The Grillhouse

Johannesburg is one of the lesser-travelled tourist destinations in South Africa, despite it being the country’s largest city and one of the most vibrant. That will change with the 2010 World Cup coming to South Africa, as tourists will be plunged into the heartlands of Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town, among others, where the tournament venues are located. If things go well, it could be a prime opportunity for the South Africans to show the rest of the world what they have to offer outside of the usual Cape Town tourist traps and the game reserves, which remain popular destinations.

So we thought it would be fitting to let our readers know about the best places to dine in South Africa, and we’ll kick off with the best steakhouse in Johannesburg, known affectionately to the locals as Al’s after its former incarnation as a late night hotspot, but officially called The Grillhouse.

Situated in the Rosebank shopping centre (they have another outpost in Sandton too), The Grillhouse is something of an institution to local South Africans who are well known for their carnivorous cravings. The restaurant is decorated in the style of a clubby New York steakhouse, complete with wood panelling, exposed brickwork, leather booths, black and white photos of times past, and the enticing aromas of char-grilled beef wafting from the busy kitchen. In some restaurants this facade can look tacky and clichéd, but here it seems to work, perhaps because it is complimented by smartly dressed waiters, an incredible wine and spirit menu, a cigar room and private dining areas.

Appetisers include gigantic black mushrooms sautéed in butter, garlic and port, or a classic shrimp cocktail, which British readers should think of as a King Prawn cocktail. The quality ingredients are superb, service is smooth and attentive, and taste buds tingle in anticipation of the meaty main course. Or, if you’re that way inclined, you can have fish instead. In fact the South African speciality of Kingklip is most certainly worth ordering, if not here then from somewhere else during your stay.

An immense 500g fillet steak of prime Namibian beef will set you back all of R200, about £15 at the time of writing. That is a ridiculously affordable price for the Brits among us, who typically pay around £20 for a steak half the size and often half the quality too. The beef is pleasingly textured and deep in flavour, yet soft to the knife and bite. Order it with a side of fries and a sauce of your choosing. If you have never been to South Africa before, you might be shocked to see a sauce called Monkeygland on the menu. Before you throw down your napkin and leave in disgust, don’t worry, it’s not made from the glands of monkeys. At least not in the restaurants I’ve been to. It’s a type of steak sauce that could be described as a cross between ketchup, brown sauce and relish, with a sweet sour flavour.

If you haven’t exploded after the gigantic portions of the starter and main course and you can stomach a dessert, their New York style baked cheesecake is fabulous. And if you can’t find the energy to move after such a humongous meal, you can ask them to wheel you across the hall to Katzy’s, their jazz club and wine bar opposite the restaurant, where you can sink into a booth and wile away the day or night until you are able to walk again.

Booking ahead is essential, especially on weekends and come World Cup season. The restaurant is quietest during the mid-week lunch service, but evenings are buzzing and provide a great atmosphere to soak up with your prawns, steak and monkey glands.

The Grillhouse & Katzy’s, Shop 70, The Firs / Hyatt Shopping Centre, Oxford Road, Rosebank, Johannesburg, South Africa. Tel: +27 (0)11 880 3945. Web: http://thegrill.co.za/index.html