If you haven’t already heard, there is a new kid on the block, and by block, I mean Bree Street. I know, I know, this street has been absolute chaos when it comes to construction and trying to find parking. But let me just tell you, Tannin makes it all worth it. This three storey wine bar specialises in small plates, and of course, wine. They have 430 labels (according to their website) and counting. Whoa! Each floor has its own personality. The ground floor is where you will find the moody, sophisticated bar. It has a vintage meets modern look, and has a floor to ceiling wine rack, like a library of indulgence. The first floor is where you’ll find a polished yet relaxed restaurant. It has  the view of the hustling street on one side, and the bustling kitchen on the other. Lastly, the second floor is dedicated to events and tasting experiences. I didn’t get a chance to snoop around on that floor, but I believe there is a cellar up there. Sounds like a reason to go back, yay!

“The best way to describe this dish is if sashimi and spice went on a holiday to Cape Town together.”

The wait was over, and after about 15 minutes of looking for parking, we found ourselves in front of the minimalistic yet bold, boutique styled entrance. It really looked like something out of a magazine. I was actually surprised I didn’t see any photoshoots at play, it would make for the perfect backdrop. Especially with the plum tones, giving it a bit of character and drama. We made our way inside, and were immediately met by an incredibly stylish and zen looking host that escorted us to our table. This space is absolutely stunning, it almost didn’t feel real. It looked like one of those spots you would see on Top Billing back in the day. You know, a place that is completely out of reach to the regular viewer, but I was there. Mama, I made it! Once we got seated, I took a moment of silence to take in my surroundings. This Scandinavian styled space was modern yet warm. The soft natural light was pouring in through the large windows and was complemented by the honey oak tables, light leather seats, and the earthy textures. I also loved the addition of the gallery style wall art. Everything looked and felt very intentional. Cool and collected but thoughtfully curated.

I started by paging through the encyclopedia of wines they have on offer. Though that sounds rather overwhelming, it was actually organised in such a way that appealed to my OCD brain. They were broken up into categories, making it a lot easier to choose from. Unfortunately, I cannot remember what I ordered, but it was under “white wines”, and grouped in the “light” section. This sounded fitting for a weekday lunch to me. It arrived in a sleek glass, and almost transparent in colour. One that whispers, not shouts. It smelt citrusy and a little floral and tasted crisp, clean, and effortlessly elegant. It was light enough to sip over a delicious meal, and dry enough to make you feel like you’ve got your life together. Let’s be honest, it’s basically hydration. 

This brings us to our first round of small plates. I started with the cured yellowtail which looked like a painter’s palette on a plate. Translucent slices of fish laid out like silk ribbons, with pops of orange gooseberries and earthy scatterings of cashews. This was all drizzled with glistening Cape Malay dressing that tied it all together. The yellowtail was so buttery, it just melted in your mouth before you had time to think about it. If that wasn’t luscious enough, the creamy yogurt brings about even more richness. I absolutely loved the tart gooseberries, it added some necessary zing and freshness, and the nuts added a lovely crunch. My favourite part of this dish was the dressing. It was the perfect blend of sweet, spicy, and a little tangy. The best way to describe this dish is if sashimi and spice went on a holiday to Cape Town together. 

Next, I moved onto the tandoori cauliflower, which looked rustic and comforting. These golden roasted nuggets were nestled on a generous bed of creamy hummus. Lots of neutral tones that were then contrasted beautifully by the vibrant green herb oil which woke the dish up. The cauliflower was smoky, tender inside, and had a crisp exterior, with tandoori spice clinging to every bite. It was also slightly caramelised on the edges bringing a little bit of sweetness to all the savoury flavours. The hummus was smooth, nutty, and complemented the cauliflower perfectly. The herb oil was grassy and fresh, tying in brightness to balance all the depth. This was truly a Middle Eastern hug in a bowl, but with a smoky tandoori accent. It was also proof that cauliflower could in fact be more than a side character, because here, it was the lead role. What a wonderful introduction to an afternoon of delicious eats. 

For our next round, we went for the same approach as our last order. A veggie dish, and a not so much veggie dish. Starting with the greens, we had the kale salad with yuzu dressing. This arrived looking like a riot of green textures. Tender kale leaves tangled with cool ribbons of cucumber, sprinkled with sesame seeds and crowded with a generous halo of crispy onions. It’s the kind of plate that looks both light and indulgent all at once. Honestly, I wasn’t expecting much, but this actually turned out to be one of my favourite dishes of the day. On my first bite, I was instantly met with a crackle from the onions, almost caramel-like sweet, giving way to the refreshing cucumber and earthy kale. The yuzu dressing was the game changer. It was zesty, floral, and almost electric, brightening everything it touched. I could have drunk it straight. The sesame seeds added some nuttiness, but I must say, those onions were incredibly addictive. This dish was light but layered, clean but deeply satisfying. A dish you don’t want to share. 



For the meaty small plate, we went with the steak tartare. This almost looked architectural. The beef was stacked with precision, topped with a yolk that shines like a spotlight, with toast angled alongside like scaffolding holding it all together. The beef was so tender and velvety, and the sharp, tangy gherkins lifted the richness. The egg yolk was slightly salted and the liquid gold coated everything with a luxurious creaminess. I am a carb girl through and through, so it was absolute heaven putting all of that goodness onto crunchy toast. Bite by bite, it’s indulgence with balance. Creamy meets crunchy, sharp meets smooth.

Okay, okay, okay… Last round of small plates. Not because I want to stop, but my belt says otherwise. This time around, everything was on the wholesome and comforting side. First things first, the lamb. Just by looking at it, I could see it was incredibly rich. The glossy jus pooling dramatically around the succulent lamb medallions, punctuated by vivid dollops of carrot puree. There was just a touch of fresh finesse coming from the green microherbs. The meat was fork tender with a slow braised richness. Honestly, it was a bit too overindulgent for me. The ratio of fat to meat was unbalanced, leaving each bite heavy rather than refined. I did enjoy the deeply savoury and smoky undertones from the chimichurri, but the fattiness drowned the freshness the herbs were trying to bring. The jus added an extra layer of intensity, a bit too on the oily side for me. Look, it was delicious for a mouthful, but not something I could return to for bite after bite.



Moving swiftly along, this brings us to our final savoury dish, the potato gnocchi. This dish looked utterly satisfying. The oversized gnocchi, almost dumpling like, was lounging in a blanket of cream. The guanciale peeked through with a caramelized crispness, while the semi dried tomatoes added little bursts of colour. This was all generously dusted with Parmesan. I wanted to dive in, head first, so I did. The gnocchi was pillowy-soft, tender but not mushy, almost cloud-like. I wish I could have had a nap on one. Anyway… They soaked up all of the glossy, moreish sauce that was laced with miso. The miso added a slightly nutty, umami flavour, making it a little less rich than the average cream based sauce. The best was getting a little bit of everything in one bite. The smoky, savoury guanciale added a salty hit, and the tomatoes added acidity and sweetness. Well balanced, and well thought out. Yes, 100% comfort food, but with a wink of sophistication. Think of Nonna's hearty plate of pasta, if she had been hanging out with a Japanese chef and decided miso belonged in her family cookbook. 

Some people can’t skip breakfast, I can’t skip dessert, or breakfast for that matter. Even after numerous plates of food, there is no way I cannot end it off with something sweet. Luckily for me, I saw there were chocolate truffles on the menu. The perfect sized dessert for a meal like this one. Four glossy spheres were perched neatly in a little nest of cacao nibs. They had a sleek, almost mirror-like finish. The kind of dessert that whispers luxury without unnecessary frills. The first bite caught me off guard. The frozen shell snapped with a satisfying crack, like a traditional Italian kiss. But, it then gives way to a silky interior that slowly melts into pure indulgence. It is tricky for me to pick a favourite, they were both delicious in their own way. The salted caramel was perfectly sweet and salty, and delightfully creamy. Then the dom pedro was boozy but elegant, and had a nostalgic vibe of the classic South African cocktail. Though the truffles were bite sized, they had big personalities. Just. Like. Me! Overall, this dessert was a playful finale that felt both cheeky and refined.

Long story short, I had an absolutely amazing afternoon. The kind of experience that blends good food, good wine, and a setting that makes you want to slow down and savour it all. The service tied it all together, warm without being overbearing, professional yet easygoing. I thoroughly enjoyed sitting by the window with the sun streaming in. It felt like the perfect spot to spend an afternoon in the city.

Thank you, Tannin. Till next time!