EATERY
LOCATION: 7 Parktown Quarter, 3rd
Avenue, Parktown North, Johannesburg. Secure parking available
behind the restaurant.
DRINKS: We sampled a variety of aperitifs,
craft beers and home-made roasted coffees in this rustic look bar and eatery.
Our favourites are the Gin Blossom
(not on the menu) a potion made from Whitley Neill Protea & Hibiscus Gin (This is a flavoured variant exclusively available in South Africa, inspired by the wild & natural beauty of the African landscape, it is also a handcrafted gin of exceptional quality),
the Gin Blossom also included Ginger Tangerine Tea, Fitch & Leeds Tonic and
Lime. This delectable, refreshingly creative mix was flavourful and colourful.
Ask for it when you visit. Cup a Tea, Please this aperitif can actually be
shared with 3 other people besides yourself , it poured out 4 glasses. Presented
in a stylish, black metal tea pot and a glass which held an infused cucumber
ice ball; made it an interesting drink (a combination of Strawberry & Cream
Tea Reduction yumm, Lime, Inverroche Fynbos Gin, Fitch & Leed’s Tonic). Refreshing.
The Big Lebowski presented with a
pink jello shooter and a slice of lime; this beautiful and delicious pink
concoction was a combination of the perfect amount of Lavender Cordial, Vanilla
Vodka, Martini Extra Dry & Bianco and Lime. Every cocktail we explored was
colourful, interesting and divine.
Some Aperitifs
Beers : The Foundry offers a beer tasting
paddle. This is the perfect to way to explore their huge selection of craft
beers. Some of the craft beers we explored were : Naked Mexican, Dragon Ginger
Beer, CBC Amber Weiss and Franky Four Fingers (yes, named after the fictional character
from the movie SNATCH, whose a criminal with a gambling problem, they extremely
inventive and creative at The Foundry. This easy to drink, light weiss is The
Foundry’s very own craft beer and a MUST
HAVE).
Beer Tasting Paddle
The Foundry has a true appreciation of beers ( there are a wide
selection of wit bier, dunkel, stout, cider, ale, Weiss, pilsner, saison, pale
ale, lambic, amber ale, lager). The
Foundry’s bar is fully stocked.
APPETIZERS/HORS D’OEUVRE/STARTERS: Tuna Ceviche Tacos – Sprinkled
with bright, orange Trout Caviar this dish has four crunchy, mini tacos filled
with fresh tuna sashimi, avocado, sesame oil & wasabi mayo. A light meal
all on its own and perfect for the summer season.
Tuna Ceviche Tacos
Rika loving the starter
ENTRÉE/MAINS: Pork Belly and Cider Bacon Jam – I generally don’t order PORK in restaurants
but I was feeling a bit more adventurous on the day. This beautifully presented
dish. Made me realise never to be closed minded ever again about any of my previous
experiences elsewhere; always be willing to try out new flavours. Served with
crackling, lime pumpkin, macadamia bacon chutney, potato fondant, wilted greens
and pickled APPLE. All elements came together perfectly. A pretty dish, that is
Art on a plate. MUST TRY!!
Pork Belly and Cider Bacon Jam
Fillet &
Bone Marrow – 250g Beef Fillet, Potato Fondant, wilted greens, charred black
mushrooms, red wine jus. Firstly, who doesn’t love a perfectly cooked fillet? I
personally love the bone marrow. Every element was seasoned to perfection.
Fillet & Bone Marrow
All mains
we tried were bursting with a variety of flavours, with the perfect seasoning.
All meals were colourful, there is a great deal of adventure and technique used
in their dishes, which must be celebrated.
DESSERT/SWEETS:
Dark
Chocolate Fondant – A beautifully baked fondant, with ginger biscuit crumble,
vanilla gelato topped with fresh mint garnish, strawberry jam and fresh
strawberries.
Dark Chocolate Fondant
Triple Choc & Toffee Cheesecake – Beautifully baked cheesecake.Salted Caramel Drizzle.Thick and Creamy butterscotch sauce. This is my favourite dessert. I loved the flavours and textures. It all comes
down to the perfect combinations. Taste is Spectacular!
Triple Choc & Toffee Cheesecake
AMBIENCE: Well a “Foundry” in general, is a space
slighter darker than usual. So in keeping with the theme the lighting is a bit
darker; which suited us just fine. The bar and eatery was buzzing with patrons.
There seem to be different types of individuals at The Foundry, corporates,
casuals, young, not so young.. It’s a place everyone can enjoy.
SEATING: There is an outdoor seating section if
you prefer more light. The table sizes varied. There are different defined
areas to the restaurant; the bar area, and dining area. Bookings are essential,
even though. The Foundry is already 5 years old. This place gets full quickly.
HANDS: As I walked in, I was greeted with friendly,
attentive smiles. My waiter Brian, was knowledgeable, efficient and friendly.
Ask for him, when you visit, a nice guy. The GM of The Foundry, Andrew Norton,
formerly from a corporate environment loves this vibey environment. Andrew is professional,
energetic, friendly, talkative and a total down to earth, approachable guy.
GM - Andy
ART: The art on the main wall, is a
wall sculpture; the idea was spotted by street smart, visionary and co owner
Gary Hollywood. In the depiction there is a man; a solitary walker, walking in
the streets of New York City (we can see The Brooklyn Bridge). The streets seem
almost deserted. He is the main focus of this art; although we can deduct it is
also about city life. In this image you can’t see this MYSTERIOUS man’s face
(his back is turned) so we can’t tell what sort of mood he is in and wonder where
is he going to or coming from. We just notice his posture. Maybe he coming back
from a real Foundry (a sort of work place), maybe from a celebration; or going
to one…You tell me what you think!
Wall Sculpture - Solitary Walker
Close up of the artwork
VERDICT: Thank you for an amazing experience The
FOUNDRY, from the aperitifs to the desserts to the art every element was
thought about in-depth. Colourful, great beer selection, delicious dishes. It was a wonderful experience (food, drinks, staff, the
company) and best of all the flavours on the menu did not only deliver but
exceeded my expectations.
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