Meet the couple behind Illovo's trendiest new eatery, Farro

For Alex and Eloise Windebank, the couple behind The Kramerville Bakery pop-up, opening a permanent restaurant was always on the cards.

While working together at a gastropub in London (Alex was the head chef and Eloise the manager) Alex brought Eloise cod and parsley sauce in the office one day, and 11 months later they were married.

When they moved back to Joburg two years ago they opened The Kramerville Bakery, which Eloise describes as a low-profile operation that allowed them to get to know the Joburg food scene while at the same time getting a feel for the city and finding the right restaurant space.

They’ve finally found it and their casual fine dining restaurant Farro opened in Illovo earlier this year.

Eloise tells us more:

Tell us more about Farro.

It’s an intimate eatery with an industrial feel, focusing on modern European cooking using African flavours and ingredients. We want to promote simplicity in dining, so our food is ingredient focused but never fussy. We use local, ethically sourced produce and we really want the flavours to speak for themselves. This isn’t about 14 techniques on a plate – just beautiful, simple food done well.

What's one of your favourite dishes on the menu?

Our beignets with smoked paprika and sumac are little savoury doughnuts that really incorporate our ethos of European dishes and techniques spiced with a bit of African flavour. They're the ideal “with a drink” snack.

What do you like most about the Joburg food scene?

Joburgers have a real appetite for restaurants. Following Cape Town’s flourish of interesting, internationally flavoured restaurants, we’re seeing a similar trend here. It’s a really exciting time to be making food in Jozi.

This article is adapted from one originally published in Sunday Times Neighbourhood, your must-read property and lifestyle guide. Visit yourneighbourhood.co.za