Byzance and the lone hill

I know what they were thinking. They were thinking “what could possibly be so nice all the way out there in Lonehill?”

Well, let’s just say that I told them so.

You see, I actually live in Lonehill. Which, if you’re not from Johannesburg, will most likely mean nothing to you. It’s a little far from the CBD is all. TZ and Mr. TZ happen to live pretty much in the CBD. It can make dinner arrangements awkward.

I always end up driving to their side (granted, I usually also crash in their guest room). So when I once suggested that they join me for dinner at Byzance, a classy Greek restaurant in Lonehill, I was immediately met with cries of “All the way out there!? No way!” and a hint of “Can’t be that great if it’s in Lonehill.” Snobs.

So, fine. I went with another friend. We’ll call her Barbie, shall we?

Barbie and I love Byzance. She lives even further out than I do, so it’s a great halfway meeting point (okay, it’s close for me).

To get to Byzance, you need to descend stone steps that are flanked by a trinkling waterfall (well, “watertrickle” made no sense). You feel as though you’re walking into the wine cellar of a castle in Europe.

In winter, there are cosy fires (in fireplaces obviously). The interior section of the restaurant is arranged in circular booths that fit up to 8 people at a bit of a squish. Each booth has its own chandelier and they are separated by discreet screens for privacy.

You could also choose to sit at a table in the bar, which is a bit noisier and warm in Winter.

In summer, they throw open the doors to the lake view. (Yip, there’s even a small lake. Take that, non-believers!)

Barbie and I love to meet just before sunset and sit outside on the stone patio overlooking the lake and the lone hill (the suburb had to be named after something). We sip Buitenverwachting Buiten Blanc and munch on deliciously hot triangles of pita bread and Aegean Tapenade (olives, capers and garlic – yum).

We then either get very hungry and order the Souvlaki, or we just order from their extensive Meze menu. My personal favourite is the beef ravioli thingys that we had last time. OMG. It was so good, I try not to think about it too much (too much drool).

As for TZ and Mr TZ: TZ saw a couple of photos and their menu online recently and is keen to do lunch there… Well, it’s a step toward dinner.

PS. The only thing I didn’t enjoy was my crème brulee. But that’s because there wasn’t enough of it!