After months of hype and anticipation, David Higgs’ new venture Marble has finally opened its doors in Johannesburg.
The restaurant is located in the new development along Rosebank’s Keyes Art Mile between Circa Gallery and Everard Read Gallery.
Marble is a celebration of South African enthusiasm of cooking over a flame, whether it is meat, fish, shellfish, poultry or vegetables.
The venue
The décor of the restaurant is sleek and sexy with the focal point of the restaurant being the open kitchen and the huge wood-fired grill imported from the US. The tables are set with beautiful fine glassware, Mervyn Gers crockery and thick, heavy charcoal linen napkins.
The restaurant is light and spacious and provides spectacular views over The Parks and Northcliff hills.
Unfortunately, we arrived after dark, but I can imagine that the sunsets that you will see from the restaurant and bar will be spectacular.
From when we arrived, staff were incredibly helpful and attentive. Wikus, the sommelier explained the extensive wine list and suggested some great options to go with the meals we were going to order. I loved the fact that as well as an incredible local and international offering of wine, the wine by the glass offering is fairly extensive too.
The food
Whilst there is definitely a selection of meat cuts on the menu, there are great options for vegetarians or those looking for chicken, fish or shellfish.
Whilst we waited for our main courses, we snacked on the various breads served up in a beautiful wooden bowl that still hot from the wood burning stove visible in the kitchen.
We all decided to go for red meat options. I went for the lamb cutlets. The 3 cutlets were cooked to perfection, coated in chimichurri and served with wood fired baby carrots, crispy potato skins and delicious dollops of labneh (R265). The smokey flavours of the wood fired veggies together with the creamy labneh and chimichurri tang made every mouthful a taste sensation.
My friends went for the 300g Rib-eye with Smoked Field Mushroom sauce (R245) and 400g Sirloin on the bone with Smoked Red Pepper sauce (R275) served with crispy, skinny fries. We all concurred that the meals were outstanding. All cooked to perfection and filled with the rich smokiness of flame-grilled meat.
Despite the major temptation of the dessert menu, we decided to retire to the bar and enjoy one of the many whiskys on offer. From Japanese to Irish to Scottish – the options are pretty endless and the barmen incredibly knowledgeable on each. They were very proud of their cocktail making skills and I have no doubt that when I return to see that beautiful Jozi sunset, I will be tempted by one of their exotic concoctions.
Marble brings a new element of fine dining in Jozi. The meals are not over complicated, yet bring a richness that only flame grilled food can provide. The staff are slick, well trained and eager to assist. The wine and champagne selection is extensive and unusual and the huge glass wine fridge which is a feature wall for the bar and restaurant showcases the selection.
The hype in the lead up to the opening of this restaurant was not unfounded and I am sure we will see David Higgs’ new venture winning accolades in no time at all.
Click here to contact Marble to make your first booking!
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