011 268 0511/2

Tofu

198 Oxford Road, Illovo, Johannesburg ~ Park in the Thrupps Centre, Yamato is on the far right.

Open for lunch and dinner, Monday to Sunday

Average main meal: R150

Yamato is Japanese cuisine at its best: authentic, varied, and delectable. I adore Asian food and it’s bliss to discover a pearl of a restaurant that’s not a half-hearted Asian parody. Christina Sato opened Yamato in 1995 and 17 years later it still impresses.

Décor

The décor is simple, white and modest, with Japanese fans and illustrations ornamenting the walls. Yamato relies on the food, rather than setting, to impress. I think it’s utterly appropriate. Rather than a feeble attempt at replicating an ‘Asian’ mise-en-scène, the understated setting and clean lines eloquently compliment the cuisine. 

Navigate the menu

The enormity of the menu is somewhat overwhelming. I say, select a number of dishes and have your table share. Yamato attempts to assist with ‘set menus’. They are meagre and boring. It’s unforgivable to recommend a combination of sushi, miso soup and stir fried vegetables when there are such intriguing dishes on offer. Read on for suggestions.

Food – What a lot they got

The prawn tempura is one of the best I have had: large, tender prawns are encrusted in a crispy batter, fried to perfection. I love the chicken dumplings, seaweed salad and tofu. If you are one of those “Tofu tastes like nothing” people, Yamato will change your mind. Try the deep fried tofu topped with chopped onion and ginger, and the tofu steak swathed in teriyaki sauce. Tender and luscious, these tofu dishes are innovative and exquisite.

The ever increasing throngs of sushi fans will be very happy here. The sushi and sashimi is made with a remarkable variety of fish; including the usual tuna, salmon, crab and prawn, as well as sardines, yellowtail, rock cod, eel and octopus. If experimental is your game, the different varieties are worth a taste.

Eating at Yamato presents a unique opportunity to try traditional Japanese dishes such as the renowned Shabu Shabu, a steamed dish of sliced beef, or Donburi, rice topped with a fragrantly spiced meat topping. Also on offer are spring rolls, soups, salads, chicken, beef, seafood, rice and noodle dishes. Yes, there really is that much food, perhaps a bit too much.

Dessert and drinks

Dessert is pleasantly and surprisingly incredible. (Asians, I’m sorry to say, are not known for their desserts). The ginger ice cream is a must ~ mouthwatering, sharp and fresh. I’ve gotten a little ahead of myself and almost forgotten the booze! Being Japanese, Yamato of courses has a selection of sake, hot or cold. The wine list is satisfactory, although costly (again Asian restaurants aren’t infamous for their wine selections so I was happy).

Price and service

Yamato is expensive, so visit when you are able to savour and splurge.

Service is pretty average. A more thorough knowledge and guidance through the book of a menu would be, well, a good idea.

Yamato’s setting and ambience won’t amaze you but the food most certainly will. It’s so refreshing to find a restaurant that is exactly what it claims to be: an elegant and genuine expression of the magic of Japanese cuisine.

Open for lunch and dinner, Monday to Friday

Average main meal price: R60 – R80

Give us gourmet!

Capetonians love to boast about Royale, the gourmet burger eatery on Long Street. And now Johannesburg has its very own offering of deliciously decadent burgers: Dukes in Greenside. It’s common knowledge that men love food but I rarely hear them getting excited about a restaurant. So when my friend (male but not gay I promise!) insisted I visit this AMAZING burger place, I was intrigued…

Burgers

The menu is extensive with beef, chicken, lamb, ostrich and vegetarian burgers. The burgers are delicious, with generous portions and at very affordable prices. They range from the simple such as Uncle Sam, a basic beef burger with tomato relish; to the glamorous like My Cousin Vinny, a burger with chicken fillet elegantly wrapped in parma ham on a bed of watercress. Side choices include salad, potato or sweet potato wedges, and French fries.

The salads are quite disappointing, a meager mish mash of uninteresting ingredients. Definitely opt for a burger. If you’re on a diet, then have a vegetarian burger. The butternut and beetroot burger is a winner, with sweet, sharp, succulent flavours. I love the falafel and hummus burger. It entails delicately cooked falafels on a garden of rocket, enveloped in hummus and draped in cucumber strips.  

Decor

Dukes’ décor is intimately ornate, with purple hues, comfy couches and chandeliers, while being relaxed and casual. Definitely ask to be seated in the picturesque outside area with candlelit mosaic tables ~ although not if you’re bothered by smoking.

To have dessert, or Not to have dessert?

Don’t have dessert, its awful. Options include a range of pies including chocolate and peanut butter, pecan and banana served with a dollop of sweetened cream. Yes they sound delectable; but they’re not, just dry, floury and hard to swallow.  

A tipsy send off

The wine list at Dukes had me beaming: all the local favourites at great prices. A glass of Haute Cabriere for R24! A glass of Haute is R50 at Koi. I am constantly impressed with the service, which is friendly, attentive and efficient. At a friend’s birthday hosted there last week, our waitress was eager and happy to assist us in surprising him with a sparkle lit pie.

My advice for an utterly unforgettable experience is: book a table outside with your favourite friends, order burgers, a few bottles of wine, no dessert, and leave full, elated and satisfied.