Épicure by chef Coco Reinarhz has launched. I had the good fortune and privilege to enjoy its first fruits. Épicure is a new high end restaurant in Benmore Sandton, it offers refined African cuisine. It will aim for a market where tourists to South Africa from Africa and anywhere else can enjoy ingredients from across the continent in an exceptionally elegant and contemporary venue. I enjoyed the farmed guinea-fowl as a main option, it truly reminded me of the tastes of Africa when I visited about 15 odd African territories in my mid-twenties. There is an unmistakably mineralic and earthy element in ingredients like plantain and cassava that immediately puts the food in a style of its own. The cellar offered a great selection of South African white wines, we had the David & Nadia Aristargos 2016, we anticipated some hints of chilli and spice in the cuisine, it was the right choice. Chef Coco explains that they will expand the wine cellar to offer a wide selection of European (old world) wines in the immediate future - in anticipation of its European audience that migrates regularly through Sandton. That is not all - Épicure also boasts a brand new bar experience. Most refreshing is the fact that they will specialise as a rum bar - refreshing that a bar would choose this route in the midst of a total gin frenzy at the moment, not that I am complaining, as I do prefer gin to rum, but uniqueness and new trivials always wins for me. Chef Coco chose Pyrat XO Reserve for my untrained rum palate that would usually reject the over-sweetness of other rums. The staff represent all the peoples of Africa and although I am not French speaking, I am certain that this will become and important hub for the business elite that speaks French. Overall, the experience is a true reflection of Chef Coco's style - it is a trusted familiar brand. Go now - while Chef Coco throws a watchful eye over the restaurant floor from the pass. Every single item on the menu should be had!