The cover of the new menu depicts a painting titled Pavlovsk by Russian art nouveau artist, Alexander Golovin, expressing Dartnall’s love for the art nouveau movement which is echoed in the interior of Restaurant Mosaic.
The Latin phrase Tabula Rasa is subtly printed to the right and refers to a blank slate and anything existing undisturbed in its original pure state and the name of chef Chantel Dartnall’s stunning autumn/winter menu for 2017 currently being served at Restaurant Mosaic at the Orient.
Dartnall focuses on authentic African tastes from her environment and with her signature Botanical Cuisine in mind she has created a dish titled “African Aromas” which makes use of rooihartbees and madumbi (an indigenous starchy vegetable), combined with the scent of soetdoring smoke.
“It is striking how every city has its own unique smell. Stepping off the plane in Bangkok, the aroma of exotic spice permeates the air, while Paris smells of humanity – reminding me of closely packed bodies in the metro stations.
Returning home from our travels, I always look forward to that first whiff of Gauteng’s unique scent in mid-winter, a mix of veld fire smokiness and the sweet aromas of Acacia wood burning.
This is us – the exotic smell of Africa… of home. With this dish, I want to tell the story of my home – the abundance of our wildlife, the exotic tastes and aromas of our open spaces and the sweet smokiness of our campfires.”
-Chef Dartnell
Where the river meets the sea
Another dish – Where The River Meets The Sea – is inspired by her secret hideaway at the coast and features a composition of tilapia, a sweet freshwater fish, along with the saltwater halibut and oyster leaf.
“Soup of the day not only saves the chef’s budget, but also provides the opportunity to toss anything and everything that was left over from yesterday into a pot and dish it up to your patrons under an important sounding name!
But, what if we turn the idea around and present a humble soup with noble ingredients and decadent flavours, tempting the palate with a soft creaminess and exploding flavours?
In this regard, we are delighted to present cauliflower cream soup permeated with earthy autumn flavours and richness, brussels sprouts filled to bursting with creamy foie gras mousse and black perigord truffle.”
-Dartnall describes her inspiration for Soupe du Jour
It truly is a magnificent combination of a few ingredients that combine to create a real “Wow” moment on first taste.
Le Canard teams locally sourced duck breast with vygies and plum confit.
Says Dartnall: “I have always loved vygies – in spring, after the rains, they bring a riot of neon-like colour to what previously appeared to be a barren landscape.
I vividly recall childhood memories of street vendors selling little parcels of wet newspaper bundles of Bokbaai vygies and Granny making preserves from what we called “kougoed” – the dried flowers.
This has been my favourite snack since my childhood, known as a delicacy as long ago as 1685, when the colonists observed the Khoikhoi using this plant and eating its fruits.”
As we slip closer towards winter, I find my inspiration from nature’s very first frost covering the last of the fruit as I venture into the orchard to fill my basket with the last offerings of the season.
Restaurant Mosaic’s desserts are equally tantalizing – choose from the SmartTease – inspired during a moment in Paris when Dartnall saw a young child drop a smartie-covered ice-cream cone on the pavement – to the autumnal First Frost, a wonderfully constructed and gorgeously moreish dish comprising pear, chocolate and tonka.
Of course Restaurant Mosaic’s famous cheese trolley – including a Charles Arnaud 36- month matured French Comté – as well as their extensive bread and butter selection remains part of the Mosaic magic on the autumn menu.
There is a choice of four Tabula Rasa menus – the Grande Degustation, the Market Degustation as well as the pescatarian and vegetarian options. Diners can partake of the sommelier’s wine pairing as well as a non-alcoholic pairing with drinks specially chosen to complement the meal.
“Since ancient times, food has had a magical connection. It was left as offerings to the gods, used as protection for a new home or feasted on to celebrate the changing seasons. Some of these traditions still continue today and with the artful use of the correct ingredients, we are able to calm or inspire individuals, becoming an alchemist of old.”
The menu is priced at R1250.00 per person and is recommended to be enjoed by the whole table. See the full menu HERE
Rodger Weiser
May 2, 2017 at 1:19 pmThe food looks amazing, definitely the spot for that special someone!