Critic's review

Zodwa Kumalo-Valentine

Food
If you’re a regular and always end up ordering off the classic menu because who can resist the hummus toastie with rocket, avocado, tomato, feta and poached egg for breakfast or the salmon tartare served with coriander, red onion, avocado and chilli and melba toast for a light lunch … you should force yourself to sample the “Inspired by” menu.
Start off with two or three medium Luderitz oysters with a champagne cocktail. The tempura prawns are plump and juicy and served with mayo, sesame rice balls, soya and lemongrass and chilli dressing. If you’re sharing, add the salmon ceviche with chives, chilli and caviar. For mains, go for the tender cubed fillet – a generous 250g beef fillet with thyme, lemon zest, parsley and shoe-string fries and the large gourmet burger – a 250g beef patty with caramelized onions, oven-roasted cherry tomatoes, emmentaler and fries. You won’t leave hungry. Split doxa’s moist chocolate slice and enjoy with an espresso, brandy or cognac. There’s a beautifully curated selection of wines by the bottle or glass to choose from – including Rupert & Rothschild Classique Bordeaux Blend, La Vierge Seduction Pinot Noir to Waterford Mary-Rose and more.

Service
It’s the food that never disappoints coupled with excellent service, that keeps customers coming back. Staff is always ready to accommodate or make a plan for special requests, which is why it’s not uncommon to find a small queue of eager regulars willing to wait for a table on a busy weekend morning or afternoon.

Ambience
A true café style environment complete with ladies and gents that lunch, air-kissing, working breakfasts, solo diners and late afternoon rendezvous.

And …
There’s not free and flowing data so make sure you bring your own if you’re planning to work there remotely ¬– Tashas encourages patrons to “talk to each other” rather than bury their faces in smartphones or laptops. Or you can register for Melrose Arch’s free wifi *winks*

Best for …
A long and lazy breakfast if you manage to get their early enough to miss the midday rush.

(2018)

Eat Out critics dine anonymously and pay for their meals in full. Read our editorial policy here.

• Ambience

  ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

• Service

  ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

• Food

  ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

• Zodwa Kumalo-Valentine

  Food
  Though you may struggle to resist the hummus toastie with rocket, avocado, tomato, feta and poached egg for breakfast or the salmon tartare served with coriander, red onion, avocado and chilli and melba toast for a light lunch, you should force yourself to sample the ‘Inspired by’ menu.

  Start off with two or three medium Luderitz oysters with a champagne cocktail. The tempura prawns are plump and juicy and come served with mayo, sesame rice balls, soya and a lemongrass-and-chilli dressing. If you’re sharing, add the salmon ceviche with chives, chilli and caviar.

  For mains, go for the tender cubed fillet – a generous 250g beef fillet with thyme, lemon zest, parsley and shoestring fries, or the large gourmet burger – a 250g beef patty with caramelised onions, oven-roasted cherry tomatoes, emmentaler and fries. You won’t leave hungry. Split doxa’s moist chocolate slice and enjoy with an espresso, brandy or cognac.

  Drinks
  There’s a beautifully curated selection of wines by the bottle or glass from which to choose.

  Service
  It’s the food that never disappoints, coupled with excellent service that keeps customers coming back. Staff is always ready to accommodate for special requests, which is why it’s not uncommon to find a small queue of eager regulars willing to wait for a table on a busy weekend morning or afternoon.

  Ambience
  A true café-style environment complete with ladies and gents that lunch, working breakfasts, solo diners and late-afternoon rendezvous.

  Best for…
  A long and lazy breakfast if you manage to get there early enough to miss the midday rush.

  (2018)

  Eat Out critics dine unannounced and pay for their meals in full. Read our full editorial policy here.

  • Ambience

    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

  • Service

    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

  • Food

    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★