Restaurant review: The Big Mouth, Sandton

31 December 2015 - 02:00 By Belinda Mountain
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Everything is exceptional at The Big Mouth on Nelson Mandela Square.
Everything is exceptional at The Big Mouth on Nelson Mandela Square.
Image: Supplied

For excellent food and eye-catching decor in the heart of Sandton, head to this new eatery suggests Belinda Mountain

It’s hard to know where to start when describing our recent meal at new brasserie The Big Mouth on Nelson Mandela Square. The food, the decor, the service - everything is exceptional.

For starters, there’s the ambience as you gaze on the square: the bronze statue of our most famous president overlooking the fountain shooting up streams of water while tourists snap a picture or two. Deals are signed, socialites are seen and there’s a general air of moving and shaking about the place.

Then there’s the decor. Designed by Studio Parkington in conjunction with Thought Fox Creative, tones of black, white and blue are stylishly used throughout including the checkered floor, comfortable leather booths, a white marble sushi bar and black steel shopfronts.

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The Big Mouth positions itself as a sushi and grill restaurant, but seafood of all types is the star here. From the mouthwatering salmon tacos we had as starters to the grilled kingklip with crispy leeks and the delicious prawn curry that were our mains, it’ll be hard for you to choose from the extensive menu.

One of my fellow guests had the seafood pot which was packed with lobster tails, calamari, mussels, prawns, white fish, roasted garlic and fresh cream – he declared it delicious. The pot was served with the crispiest of chips, perfectly seasoned and served in a stainless steel bucket. The green table salad with mixed lettuce, avocado, peas, edamame beans and Parmesan shavings was a delight all on its own, as was the ice-cream sandwich with chocolate chip cookies, popcorn marshmallows and honeycomb ice cream that we shared to end off our meal.

It’s the level of detail that sets The Big Mouth apart, though. Special aprons are supplied so you don’t mess on your clothes. There are dinky water glasses that are an unusual shape. And there are creative cocktails with intriguing names such as The Wet Mouth Mojito, with rum, lime, raspberry jam, bitters and mint, and The Big Mouth Mary, a traditional Bloody Mary turned on its head by using gin instead of vodka.

 

This article was originally published in ones of the Sunday Times Neighbourhood: Property & lifestyle guides. Visit yourneighbourhood.co.za, like YourNeighbourhoodZA on Facebook and follow YourHoodZA on Twitter.

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