Ohwee have I got an awesome new spot for you guys to visit. Last week my friend Adi and I had lunch at the brand new Bolton Road Collection Bar and Gourmet Eatery that has just opened on Jan Smuts Ave, opposite the Goodman Gallery.
So yes I’m happy to report that the space that has always been home to not one but two ridiculous scooter shops and some of the worst outdoor advertising to ever DIS-grace the side of a building, has now been replaced by a newly renovated block of flats as well as probably one of Johannesburg’s soon to be best places to hang out.
Bolton Road Collection has been very nicely designed, the interiors remind me of a restaurant that Ron Burgandy would frequent, it’s full of leather, wood, brick face and the smell mahogany. There is a restaurant area, a small outside area that wraps around the front of the building, as well a separate bar.
Their menu is concise and considered and has some amazing sounding dishes that don’t smack of the usual stuff one might find on a gourmet menu. I was battling to choose what I was going to have for lunch but eventually, I decided on a Roasted Sea Bass with Cauliflower Puree, Charred Baby Gem and Coconut and Garam Masala Sauce. The best part is that it came out looking absolutely beautiful and then landed up tasting as good as it looked, which sometimes isn’t the case, but it all made sense when we were told by the manager that Gordan Ramsey had actually helped with all the dishes on the menu! Everything is made in-house, the bread, cakes, sauces etc so there is a lot of love and effort that goes into all the food.
Adi had Salmon Fishcakes which came with a Poached Egg, Mango, Hazelnut, Tenderstem Broccoli and Lobster Mayonnaise. Man, these were also so good! In fact, we both agreed that they were some of the best fishcakes we had ever had in a restaurant.
With both meals we decided to indulge and order not one of their sides but two, we got the Triple Cooked Beef Fat Fries, which made me want to cry because they were so tasty and I’m guessing so bad for me. We also ordered the Potato Churros which sounded interesting enough but landed up not being our least favourite thing, which is unfortunate because I like the idea behind them.
This place also has super sounding drinks menu, which for very obvious reasons I could not indulge in. It’s full of interesting sounding cocktails from Apple Juleps to something called a Fanter-Grape. They also have a really nice collection of gins, whiskeys and beers so if you’re looking for a new after hours drinking spot, you should definitely drop in.
Address: 2 Bolton Road, Johannesburg.
Telephone: 011 327 6104
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