It looks like winter has finally descended on the Mother City. At Upper Union, Chef Amori Burger and her team are loving the colder months – the fireplaces have been lit and their menu has been designed to heat you up from the inside out.
“The best part about winter for my team and I is working with spices,” Chef Amori explains. “There’s just something so comforting about these warm flavours and even the occasional bit of chilli heat. So, for the next few months our menu is really inspired by the cuisines of South America, India and the Middle East. It’s all about beautiful richly spiced flavours and dishes that are warm and inviting.
For meat-lovers, order the Chef’s Pasture Menu. A curated set out courses – bread, starters and mains to share. The birria yankees and a tiradito tuna tartare, lamb shoulder spiced with red zhoug and a South African twist on a chermoula along with sides of winter pumpkin and aloo tikki chole – a beautiful chickpea and vegetable dish served on top of a potato cake
If you’re choosing the Garden Menu, then the paneer lovable with poppadums, coriander and apple are a must as a starter. For mains, the charred brinjal with butter beans, and fermented rase el hanout buttermilk is as comforting as it is mouthwatering. Amori and her team serve it with two sides: aloo tikki chole and kerrie boontjies… perfect for winter.
For desserts – the judges are out. “My team and I are still debating whether our top pick is the popcorn and polenta sugar cookie or the decadent Indian treat, gulab jamun. Either way, you still get milk and cookies right at the end of your meal. Delicious,” she adds.
Bookings essential, via Dineplan, or directly with Upper Union: reservations@upperunion.co.za / +2721 891 0360.
