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Who would’ve guessed that tucked away on 3rd Avenue in Parktown North is one of the most elegant, simply charming restaurants that our city is home to? Darlings, I recently visited Wombles for dinner with my boyfriend, Nik, and was left ever so delighted – just wait until I tell you all about our exceptional evening!
Nik and I arrived at the gorgeous colonial-style restaurant early in the evening ready for a fabulous feast. Upon arrival, we were made to feel right at home by Yvette, one of the remarkably kind and passionate owners. We took our seats at a spacious, distinctively dressed table lit up by the glow of a table in the main dining room when we were each handed a wine list.
The wine list at Wombles is top-notch, which I really admired. To start off our evening, Nik and I opted for a bottle of the Springfield Wild Yeast 2014 wooded chardonnay – it’s one of my all-time favourite wines that most local restaurants don’t have in the cellar. Our wine arrived promptly on ice, and while sipping it, Nik and I took in the truly special feel of the restaurant.
Wombles boasts an enthralling colonial-style atmosphere – think wonderfully loud red walls, wooden light fixtures, tall backed armchairs and plush sofas, tables dressed with white napery, and wildlife art hung on the walls. Yvette and hubby Duncan, proud owners behind the restaurant, are both originally from Zimbabwe, and it’s abundantly clear that they’ve put their heart and soul into giving their stunning restaurant a unique feel.
For starters, I ordered the avocado ritz (sliced avocado with prawns, topped with a light, homemade cocktail mayonnaise), and Nik the calamari tubes (grilled in a lemon sauce). Both dishes were fresh and flavourful, not to mention perfectly cooked. I couldn’t decide on a single favourite! I might also add that the avocado ritz was in fact one of the very best prawn cocktail starters I’ve ever tasted.
For mains, I then went for one of the specials of the day, the Scottish salmon. For Nik, it was a toss up between the T-bone and the rump, but he eventually decided on the latter. Our mains reached our table within good time, and were both generously sized, served with fresh grilled vegetables and a starch of choice. My salmon dish really wowed me – it was outstanding – perfectly seared and amazingly tasty! The lemon infused mash that accompanied it was also delicious.
I was lucky enough to also snatch a bite of what was on Nik’s plate, and am happy to report that his rump was just as dreamy as my dish. In fact, he even mentioned that it was one of the best-cooked steaks he’s ever devoured – and you can trust that he knows his meat! Despite being rather stuffed after our mains, Nik and I decided that we simply couldn’t leave Wombles without trying out one (or two) of their decadent desserts.
We ordered both the rosewater ice cream (an old family recipe, filled with Turkish delight, nougat, chocolate and rose petals, topped with a raspberry sauce) and frozen lemon meringue pie (also one of the specials of the day) to share. Our desserts came out looking stunning – I just adored the rose petal garnish on both! Again, I couldn’t decide on a single favourite – they were both simply to-die-for. If I’m honest, I’m still feeling rather mesmerised by those fabulous sweet treats!
Overall, I had the most amazing time at Wombles. A meal at this spot will take you to a gone-by era where you’ll feel welcomed into an African colonial home. The food is out of this world, the wine list is sure to impress, the service is gloriously attentive, efficient and personalised, and the setting itself is sure to make for a truly memorable dining experience.
I’d highly recommend Wombles for an intimate date night, a sophisticated lunch, or as one of Joburg’s top steakhouses. For those of you who’ve heard the rumours that they’re relocating – yes, this is true. At the beginning of June, this well-loved establishment will be reopening its doors at new premises situated at Hobart Grove Shopping Centre in Bryanston.
While this may be sad for some, I personally think it’s more exciting than anything else. At the new Wombles, you can expect the same colonial-style setting and well-designed menu, but with some other exciting additions to the restaurant as well. Exciting times ahead, Darlings!
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