The H Restaurant
The Houghton Hotel, Lloys Ellis Avenue, Houghton Estate Johannesburg.
We all need something to look forward to once the lockdown period in South Africa ends. A recent visit to the newly launched Houghton Hotel in Johannesburg had us dreaming about the days when enjoying a leisurely lunch and refreshing cocktails with friends were the norm.
The H functions as the main restaurant at the hotel. The restaurant’s offerings include breakfast (when staying at the hotel) as well as elegant a la carte lunch and dinner options. Choose a bottle of wine from their extensive wine list, and enjoy cuisine that is upmarket but rooted in flavours we all know and love.
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The food
A curated and thoughtful number of dishes are featured on the menu. Expect to find a menu with international standards inspired by South African flavours. There’s a wonderful harmony in dishes that exhibit Mediterranean and Asian flavours existing together on the world class menu. The staff are friendly and attentive and are well versed with the ins and outs of the menu. Make sure to ask their opinion when ordering.
Before your meal arrives, be sure to dig into the artisanal breadboard. Slices of freshly baked bread and pita chips with hummus make for a wonderful pre-meal treat.
Enjoying a late lunch we tried the prime rib with a bright and punchy chimichurri sauce. A meat lover’s dream – the prime rib is basted expertly and grilled to medium-rare perfection.
If you’re looking for something a bit lighter, The H has a delicious sizeable sushi menu too. Interesting takes on the conventional include a fried sushi rice cake topped with sashimi and creamy Japanese style mayo. Believe us, it’s worth a try!
The H recently added a whole host of equally amazing options for those opting for plant-based and vegetarian diets too. The sesame tofu steak with mushroom teriyaki is a firm favourite.
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It would be amiss for us not to mention the excellent selection of cakes that are on offer. Arrive in the early afternoon and space out the various aspects of your meal so that you can try everything. It’s that good! The rainbow cake (pictured below) is sure to put a smile on your face after the tumultuous time we’ve been having as a country.
Decor & ambience
The fresh and airy decor of the Houghton Hotel is something to behold. Portraits of Nelson Mandela adorn the walls in various expressions and in technicolour. Not to mention the statement portraits of the country’s beloved artist Esther Mahlangu.
The expression of harmony and open-plan flow come into play at The H as well. With many indoor and outdoor seating options you will easily come to find a place that feels cosy as you settle in to a sublime meal experience. And as the weather begins to turn, nestle in one of the outdoor couches that have a fire pit at its centre.
The decor has an organic and natural feel. There is optimal use of negative space drawing you in and making you feel at home. The outdoor seating is surrounded by greenery and the entire space exudes a peaceful serenity.
For special events, book one of their four private dining rooms which are equally beautiful.
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Business hours: Closed for the duration of the lockdown, but usual hours will resume from the 17th of April 2020.
- Monday to Sunday: 12h00-21h00
- Contact: +27 11 032 5500, [email protected]
- Website: thehoughtonhotel.com/the-h/
By Features Writer Andrea Cresswell
