Taste of Joburg

Sixteen chefs from 16 restaurants, doling out three signature dishes each, all spread over five glorious days. That's 48 different dishes per day X by hundreds of hungry festinos. It was, by all accounts, billed to be the culinary event of Jozi's foodie calendar.
How disappointing then that it didn't live up to its much media hyped promises. Don't get me wrong, I'm no hater, I even enjoyed the venue this time - Montecasino is so much more convivial with a real skyline, not some paltry frescoed guise. Thankfully we were plonked into Monte's outdoor event area, so we managed to give the casino, and faux Tuscan cobbled town a wide berth.
We marinaded ourselves in the courtyard's dappled sunshine, savoured our pungent Shirazs', and moseyed over to scrutinise the menus. Linguine Gamberetti. Long pasta served with shrimps and prawns in a spicy cream sauce. "I'll have some of that!" I chorused, lips smacking together. "What? Sold out! I knew we shouldn't have waited till the last day of the  festival," I scowled. We ambled off, crestfallen.
Next, and to sweeten the mood, a little Bread and Butter Pud from a restaurant hailing from Soweto. Verdict? My mom makes a better version (but, I admit, I might be biased). Now for some Duck Leg Confit with Naartjie and Ginger Sauce. "That's not sauce! It's a body of liquid to rival the Vaal Hydro Electric Scheme!" Duck Leg Confit = FAIL, and lets not even discuss the ostrich - which, I had to chuck in the bin.

Saving the best for last?
Onto Yamato Japanese Restaurant - who, bless them, saved the day. Salmon Rose Sushi, a beautiful combination of sushi rice wrapped in sliced salmon, mayo and chopped cucumber on top. Fragrant delicate divine.

Will I return next year? Only if Yamato comes, too.

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