Verdicchios Italian Restaurant, Fourways, South Africa
Ξ December 14th, 2007 | → 0 Comments | ∇ International Terroirs, Restaurant Reviews |
Verdicchios is in the Montecasino shopping and entertainment complex, a kitschy replica Tuscan town, in Fourways, just north of Johannesburg. There’s a pleasant bar and café atmosphere on the ground floor but it’s in the slightly formal downstairs section, resembling a castle cellar, where we were seated for our meal. The menu is varied and promising, a range of Italian classics with a few local variations.
My local guide, Caroline, recommended a refreshing glass of Buitenverwachting 2006 Buiten Blanc, a blend of Sauvignon-blanc, Chenin-blanc and Riesling, to start off with which was delicious, the Riesling and Chenin adding a nice twist on the oft-too-dry Sauvignon South Africa can produce.
For our starters she ordered Mussels in a Garlic and White wine sauce, while I went for an old favourite, an Insalata Caprese. The Mussels looked delicious as well, the sauce being so thick and creamy that it was more of a soup! South African Mussels are large, flavoursome beasts, I’ve tried them before, and it was with some envy that I regretted my choice. My salad rested on a thin bed of iceberg lettuce, something that is acceptable at home, but not, in my opinion, when you’re dining out. The tomatoes were OK, lacking a depth of flavour I was hoping for but a sprinkle of salt perked them up a bit, however it was the Mozarella itself that was the most disappointing – much drier than it should have been and blander than most I’ve had in the past. The best part was the drizzle of pesto on the top which at least added some flavour. Caroline admitted that salads in South Africa needed some work and I tend to agree!
Main course was so much better. Caroline went for a roasted duck (which she said was excellent) but for me it was the Oxtail that jumped off the menu. This was delicious, plenty of meat on the tail bones and in a rich dark gravy/sauce on a bed of rice and vegetables. A knife and fork was not enough to prize all of the meat from the bones and it was with enjoyment that the bone-sucking began! This was washed down, and complemented, by a spicy La Motte 2004 Shiraz.
For dessert Caroline went for a Crème Brule which disappeared quickly, but for me the star was a glass of South African Port, a 2002 Allesverloren (all is lost). This was recommended by my hostess, as I was unaware that the country even made Port style wines, and was a mere baby, still with noticeable tannins behind the sweet raisins, but showing exciting promise. The wine had hints of Madeira dryness and was a perfect end to the evening.
The bill came to 600 Rand (£45, $90) and is one of the more expensive meals I’ve had in this country.
Greybeard – November 2007.
