I’m not Jewish. But I’m reconsidering. For those in the Norwood area of Johannesburg, you will be well aware of Faff – a restaurant that is able to serve totally kosher dishes under the guidance of the Johannesburg Beth Din.
The Setting
It’s the house I always wanted to live in with a staff I’ve always wanted to have. It’s elegant without you feeling you can’t relax and put your feet up (please don’t) and children are allowed. We’re not talking about ankle biters that are going to wander up to me and put their nails in my gnocchi but your generally well-behaved youngsters who are able to appreciate fine cuisine, great ambience and service.
The Food
I’m a big fan of starters. If something tickles my fancy I’ve been known to order more than one which leaves very little room for a main course and dessert doesn’t even get a look in. I held back and went with:
I’ll have the beef carpaccio please?
And?
And thanks!
Ma’am, with starters and desserts, you must choose three.
Listen I’m all for overeating but I couldn’t possibly eat three starters.
They 1/3 of the normal starter size.
Stop talking. I’ll have the Mandarin Duck crepe, the beef carpaccio and the butternut soufflé.
All extremely tasty (sorry for the vegetarians out there – it’s a meat eaters paradise) and a perfect introduction to the lamb shank I ordered. I’m going to go crazy here – I’ve tasted lamb that amazing but I was chatting up Spiros in the port village of Hydra in Greece, I didn’t expect to have the same ‘I’m going to die happy’ experience sitting in Norwood in Joburg. I managed to steal some of my dining partner’s steak off his place when he wasn’t looking and I can confidently say it was equally eye-rolling-back-in-head delicious.
The Wine
Dave Wallace is a man after my own wine-sodden heart. He told me about his wine collection and I told him I was available and ready for marriage. He has done what I wish every restaurant would do, under each meal there is a recommendation of wine. While I usually take note of the recommendation, I also completely ignore it and order a bottle of something I can afford. What Faff has done is allow you to order a ‘wine taster’. Not a bottle, not a carafe, but a taster – just enough to really get the taste and pleasure and if you don’t like it (stranger things have happened) you’re not stuck with the entire bottle. And if you are, you send it to me.
Price Range
Tricky to judge. My three starters came to a total of R59 which I thought was incredibly worthwhile. My lamb was R179 which I thought was a bit steep until I saw the size of it and then tasted it. They could have charged me R300 and I would have been happy. The steaks range from R149 to R199 but they’re not shy on the accompaniments and so you do feel as if you’re getting your money’s worth.
Perfect for
Me. A great meal with a relaxed atmosphere and incredible kosher food and wine.
Faff was reviewed by Baglett. Read her tea-snortingly funny blog here.