il Leone, CapeTown – Effortless goodness.

The effortless goodness of the cuisine, is reflected in the simple and clean lines reflected in the décor and furniture, with a wonderful ambience created by the lighting. No frills no fuss. This restaurant is all about the food, and rightfully so.

The atmosphere is cosy and friendly, very helpful staff and a well selected wine/beer menu.

 In my previous posts I’ve made it very clear that I am not a fan of Pasta at all, that it is a vehicle for yummy sauces or ingredients that could be used more delightfully in a different dish, in a different way…and a fattening vehicle to boot.
It was at this humble Italian eatery that I had my first plate of pasta that my taste buds dance. ( This was a couple of months after I became a vegetarian, otherwise I would have never ordered pasta).
                                                                                 Perfect pockets of ravioli – so that you could see the orange colour of the butternut glow through, layered with a four cheese sauce.

This was absolute heaven! I never knew pasta could taste like this, and for the first time in my culinary noting life, I could understand how people in Italy could eat pasta every day.  I also have to add that I’ve been in Italy more than once – and never have I come across such a wonderful mouthful of pasta.
It was love at first taste!
Due to this, I make a point of dining at Il Leone every time I visit in Capetown.

I’ve also had the Melanzane which is good and proper, but in my eyes nothing will compare to the Butternut Ravioli with four cheese sauce.

For the meat eaters, they have a lovely selection of hearty meaty dishes, which I have heard the praises of, and seen and smelt the rich aromas.
The seafood also look fresh and juicy.

 

For dessert I once had the tiramisu, which was delightful, and the crème brulee which was backed and torched to perfection.

This restaurant is easily missed, as you only see a small plaque hanging above a small door on a tiny patio.
Even with the lack of advertising and huge signs, they’re always overflowing  with patrons – so do make a reservation a day or 3 in advance.
And be sure not to miss this hidden gem.

 

 

Happy mid-working week!

Until we eat again…

Tony's Spaghetti Grill, Randpark Ridge - Jack of all trades, master of none.

I find it rather appalling that all “Italian” restaurants these days are moulded from the exact same mould, like a cookie cutter. Same interior, same menu, same music, same table clothes.

Is there no originality left? And if all these served proper Italian food – and not a 3^rd world country’s idea of Italian-style food, I might be ok with that…however this is not the case.

After an extreme delay in going to dine at Tony’s Spaghetti Grill in Randpark Ridge, with good reason – as mentioned above – I finally went.

Surprise surprise!! This is probably the mother of the cookie cutter Italian restaurants. Then again, they do sort-of warn you about this, stating on their own website that they serve al fresco style food.

The massive double volume restaurant with terraces on both side, are filled to the max with tables. Gives me the feeling of cattle being herded together.

Plain 3 colour (another surprise) interior; a less than average wine list, opposing the extensive food menu and not very attentive staff (which in all honesty is not the staff’s fault, but the doing of management by over stocking the barn with customers).

The extensive menu ranges from pizza and pasta to salads; anti-pasta’s to steak and seafood, pork, chicken, lamb and vegetables; and even more tit-bits in-between.  Now the problem with menu’s like these that make your head spin, in my experience, is basically – Jack of all trades, master of none.

It is simply not possible to have a menu of 8 pages, and be able to produce all dishes with care and perfection.

Have a pizza and pasta menu, and make the best darn pizza base and fresh pasta you possibly can, and be proud. Or Have a seafood restaurant, and serve beautifully fresh bites of ocean, I don’t care how you split them up really – but do not, ever attempt to put all that the lands produce offers on your menu.

The salads are not bad, but stacked with ice-berg lettuce, and very little topping. But again – not bad.

The pizza base is mediocre, yes there is a big pizza oven – this means nothing if you do not produce a thin crust that crunches in your mouth, and a golden, bubbly, stringy grilled cheese topping.  Meat wise – well I can only say from what I saw and what a heard from my trusty companions: average, but the mushroom sauce that accompanied the rib-eye was as white as snow, and tasted that way too.

Look, I’m not saying it’s revolting. What I am saying is that I simply do  not understand the hype around this place, and how they keep so busy? I can understand that if you usually have a microwave meal for dinner, that this would be a real treat – other than that, no, I can’t fathom why. Everything is average, nothing is great. I would not go back to this mass producing cookie cutter Italian-STYLE restaurant.

But apparently to the sheep of JHB with little food knowledge – this is a gem.

My personal opinion – keep to the right and pass along swiftly.

 Trust your instincts, until we eat again…