On Friday night Dyllan and I went to Il Contadino for an early date night dinner. It was our first time going to this Italian gem in Parktown and after our experience, we will definitely be back. I can highly recommend this restaurant as a date night spot. We were welcomed by a saxonophist playing wonderful music on our arrival.
Upon arrival, we were all given a complimentary glass of delicious Prosecco, as well as a slice of focaccia with a sweet homemade chutney. The restaurant was buzzing the evening we went there from people on first dates to groups of friends catching up over pizzas, it was such a vibe. Our waiter was phenomenal, well trained, attentive and gave excellent menu suggestions.
It was delicious Complimentary prosecco
Starters:
We started off our meal by sharing a plate of chicken liver pate, with farm bread, fresh figs, homemade chutney and truffled micro salad for R75. This was the perfect mix of a sweet, and salty dish and it was oh-so moreish. I could’ve had four of those alone! All of the starters looked fab, next time I would like to order 4 starters and eat them meze style.
Chicken liver pate Complimentary foccacia
Mains:
For mains, I had the pulled pork, brown sage butter, spring onion, and roast pecan nut pasta for R125. We garnished this pasta with some parmesan and fresh chili and it was simply sensational. Only fresh, organic ingredients are used. The way that the dish was finished in a butter sauce made me feel like I was back in Paris as this is common practice there. This pasta was packed full of flavour and was absolutely delicious. I would definitely have it again. Dyl had the salami, chorizo, red pepper, feta, spring onion, red onion and rocket pizza for R125, it was delicious. Loads of flavour, fresh ingredients, this pizza was a win.
Pulled pork pasta Chorizo and salami pasta
Dessert:
We then shared a dark chocolate fondant, with salted caramel sauce and a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Honestly, we should’ve each ordered our own, it was so light and delicious we inhaled it. It was so good!
Dark chocolate fondant
Specials and Valentine’s day:
They’re running a great date night special at the moment, R150 for any pasta on the menu and a glass of wine.
Chef James Diack (of Coobs), sources 95% of the ingredients used at his Joburg restaurants from his family’s farm Brightside, in Magaliesberg. This Valentine’s Day weekend Diack is presenting diners with the opportunity to enjoy a romantic picnic under the trees of the farm’s pretty landscaped kitchen gardens paired with wines from Anthonij Rupert Wyne.
Tickets include a picnic basket with a selection of bread, cheeses, charcuterie, preserves and other farm specialties, wild boar and roasted organic farm chicken rotisseries, a vegetarian harvest table stacked with delicious farm-fresh salads, creamy traditional soft-serve ice-cream and a complimentary bottle of L’Ormarins Cap Classique bubbly. Transport to and from Brightside Farm is also included. Buses depart from the Coobs restaurant in Parkhurst at 09:45 and return to Joburg at 17:00 and 18:15.
Saturday, February 15. Tickets cost R800 per person and must be paid upfront. Call +2711 447 0710 or email bookings@coobs.co.za to reserve your place.
