The term "brasserie" is of French origin, meaning a restaurant with a relaxed, open setting, usually serving beer with simple, wholesome meals. Not often a term we hear when referring to Joburg restaurants, brasseries are few and far between in this city of bistros, gastro pubs and restaurant chains. That's why we had to look a little further out into the lush expanses of the Cradle of Humankind to find exactly what we were looking for. Little surprise, what we came across were a number of stunning wedding venues, including Toadbury Hall Country Hotel. Here is where we found a true hidden gem in the form of a country-style, open deck brasserie named WildWood Restaurant.
Seeing as it is first and foremost a family-friendly venue, WildWood offers an array of sharing platters on their lunch menu, featuring firm favourites such as olives, roasted peppers, tzatziki, caramelised onions and dolmades. Complete your lunch with freshly baked ciabatta and a crisp bottle of chilled white wine. Not a wine drinker? Sample one of the restaurant's on tap craft beers supplied by Black Horse Brewery. With the stunning surrounds and on hand service, it couldn't get much better than this.
The adult gourmet picnic is just as enticing. With chicken liver pate with cranberry and apple jelly, fresh ciabatta, roast beef with honey and mustard, lamb meatballs with tzatziki, yoghurt roast chicken, baby beef shawarma, roasted pumpkin, feta and chickpea salad, potato salad with mint and parsley, vegetable and herb quiche, fruit kebabs with a passion fruit coulis, chocolate brownies and a cheese platter with savoury biscuits!
Picnic baskets must be pre-ordered from the restaurant to accommodate for your number of guests and dietary requirements. Place your order here.
Close To The City, Out In The Country
WildWood Restaurant boasts a stunning view of the Crocodile River from their deck. This is the perfect spot to spend a leisurely afternoon with family and friends. There is also tons of open space for the kids to play, so you need not worry about keeping them entertained. The interior is elegant without being pretentious. With a flaming fireplace adjacent to the bar, this is an ideal winter evening retreat. However, WildWood Restaurant flourishes all year round, offering their patrons a divine selection of Mediterranean-inspired meals. Serving breakfast, lunch, dinner and drinks, the restaurant caters to all palates, including the little ones who have their own separate menu. The generous, classic breakfasts at WildWood are famed for their abundant flavour and variety of choices. Take your pick from a standard English breakfast with all the trimmings - eggs (scrambled, fried or poached), crisped bacon, tomato, pork sausages, black pudding and baked beans. Alternatively, you can opt for something a little lighter like the smashed avo toast or an omelette. We have it on good authority that WildWood's Eggs Benedict is pretty good too, so whatever you choose to tuck into should leave you satisfied and ready to tackle the day ahead.
Seeing as it is first and foremost a family-friendly venue, WildWood offers an array of sharing platters on their lunch menu, featuring firm favourites such as olives, roasted peppers, tzatziki, caramelised onions and dolmades. Complete your lunch with freshly baked ciabatta and a crisp bottle of chilled white wine. Not a wine drinker? Sample one of the restaurant's on tap craft beers supplied by Black Horse Brewery. With the stunning surrounds and on hand service, it couldn't get much better than this.
Picnic Pleasure
When last have you been on a picnic? Whether it's with your special someone or the whole brood, sharing a meal outdoors brings people closer. WildWood Restaurant is all about creating the best outdoor dining experience for you and your loved ones. Providing the decor, food and setup, they bring the magic of the kitchen right out onto the banks of the Crocodile River for you to enjoy in the peace and quiet. With five private picnic areas, you can rest assured that your romantic date, birthday party or family gathering will go undisturbed. There are two gourmet picnic menus to choose from. One for the little ones, which includes mini beef burgers with potato chips, chicken strips with sweet barbecue mayo, mini cheese and biscuits, dry wors, mini fruit skewers, chocolate brownies, Danish pastries and mini fruit juices. A balance of sweet and savoury, this spread should impress even the fussiest of eaters.
The adult gourmet picnic is just as enticing. With chicken liver pate with cranberry and apple jelly, fresh ciabatta, roast beef with honey and mustard, lamb meatballs with tzatziki, yoghurt roast chicken, baby beef shawarma, roasted pumpkin, feta and chickpea salad, potato salad with mint and parsley, vegetable and herb quiche, fruit kebabs with a passion fruit coulis, chocolate brownies and a cheese platter with savoury biscuits!
Picnic baskets must be pre-ordered from the restaurant to accommodate for your number of guests and dietary requirements. Place your order here.
Fairy Light Weddings
WildWood understands that some couples don't want a large, lavish wedding. Host an intimate picnic wedding for you and a close group of friends and family. But not just any old picnic, of course! Picture a Bedouin stretch tent, garden tables, director chairs and picnic blankets with cushions to bring spectacular style to your wedding. All this is partnered with decadent picnic-style cuisine served in quaint wicker baskets to complete your outdoor wedding reception. If you choose to have your picnic-style reception by moonlight, WildWood Restaurant will throw in streams of pretty fairy lights to enhance the romantic atmosphere. It's sure to be unforgettable.
