Fancy a fine-dining experience? Head to these Pretoria eateries

From cosy and intimate to extravagant and opulent, Pretoria has a wide range of choices when it comes to fine-dining restaurants. The personal touch, attention to detail and warmth of service at some of these hidden gems are bound to delight you

PRUE LEITH RESTAURANT

Prue Leith Restaurant on Rhino Avenue in Centurion, where it also has its chefs’ academy, continually strives for the perfect  culinary creation. The staff members are led by executive chef Adele Stiehler-van der Westhuizen and restaurant manager Lynn Nyika.

The pressed-pork cheek terrine with potato cream, caramelised onions, celery leaves and whole-grain mustard is an impressive starter. For mains, the stuffed quail with spinach, bacon lardons, porcini mushrooms, baked garlic custard and sauce chasseur is an excellent choice. Top it all off with crêpes suzettes flambéed in a Van der Hum tangerine liqueur, orange and caramel sauce with vanilla ice cream from the gueridon trolley. Call 012-654-5203.

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LA MADELEINE

La Madeleine on Priory Road in Lynnwood Ridge is renowned for the personal attention paid by chef Daniel Leusch. There is no physical menu as such: Leusch visits each table to narrate the day’s food delights.

Start with the tartar of pink salmon on a bed of quinoa with sorbet from soya sauce and oyster sauce. For mains choose the blesbok loin served with ratatouille, shimeji mushroom and pear poached in red wine. Next, try the cheese platter, which is laden with 15 well-known French cheeses. Round off your meal with a slice of almond cake covered with white chocolate mousse, strawberry marmalade and strawberry sorbet on the side.

With 30 years’ experience, Leusch creates a welcoming atmosphere in which to enjoy the French and Belgian tastes in a charming traditional setting. Call 012-361-3667.

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VELMORÉ GRANDE RESTAURANT

The Velmoré Grande Restaurant can be found in the palatial buildings of Velmoré Hotel Estate, just off Main Road in Erasmia. The mainly black-and-white-themed Velmoré Grande Restaurant has a more minimalistic feel than the extravagance evident in the rest of the estate. Chef Sibongiseni Magubane heads up the professional kitchen team, who are eager to delight their customers.

Try the grilled chicken and peach salad with sweet chilli dressing for starters. The 300g rump, grilled and seasoned and served with mushroom sauce, potato wedges and a side salad, is hearty choice. For dessert, tuck into the tasty lemon and wild-berry cheesecake with fruit stick and biscuit tuile.

The restaurant is open to individuals, couples, large groups and corporates. Call 012-370-7000.

This article was originally published in Sunday Times Neighbourhood: Pretoria. Visit yourneighbourhood.co.za, like YourNeighbourhoodZA on Facebook and follow YourHoodZA on Twitter